Chalk Paint Success!

Yay! This is my favourite redo out of all that I have done, well it still isn't completely finished yet as I have to do something with the manky insides of the drawers but I couldn't resist posting early.

I found her at an auction in the winter and got her for next to nothing.

 Don't you just love a bargain? 

The top was quite heavy marked, as were the drawers so I sanded it down with the electric sander and then gave it a wipe. Because I had used chalk paint before, and had a not-so-good experience.. I had the benefit of knowing that this paint dries super quick meaning that it is hard to get an opaque and even coverage. With this in mind, I bought some gold craft paint and sprayed the piece, concentrating on the edges, legs and top with the happy knowledge that this chalk paint can go on top of any surface below.

This dried really quickly, so I was able to paint over it on the SAME DAY! Amaaazing! I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Henrietta. It is has lovely lilac tones to it but overall I think it is more pink. It really is such a beautiful colour on! I had heard along my relentless research on how best to use this paint that using a foam roller gave good results so I gave this a shot and it worked brilliantly! I also made sure to put the lid right back on securely after I poured it each time onto the tray as this stuff thickens up really quickly. Normally I would have to use a brush to get into the nooks and crannies, but with the gold shining up from below I wasn't that fussy and just went with it.
I just used my regular Colron clear finishing wax to protect it and to secure the chalk paint to the furniture.

I left little bits of gold peaking through;

At first I was going to get new knobs for the piece, possibly crystal, but decided against it when it was all painted. So I just gave the old ones a good scrub and here they are in all their glory

Such pretty legs! I love old furniture, the quality of the wood, the fine detailing and all the skill that went into making it, this piece even has beautiful dove tail joins on the drawers!

Oh la la she is pretty :) 

My favourite piece so far.