How to Get a Layered Look Using Chalk Style Paint
It’s always nerve-racking exciting to have a chance to do an “out of the ordinary” project. This piece came to me beautiful but too plain for my client’s taste. While it was very pretty she wanted it to stand out more in her already exquisite home. She and her decorator had gone shopping and found this piece. It had layered paint look. Instead of buying it they contacted me to see if I could transform her piece with this as my inspiration.
I’m not going to lie….I was EXTREMELY NERVOUS just a little intimidated by it. But remember I’m the gal that will try anything twice and I thought for sure that if I had a chance to see it in person I’d feel better about it. So my kids and I decided to go to the store it was located in. Well let’s just say that really wasn’t a good idea. The word “swanky” comes to mind for this kind of store…enter more intimidation. And the piece was even more elegant in person. Oh and don’t even ask me the price! W-O-W! Enter more thoughts of doubt, hesitation, uncertainty……can I really transform her piece to look anywhere near as good as this one? Right about this time I’m sending out an SOS with a phone call to Prince Charming (aka hubby). He’s so wonderful and encouraging and always tells me, “babe you got this.” Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths…..
At the paint store I picked up everything I thought would help me with the transformation. When I looked at the inspiration piece I saw Duck Egg, Country Grey, a little Olive and LOTS of dark wax.
I decided I’d do a sample board to get a feel for the “chunky painting” technique. I was really stepping out of my comfort zone with this one and I wanted to practice the technique before starting on the actual piece. I like long smooth brush strokes and this piece wasn’t going to have any of that. I’ve researched many different painting techniques over the years, read Annie Sloan’s books and I’ve taken classes from some of the best in the biz. This project combined all the knowledge I’ve gathered over time and really tested my skills.
After finishing the sample board I shared it with my client. She was ecstatic!!! I also sent it to a few of my friends and shared it on my Facebook page and got great feedback. I felt much better. I was so thrilled……GAME ON!
Here’s what I started with.
I painted all the colors, in no set pattern, on the top and sides….
and then painted the doors solid Duck Egg and the door “frames” Country Grey doing some dry brushing here and there of both colors on top of each other.
I then made a trip back to the store for more paint. I’m not real sure why I thought I could paint this with a sample pot? Oh my! I don’t think I mentioned that it’s over 6 feet long!
I was able to achieve this great crackle technique on the top which was exactly what I wanted!!! I’ll do a separate tutorial on that soon. I then added clear wax to the entire piece and then dark wax on top of that. Isn’t it amazing how dark wax changes the color? Dark wax can be frustrating but the more I use it the more comfortable I am with it. I always love the difference it makes.
So here it is all finished and happily in it’s home at my client’s house. So how do you think I did? Would you/have you tried a technique like this on a project?
Do you have furniture you’d like to have painted? Email me at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com for pricing and details about custom work.
Thanks for reading and commenting below.
That’s amazing how similar it is to your inspiration piece!! Really great job Beth!!!
Nancy
Thank you Nancy!
You did an amazing job!! This piece looks so exquisite! I too am doing a piece for a client right now that is a little out of my comfort zone. She wanted color washing but this time I tried the newspaper techniques and it did great on the sample board but I wasn’t thinking about having to do it on the legs of this table & the little insects, talk about a little scary that it won’t be what she wanted!! I hope my piece turns out as beautiful as yours!
Thanks very much for your kind words. I’ll have to check into the newspaper technique.
Blessings,
Beth
Beautiful! How did you get that “chunky” texture? Wondering if it is a combination of painting with thickened paint, and an impasto technique? I’ve struggled to get a “chippy” finish with ASCP and this is the closest I’ve seen. Would love to try it out!
Hi Patty-I did it by not using smooth even strokes and applying the paint very thick. I didn’t thicken it I just didn’t smooth it out. Thanks so much for your question.
Blessings,
Beth
Turned out beautifully…love all those colors together!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thanks Cindy!
You did an incredible job on this!
Thanks Paula!
Amazing and beautiful work!
Thank you very much!
Blessings,
Beth
Its absolutely a beautiful piece – probably my favorite out of every refinish job I’ve seen. How did you use the Baroque Art Gilders Creme I see in the picture?
Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t end up using the gilders paste on this piece because it wouldn’t have had the feel we were going for if I did. I have used it on other pieces though and I really like it. I think the key to using it is that a very little goes a LOOOONNNNGGGGGG way. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words and question. Happy refinishing!
Blessings,
Beth
I started using ASCP and still in the process of trial and error. Love the colours and the end result was fantastic !
Would love to know more about the crackle and newspaper technique.
Started buying old furniture to restore and love to put a new life to it.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas
Thank you so much. I’ll be doing lots of tutorials on crackle and other techniques soon. Have fun with ASCP. It’s a wonderful product!!!!
Blessings,
Beth
Beautiful work!
Thanks Jean!
Wow, I am blown away by what you did! And thank you thank you for sharing your work with us who are even MORE intimidated than you about tackling something like this! The finished piece is absolutely stunning. I’m probably looking right at it and not realizing it, but do you have a before/after comparing the non-dark wax wood and the dark-wax wood. It would be helpful to see a side by side comparison. Also curious why you’ve found putting the clear wax on first, THEN the dark wax to be a good way to apply it. Thanks again for taking us step-by-step through your process. I’m so inspired!
Molly
Thanks Molly!
You have MAD skills. Or is that skillz-rhymes-with-Killz?
I’ve seen some horrid makeovers with AS dark wax and it pretty much killed any desire to experiment with ASCP. But this … I feeling inspired. *birds singing*
Thanks Raina!!!
It looks exactly then same as the model. Did you use clear wax first and then before it dried added the dark wax? Love the colors too.
Hi Laura,
Yes, I used the clear wax and then dark. Thanks for your kind words!!!
Blessings,
Beth
I gotta tell you.
This piece is magnificent.
You could teach that store something about “swank!”
Hmmm. I really see another venue for you to sell. And your pieces would be unique, vs. mass produced in some furniture factory.
You did an amazing job, yet again!
Thank you so much Christine!!!!
amazing piece of work, did you rub down between coats or did you rub down at all
Wow! This in an incredible piece of art! I am in love with this piece and astounded at your skill – fantastic job! I don’t know that I’d have had the guts to try such a large item – great work! Absolutely stunning 🙂
Thanks Stacy!
You did a fantastic job! I think it looks even better than your inspiration piece! I love it! I’m sure your client was very happy. I’m still not confident using the dark wax but hopefully I’ll get there one day. Just discovered your blog today by doing a layered Annie Sloan paint finish and landed on your inspirational blog. Love it!
Thanks so much Sandy. Try out the dark wax on a small piece first. Remember to use the clear as a base first and then add the dark on top. Or mix in a little clear first. This makes it much easier to work with.
Blessings,
Beth
Ok this is GORG!!!!! I have a project and love the color combo. I think it would make my piece be just amazing. How much olive did you end up using? I cant wait to see my piece finished in these colors..
Hi Donna,
Thank you so much! I didn’t end up using much olive actually. I used quite a bit of Duck Egg and Country Grey. Good luck with your project. Send me a photo of it when you’re done!!!!
Blessings,
Beth
Amazing!!!
How many coats of paint did you actually use? And is the crackle effect the result of thick paint or did you actually apply any product? The idea is also not to paint it carefully and leave some wood peaking through, right?
sorry, one more question…did you sand it to make it look old? It looks like in some areas the paint is really thin because we can see the wood but then on the other hand it’s really think in some other ones as there is this amazing texture to it. It looks awesome but I’m struggling with having similar results, perhaps it will look better after I apply wax. I have only just finished painting it and it doesn’t look anything like yours:( Thank you!
I saw a piece of furniture with the same thick, crackled paint texture and I wanted to do it. I’ve searched through the internet/Pinterest and thank goodness I finally found your post! Now I’m going to play and see if I can recreate it too! Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome Lori! Glad I could help.
Blessings,
Beth
OMG… In love with this piece!!! I’ve been searching like crazy for techniques to use to get this exact look! It’s simply fabulous!! Thank you!!! Did you use Crackle Tex? And when did you apply it?
i used your piece as inspiration for an end table I just painted for my mom. Thank you for sharing my piece turned out great!! Wish you could see it!!
Love this! I would like to know how you did the crackling on this piece. Could you explain? Thanks!
Hi Diana,
This process is done using school glue. I will try to do a tutorial soon. 🙂
Thanks,
Beth
Thanks for responding! I’ve done crackling with school glue before, but wondered when you did the crackling. Was it before your last color of paint? I’m getting ready to do a piece with 3 colors and wasn’t sure when to do the crackling. It makes sense to do it before the last color, but wanted your opinion. Thanks!
Beautiful! How did you get it to shine?
Hi Lexi,
Thank you! I used the clear and dark waxes.
Thanks,
Beth
Yes, I would try this! But only because you give excellent photos and instruction. Beautiful work, love this!
It greatly intimidates me, but I’m jumping in on my next project.
Thanks,
Love it. I am going to try and work up the nerve to try it on a small piece. It is absolutely gorgeous More tutorials please. Your work is outstanding! Can’t think of a better teacher than you.
Thank you so much Betty. You can do it! Just remember to start small, be creative and have fun.
🙂 Beth
Hi Beth, really inspiring work. Can’t wait to see your tutorial on how you achieved the crackle look. When are you going to publish it?!
Hi Arunn,
I now teach this technique in my classes locally. I’ll have to set up a tripod and record one of them sometime. Thanks for reading!
Beth
Hello..absolutely one of the most beautiful pieces I seen. Have you had a chance to do a tutorial on how it’s done?
Hi Terri,
I have not. I have a video in the works but I’m so slammed with my store that I haven’t had time to put it all together.
Beth
Very pretty!
I just finished piece using the same colors. I love the way you finished it. I am a little intimidated using the dark wax also, Was wondering if you think a glaze would give the same finished effect that you got with the dark wax?
I think the wax gives more of a layered look that glaze. Either will work for a darker effect though. I think you should use what you’re comfortable with.
Thanks for reading,
Beth
Really inspirational.
Thanks Jody!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources
back to your webpage? My blog site is in the very same niche
as yours and my users would definittely benefit from some of the information youu provide here.
Please let me knoow if this okay with you. Cheers!
Hi,
Please email me for information about sharing. farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com
Thank you,
Beth
This is fantastic
I want to do my round dining table &
A side cabinet
With Annie Sloan chalk paint
I would like to email a picture
And give me any ideas
Thanks
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! I am definitely ready to try this.
Thank you Tina!
Beth,
Do you have a video showing the step by step process you do to that beautiful piece of furniture? Wow, it is gorgeous!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately I do not. I will add it to my list of to do’s though.
Thank you for reading!
Beth
Hello,
Do you have a video tutorial on the whole process? Every time I try a new project, it turns out horribly. I study the steps but I don’t have any luck. I think I’m talentless😳 Right now I have a small hanging cabinet and a large kitchen cabinet that need a paint effect. I messed up the small cabinet twice already. My husband made both of them for me. He has already has to completely sand the small cabinet to remove my disasters. This is causing me great stress and anxiety. Any suggestions about what I need to do next?
Hi Lisa,
So sorry you are struggling with painting. Have you thought about starting on a smaller project that doesn’t mean as much to you? Maybe grab a chair or small side table at a thrift store to practice on.
You can do this!
Beth