Reimagined Monday: Distressing... But In A Good Way!

Anyone who knows the folks at Apple Box Boutique also knows we LUV us a good laugh... even a cheap, slapstick, falling down on the job chortle will suffice but rest assured, laughing is a priority.  If you feel that way too, then you will love reading Dream Home DIY, a blog written by Michelle about her and her husband Justin's home reno trials and tribulations.

They are wacky and fun, and manage to make do-overs feel okay as they DIY their way to their vision for their newish abode.  Following is Michelle's first attempt at painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and Justin's reaction to said project.  Enjoy!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Transformations

"Annie Sloan chalk paint is literally EVERYWHERE right now;

So naturally Ive been dying to try my hand at it.

No priming, no prep sanding, limitless color mixing options, amazing distressing ability, low VOCs, easy cleanup...

And it can be used on furniture, floors, cabinets, walls...
Applied both indoors and outdoors...
On metal, wood, brick, concrete...

Are you serious?  Where have you been all my life?? 

Just stop for a second and imagine the possibilities.

Well, a few weeks ago we spoke with Miss Patty Seaman from Classic Wall Finishes to get a bit more info on the product and after chatting with her, we knew it was a perfect fit for our home.
She is a HUGE wealth of knowledge and was oh so excited to talk about the paint.  I really loved that.  Not to mention she used to live in Virgina, so of course I immediately felt a bond with her.
Paris Gray, Louis Blue and Old White seemed like wonderful colors for us to start with so that's what we got.


Now Ive had an idea for a display piece on our new stenciled walls swirling around in my head for a bit.
Enter our $6.75 Goodwill find
(and some rough cut lumber.  But more on that later)

Because the look we were striving for was a layered, weathered over time vibe
I painted a first coat of Paris Gray right over the dark stained mirror.

Next, a coat of Old White was applied directly on top.
I was able to do this within 20 minutes as the first coat had already dried.
Uh.Mazing.

A thin application of the Annie Sloan wax (allow to completely dry) and a bit of distressing with fine grit sandpaper...
We're in love.
In fact, Justin walked through the door and Mr. I Never Get Excited stated:
"Holy beep.  That paint is the beep"
Yeah.  It's that good

When distressing traditional latex paints, they tend to roll off.
Chalk paint wears off.
And that makes a huge difference.

Now to flank either side of the mirror, we wanted a distressed piece of white washed old lumber and I thought this would be the perfect time to try out another technique.
White washing

Note- This was "new" rough cut lumber when we received it. 
We set them out in the driveway for about 3-4 months.
Mother Nature did the rest.

Dilute a bit of paint with a small amount of water and lightly drag your brush along the grain of your lumber.

Next, with a bit of patience, we hung everything in place on our pretty stenciled wall...

Voila!"

Update - The fork and spoon were purchased from Pier 1

We think it turned out (as Michelle puts it) Uh.Mazing.  Thanks for sharing your ASCP projects, Michelle!

♥,

Apple Box Boutique

Here is how to share your reimagined paint project at On the Apple Box:

Send us a description of how you used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to get from your vision to the reimagined piece, before and after pictures, pictures of your project in progress or a couple of it in its finished state, and you may be highlighted on our blog!

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We'd LOVE it if you shared our blog:

Reimagined Monday: Maison Decor's Kitchen Makeover

For over 20 years, Amy Chalmers has been beautifying homes in Boston and area through her company Amy Chalmers Interiors.  Her blog Maison Decor is packed with great pics and design examples and led to Amy being featured several times in Romantic Homes magazine.

Last year she completed her own kitchen makeover and her go-to paint was Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Paris Grey.  But there is so much more to her kitchen re-do that I wanted to share it all (including the Home Depot beadboard wallpaper... one of my favourite things).

Here it is in all its glory... The Amy Chalmers Interiors kitchen makeover:

 The kitchen cabinets were done in Annie Sloan chalk paint.I went round the bend trying to decide if I was going to stick with the chalk paint or use a conventional paint. 

In the end, I decided to distress the cabinets and with that decision,the easy choice was to use the chalk paint.

 The upper cabinets are in Old White,

 the lower cabinets are in Old White with Paris Grey wash.

 I used a paint brush to do all the cabinets. 

They were painted in place as they have

 hidden hinges and it was easier that way.

I lightly distressed the cabinets on the top.

The bottom cabinets were distressed a little heavier.

 All were finished in clear wax.

 Bright and cheerful with a  farmhouse vintage appeal.

 

The island light fixture came from a swap shop at a dump.

It was the perfect solution for our off center island.

 The window brackets are also a vintage addition 

that holds a shelf for displaying items.

A kitchen with cabinets to the ceiling doesn't 

allow for any display space, so this works well.

The stainless bucket to the left of the window is a composter.

You put all your veggie clippings, eggshells and coffee grounds inside

and a week later it is mushy...then throw it in your garden.

It is amazing, and we love it. You can get one  at TJMaxx.

The bronze rabbit got a lot of interest the last time I posted on the kitchen.

We picked him up at the Chilmark Flea Market on Martha's Vineyard.

He is holding my sugar bowl, but at parties he sits on the island and holds nuts.

 

The floors are maple.

 The view from the dining room into the kitchen to the back door.

 Marble countertops would look quite nice with the grey and white~

someday...mmmm

 The kitchen is a small room that is like the spoke of the wheel in our house.

All rooms connect by halls to this space, except the living room.

The console table is a nice place to set up a bar or deserts when entertaining.

These tulips came from our garden.

The view towards the dining room. 

This wall is one I would like to remove.

The problem is finding a good spot to relocate the refrigerator.

When I figure that out, I can imagine my kitchen filled with sunshine.

I took pictures with the lights on and then all the lights off.

The pictures with the lights on make the kitchen look green.

Anyway, this view shows the dining room filled with sunshine.

Imagine this space all opened up...

 The difference white cabinets make in a dark space is just amazing and uplifting.

Our kitchen island is made by the John Boos company.

They specialize in wonderful butcher block islands.

One last look at what used to be our kitchen....

the total cost of this mini-reno was 

3 quarts of chalk paint and a can of wax.

The result is one lovely kitchen!

Amy also has an Etsy site, and though her wares are available for shipping in U.S. only, they are still fun for the rest of us to ogle and be inspired.

GREAT NEWS!

We are partnering with Tara Jamieson of Lauren Lane Decor to offer Kitchen Reinvention classes in Edmonton starting May 27th!  Click here to read more about this + other paint classes and get registered!

Happy Reimagined Monday!

Here is how to share your reimagined paint project at On the Apple Box:

Send us a description of how you used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to get from your vision to the reimagined piece, before and after pictures, pictures of your project in progress or a couple of it in its finished state, and you may be highlighted on our blog!

At First Blush (New Chalk Paint Colour "Antoinette" Creates a Stir!)

Valentine's Day may have come to a close, but the shades of love live on... The latest addition to the Annie Sloan family of chalk paints is arriving very soon and

I. Just. Cannot. Wait.  

Please allow me to introduce... "Antoinette".

Image courtesy Paint Shoppe

This is simply the most beautiful, French-inspired blush pink I have ever encountered.  It may seem... well, odd to some that a paint colour could create such euphoria.  But it makes me happy... so, SO happy!

It is no secret to most that I have an affinity for the flamboyance that was Marie Antoinette, and I have the same giddy enthusiasm for all of the incredible sets, candy-coloured costumes and the too-fabulous-for-words Manolo Blahnik shoes that graced the screen in the the 2006 Sophia Coppola film.  If even one frame is accurate, it is proof that this paint has been heaven-sent from Marie herself.

It turns out that I am not the only one swooning.  Here are just a few of the lovely projects that have been posted online by Annie Sloan and other lucky testers in the U.S.:

Whatever it is... that intangible "je ne sais quoi" has my full attention!

So many dream projects awaiting "Antoinette"... Ooo-la-la!

*Where not noted on images, original sources are unknown.  Please let us know if credit can be provided!