Saturday, August 9, 2014

Painted Stairwell with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint


This project has been 3 years in the making! I do not have a photo of the stairs with carpet, no idea what happened to it after 3 years, LOL.

After taking up the carpet, I took out all the staples and nails and let it sit. about a year ago I sanded and puttied and let it sit. Wednesday I caulked around the walls and today I washed it all down with soap and water and painted!


I used 4 types of Annie Sloan Paint. Arles, Provence, Emperor's Silk and Old White for the risers.


The treads are a semi-custom blend. I pick out a color called Dark Chocolate, but it wasn't dark enough so they adjusted the color by 10% and then added an ounce of black.

I used an 2" angle brush and started with the risers.

I painted all the Old White first, then Emperor's Silk, Arles, and last Provence. I did it this way so I didn't have to wash out my brush each time I finished a step.






When they were completed I painted the tread. The brand is Royal and it is an enamel with a semi-gloss finish.


I think they turned out wonderful! I am so happy I completed this project!


I would love to know what you think!

Mel :D

Monday, August 4, 2014

Repurpose Sofa Table to Console Table


My mama gave me an ugly orange sofa table a couple of years ago. I took it because I needed something to put the TV on in the basement and it is a solid heavy piece of oak furniture. I just happen to absolutely despise the color.

Being a South Carolina Gamecock fan orange is not a color I chose to have around my house, LOL.

After looking at the piece for 2 years I decided it's time... No more delaying time to work. I found the paint color I wanted, Annie Sloan's Provence.

I brought my new favorite paint home and did 2 other projects... So much for delaying. A mirror and small table for the bathroom.


When I finally got the itch to paint it, I did 2 coats of Provence. The color was beautiful, but bright not what I was going for, so it sat for another 4 weeks while I tried to decide what to do.........

I decided to try the dark wax technique, being new to the Annie Sloan family I was nervous about the dark wax. I watched lots of YouTube Video's and thought, OK, I've got this.

But first, I started yet another project my mirror to chalk board.


The story of my life, always doing something :-) You would think with my aversion to all things orange I would have knocked this thing out years ago!

Alright, it's Saturday morning, my son is at his Nanny's, the Hubs is out like a light and I am determined to finish this project.  Coffee first a must have if I plan to stay awake. Then I remember the I recorded the early premiere of Outlander on Starz and I had to watch it.  So, with those 2 things out of the way. I trekked downstairs and looked at it. I had sanded the piece about 4 weeks ago, I cleaned up all the dust and wiped it down with a damp rag.


I got out the dark wax and started at the back of the sofa table. I figured this was the best place to start so I could see what technique would work best. I had a rag and applied it to a small area, but didn't like the result. I got my wax brush out and a very fine steel wool pad. Now that was what the look I was going for. Working in small area, I waxed with the brush and then went over it with the steel wool. The color deepened and where I had sanded the piece it darkened the orange wood that was coming though.  I'm totally distracted I'm watching World War Z... 



I had some fabric I picked up on clearance about a year ago and it is the exact color of  Provence. I had enough to staple to the back of the sofa table, to hide all the wires.


I painted the inside  of the drawers Arles, another beautiful Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color.



Here's the finished project! So happy with house it turned out!


Mel :D


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Fall Wreath with Initial

Simple and quick when you need a crafting fix.

Grapevine wreath (freebie!)
Fall flowers (thrift store $1.00)
Initial from Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon $1.28)
Hot glue  (on hand)
Fabric (on hand)