The entire Annie Sloan workshop experience was a thrill for me, but I would have to say that the highlight was having the opportunity to pick Annie's brain about a window display I am working on for Camas Antiques. I have been busily squirreling away special furniture pieces in preparation for this large window display that I will be putting together for the month of May! My inspiration is Jane Austen and of course everything from mirrors to chairs will be painted in ASCP.
When I shared my project ideas with Annie and asked for her thoughts on what colors would best represent the English countryside of the 1800's, her eyes sparkled and she enthusiastically spouted off a long list of lovely colors! I wish I could have recorded our conversation. I jotted down notes as quickly as I could but I couldn't capture in writing the passion and excitement in Annie's voice as she shared her ideas with me! It seems I had struck a chord with Annie when I mentioned Jane Austen! Annie shared with me that many of her chalk paint colors were inspired by the fine art of 19th Century, and of course she was a great fan of Jane Austen novels and movies as well!
I was considering not posting about my project with you until my display was all put together, but I am so focused on pieces for the window right now that I probably wouldn't have anything else to post about this month if I didn't! So, I've decided to take you on this journey with me. For the next couple of weeks I will be sharing furniture makeovers and vignettes that will come together during the first week of May for my Jane Austen inspired window!
This lovely cupboard has been in progress for weeks now but it is finally completed and will be hanging out in my dining room for the rest of the month! I am trying not to get too used to it...but it looks so lovely in my home!
If you are a lover of wood grain, don't flinch! That is not solid mahogany...just a veneer!
The decorative wood inlays were broken in several places, so I didn't feel too guilty about removing them. They gave the cupboard a formal art deco feel, as did the flame mahogany looking veneer. Not that there is anything unappealing about art deco...it's just not the look I was going for with my Jane Austen theme! The scalloped bottom of this piece is what inspired me to take it to cottage chic with old English appeal! I like to think that it could have come right out of the dining room of one Ms. Elizabeth Bennett.
I used one of my favorite finishes for this lovely piece. I started with an all over coat in Old White with short, varied, uneven brush strokes, followed by one coat in Paris Grey with the same method. Next, I distressed with a fine grit sanding sponge. Annie Sloan prefers using small pieces of sand paper and does her distressing after a coat of clear wax is applied. Sanding before waxing is definitely messier, but I like how easily the chalk paint distresses before it's waxed. I also feel like a sanding sponge is easier to handle than a piece of sand paper. This is just my preference for working on a larger piece of furniture. I completed the cupboard with Annie's clear and dark waxes.
Are you a chalkaholic? Whether you're just getting started, still contemplating a chalk paint purchase or you've been using Annie Sloan's products since the very beginning, I invite you to follow my "Paint it Annie" chalk paint inspiration board on Pinterest! I may have even featured one of your own chalk paint projects! I created this board long before I started using ASCP. Seeing the colors on actual pieces of furniture really helped me decide which ones I wanted to get started with! I continue to be amazed and inspired by all of the fabulous makeovers out there in blogland!
Keep up the wonderful work!
And now, I must go grab some lunch and get back to work myself! I have so many projects to complete over the next couple of weeks! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
Thank you so much for your sweet visit!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
I will be joining in on these fun parties!
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday with Miss Mustard Seed
Friday Feature Party at Redoux Interiors
