Mixing Chalk Paint® Colors

Annie Sloan created beautiful colors for her Chalk Paint® pallette- however, as of 2018- there are only 36 colors.  Perhaps – you are looking for a purple?  Or a teal?  Or a coral!  This is when mixing colors comes into play!

You can create almost any by mixing some of Annie’s together…again, almost any color can be made!  The Purple Painted Lady’s Color Mixing Tool  on our website is a great way to experiment with color mixing.  It will at least give you a direction to head in to achieve a certain color.  Keep in mind- your monitor may skew the color a bit so being to play with Chalk Paint® at a local stockist’s shop is always best…but if you do not have anyone around- this is the next great way to experiement so when you finally invest and purchase your paint…you do it intelligently and not waste money by buying a color you do not need.

POST YOUR CUSTOM COLORS:

Speaking of custom colors- if you create a custom color and post it on social media use the hastag #TPPLchalkpaintmixer and we may showcase it and send you a free gift in the mail! 

PINTEREST CUSTOM COLOR BOARD:

HERE is a quick link to our Pinterest board showing some different recipes to try.

WRITE DOWN YOUR RECIPE…ALWAYS!:

If you create a custom color for yourself or, if you paint for customers.  Always make a paint swatch on a piece of paper and write down details.  Like the date you created it, and the actual recipe.  Please trust me on this…..just write it down and save that note in your painting tool box!

UNIT OF MEASURE?:

When we post a recipe and say the recipe is a ratio of 2 “parts” of this color to one “part” of that color…… the unit of measure id determined by HOW MUCH paint you need to make. What is important- is that what ever you define as the “part” meaning tablespoon…or a 1/2 cup measuring container- is that you are consistent through all of your mixing.

So….let’s think about it. If you are painting your kitchen cabinets – than the unit of measure should be in cups.

If you are painting a dining chair…I would consider using “1/8 of a cup” as my unit of measure.

So….for example…..if I wanted to paint my chair in 2 parts of Old White and 1 part Napoleonic Blue. The “part” would mean I would be using “1/8th” of a cup. So- I would fill the 1/8th measuring cup TWICE for the Old White and ONCE for the Napoleonic Blue.

If I was painting a kitchen island- the “part” would be in cups, So, I would fill the measuring cup TWICE with Old White and then ONCE with Napoleonic Blue.

Does this make sense?

Dark Wax Glaze on Raw Wood

I am always amazed at the versitility of Annie Sloan’s products! And something I would like to point out, is that at The Purple Painted Lady®….we don’t just retail these products- we seriously use them.  We push them, we pull them, we want to experiment with them- so when you havde a question- we have an answer based on experience!

One of the easiest ways to add richness and depth to a piece of furniture is with using Dark Wax to finish it!!! Dark Wax ages a piece and gives it a depth of richness compared to nothing else! This posts is specific to Annie Sloan products, but keep in mind- whatever is your product of preference- explore using Dark Wax like we show here.

Anyway…to focus back on track here-  Anne who is part of our team recently created a Dark Wax “glaze” with our Annie Sloan Soft Wax and Odorless Mineral Spirits.

This is Anne!  Fortunately, Anne has been part of our team for years now.  She has pretty much used Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan for every home DIY project you can imagine.  Anne has painted her kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, baby’s crib, dressers, coffee table, her outside brick on her front porch, her mantle, her fireplace’s brick facade, and etc……….

Anne recently transformed a raw wood table we have in our Greece, NY location using Annie Sloan’s Dark Wax mixed with Odorless Mineral Spirits.  Anne mixed the two in equal amounts to thin the Dark Wax  to a “glaze” consistency.

Here is a close up of the table prior and the products Anne used.

Anne took a plastic spoon and scooped a couple tablespoons of Annie Sloan’s Dark Wax and placed them into a plastic cup.  She then pouredan equal amount  Odorless Mineral Spirits into the plastic container and mixed the two well.  This will cause the Dark Wax to not be so thick and work more like a stain.   The below photo shows the change on the raw wood after the initial application.  Anne use an inexpensive Chip Brush and brushed it on and then followed up with wiping off the excess using lint free Scott Shop Towels.

Here is an action shot of the wood leg with the Dark Wax “glaze” being applied.

Seriously- you have to try this technique if you have a raw wood project.  It is so easy and beautiful!  Here is the tabletop completed.

And- here is the table back in place at our Greece shop location.

SAVE this image to Pinterest to remind you of this technique!

BUY PRODUCT FROM …..THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY®:

Come visit us at 

EAST SIDE OF ROCHESTER (Our MAIN store!)  77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502   OPEN Mon – Wed 10– 4, Thurs 11–7, Fri 10 –5 & Sat 10-4.…CLOSED SUNDAY

If you live out of NY state, if you have a local stockist- go visit them and build a relationship with them.  Go to them with your questions and project issues.  BUT- if you do not have a local stockist- we invite you to try our customer service!

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady® to be your one stop resource!  We have two locations in western NY.  Check out our Information tab and come and meet us!  Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you.  
 
This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist.  Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them!!!   The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable.  Get inspired by their shop that they lovingly curated – just for you!   Enjoy that one on one experience!  
 
But for those who are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us.  With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.
 
We are here to help you, our customers!  We want you to be successful!  
 
SOME OF THE REASONS WE THINK THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY® CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We love our customers and it shows!
*  We want you to be succesful the first time you use this product, so you fall in love with Chalk Paint® and tell all your friends about it!  So, with that said, we promise to provide you with all the “know how” information you need to be a DIY Warrior!
*  Ordering online?  If you order before 3 pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that SAME day.   We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.  (THIS IS DIFFERENT than SAME DAY DELIVERY. We do not offer that)
*  We offer low flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.
*  We have awesome follow up customer service, too!
 
 
 
: )  And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project!  And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!  Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady®.  Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710    This really helps me!  (wink, wink!)
XO
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady® ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office

 

 

Graphite Chalk Paint®

Here are a couple recent transformations completed with Graphite Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.  

Graphite Chalk Paint® is the darkest color in the whole Annie Sloan suite.  

Annie Sloan’s Graphite Chalk Paint® is a soft black – which I like to compare to a dark slate color or a vintage slate chalk board in an old school room! It is made with purplish blues, browns, and is not completely black. When waxed with Annie’s Dark Wax– the color becomes even more richer and warm. This is a popular color, especially when I am detailing a piece with vintage typography. I receive a lot of emails about this color. First- I want to clearly state again – this is NOT black.

It is a rich color – close to being a slate, or think …dark pencil lead. Depending on the orientation of the surface painted- it can appear darker or lighter. It does have depth and interest- and clearly plays wonderfully with other pieces painted in a true black. 

The photo immediately below shows  Graphite Chalk Paint® with all of Annie’s waxes applied.   

The upper left corner shows Graphite Chalk Paint®  with Clear Wax.   

The upper right corner shows Graphite Chalk Paint® with Dark Wax.

The bottom left shows Graphite Chalk Paint®  with White Wax.

The bottom right shows Graphite Chalk Paint® with Black Wax.

Okay- here is the first amazing resurrection that was completed by  Pam from Pamela’s Vintage Soul Jewelry! Pam is extremely gifted on many counts- check out this stunner where she took a dresser that is atleast 100 years old and gave it a new life! Pam used  Graphite Chalk Paint® and Dark Wax.    Then make sure to take a peek at her business page. Pam creates the most amazing handmade statement jewelry pieces comprised of vintage/antique materials. All pieces are one of a kind….just like her!  What do you think?

Here is Pam’s BEFORE photo:

Here is Pam’s “WOW” reveal:

 

Here is another great “before & after” using Here is another great “before & after” using  Graphite Chalk Paint® and Clear Wax by Heather Way.  Heather painted this hutch and all of her chairs with ONE quart of Chalk Paint®. 

BUY PRODUCT FROM …..THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY®:

Come visit us at 

EAST SIDE OF ROCHESTER (Our MAIN store!)  77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502   OPEN Mon – Wed 10– 4, Thurs 11–7, Fri 10 –5 & Sat 10-4.…CLOSED SUNDAY

If you live out of NY state, if you have a local stockist- go visit them and build a relationship with them.  Go to them with your questions and project issues.  BUT- if you do not have a local stockist- we invite you to try our customer service!

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady® to be your one stop resource!  We have two locations in western NY.  Check out our Information tab and come and meet us!  Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you.  
 
This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist.  Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them!!!   The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable.  Get inspired by their shop that they lovingly curated – just for you!   Enjoy that one on one experience!  
 
But for those who are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us.  With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.
 
We are here to help you, our customers!  We want you to be successful!  
 
SOME OF THE REASONS WE THINK THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY® CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We love our customers and it shows!
*  We want you to be succesful the first time you use this product, so you fall in love with Chalk Paint® and tell all your friends about it!  So, with that said, we promise to provide you with all the “know how” information you need to be a DIY Warrior!
*  Ordering online?  If you order before 3 pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that SAME day.   We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.  (THIS IS DIFFERENT than SAME DAY DELIVERY. We do not offer that)
*  We offer low flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.
*  We have awesome follow up customer service, too!
 
 
 
: )  And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project!  And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!  Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady®.  Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710    This really helps me!  (wink, wink!)
XO
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady® ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office

Coco Chalk Paint® Kitchen Cabinet Testimonial

We love hearing from you and seeing your “before and after” photos, especially on projects that you call for help on!

Michele Melvin is a customer of ours who we recently helped.  She wanted to paint her kicthen cabinets.

BEFORE PHOTOS:

 

So, we asked her to send us a photo of a kitchen that she loved the look of and that would be her inspiration photo.  She wanted to use Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan but neither Coco or French Linen were exactly right, just on their own.  So, that is when the customer service at The Purple Painted Lady kicked it up a notch!

 

We sent her a couple recipe options for her to consider.

Ultimately, Michele chose to go with just Coco and then a slight Pure White wash over it.  (not sure how to do a “wash”?  Just read this post HERE.)   Doing a wash was a brilliant idea- since it is very simple but yet, makes a big impact!  (And…it does not require a huge amount of Chalk Paint® since you are mixing it with water to thin it.)

Her cabinets turned out amazing!

We love her finished kitchen!!!!

Don’t be afraid to take on a project like this.  It is so much easier than you think and we will be here to help and coach you! 

COCO QUART VS LITRE PACKAGING COLOR DIFFERENCE:

Annie Sloan sells her Chalk Paint® in over 60 countries. At the end of 2018 and into early 2019, in order to get us in line with all of her other countries and her pigments, she took back manufacturing and distribution for Canada and the USA. We were the only countries that had some slight differences in pigments and packaging. Below is a photo showing sample boards of Coco painted from the retired Quart packaging to the now, 2019 and after Litre packaging. NOTE that due to the Global Transitioning of paint- this color has changed!  Coco in a litre is a lighter shade than the color that was in the quart. The quart packaging is now retired. Annie says, “Coco  is the sophisticated side of neutral.” Trish shares It is more like a latte…similar to Annie’s color French Linen. But Coco  is more brown or chocolatey versus French Linen – who has a bit of grey. I love Coco  paired with Old White and Antoinette. Yum…that makes me think of Neapolitan ice cream! Here is a photo comparing in case you want to see the difference. If you are going back to work in a project you started earlier this year or prior to 2019…..make sure to talk to your local Stockist…..or, if you purchase from us~ stop in or text us questions prior to purchasing. We want you to be confident in your color choices …especially if you don’t have a local store to go to. See our video on the shift in color HERE.

Below are a couple links to two (very detailed) videos we created for the person who really wants to understand the nuts and bolts of how to approach a DIY project like this.  Meaning, what tools you will need, the steps required and then…..demos on how to transform a cabinet.  Basically, instead of charging you money to take a class with us, we brought it into your home, for free!   

VIDEO #1 Kitchen Cabinet Best Tools, Prep and Paint

VIDEO #2 Kitchen Cabinet Waxing

 

 

Spring is in the Air!

Are you like me, biting at the bit for any possible sign that winter is over?   It seems relevant since daylight savings in the north east started today and that is when we “spring” the clock forward.  So, Mother Nature knows that is when warmer weather, tulips and baby birds should also be here, right?  

Well, while cruising the wonderful world wide web I found this adoreable garden sign completed by the Elegant Nest located in the UK.  Laura is the designer behind this great project!  Check out Laura’s Facebook page HERE.

So, this is the gorgeous Garden sign created using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan.

Personally, I would achieve a similar look using the following products for your vintage GARDEN sign.

MATERIAL LIST: (note links are to quarts or larger sizes of wax, BUT sample pot sizes would absolutely be more than enough for this project!!!)

Olive Chalk Paint®

Old White Chalk Paint®

Graphite Chalk Paint®

Clear Wax

Dark Wax

Annie Sloan Sanding Sponges

Assortment of Brushes

Weathered piece of Barn Wood or a random piece of tongue and groove flooring

Note: Laura used the Algerian Font to create the lettering for this sign

SUGGESTIONS for steps to take using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan:

Prepare Wood:

If I was to try and create something similar, first find your piece of wood. If you have access to barn wood, that is the best.  Just be careful to not get a sliver if the wood is dry and brittle when distressing or waxing.  If you pick up a piece of tongue & groove flooring from your local hardware store, feel free to take a hammer or metal chain to it prior to painting to give it some “aged” character.  Bang it up and add some indentations.  Even a pointed object hammered into the wood creating a cluster of worm holes will make your finished sign look more authentic once the distressing and wax applications are complete.

Paint:

Step 1. Using your Olive Chalk Paint® (or Amsterdam Green)… pour a small amount of paint (like a teaspoon worth of paint or two) in a small container.  I would then add 1/2 teaspoon of water to the Chalk Paint® and mix it in to thin the paint.  The dgree of how thin you make the paint is based on the degree of translucency you want.  If you want the “green” to be like a stain or a wash, add a little more water.  I would not go more than a one to one ratio of paint to water though.  Paint your entire board.  If looking for more of a washed effect, wipe off some of the excess paint from the surface.

Let your “green” base coat dry completely.

Stencil:

Now, determine your layout for the “GARDEN” letters.  If you have a stencil maker, like a Silhouette machine or Cricuit ~ create your letters.  Laura, from the Elegant Nest suggested to use the Algerian Font.    I love how her letters turned out – so I ageee!

If you do not have access to a machine to create your stencil, no worries.  Do it the old fashion…and reliable way!   Using your favorite word processing software, print the letters out onto paper using your basic printer.  Create your “stencil” by cutting the letters out with a scissors.  Lay the letters on your wood to get the right spacing.   Then, using a piece of chalk or white colored pencil – begin sketching/tracing around the letters over your green paint. 

Paint Letters:

Once your layout is complete, grab an artist brush and paint in the letters using your Old White Chalk Paint®Do not worry if you build up the paint or have texture from your brush strokes.  In fact, brush strokes are good!   We plan on sanding over this later and it will only add more character to your sign!

Paint Shading of Letters:

Once the Old White Chalk Paint®  is dry, to create some vintage magic using Graphite Chalk Paint® and another fine point artist brush – do an outline on one one side of the letters like Laura did.  Note how Laura, of the Elegant Nest applied the  Graphite Chalk Paint® to “one” side.  Meaning, do NOT outline the entire letter.  But use the Graphite Chalk Paint® on only the right side of the outline of each letter which will create that vintage illusion of shadowing.

Distressing:

Once the Graphite Chalk Paint® has dried, take your blue Annie Sloan Sanding Sponges which is the course grit, and begin to distress your “vintage sign.”  Personally, I would distress it in a linear fashion in the same direction of the grain of the wood.  Once done, blow off any residual dust outside.

Waxing:

Clear Wax:

To finish your sign and to seal the paint, first apply a uniform, thin coat of Annie Sloan’s Clear Wax.  Follow the instructions we give you for applying wax- so you apply it and then – wipe off the excess immediately.

Dark Wax:

To  finish your sign and to add that “aged” effect, finalize your sign using Annie Sloan’s Dark WaxAgain, follow the instructions we give you for applying wax- so you apply it and then – wipe off the excess immediately.

Hooks:

Pick up some decorative hooks or cute knobs to mount on either side to hang your garden tools from.  Hobby Lobby has a great assortment and they are like, 50% off every other week.  

And voila!  Your vintage GARDEN plaque is complete.

You should really check out Lauren’s Facebook page for other inspirational project ideas!

BUY PRODUCT FROM …..THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY®:

Come visit us at 

EAST SIDE OF ROCHESTER (Our MAIN store!)  77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502   OPEN Mon – Wed 10– 4, Thurs 11–7, Fri 10 –5 & Sat 10-4.…CLOSED SUNDAY

If you live out of NY state, if you have a local stockist- go visit them and build a relationship with them.  Go to them with your questions and project issues.  BUT- if you do not have a local stockist- we invite you to try our customer service!

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady® to be your one stop resource!  We have two locations in western NY.  Check out our Information tab and come and meet us!  Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you.  
 
This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist.  Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them!!!   The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable.  Get inspired by their shop that they lovingly curated – just for you!   Enjoy that one on one experience!  
 
But for those who are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us.  With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.
 
We are here to help you, our customers!  We want you to be successful!  
 
SOME OF THE REASONS WE THINK THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY® CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We love our customers and it shows!
*  We want you to be succesful the first time you use this product, so you fall in love with Chalk Paint® and tell all your friends about it!  So, with that said, we promise to provide you with all the “know how” information you need to be a DIY Warrior!
*  Ordering online?  If you order before 3 pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that SAME day.   We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.  (THIS IS DIFFERENT than SAME DAY DELIVERY. We do not offer that)
*  We offer low flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.
*  We have awesome follow up customer service, too!
 
 
 
: )  And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project!  And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!  Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady®.  Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710    This really helps me!  (wink, wink!)
XO
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady® ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office