Foyer Table with Layered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Wax

Understanding and creating what a client wants is one of the most challenging things about a custom painting business.  So when clients provide an inspiration photo I’m grateful.  I’m a very visual person and most times I can see a piece finished before I’ve even started on it.  However what I see and what a client wants can be two different things so a photo brings us together and makes sure we’re on the same page.

{Photo credit-C’est Moi Brentwood TN}

In fact sometimes I see a piece of furniture and I think, that’s pretty like it is.  As was the case with this piece.

Red, ahhhh beautiful red furniture.  I like red furniture.  However it can be hard to find a place for red tones and when you’re over them, well you’re over them.  As was the case with this piece.  My client was going for a more neutral tone in her home and this red piece was throwing her off.  She wanted something with more of a brown earth tone feel like the piece in the inspiration photo above.

Layering paint and wax is one of my favorite techniques.  I used this technique on a very large piece a while back that you can read all about here.  Layering can create such an aged European look and really set apart a mass produced piece.

Changing the top of the piece was also a must.  It had reddish tones and was pretty scratched up.

I sanded down the top just enough to expose the wood and added a dark Java gel stain, by General Finishes to it.

Java is one of my favorite stain colors with little to no red tone to it.

Once I had completed the top it was time to start layering paint.

I started out by picking out the colors used in the inspiration photo.  I determined that it was a cream base (Annie Sloan Old White) with an additional darker cream (Annie Sloan Original) and then a layer of brown (Annie Sloan Coco) on top.  Then finished out with distressing to remove some paint and sealed with dark wax.

Adding the dark wax really highlights all the little grooves and detail…..

and creates a completely different look.

My client and I were thrilled with how this piece completely transformed her foyer and softened the space.

Do you have furniture you’d like to have painted?  Email beth@farmfreshvintagefinds.com for pricing and details about custom work.

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