Old White Chalk Paint® Wash Over Exterior Brick

Before and After photos are always the best to showcase what is possible with a can of paint!  But not just any paint… we are referring to Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan because it is both an interior paint and exterior paint!

Anne, who is part of team at The Purple Painted Lady® has a young family and she and her husband Zack are serious DIYer’s.  From renovating their basement, to gutting their kitchen and bathrooms…they do not shy away from any project!  

This is Anne…isn’t she beautiful?

One smaller project she is currently in the process of doing – is giving her front entrance a face lift.  

Anne wanted to tone down the red of the brick.  She chose Chalk Paint® in the color Old White.

 Old White is the quintessential color to have in your painting pantry or toolbox! It is the perfect color, in that it plays perfectly with every other color! Old White out sells every other color in Annie’s suite.   NOTE though  – that  Old White is a very soft cream….. in my opinion. I think it looks literally like cream.  Something also to note….it does have the slightest hint of yellow.

 

If debating between this color and Pure White or Old Ochre Chalk Paint®, visit this link here => http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/04/difference-between-annie-sloans-white-chalk-paint-colors/

 

Anne started with adding about 20% of water to a small portion of the Old White, but it wasn’t laying the way she wanted.  So, being that Chalk Paint® is an artisan paint- she started to dip her brush straight into the paint can, brushed it directly on the brick- and then dipped her brush into a cup of water and used the damp brush to spread the paint.  

Some things to consider when doing this project:

  1. If painting over concrete – place a drop cloth down.  If you drip paint on the sidewalk- it will leave a mess that you will not be able to wash away. (even with a powerwasher)
  2. I would suggest doing this project on a day that the temperature is reasonable.  Meaning in the 60’s, 70’s or low 80’s.  
  3. Check the weather forecast to make sure no major rainstorms are expected in the next 24 hours.  After that- you can have a Monsoon and not worry one bit about that paint!
  4. Start out with the paint thinned more versus less with water.  Remember – you can always apply another coat of the “wash” to make the white pigment heavier.
  5. Experiment with painting some random bricks in more of a solid to give dimension.  Or consider painting some random bricks using Paris Grey Chalk Paint®.  You could even use the  Paris Grey to cut in the mortar joints …if you have the patience.

Here is the “almost” finished outcome since Anne still has the top left corner.  Anne has not decorated her front stoop yet, but she always is working on different seasonal decorations to make her house a beautiful and inviting home!  Once she does- we will add a final photo.

DO I NEED TO SEAL IT?:

Chalk Paint®️ by Annie Sloan is also an exterior paint. Absolutely no topcoat is needed over the brick. Bricks are extremely porous and they pull that color in. As you know, chalk paint®️ sticks, grips and adheres to virtually any surface. Once it is dried and cured …..it is almost impossible to remove it. We just recommend checking the forecast before beginning a project like this and making sure that it’s not going to rain for 24 hours.

If you transform a project and would like to share it with The Purple Painted Lady® via your Facebook or Instagram page, please use our hashtag!!!  #thepurplepaintedlady   We love seeing what you are all working on!

 

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

First- 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!
*  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.
*  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!
*  We sell Chalk Paint® for $34.95
 
 
: )  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

 

HOW TO APPLY A WASH – Honfleur, French Linen and Old White Wash Armoire

Watch this video!  ==>     HOW TO DO A WASH?  (WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO ON THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY CHANNEL) Jump to the 7 minute mark to skip all of my babbling!  And..I have loss around 90 pounds since I made that video.  Yay me!  xo Trish  ***and something that has changed- make sure to apply a coat of clear wax over your base coat of paint BEFORE applying your wash so that you do not wipe away any of the base!!!

Annie Sloan created amazing colors for her suite of Chalk Paint® decorative paint, BUT when you use them in concert with each other…then you can really create some magic!

Sadly- I cannot find a “BEFORE” photo of the painted piece below.  Yes, even a veteran painter gets excited about painting a piece and sometimes- skips these important details.  But I can say – this armoire that I bought off of Craigslist was very, VERY DARK wood.  But not anymore!

This armoire above was painted by our team at The Purple Painted Lady.

Anyway- to complete this look on this armoire- that is literally in the bedroom of The Purple Painted Lady, you need the following:

MATERIAL LIST:

Honfleur Chalk Paint®

French Linen Chalk Paint®

Old White Chalk Paint®

Annie Sloan SMALL dome top Paint Brush ($27.95)

Annie Sloan’s Sanding Sponges

Roll of Scott Shop Towels

Annie Sloan SMALL Wax Brush

Click here to watch a YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWING US CREATING A WASH

PROCESS TO FOLLOW:

STEP 1.   Using your Annie Sloan SMALL paint brush, paint the base color of your piece in Honfleur Chalk Paint® .   Consider applying the paint in some various directions because you will be applying the French Linen over it and when you sand / distress in step 3, it will create a little extra interest and texture for the Old White Wash to cling to.

We like to describe Honfleur like it is the color of a MILK CHOCOLATE BROWN.  ….a DARK BROWN. Think Easter Bunny Chocolate!
According to Annie, Honfleur is named after a seaside harbour town in Normandy and inspired by rich warm browns found in the rustic French countryside and mid-20th century design. This colour works brilliantly with the popular mid century modern style. It looks great combined with Scandinavian Pink, Barcelona Orange, Giverny, Provence, Greek Blue and Antibes Green. It’s also elegant and classical with pastel Louis Blue and pretty Antoinette.

You may need two coats of the Honfleur.  Once all is dry…then proceed to step 2.STEP 2.  Paint a coat of French Linen Chalk Paint®.  

Thin your paint with a little water if you feel it makes it easier to apply over the base color of Honfleur.  You can add up to 20 to 25% water to your Chalk Paint® to thin it a bit if you feel it makes applying it easier.  Just be careful if you ever add water directly to your quart.  (I recommend to NOT do this)  Because if you add too much water directly to your paint, unless you have another quart….you have no way to fix what you just did.

With this step…use your discretion.  You may only need ONE coat of paint.  You could apply this coat strategically- dry brushing in some areas so the French Linen is very thin.  If you like the look, go for it!  But – again- Annie’s paints are artisan paints and are meant to be experimented with.  There are no rules when it comes to using it! (well, okay, maybe a couple….but go with your instincts on what you like!)

We describe French Linen as a taupey-grey…BUT more taupe!  It is a classic color and very popular!    But keep in mind- if you have a lot of green in a room- it can pick up very subtle green undertones.  STEP 3.  Once the French Linen is dry- then use Annie’s medium sanding sponge and distress some of the French Linen to show the dark milk chocolate color of the Honfleur beneath.  be careful when you start distressing.  it is a lot of fun and sometimes, you can take more pain off then you had in mind.  The goal here is to just remove some of the French Linen, not to break through the base of Honfleur.Also, the amount you distress is based on personal taste.  Sort of like, how much salt you would like in your soup.  STEP 4.   Once done with distressing, you will wipe off any loose dust.  THEN……(modified instructions here in Jan. 2021 based on Annie’s new direction) APPLY A COAT OF CLEAR WAX and remove the excess. 

THEN…….create a “wash” using Old White Chalk Paint®.   Old White is the number one color that we sell!  It goes well with practically anything!!!!  It is a soft antique white.  i personally think it is a cream.  It does have a very – very subtle slight little yellow in it.  BUT – it is the number one color that we sell! To create a wash with the Old White for this armoire project, pour about a 1/4 cup of paint in a plastic cup.  Add equal amounts of water…so in this example, 1/4 of room temperature water and then, mix well.  Work in sections.  For example, apply wash over one whole door at a time. Use your Annie Sloan Small paint brush to apply.  Then using a couple sheets from your Scott Shop Towels, wipe off the excess strategically.  Wipe off in the same direction as your wood grain.

HOW TO DO A “WASH” USING CHALK PAINT®:  There is the option of doing a wash prior to applying a coat of Clear Wax but Annie typically recommends applying a wash after a coat of clear has been applied.

  1. Always note the water to paint ratio for your wash in case you do not make enough to finish the whole project. (can I stress this anymore? But I learned my lesson once and ended up goofing up a piece over this simple rule! Learn from my mistake!) Often a 1:1 ratio of paint to water is used.  It is important to stir your “wash” frequently as you are progressing thru your project to keep the pigments consistent.
  2. Never add the water directly to your actual quart of paint. You typically would NOT need that much paint mixed with water for a wash technique, unless you are applying the wash to literally to the outside of your whole house!  So, always pour some paint in to a smaller container and mix your water with that.  If you mistakenly add too much water, you need to counter balance it with more paint.  Thus, why to measure.
  3. Brush on the wash in either strategic brush strokes–meaning keep your lines straight and clean. You can use any brush to do this.  Depending on your project, a chip brushmay be best – OR if looking for a heavier veil from the applied wash, perhaps Annie’s small dome top brush.  You do not have a lot of “play” time so be prepared to work after applying the wash.
  4. Be cautious not to drip the “wash” mixture on areas of the furniture you are not currently washing
  5. Put a drop cloth down if doing this in your home…if you are like me- you will drip some on the floor. And be careful not to flick any of the wash when applying to walls or items near you as you work.
  6. Place your cup with the wash on a paper plate to keep work surface clean
  7. WIPE OFF STRATEGICALLY or NOT. (this depends on the look you are trying to create)    Apply wash in small sections BUT- if I was doing a dresser, I would apply it to the whole top and then wipe off excess.  Then move on to the next section. During the wiping off process- be careful to not have “rag blotch marks” unless you are going for that effect.   Start at the top and wipe off in clean, even pressured strokes all the way to the opposite side. Do not stop half way or go against the direction you want the streaks in. As long as you have dampened the surface with a mister bottle – you can wipe off the excess in circles with the rag. If your rag becomes too saturated- get a new one.  ***LEAVE SOME of the wash heavier in the crevices for a cool visual effect!!!  LIGHT with the pressure you apply when removing and actually- this is dependent on how much you want to leave behind BUT – be cautious- you do not wipe away the base coat being too strong!
  8. Plan twice, “wash” once. Meaning- know your piece and your plan on how you are going to approach the project…top first, then sides.  I think starting at the top and working down to the floor is best.
  9. If you are just trying a wash for the first time  – it is best to do this on a piece that is smooth across. Meaning- not raised panels. But keep in mind- if your piece has a lot of carved details…a wash is going to really show them off!
  10. Never place your rag down in the middle of a wash. Gently wipe from one direction to the other- otherwise you run the risk of leaving an imprint of the rag in the middle of your painted surface.
  11. If you get a wash in a spot that you did not want…don’t fret. Mist it lightly with some water and wipe it off or spread it out more. Just don’t dilute too much with water and be cautious not to impact the base coat of paint.
  12. If you are applying your “wash” over a wood piece versus over a layer of Chalk Paint®…meaning you had a wood dresser and just wanted to do a white wash over it….once the wash has dried, give it 24 hours before applying your top coat to allow the chemistry in the paint to do its job and adhere better.

STEP 5  Apply your Annie Sloan Clear Wax as our instructions state. Using a wax brush is best and easiest- so if you do not have one…consider buying one.  These are our favorite!!!!   

And voila!  you should have something similar to my armoire!

Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint®, Graphite Wash and Black Wax…Ooh La La!

WOWZA!  Yes, that is right.  That is all I (me…Trish…The Purple Painted Lady) thinks when I see this piece completed by our customer Carol Ann Bianchi who is from Rochester, NY!

 

Seriously, what a change from the BEFORE photo!

Carol Ann wrote,  “This was a beast, but I’m thrilled with the outcome. I bought this whole entertainment center at Salvation Army for $79! It’s a Broyhill and solid! Two coats of Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint®, (followed with a) Graphite wash, Annie Sloan’s clear wax, and then black wax around the raised areas. Gold gilding wax to finish it off!

I used one and a half quarts of Aubusson but used almost two full quarts of the Graphite to paint the inside and do the wash on the outside. The inside was a lot of work.

I get all my supplies from The Purple Painted Lady INC®! Tricia and her girls are wonderful to work with! They are always so helpful and accommodating! I HIGHLY suggest you order from her if you don’t have a local stockist.”

Aubusson Blue is very popular color!   Annie Sloan’s Aubusson Blue is named and designed after the beautiful deep grey blue found on the classic 18th and 19th century Aubusson rugs from France. It is an elegant color that works well with many colors as it is a dark neutral but in particular it works with Paris Grey. It is also a color found in Scandinavian painted furniture.

 

After painting Aubusson Blue, Carol Ann then did a wash using Annie Sloan’s Graphite.  A “wash” is just thinning the Chalk Paint® with water.  Never add a bunch of water to your actual quart of paint.  If you mistakenly add too much, you are past the point of no return and the only solution is to buy more paint to offset too much water.  So, always pour some paint into a separate container and mix your water in that.  Often the ratio will be 1 : 1 or a little less water to paint.  By adding water to your Chalk Paint®…it thins it…..which allows you to create a translucent “veil” of the color versus a heavy, opaque effect. (See steps below on how to do a wash)

Once done with the wash, Carol Ann used Annie Sloan’s Clear wax.

After removing the excess of the clear wax, Carol Ann finished with Annie Sloan’s Black wax…making sure to let some catch and stay in the crevices and grooves.

Annie’s Wax Brushes are wonderful for applying wax.   

 

And don’t forget to pick up a roll of Scott Shop towels.  They are lint free and really helpful and sometimes, you just run out of t-shirts to cut up!


And the cherry on top, was the thin accent of gold gilding that Carol Ann delicately placed to highlight some of the entertainment centers architecture.

GILDING: The Purple Painted Lady sells gilding in all metallic colors at her shops and on her on-line store HERE.   Gilding waxes are easy and fun to use. They add a little sparkle to any project, humble or grand. You can use a small brush but personally I prefer using my finger to apply the waxes. There is something about the way your finger can just glide across the surface of a bead or relief that looks natural and authentic. Gilding waxes are the closest thing to the look of real gold leaf but are infinitely easier to apply and come in stunningly beautiful colors.

By dipping a small 1″ or 2″ brush into mineral spirits wiping the excess on a paper towel, then dipping into the wax you can create a beautiful metallic glaze for your entire piece.

Like all wax, the gilding waxes clean up with mineral spirits. If you get a bit in an unwanted spot simply saturate a cotton swab with a dab of mineral spirits and wipe the area clean. OR- I PREFER to use a little of Annie’s Clear Wax on a rag and wipe off the extra gilding- this works like a charm!

In the sense of at what point do you apply Gilding Wax to your painted project piece….it is the very last step. Think of gilding wax as in roses on top of a wedding cake.  Once the roses are added- you do not go back and re-frost the cake!    : )

The Purple Painted Lady® INC was thrilled to see this transformation by Carol Ann!  

In fact, this color combination is something we are going to be doing in a home that is part of the property we host our annual art festival on and that Annie Sloan herself, will be staying in when she attends the 2018 Festival!

Here is our sample cabinet:

 

This what the kitchen currently looks like:

 

Since Carol Ann did a wash on the entertainment center, I thought it would be helpful to include some suggestions, tips, tricks and caveats about doing a wash.

Try this “wash” effect OR experiment with other color combinations like Duck Egg over Old White….or French Linen over Graphite, Provence over Old Ochre OR just Old White “washed” over natural wood! There are no rules- but I hope the following helpful hints make this project idea more do-able for you! Please keep in mind the following….

HOW TO DO A “WASH” USING CHALK PAINT®:

1. Always note the water to paint ratio in case you do not make enough to finish the whole project. (can I stress this any more? But I learned my lesson once and ended up goofing up a piece over this simple rule! Learn from my mistake!) Often a 1:1 ratio of paint to water is used.  

2. Never add the water directly to your actual quart of paint. If you mistakenly add too much, you are past the point of no return and the only solution is to buy more paint to offset too much water.

3. Brush on the wash in strategic brush strokes–meaning keep your lines straight and clean, not circular.

4. Be cautious not to drip on areas of the furniture you are not currently washing

5. Put a drop cloth down if doing this in your home…you will drip some on the floor.

6. Place your cup with the wash on a paper plate to keep work surface clean

7. WIPE OFF STRATEGICALLY.  Apply wash in small sections and wipe off – then move on to the next section. During the wiping off process- be careful to not have “rag blotch marks.” Start at the top and wipe off in clean, even pressured strokes all the way to the opposite side. Do not stop half way or go against the direction you want the streaks in. Never go in circles with the rag. If your rag becomes too saturated- get a new one.

8. I used a chip brush to apply- I like the streaky effect from the bristles.

9. Plan twice, “wash” once. Meaning- know your piece and your plan on how you are going to approach the project…top first, then sides.  Ithink starting at the top and working down to the floor is best.

10. If you are just trying a wash for the first time  – it is best to do this on a piece that is smooth across. Meaning- not raised panels, or with a lot of carved details.

11. Always wipe off your wash in the direction of the brush strokes. Never do it in circles- it will look a mess.

12. Never place your rag down in the middle of a wash. Gently wipe from one direction to the other- otherwise you run the risk of leaving an imprint of the rag in the middle of your painted surface.

13. If you get a wash in a spot that you did not want…don’t fret. Let it dry- then gently sand it off using some 400 grit sandpaper.

Well, we think that Carol Ann wins the 1st place award for the least money, largest piece transformation!  And we think it screams, “WOWZA!”

If interested in purchasing Annie Sloan products, please visit our website if interested in ordering Chalk Paint®. We have Chalk Paint® available for $34.95 per quart every day, we offer low/flat rate shipping and it always ships same day (as long as Pete, our UPS guy has not come already!)

In fact- there are many reasons we think buying through us is the best. Read THIS little post about what sets The Purple Painted Lady apart from the rest.

To visit our on-line store- click HERE.

Lastly, we share a lot more information to help you get the most functionality out of your Chalk Paint® on our Facebook page. Consider checking it out by clicking HERE. While there- kindly consider LIKING us.

Thanks again,
Tricia Migliore Kuntz ~The Purple Painted Lady ~
Design/Consulting, Kitchen Cabinet Refurbishing, Custom Painted Furniture, Chalk Paint® & Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Retailer & herRochester Blogger

PHONE: 585-750-6056

Come visit one of our TWO locations:

EAST SIDE OF ROCHESTER (Our MAIN store!)

Photo of 77 west Main Street shop store front photo

77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502

OPEN Mon – Wed 10– 4, Thurs 11–7, Fri 10 –5 & Sat 10-4.…CLOSED SUNDAY

OR

WEST SIDE OF ROCHESTER

The shops on west ridge pic 3200 The Purple Painted Lady

3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626 (The Shops On West Ridge)

OPEN Thurs – Sunday 11–6 ……CLOSED MON, TUES, WEDNESDAY

Table Set in Chalk Paint® and Java Gel

The Purple Painted Lady loves sharing a great “before & after” story!

This one is by Anne French…she is the woman smiling below at you!  Anne French Little French Market The Purple Painted Lady

Anne did a table set using Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan and products by General Finishes.  And personally, I think she did a fabulous job!

The Purple Painted Lady  2 Anne French Graphite Java Table Set Chalk Paint

PRODUCTS USED: (Click on the item below to visit it in the shopping cart)

Graphite Chalk Paint®

General Finishes Java Gel Stain

General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Satin

Steel Wool

Annie Sloan SMALL Paint Brush (to create texture)

Chip Brush

Anne wrote that this table and chairs set was a big job, but I love the way it turned out! My client wanted something rustic, yet sophisticated so we went with kind of a faux zinc finish.

 
PREPPED FOR GENERAL FINISHES:
I started by removing each of the seats so they could be sanded down and prepped for staining. The chair backs were also sanded and taped off since part of the chair would be painted and part would be stained.
Chair Sanded

Chair Sanded

The table top was also completely sanded and prepped for staining. For the stained sections I used my favorite – General Finishes Java Gel.

 
The General Finishes in the color Java is a rich mocha brown
I find it is very forgiving and easy to work with. I did one coat of stain and then wiped off the excess using an old cotton t-shirt.Once the stain had dried thoroughly I applied about 5 coats of General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Satin for added durability.   The Purple Painted Lady Java Gel Chairs Seats in a Row Anne French
General Finishes Satin The purple painted Lady
 
I used a fine steel wool (grade 0000) in between each coat of sealer for a nice smooth finish. I like to use extra coats of sealer on seats and table tops since they will get lots of use.  (From The Purple Painted Lady- make sure to respect drying times between coats)Steel wool
Next, I started in on the painting portion. (I disassembled the table first, which made it much easier to work with since I knew I would be doing multiple steps).
 
 

FAUX ZINC FINISH (Random Brush Strokes):
To create the faux zinc finish I started off by applying two coats of Annie Sloan Graphite, using brush strokes in all different directions.   Remember that Graphite is a dark slate color with purple/blue undertones.  This is NOT a pure black.  Can you see the brush strokes in the image below?

 
 
The Purple Painted Lady Color Wash Anne French Chalk Paint Graphite
The Purple Painted Lady small Annie sloan Chalk Paint brush domed top
 
The Purple Painted Lady Graphite Chalk Paint open lid
COLOR WASH:
This created some really nice texture to “catch” the color wash. I did a color wash using Annie Sloan Paris Gray, using about five parts water to three parts Paris Gray.
 
Paris Grey  Sample BoardI applied the wash with a chip brush and then rubbed off the excess using an old cloth.
The Purple Painted Lady 2 inch chip brush
Finally, I applied about 3 coats of the General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Satin, fine sanding with the steel wool in between the coats.My client was thrilled with the finished product! I have since used this faux zinc finish on multiple other projects and it is always a winner.
 
The Purple Painted Lady Graphite Chair Close Up Java Chalk Paint Anne French
 

PROJECT TIP FROM ANNE:
When applying a color wash, be careful not to use too much pressure when wiping off the excess as it can pull off some of the base color and potentially create an unwanted distressed look to your piece.
 

If you are interested in staying touch with The Purple Painted Lady- visit our Facebook page HERE – we would LOVE to hear from you and see your before & after photos!

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

First- 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.  But, if you 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!  And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:
 
SOME OF THE REASONS WE THINK OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We sell Chalk Paint® for $34.95
*  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.
*  We offer the lowest 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- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you.  (my shameless but honest plug)    Here is a link to our on-line shop=>   http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/
 
: )  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

PLEASE VISIT OUR LOCATIONS!

our MAIN STORE at 77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502

77 Main street with phone number

OR

3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626 (The Shops On West Ridge)

 

 

Paris Grey, Graphite and Coco Chalk Paint® Buffet

The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful Painter corner shot Buffet Chalk Paint General Finish GlazeThe Purple Painted Lady loves to share pieces that have been completed by her customers. One customer in particular, is Nikki Counahan. She is also know as The Grateful Painter.

Nikki,  “The Grateful Painter” has both a Facebook page HERE and an Instagram account HERE for you to check out.

I asked Nikki to share some information about this buffet that she recently completed because I think it is helpful to understand how others use products and to learn from one another.   The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful Painter Logo

Here is the fantastic information Nikki shared with me:

I bought this piece from an online auction. I spent more than I normally would on this buffet but I have always wanted to paint something like this so it was worth it!

The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful Painter BEFORE buffet fuller shot June

I am always so excited to start painting a piece as soon as I get it home but this one needed just a bit of prep work before I could dive in. Luckily it was in near perfect condition when I picked it up.

surform plane The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful PainterOne of the cabinet doors was a bit tough to close– the top of the door just seemed to not fit into its space. I tried to adjust the screws in the hinges but it wasn’t budging. I have this handy dandy tool called a “surform plane” that I use in these situations. It basically shaves down the wood making it easier for doors and drawers to fit. Make sure to smooth the surface out with sand paper after using the surform plane otherwise it will be left a bit uneven.

 

SHELLAC:

This piece was a very bright mahogany wood and I knew it was going to have MAJOR bleed through. Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac is the quickest and easiest way to make sure you have NO bleed through.

Read this post HERE on The Purple Painted Lady website’s to learn more about using Shellac.

I ran sand paper over the entire piece just to rough up the surface, wiped it down with water and bit of mineral spirits, then let it dry before starting. I did two thin coats (of shellac) just to make sure the piece was completely covered. I lightly sanded with 120 grit sand paper before I applied the second coat. Let each coat dry for about an hour and make sure to dust off the piece after sanding! This is definitely an “extra” step but it is VERY important!! (per The Purple Painted Lady ~ sanding between coats of shellac will help prevent paint from crackling)

PAINT:

Once the shellac was dry I started by painting the body in two quick coats of Annie Sloan Coco and the top in two coats of Graphite.

The Purple Painted Lady Graphite Chalk Paint open lid Paris Grey  Sample Board

I ordered Annie Sloan Paris Grey from The Purple Painted Lady and I knew the color would compliment Coco perfectly!

 

Coco Sample Board - Copy

 

 

 

 

If you’re like me as soon as you get a new piece of furniture you want to paint it IMMEDIATELY and the best part about ordering from The Purple Painted Lady is her fast shipping. The paint was at my front door as soon as I was ready to paint!!

VERY HELPFUL HINT FROM THE GRATEFUL PAINTER ON HER PAINTING TECHNIQUE:

I poured a bit of Coco, Paris Grey and a mix of Graphite + Paris Grey on separate plates.

I lightly dipped each side of my brush in each color and then started painting. The technique I used was so simple!!!

I messily painted the colors on in every direction, blending them just enough that they didn’t look obvious. One coat of this technique did the trick.

DRY BRUSH:

I wanted to highlight all of the pretty details on this piece so I dry brushed just a bit of Annie Sloan Old White. Barely dip the edge of the brush just on the surface on the paint and then wipe off the excess with a paper towel. You hardy want ANY paint at all on the brush! I lightly feathered the brush over the details until I was happy with the look.The Purple Painted Lady The grateful painter dry brush June Chalk Paint

 

APPLYING A WASH:

I decided that I wanted to add some dimension to the top of the piece as well so I mixed a wash with 50% Paris Grey and 50% water. I painted the wash over the top and let it sit for a minute or two before wiping it back. It was subtle but enough to add a bit of character.

READ MORE ABOUT CREATING & APPLYING A WASH HERE

TOP COAT USED ON THIS PROJECT:

Next, I applied General Finishes High Performance Top Coat over the entire piece. General Finishes Satin The purple painted LadyI used a foam brush on the bottom half of the buffet to make sure I could get into the small grooves of the details. Its easy to see brush strokes in a sealant with any kind of sheen so I used a small foam roller for the top. I was able to achieve a smooth and seamless finish with this type of application. I applied two coats, sanding in between with steel wool.Steel wool

 

 

 

 

Once the top coat was dry I used General Finishes Glaze Effects in Van Dyke Brown.The Purple Painted Lady Van Dyke Brown Glaze General Finishes I chose brown glaze over black because I wanted to compliment/bring out more of the Coco rather than both of the grays. I applied the glaze with a foam brush just along the edges and in the details of the drawer pulls and appliqués.

 

Only glaze small sections at a time as it can get VERY messy! I painted it on and quickly wiped it off using an old t-shirt. This leaves the glaze only in the grooves and gives an aged look!

HELPFUL GLAZE SUGGESTION:

When using any type of glaze or wax to make a piece look antique I always use a bit over the entire piece, including the top.

The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful Painter Close up Hardware Van Dyke General Finishes Glaze June 2015

I painted on a thick coat of the glaze and let it sit for about 30 seconds before wiping it back. It left behind a very subtle look (hardly noticeable at all) but made the piece look more uniform. I let the glaze dry for about two hours before applying one final coat of General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Satin.

The Purple Painted Lady The Grateful Painter FULL AFTER shot staged June

 

Nikki did a beautiful job on this buffet!  And you can too.

 

If you are interested in staying touch with The Purple Painted Lady- visit our Facebook page HERE – we would LOVE to hear from you and see your before & after photos!

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

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.  But, if you 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!  And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:
 
SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  We sell Chalk Paint® for $34.95
*  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.
*  We offer the lowest 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- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you.  (my shameless but honest plug)    Here is a link to our on-line shop=>   http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/
: )  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

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