Q & A - "How do you get such a smooth finish with the Annie Sloan chalk paint?"

Today I received a message on my Etsy store with a great question that I'm sure that many of you have! How do you get such a smooth finish with the Annie Sloan chalk paint?"

This is a great question because the paint does have a unique texture that takes a little bit of getting used to! A beautiful, smooth finish is absolutely achievable, and I adore Annie Sloan's line not only because of the amazing vintage-y colors, but because of that soft, vintage feel as well. (And no, I don't get paid to say this, I just really love it!)

Here's the full question and my pointers:

Annie Sloan Antibes Table Makeover Tutorial

This green Bombay table has always been a favorite of mine, so when I received a request for a tutorial I was definitely happy to oblige! The Bombay company style of console table I love has long, lean legs with gorgeous fluting that I knew I wanted to accent with bold color and a little distressing.. or as I say, a little bit of shabby and a lot bit of chic!

Thanks to Jessica at LoveFifty50 and Red Door Lane for the photo in the shop! You may remember this table from the Color Story : Inspiration series in-progress HERE. I am positively obsessed with color and knew I wanted to try and capture this vibrant leafy green, but in a subtle, natural way. No big deal ;) .

So here is how I did it!

Before and After : Vintage French Provincial Side Tables

These gorgeous French Provincial side tables were a fabulous find! I decided to go after them with a layering dry-brush technique, and started with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Olive, followed by Greek Blue and French Linen. Then I came back in with a chippy paint brush and put on a little more of the Greek Blue, particularly to the leg and trim details. I sealed them with clear and dark waxes for a gorgeous antiqued look.

Aren't they beauties? I am just loving the subtle color variations! They will be a perfect complement to any decor! I'm always looking for new ideas - what are your favorite color combinations?

Before and After : Vintage Rolltop Desk Refinish

This client loves high contrast! She found an inspiration piece in black and white that we translated into a high-gloss black and blue to be a bold, modern accent piece in her home office. The blue inset is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Napoleonic Blue, and we used a gloss polycrylic to give her tons of the beautiful shine she wanted! The hardware was spray painted with Rustoleum in a nickel color for a gorgeous accent.

To spray paint the hardware, I poked holes through a cardboard box to stand the drawer pulls upright. This allowed me to get even coats all the way around the knobs! The handles were sprayed first upside down, then right side up for a few light passes so that the color is on all sides and angles.

I love how sleek and chic it turned out! It is always such an honor to collaborate with clients to bring their visions to life :) . They always have such creative ideas!

Before and After : Vintage 6 Drawer Dixie Dresser

This dresser is a total showstopper! The client wanted it to go darker, so we found a beautiful inspiration piece with a stained top and painted body. For the top, I used two different shades of stain, then a stain with polyurethane, and finished with a wipe-on polyurethane. The wood grain is stunning! The body is painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite, lightly distressed, with two coats of dark wax.

 Here's another angle with that rich, dimensional wood grain. I am definitely loving the finish! What a huge difference between the Before and After photos!

I can't wait for the client to come see this in person, she's a real beauty! The original hardware in a vintage bronze is the perfect complement to link the brown and thunderstorm-dark gray. What a chic color selection!