Oh friends, I’ve been a painting machine for the last few days! It rained almost the entire weekend {I can’t even remember the last time that happened} so I had lots of time to spend in the garage on my epic quest to conquer my secondhand dining table and eight mismatched chairs with the mythical Annie Sloan Chalk Paint {that was a mouthful!} I bet you couldn’t even sleep this weekend, wondering how this whole thing was going to turn out. I know.
Here’s what I learned: Chairs are harder to paint than tables. The first four were old ladderbacks with rush seats. When Brian saw me painting them, he told me it wasn’t even worth it because they’re so old and kind of falling apart…and I can see his point. But, they were the chairs in my parents’ kitchen when we were growing up, so I wanted to see how they would respond to a little “fluffing,” since they have sentimental value and everything.
Here’s what I learned: Chairs are harder to paint than tables. The first four were old ladderbacks with rush seats. When Brian saw me painting them, he told me it wasn’t even worth it because they’re so old and kind of falling apart…and I can see his point. But, they were the chairs in my parents’ kitchen when we were growing up, so I wanted to see how they would respond to a little “fluffing,” since they have sentimental value and everything.
 | {I think the picture at left makes the chairs look better than they actually are. They definitely show lots of use and wear.} Below you can see my first coat of ASCP Paris Gray:  |
I thought I did a pretty good job, but the combination of constantly missing spots and some bleed-through of the brown wood required me to go over them. And over them. And over them. And… {you get it, right?} I was hoping to avoid two overall coats, but I couldn’t. Luckily, the quart of chalk paint seems to be bottomless.
I finally took some pictures that captured the first coat.
Very chalky in appearance and to the touch:
I finally took some pictures that captured the first coat.
Very chalky in appearance and to the touch:
The second set of four chairs actually matches the table. They were in great condition, but since I’m putting them on my screened-in porch, they were way too formal. I’ve only finished one coat on these, but let me give a HUGE shout out to the best paintbrush ever, the Purdy Nylox. I was able to get into the tiny grooves, and the brush retained its shape and lost no bristles at all! I’ve only applied one coat {and I’ll definitely have to do two}, but so far I love how they’re turning out.
 | I re-covered the seats with this outdoor-friendly canvas fabric when I first "adopted" these chairs. They need another coat of paint and the fabric needs to be re-stapled, but I like the way the blue looks with "Paris Gray."  |
I can tell the clock is ticking on my garage-squatting, so I’d better get moving and finish these chairs! I also need to apply another coat of wax {maybe two} to the table, because I set the paint can on it and it left a mark on the finish. I’m still not sure how the paint will hold up to the abuse of our family, not to mention the elements since it will be on the porch.
However, I noticed that ASCP can be used on floors {really, Annie? You're such a showoff}
so it should definitely hold up against some measly Beyblades. And if you know what Beyblades are, you probably have little boys. :-)
However, I noticed that ASCP can be used on floors {really, Annie? You're such a showoff}
so it should definitely hold up against some measly Beyblades. And if you know what Beyblades are, you probably have little boys. :-)
Thanks for sticking with me on this epic journey. It's 6:00 a.m. so I'm going to try to get some chair-waxing in before the kids wake up! {Yes...this is what my life has become.}
Joined Debbie Doo's Newbie Link Party ,Chic On a Shoestring's Flaunt it Friday, Addicted to Decorating, and
