A few weeks back, I heard from the wonderful group at Annie Sloan Unfolded, asking if I would do a project and a follow-up review for them.
My immediate reaction was “Heck Yes!”
As you all know, I have completed a million different furniture pieces in this last year, and I am always looking for new and different techniques and products. My all time favorite paint line is Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan.
I have had a number of questions wondering why I use that brand of paint.
There are so many reasons! Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan is non-toxic and has very low VOC’s. It is also lead-free and odor-free.
My number one reason is that you hardly ever need to sand a piece of furniture down before using this paint! Sanding is absolutely my least favorite thing to do — which is a big reason why Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan is number one on my list.
This buffet is a perfect example. I found it at a yard sale, and while it had great bones it had some serious scratches.
I was sent a quart of Old White which is a perfect shade, not too bright and there’s no grey tint to it either. I was also sent a quart of Provence, which was a new shade for me, and I instantly fell in love. It is a great shade, somewhere between a turquoise and a peacock blue. They also sent along a container of the Soft Wax in Clear. I am never without this product, but I happened to be running low … so it was perfect timing.
First, let me tell you, the other huge benefit to using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan is that you don’t have to prime, and that’s a big time saver. This paint has great coverage, so priming isn’t necessary.
On this buffet I only had to use two coats, which is rare with a light colored paint.
Once the Old White was dry, I taped off the inserts with Frog Tape.
I painted them, the inner drawers, and cabinets with the Provence.
I then went over the entire piece with a 200-grit sandpaper, and then I distressed the edges and anyplace that would have naturally shown wear with a 100 grit sanding block.
After I was finished I went over the entire piece with a coat of the clear wax. Annie Sloan Soft Wax is hands-down the best wax I have ever used. With most other brands of paste wax, the wax is harder and you have to really work to get it absorbed into your project. Annie Sloan Soft Wax is just what it says … soft, and it gives your piece a beautiful sheen.
Most of my pieces only get one coat of wax, but if it is a high traffic piece, I will then use two coats. It is best if you use thin, even layers. If you apply it too thick, it takes longer to dry.
After I apply my wax, I then buff it off using a clean cloth or a piece of cheesecloth.
I have a lot of clients that ask what type of poly I use. That’s the wonderful part of Annie Sloan Soft Wax, that is the sealer and no stinky, hard-to-work-with poly is necessary.
This review is definitely my favorite I have done to date. Obviously, I love all of the Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan because that is what I use on a daily basis.
Here are my highlights:
- I love that it is non toxic and has low VOC’s
- Rarely is sanding necessary at all
- You can use it on any type of surface: cloth, wood, veneer, and I have even used it on plastic and had no trouble
- You can use fewer coats of paint
- You can mix and match the paint colors
- It makes distressing furniture so much easier than using regular latex paint
- It eliminates the need for priming
The only drawback I have seen is that it is a bit pricy. When you consider that you no longer have to buy primer, and that it goes on thicker and you use less paint, I found it to even itself out.
Also since I redo furniture for a living, the time that is saves me on distressing is a huge factor also.
To find a Annie Sloan retailer click here.
Annie Sloan Unfolded also has a Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest page to show you the unlimited potential their products offer!
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I have been compensated with product, payment or both for this post. All opinions are 100% all mine.
Beautiful job and the Provence color is to die for. So cheery for a blue 🙂 I am still in my own little world preparing our house to sell. Sorry I haven’t been on lately. Oh well, when I do get on here I always have lots of fun blog posts to catch up on!
Love this piece! Annie Sloan looks amazing. I can’t really afford it. We just sold our house and will be renting while we build a new house. Maybe after all of that, I can try this paint out.
I think it turned out beautifully! The Annie Sloan Chalk Paint really is a great product. ~Sonya
As usual your work is beautiful. I too love Annie Sloan.
Emma
Stunning Shanna! Great review! I admit, I’m sold! I need to get some AS Paint real soon 🙂
Pinned it! Loved it! You did a great job!
Great job Shanna! Another gorgeous piece!
Oh, it’s SO beautiful!!
I’m a big fan of milk paint but still have not used Annie Sloan chalk paint. Love the buffet you did.
I love what you did to the dresser. It turned out beautifully.
I’m going to be trying ASCP for the first time very soon…Thanks for the review!
All I can say is WOW! You did an amazing job on this flip. I love painting old furniture..isn’t it amazing what some fresh paint, creativity and new hardware can do for a piece? I am always amazed at what people throw out or thrift. The blue and white are great together….I feel like this would even make a gorgeous dresser/changing table in a little boys nursery! I would love it if you linked up your buffet makeover to the Link It or Lump It Link Party! http://twoityourself.blogspot.com/2013/10/features-and-link-it-or-lump-it-link.html
OOoh, I want Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! Lovely project!!
Gorgeous as always! Would you ever consider doing a step by step process tutorial for the furniture deficient such as myself (if you haven’t already)? Especially for the wax, at least. That’s what I really have no idea how you would apply. I really need to get me some of this chalk paint.
It turned out gorgeous! I love to see what ugly furniture can be made into. Simply beautiful.
It looks great! That is a pretty blue.
Love it!! Love Annie Sloan paint, just painted several things myself. Your looks fantastic. Pinning it!
This buffet is really so sweet. Love the combination of blue and white. Pretty.
Ellya
So pretty! I love how it came out and LOVE chalk paint® too! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
Just beautiful!
The colors are gorgeous! Featured you today: http://www.sillypearl.com/2013/11/nine-amazing-furniture-transformations.html Thank you so much for sharing your lovely buffet on Project Inspre{d}!
You did an amazing job on this transformation. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com