Painting Cherry Furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Starting out
I have been painting furniture for a very long time (like 26 years) and it’s definitely one of the things I love doing most. However, when someone approaches me about painting cherry or mahogany stained furniture, I always have to re-arrange my face so that you can’t see the deep cringe I feel inside.
Most of the time, these pieces end up looking phenomenal once they are painted (if done right!). But, and yes, there is a big but… getting a beautiful finished look can be difficult. For that reason, I thought I would share some of my secrets about how I achieve a beautiful finish using white paint on this type of furniture.
Priming
Just to show you what a difference priming makes in the above picture, I have painted to top half with primer and then Annie Sloan Old White and the bottom with just Old White directly over the existing surface.
You’ll notice that there is quite a bit of yellowing on the bottom half of the drawer. This is what makes painting cherry wood with a white finish so difficult. It doesn’t always happen but it happens to me often enough that I just don’t chance it anymore.
If you’ve done your research, you know lots of people use many different types of primer. After many tests of trial and error, I have found that Zinsser Shellac gives me the best outcome.
If you need proof, simply look at the pictures below. I have to tell you, from experience, that working for several hours painting cherry furniture only to return the next morning and see a blotchy mess NEVER makes for a great day. Always make sure to save yourself some time (and sanity) and use Zinsser Shellac! It’s really that simple.
The Shellac prevents bleed through and leaves a beautiful finish by sealing your piece.
Painting
It is worth mentioning that the paint used to achieve this beautiful white finish is the Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint. If you’re like me, you love pieces that brighten spaces but aren’t too bright that they look stark or sterile. This color achieves exactly that. You can purchase Annie Sloan products in my shop through this link.
I also highly recommend using a soft brush. The type of brush you use can make all the difference in your finished piece. You can purchase the brushes I use here. I promise you, they’re worth every penny!
And Voila! here is the finished result of Painting Cherry furniture:
All in all, I think this piece turned out beautifully. Thanks for reading this far! If you are a fellow painting hobbyist, be sure to read more of my posts! I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of painting and I’m happy to share and answer any questions I can.
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I hope your right. I’lluse the stain u suggest for my Primer, then I want to paint my gorgeous Cheryl wood bookcase with Linen White Benjamin Moore. Do u think this will give me that warm look we are looking for ?
Hi Louis,
I’m not familiar with that color but I think a white will definitely brighten things up.
Thank you for reading!
Beth
What colour of Annie Sloan did you use for these drawers. It looks like you may have put a darker colour underneath the white perhaps? Thank you!
Hi Nicki,
I used Annie Sloan in Old White. The darker areas you are seeing are where I lightly distressed the piece back to the natural wood.
Thank you for reading!
Beth
Hi, you stated that you distressed back to the natural finish. Did you use a sander or by hand sander and what grit please. I am redoing my Grandmother’s bedroom that was given to my mom for her wedding and now I have it. To say it’s in perfect condition is an understatement. It’s a Chippendale Mahogany. My grandparents were married in 1924, it’s over 100 yrs old.
Hello Gail,
That sounds like such a fun project! I almost always use an orbital sander. When sanding by hand or otherwise you want to start with your coarsest grit paper and then step down slowly with finer papers. For instance I might start with a 100-150 grit and then end on a 220 grit to get the smoothest finish. Thank you for your question and good luck with your project!
Beth
Is it necessary to sand cherrywood or mahogany furniture before using primer or paint? Thank you!
Hi Tara,
I would only sand if there are uneven areas that need leveling out. Otherwise I would just prime and paint. Thank you for reading!
Beth
So if your piece is finished..it would have the clear coat finish on it. That doesn’t need to be sanded before you paint? The steps are primer, shellac, then paint?
Hi Julie,
If you piece still has a good solid finish on it you might not have a problem with bleed through. You could paint a test spot and let it sit for 24 hours. If you don’t have any bleed through then I would prime and paint. If you do have some bleed though I would shellac, prime and then paint. I hope this helps!
Beth
I’m a little confused. You spray this on before you paint? Or after?
Hi Amy,
Spray the shellac on before painting. Hope this helps!
Thank you for reading,
Beth