When it comes to using chalk paint, there are many options. Annie Sloan is a very popular line and can be found in many places around the country. I have been using a local paint that has started to go nationwide. It's made by a cute little shop here in Jax Beach called Echo at the Beach. They have their own paint line called Echo Furniture Paint. Echo's paint was just featured at the Jax Home & Garden show and has been aired on HGTV! They have a variety of coastal colors. Another shop a few blocks south called Saltologie has their own paint line called Paint de la mar. All of their colors are named after local places like Aqua East (our favorite local surf shop), Mojo's (after our favorite BBQ joint), Casa Marina (after a fabulous roof top bar/restaurant that sits oceanfront in Jax Beach) and Salt Life (after a Jax Beach clothing store and restaurant). I haven't tried theirs yet, but I'd like to at some point. Another little place here in Atlantic Beach is called Sugarfoot Chic and they sell a chalk paint additive so you can turn any paint you like into chalk paint. They also make the wax I use called Dirty Wax. Dirty Wax comes in a number of different colors and is what I prefer because it is all organic and not harmful to you or the environment.
Using chalk paint is the easiest way to refinish your furniture. The furniture we had been using in our homes had always looked well in each house, but now that we've built a coastal styled beach house, we needed some updates so instead of buying a lot of new stuff, I painted some of the things we had and made them look brand new!
Chalk paint doesn't require much if any prep work. There is no need to sand, strip or prime your piece before you begin. Just remove any hardware you don't want painted, clean your item and you can get started!
Which brush to use?
It's best if you use a brush with synthetic fibers you will have the best luck. It will provide you with a smooth finish and will absorb less paint. Echo's paint is easy to clean as well. I just wash my brushes out with water.
How to create your masterpiece?
Paint your item with 1-2 coats of chalk paint. Even in humidity, chalk paint doesn't take too long to dry which means you can get a small project completed in one day.
Once you have the desired amount of paint on your project, you can distress the piece. I use sandpaper to wear down the edges and corners. HERE is a great link to a blog post showing you how to distress your piece.
After you are pleased with the distressed look of your project, you will need to seal the paint with wax. Dirty Wax comes in a variety of colors which means you can have endless combinations of final looks. I apply my wax with a brush like this:
After I apply the wax, I use a clean rag to rub off any excess. It's THAT easy! There are a number of videos, tutorials, etc on the links I posted as well as on my Shabby Chic Board on Pinterest.
This project was my first attempt. I loved the color and how it turned out - but changed my mind on the color when I changed the colors in my daughter's quilt. For this project, I used Echo's Beach Spa and clear Dirty Wax.
This is the redo to make it match better. I used Echo's Bungaloo Blue with White Dirty Wax.
This piece was painted in Echo's Jax Beach color with Dirty Wax's Mud Pie.
For this project I used Echo's Manatee with Coffee Hold the Cream Dirty Wax.
This piece was painted with Echo's Egret Wing which is a white, then sealed with Dirty Wax's Mud Pie.
A great way to determine what color wax you prefer is to paint and wax an interior space - like within the drawer area shown above in the armoire. No one will see it and you can wipe off the wax once you decide.
