I am so irritated with myself. For years I have wanted to repaint a few pieces. Some of blogging friends repaint, re-do and re-purpose like it's breathing. So, today I set out to get paint. Ann...what is it, Anne Sloan? I don't know you guys all talk about it with the fancy wax, etc. So, when I walked into Home Depot and no one knew what on earth I was talking about that was clue to leave. But, did I? No, of course not I wondered the aisles in a daze thinking there is nothing cool and settling on some colors and paints that I never really had in mind to buy.
I felt rushed and disappointed I couldn't find any of the fancy; Paris at midnight with a touch of la blah la....or any of the fancy chalk paint everyone talks about...But what was worse....it came to $97 dollars at the register. Well, "Chalk" this up as one I'll never tell Stan about. Geez.
But, then I got home and started taking pictures of the junk I am going to paint and feel a bit better....I mean, could get worse than this? I have been living with this monstrosity for years now. I wish I had been patient or smart. I always wanted to do a Union Jack on this one. Of course, that wouldn't match either.
It's just red would have worked better. All of my pieces are black and I bought a light grey. ON the way home my heart sank....gray? My walls are yellow. Geez. It's going to clash. Then I remembered the accent that is brown. Oy Vey. I mean, seriously....you have to consider all of these before you just pick random colors at Home Depot.
This is out in the garage already....sickening that it was even in my HOUSE!!! It will be better in a gray, right?
Hideous. Absolutely disgusting. Then in my regretful panic I thought appliques!
Seriously? Micheal’s in my only choice in town? And once again...they don't have what you want....WALK AWAY! None are shabby chic...none are chic. I should take them back and order the cute ones I saw on Etsy!!
Do you think I stand a chance? Do I go back and spend more money???
So off I go.........I am laughing and crying all at once. Stay tuned. LOL
Bisous!
Karen
What a day you had...frustrating to say the least. I can tell you that Anne Sloan paint is sold at specialty stores through the US and Canada, so you have to look them up on their website for a location near you....hope that helps. I only wish that AS paint would sell at the big box stores, maybe the prices would lower a wee bit. I am loving that "monstrosity" piece, I am thinking that a soft grey would look perfect, I have seen this colour all over blogland. Good luck with your adventure my friend. Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane!! I just wish I had more of a vision. I jumped into the gray and rwalzed everything in that room is gold toned. But, that piece can't get worse color-wise! There is no real cohesion in the tings I like. :) I am not sure Anne Sloan would be anywhere in this small town of mine! I have completely primed the room divider. Already looks better. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren
Karen...if it makes you feel better, my family room is painted yellow with gray accents and it turned out beautiful. I know how you feel in wanting to try the products that have been so successful for other bloggers, I wanted to try the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint myself until I realized I had to drive 1 1/2 hours to a store that sold it and it was about $1000 a quart! I paint pieces here and there and I just get a quart of whatever color makes me happy at Home Depot. My advice would be to pick up some paint chips and tape them to your pieces in the rooms they will live in. I think you will be less likely to make a mistake that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for giving us a funny and honest account of your paint adventure! I'm excited to see how it turns out! :)
XO,
Jane
Karen,
ReplyDeleteits gonna turn our great and look fabulous when you get it all finished.
I dont use the fancy paints and brushes either:)
looking forward to seeing how it comes out.
xoxo
Sonny
Oh, Sonny! I need your confidence! Thanks! I am finished with both pieces. Nothing extraordinary. No French writing or chic wax finish, but both pieces look better. I didn't even use the appliques! I'll be posting pictures tomorrow evening! Thanks for you encouragement. Oh, and I didn't need a big gallon either! They weren't much help at Home Depot. :)
DeleteKaren
Karen, I think it is all going to turn out beautifully. Once those appliques are painted and shaded a bit they will look totally different and look like they have always been part of the piece. I can't wait to see it done.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you can make home made chalk paint (just a little bit to see if you like it). Here is the simple recipe for it on this link- it works great- You can also use plaster of paris instead of the grout....http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2012/06/homemade-chalk-paint-vs-ascp/
Good luck- xo Diana
Thanks, Nana. I even stared at the plaster of Paris at Home Depot day. I was just in a daze and goofy. Lucas and Lucie showing my bright florescent colors and goofing off didn't help much either. I finished both pieces and they look pretty good. Not super chic, but good. Didn't use the appliques. Oh well. I JUST described it to my mom and she said, "Ew. I don't think I like that." LOL Now I am afraid to post pictures!
DeleteYou don't need Annie Sloan..the key to all t he great finishes is wax..I use Briwax, about 16.00 a can, but you can also use the paste wax in the yellow can and if you want brown, add brown shoe polish wax.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is just going gaga for the "new stuff in town"..and a lot of bloggers are SELLING IT so of course..... Flat latex in the right color of course lol with wax buffed on the right way.....means a fabulous look
Same look 70% less.Trust me I've painted all the furniture and cabinets in my house and you like it right?
If you must have a softer chalky finish think milk paint..again much cheaper..I did use that for years...
Well, it seems I bought the wrong color and right finish. I bought satin. Oh well. Live and learn. Next time I'll do it right! :) Both pieces look clean and better. Maybe I can add something to it later to make it better....maybe some French graphic words or the like.
DeleteKaren
Okay...I bought a red I like in flat and the paste wax in the yellow can. I need to buy brown show polish. Now I add the wax and polish (mixed together) after the paint has dried...correct..with old T-shirts. I go in long strokes to get the line look that's aged. Is this right?
DeleteKaren
Oh no, don't give up. Those embellishments are going to be fabulous once they're out of the package, on the furniture and painted. With all the paint you have, I'd also recommend trying a home made chalk paint recipe. I haven't done it myself, but have heard great things. We don't have any place here in this town either, but most of the time there's a dealer selling some at the antique shows. The screen and dresser will be gorgeous, and remember it's just paint and can always be repainted.
ReplyDeleteOh, Besty...your cool silver chest got me all motivated this morning, but I just got crazy in Home Depot. Not only did I get colors that match nothing in my house...it's all in a satin finish. I am not going to be bummed about it. It looks better. Just not fabulous. Maybe when you see the pictures you can give me an idea of how to jazz them up at bit. I didn't even use the appliques. The dresser was too curvy. You are right though, I can always do it over. I think I'd like a red with the wax finish.
DeleteKaren
Thanks for visiting my blog Karen. I feel so bad for you. Looks like you have a lot of friends who can offer advise. This is way out of my element. Looking forward to your finished product.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best on your adventure!
Linda
Thanks, Linda. It's my fault. I should have walked away. I knew I wasn't in the right place to just decide on a whim like that. I knew the whole time I was making bad choices!!! The paint job is pretty good. It' not all chic and cool like the pieces you see out there in blogland, but it's decent. SO I am happy. However...totally wrong color. I mean I can't even just make do and accept. It totally clashes with the room :( So...I am going to get more experience! LOL
DeleteKaren
Karen-
ReplyDeleteYou can make your own chalk paint - that's what we do at our little shop when we renew old pieces of furniture...1 c. latex paint, 2 Tsp. unsanded grout dissolved in 1/4 c. warm water - then add to paint. No sanding or priming. Then you can sand off edges etc. and then use your wax or poly to seal. Check out the dresser in my pics of our We're Ready for Spring sale that we had this weekend. My distressed chalk paint dresser sold the very first thing!!! I know your pieces will be wonderful - I love yellow and grey! You're so creative - can't wait to see!
Thanks, Bonnie!! This is so good to know! This yellow (a deeper yellow) and gray is not working. I have a lot of gold accents and red as well. I am not super picky or difficult, but this really clashes. I am not sure what I was thinking....I just wasn't thinking. So, I am going to post pictures, but I ave to start over with another color. :(
DeleteKaren
2 Tbsp. unsanded grout - sorry!
ReplyDeleteI have done some furniture painting and distressing but have yet to try Annie Sloane. I use a furniture paste wax over flat paint. I like that but not the tinted. I like your idea with appliques. I have thought about that too. I can't wait to see how the screen and chest turn out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carlene! I am going to re-re-paint this. I'll post pictures of the gray I picked (it's a satin too...big mistake) but I have re-do what I did. Gray completely clashes with the room and I think I knew that yesterday. I think that's why I was bummed before I even began. I am going to go back and buy a flat deep red. Where can get furniture paste wax? Do you think I can get that Home Depot? I never used the appliques :( They were too big and the piece is curvy. I am going to look on Etsy again though, they had some great pieces.
DeleteKaren
Oh Karen! What a day! I have 2 huge pieces in my house that I have wanted to paint for years and I'm terrified. One is a buffet and the other my dining table. I'll be watching you do this for some inspirations and maybe I'll finally get up my nerve!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to read your posts on painting. I have never done it and want to. I have several pieces in the basement to paint. Not sure what I need or how to do it yet. I love the red and how it turned out!
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