Mystery Paint Revealed!

Jane, Lee Gamble and a few others guessed it right!  Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint is the mystery paint.  I received an e-mail from a reader a few weeks ago, telling me I should try chalk paint.  My first thought was, "Duh.  I know what chalk board paint is."  I was being a little high and mighty at that moment and then I clicked the link she kindly sent me.  I was an idiot.  A high and mighty idiot.  Chalk paint is not chalk board paint, but something entirely different.

I loved the colors available and was intrigued by this product, so I thought I would contact them to see if they would send me some samples.  I would try it out and review it on my blog.  Well, I spoke to one of the best sales woman alive, Patty Seaman of Classic Wall Finishes.  She went on and on and on about how wonderful this paint was and I was ready to commit to it for life without ever having tried it.  She slowed me down and said, "Just try it.  If you don't love it, don't write about it."  I felt even more confident after hearing that statement.  If she didn't believe in this product 100%, she wouldn't say that.  A few days later, I received some paint and Annie Sloan's Quick and Easy Paint Transformations Book to guide me along.  I couldn't put my brush down.  I painted five pieces of furniture in two days, starting with my corner cabinets.

 I really wanted to paint these and this was the perfect push to make me do it.  The greatest part?  This water-based, low odor paint bonds so well that it doesn't require sanding or primer.  I applied the paint directly onto the factory poly finish. No expensive bonding primer required!

 One of my other favorite things about this paint is how well it distresses.  When you distress latex paint, it rolls and peals off unless it has cured for over a month.  I sanded this hours after I painted it and the chalk paint comes off in a fine powder, so it looks natural.  The finish is flat and chalky, but shine and protection can be added by applying a coat of wax.  A darker wax was then applied to my corner cabinets to tone down the vibrant Louis Blue. 

 

I then painted the buffet...

 

...my grandfather's desk...

...a secretary, mirror frame and a bookcase.  I started out with a quart of Louis Blue, a quart of Old White and a sample of Paris Gray and still have plenty of paint for more projects.  Even with three colors, I've been able to achieve a variety of shades and tones by mixing the paint.  

So, where can you buy chalk paint?  

I ordered mine from the delightful Patty Seaman of Classic Wall Finishes in New Jersey, but she is slammed with orders right now.  I know Virginia is stocked with paint and wax brushes, so you can order from her here or from whichever stockist is closest to you.

Southern Institute of Faux Finishing
Virginia Weathersby in Brandon, Mississippi 

Phone: 601-919-FAUX
http://fauxfinishbiz.com/shop2.htm

3 Oaks Studio
Vicki Shoemaker in Clovis, CA
Phone: 559-974-3208
http://www.3oaksstudio.com/
vicki@3oaksstudio.com

Faux Works
Barbara Skivington in High Point, NC
Phone: 336-841-0130
fauxworksstudio@aol.com

WonderFaux Studio
Michelle Delgado
12919 Southwest Freeway
Suite 120
Stafford, Texas 77477
Phone: 281-242-4937
http://www.wonderfauxstudio.com/
sales@wonderfauxstudio.com

House of Anne
Anne Skougard in Canyon Lake, California
Phone: 951-244-9968    951-385-6745
HouseofAnne@msn.com
www.HouseofAnne.net

WonderFaux Studio
Michelle Delgado in Houston, Texas
Phone: 281-242-4937

Lily Lane Home
Robin and Brittany Lynn Muller in Waco, Texas
Phone: 281-702-2866
robin@lilylanehome.com
www.lilylanehome.com

You may experience a little sticker shock when you see that the paint is over $30/quart, but it goes a long way, no primer is required and you'll love the results.  And don't worry!  I am going to post all about my painting and distressing techniques, how to work with the clear and dark wax and all of the other exciting things I'm learning about this product.  You'll definitely hear more about chalk paint.

For more information from Annie Sloan herself, you can check out her website http://www.anniesloan.com./  

As one final comment for this post, I want to tell you that I did receive free to paint to sample, but this is not a paid advertisement.  I do not make any money from any paint purchased.  I fully believe in this product and wanted to work with chalk paint stockists, who are mostly decorative artist like myself, to promote my new very favorite paint in the whole wide world.  

Please leave any questions in the comments and I can't wait to share more.

I'll see you tonight at 10:00 PM EST for FFF!