We found this cute little end table on our junking trip to Canton, Texas. I thought it would look awesome with the "chippy" layered look and what better color to use than Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint "Aubusson Blue" and "Duck Egg".
Here are the steps I took into creating this look:
Step 1: The first thing I always do before I start a new project is sketch out my ideas and color combinations. It's always a great idea to have a plan, that way when you start actually painting the piece you know which layers go first.
The hard part about achieving an authentic chippy look is know how to layer your colors, what ever color you layer on the bottom is going to show through the top coat. I think of the bottom color as more of an accent color to the top layer color :) That sounds super confusing haha!
You can even practice on a scrap piece of wood to see if the colors are on point and what you want. I tend to layer light to dark.
Step 2: Be sure and remove any hardware or handles, also pull out drawers or doors and paint them as they are separated.
I tend to layer light to dark, the lighter color on the bottom will make the top color pop! The first thing I did to start painting was just buff off any dirt or dust on the end table. Now what I LOVE about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is that you don't have to sand, prep, or prime before you start painting the piece of furniture. So I started with "Duck Egg Blue" and took my angled synthetic paint brush and started slapping on paint!
Another awesome thing about using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is that when you are painting you don't have to worry about painting in one direction, you can literally paint all different ways and it will be just fine. I sometimes even put paint on heavier giving it texture when I am looking for a real distressed look.
I only put one coat of paint on when I am trying to achieve the layered chippy look, don't worry about covering the wood completely underneath the paint. You'll be adding 1-2 more colors on top so it will be covered by the time you reach the top coat. Annie Sloan paint only takes 1 1/2 to 2 coats to completely cover the wood which I way better than what latex paint does. So don't waste you paint and time on unnecessary stuff.
Step 3: After the base coat dries, I then paint on my second coat. Now I wish I could remember the name of this paint, but it was a latex paint I had bought years ago from ACE Hardware. The color is so bright and vibrant so I thought it would be perfect under the darker "Aubusson Blue".
Step 4: When you get your second paint on and it's completely dried continue on to painting your third color! Your almost done...painting..
On my third coat I used Annie Sloan's CP "Aubusson Blue" I absolutely love this color, it's a great dark navy color.
Once the final coat is on now you're just waiting on paint to dry..welcome to my life! Haha I usually take this time to go grab a drink or work on another piece.
Step 5: Now that the paint is dry and you got your drink on, time for the wax/sanding part! Some people who use ASCP do a clear wax coat before they start sanding to keep from getting everything dusty. And others just start sanding right after the paint dries. To me, applying wax BEFORE you sand seems like a waste of time and wax. I've tried both ways and the wax does help reduce dust but it also gunks up your sanding pad fast.
So what I do is start sanding first, I sometimes use a sander but most of the time I hand sand the furniture to give it a better look - sanders tend to leave circular motions in your paint which will show through, you have to use a low grit paper in order for it to not leave as much circular marks in the furniture.
When sanding, make sure you sand where the paint would actually where off from being used and abused over the years. So along the edges of the furniture, feet, around handles and even some scuffing on the top.
Don't worry about that dusty/chalky look, once you apply your wax the colors will pop and brighten up.
Step 6: After you get it sanded to your liking start your clear wax coat first. DO NOT apply your dark wax, unless you are wanting a grungy dirty look, the dark wax will go on last.
I use my Annie Sloan round brush to apply my wax, you can use a cotton cloth to do this too. My brush just allows me to get in crevices and grooves better than what a cloth can. They really help with "pushing" the wax into the paint.
When doing your first wax coat, a little goes a loooong way. Trust me. You can certainly see a difference when you apply the wax to the paint.
Be sure and coat with wax where you applied paint.
Step 7: Once the clear wax is on, scoop out a spoon full of clear wax and half a spoon of dark wax. The measurement doesn't have to be exact but you want around a 3:1 ratio of mix. The dark wax can be applied straight to the furniture from the can but it's very dark and heavy. I like to mix it with the clear wax to "dilute" the darkness. This makes the paint look antiqued instead of dirty or grungy.
I use the same A.S. brush I used on the clear wax coat.
I only apply those two coats of wax (clear and clear/dark mix) to furniture unless the piece is going to be used quite often, wear and tear can cause the piece to lose the wax faster and cause chipping. So if you're refinishing a piece that will be worn down faster like a kitchen table or chair with a wood seat be sure and apply a couple more coats.
Step 8: Let the furniture sit for an hour or even overnight for the wax to cure to the paint. Take a cotton cloth and buff the furniture to make the excess wax come off and make the piece shine a little brighter. And your done!!
I hope this helps you achieve the look you are going for and helps you understand how to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint a little more. I had used latex paint until I had discovered ASCP, and I won't go back! Be sure and read up on the paint to make sure it fits your style of painting at http://www.anniesloan.com
Here is the before and after of this little end table I like to call "Blue Jay", I ended up selling this to my sister-in-law the next day and she uses it in her mudroom for boots and storage! Enjoy!
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I had a friend message me on one of our social media accounts
about having us refinish her old wooden high chair. She wasn't fully sure on
what she wanted to do, but after browsing through Pinterest and finding
some awesome examples of two toned furniture she thought that would be the best
look for her style. And I’m so happy that she chose the two toned look!
