Inspired by my successful first experience using chalk paint … with the makeover of a terracotta garden pot (see here). I decided I was ready to progress to a piece of furniture. My next victim project is the makeover of a pine kitchen chair using chalk paint.
Here is a before photo. As you can see, it’s a rather sweet pine kitchen chair that was handed down to me from my good friend Jenni. The fondly named Jenni’s Chair has survived a couple of culls before moving house. As well as being used as a make-shift step ladder when painting. I think she deserves better … time this old girl had a makeover!
I like the turned legs and spindle back. Not a fan of the orange colour!
One of the selling points of chalk paint is the lack of prep required. But old habits die hard and if I’m truly honest with myself, I just can’t believe you don’t need to sand before you paint! So I gave the chair a quick sand with medium grade sandpaper and a wipe down with sugar soap and water.
However, I did skip the undercoat and went straight to painting … baby steps! I decided to try two-colour distressing technique. Using Annie Sloan’s chalk paint, I started with a base coat of Old White and finished with 2 coats of Provence.
Quick Tip … start by painting a chair upside-down, that way you’ll be sure to get every nook and cranny.
I then used some very fine sandpaper to distress. I started softly at first to show the white paint. Then applied some more pressure to cut through to the wood. The key to distressing is to sand the edges, corners and beveled areas. Think about what areas or edges would naturally get knocked and worn over time … and sand there.
I have always used a polyurethane as a protective finish on my furniture. However, looking around it appears a lot of people use wax as a finish with chalk paint … and very successfully! As a little girl, I remember my parents waxing antique furniture to sell in their shop (with beeswax if I remember correctly). So the idea of using wax on furniture is nothing new … here I go!
I used a brush to apply the wax and then wiped off the excess with an old white t-shirt. I worked on small sections at a time … as recommended. After a couple of days, I buffed the chair with cheese cloth to create a shine.
There appears to be two schools of thought on distressing chalk paint … before applying wax or after. I distressed before applying the wax and was pleased with the results.
Wow … what a difference a splash of colour makes! I popped Jenni’s Chair in the spare room and she looks fabulous. I’m pleased with the amount of distressing, which is probably more than I’ve done previously. Feeling even more confident using chalk paint, I’m now ready to turn my attention to the chest-of-drawers in our bedroom, I may even try some dark wax this time … stay tuned!
Any tips for using wax … especially dark wax?
Also sharing at:
Monday: Something to Talk About, Inspire Me Monday, Show and Share, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by you Monday, Show and Tell, Before and After, You’re Gonna Love It Anything Goes
Tuesday: Do Tell Tuesday, One project at a time, The Scoop 168, Party in Your PJs
Wednesday: Wow me Wednesday, Wow us Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Creative Spark, Work it Wednesday
Thursday: Create It Thursday, The Inspiration Gallery, Your Turn to Shine, Handmade Hangout
Friday: Feathered Nest Friday, Furniture Feature Friday, Frugal Friday, Creative Collection, Show off Friday, Link Party Palooza, Best DIY Projects and Recipes
Saturday: Skip the Housework, Saturday Sparks, Found & Foraged, Saturday Sharefest, DIY Sunday Showcase
Sunday: Finding Silver Pennies, Sunday’s at Home, That DIY Party
Not Just a Housewife May Linky Party
What a great makeover. I love your color choice.I’m just beginning to use chalk paint on some small pieces, working my way up to a chest of drawers, too. Visiting from Something to Talk About.
LikeLike
Thank you. I have only recently discovered chalk paint as well … still testing out colours. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Love the color you chose, I’m a sucker for anything turquoise. Turned out wonderful! I redid some kitchen chairs, too, similarly. Can’t go wrong with turquoise.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 I’m really happy with the colour, it makes me smile every time I look at it! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Jane, it’s just lovely! I haven’t used that color yet but I love it and am putting it on my list now!
Beautiful job.
Thank you so much for always sharing with me for Something to Talk About! Pinning!
Karen
LikeLike
Thank you. I’m very slowing working my way through ASCP colour palette! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
LikeLike
Nice job. Love the color.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
What an amazing transformation! I love the colors. I have never used wax, so no tips there. I have become addicted to the Soft Touch Varnish by American Decor, I tried it, because it was available locally at my craft store, and fell in love. It dries soft to the touch, hence the name, but it s durable finish. I used it on the dining chairs I painted with chalk paint, and they still look wonderful.. We would love for you to share with us at Party in Your PJs, our weekly link party
http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com/2015/04/party-in-your-pjs-53.html
LikeLike
Thank you, it’s a great colour! I’ll pop over and check out your party … thanks for thinking of me! Thanks for stopping by and for the tip on Soft Touch Vanish. Not sure if anything similar here in Australia but will keep my eye out 🙂
LikeLike
That is so cute! I love the color. I’m going to be on the lookout for an inexpensive chair now! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 It’s amazing how a coat of paint can transform a simple piece of furniture! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
That chair turned out looking great. I too love the color.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
So I really know nothing about using wax or chalk paint, but I’ve been seeing it everywhere. Can you feel a waxy residue on the chair? It turned out great! Thanks for linking up at Found & Foraged =)
LikeLike
No waxy residue, so I think I applied it correctly 😀 thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Pingback: A Simple Beginners Guide: When to use a Paint Primer – Hometalk | Honey & Roses
I love how your chairs turned out. I’m just about ready to paint my own chairs and I may have to do a two color layering like yours.
LikeLike
Thank you 😀
LikeLike
Pingback: Kitchen Chair gets Splash of Color for Spring
Paint makes a world of difference a lot of times. Love the color.
LikeLike
Thank you 😀
LikeLike