There are a number of reasons why I like using washes on my painted furniture and one of the main ones is that a wash adds dimension and character to the piece. The other reason is that it helps to disguise brush strokes. It’s really difficult to get a smooth finish with chalk paint or latex for that matter, unless you are rolling or spraying it. Sometimes I have painted multiple coats on something that appear to be flawless only to have the brush strokes appear once the top coat, whether it’s wax or poly, is put on. Annie Sloan’s paint is not designed to conceal the brush strokes as it is all part of the antique-painted look but I am not always happy with how the surface looks. That’s where a wash, glaze, dry brush or dark wax treatment comes in handy and a thin chalk paint wash is my method of choice.

Applying a wash is not always easy but this is what I have found to be most effective: Apply two coats of the base colour. Water down the wash colour so that it is quite thin and apply to a dry surface. Let it dry completely then go over it with a damp cloth to soften the wash. Use a dry cloth which you fold over a lot to wipe off as much of the wash as you want. The trick is not to press too hard and to repeat the steps until you get the look you want. If you get it too wet, you will remove the base coat, that’s why I prefer to let my wash dry before I start the removal because I have found that if I try to do it when it is still damp then the base colour may come off.

Washes are very good for wood surfaces that are not very smooth or for highlighting carved details. This dresser was originally white and had many coats of old paint on it. Even after I sanded it, I found that I could not get a completely smooth surface to paint. I knew that a wash would settle into some of the rough areas and really improve the look.

The colour is a mix of Old White and Napoleonic Blue. It is a beautiful shade and with the white wash it looks like faded denim. It would have looked fine just blue but the wash adds a special dimension to it.

The photos aren’t quite close enough but the wash settled into the pits and brush strokes on the surface. Some of the original white paint is also peeking through in the areas where I may have rubbed off too much.

http://elizabethandco.blogspot.ca/
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.ca/2014/10/shoe-in.html?utm_source=Friends+of+Ivy+%26+Elephants&utm_campaign=7c89c5bfe1-Shoe+In&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a51593f650-7c89c5bfe1-94275393
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.ca/
http://sweethaute.blogspot.ca/
http://ithappensinablink.com/2014/10/5-pumpkin-recipes.html
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2014/10/redouxinteriors-and-the-handmade-hangout-week-21/
http://missmustardseed.com/2014/10/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-party-44/

Inspire Me Please – Linky Party

http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2014/11/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-features-93.html
http://www.thehankfulhouse.com/2014/11/get-your-diy-on-furniture-revivals.html

Painting furniture has been the perfect hobby/obsession for me. I retired from teaching at the end of January 2013 and plunged right into painting. I had first read about Annie Sloan chalk paint in a newspaper article that featured Katrina Barclay who owns Malenka Originals. Here is a look back, more or less in order, at the things that I have painted. It’s pretty obvious that I like colour.

Mahogany dresser painted in Provence with dark wax:

French Provincial coffee table painted in French Linen with a blue wash and gilding:

Pine dresser in a lightened Napoleon Blue and stained top:

Waterfall Dressers: The first one is Barcelona Orange, the second is a peacock blue that was a mix of Napoleon Blue and Aubusson. I later repainted it in the 3rd photo.

Mahogany end tables painted in a lightened Provence with Old White and German Silver gilding:

Mahogany End tables.

Art Deco mahogany dresser in Provence with an Aubusson wash:

Mahogany Desk in Old White and Emile in the drawers:

Smaller Mahogany desk in French Linen, Old White and copper gilding:

Small dresser in Chateau Grey and Old White:

Two incarnations of a Mid-Century table:

Miss Mustard Seed Typewriter and Old White:

Coffee table in Graphite and Old White:

End table in Graphite and Silver Craft paint:

Drum table in Old White, with Graphite, Paloma and Gilding on the edges:

French Provincial Dresser in Pure White with Old Violet and Gilding:

French Provincial dresser with Old Violet and gilding

Teak coffee table in Graphite and Florence:

Washstand in MMS Tricycle and dark wax:

End table that was painted first in Tricycle then changed to a Provence/Florence mix:

Provence mixed with Florence to make a true turquoise.

Pine dining table refinished top and Pure White:

Round table with Provence and Old White base:

French Provincial table in Old White with walnut top:

Antique table in Chateau Grey with a white wash:

Table painted with Chateau Grey and a white wash

Vintage rocking chair in a Provence/Florence mix:

Maple dresser in Emperor’s Silk, Tricycle and Old White:

Antique mahogany dresser in Cream:

Oak desk in Graphite:

Antique dresser in Emperor’s Silk:

Antique dresser painted with Emperor’s Silk

Mid-century table in Provence/ Florence mix with MMS Typewriter and Emperor’s Silk feet:

Nesting tables in lightened Provence with Graphite and gilding on the edges:

I have also done a few custom pieces and various chairs and small tables which I haven’t included in this post. It has been a very busy retirement so far.

Linking up with: