Before & After #2 - French Desk painted with Chalk Paint

Hi Y'All!  This is Paula again.

Before & After photos of French Desk. This desk was a Craig's List purchase.

French Desk Before - has "leather" looking top.  Sorry about the glare.

The first coat applied was Louis Blue.  No sanding and no primer, just a good wipe down to make certain the desk was clean and dust free.  Gotta love that part!

Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint - Louis Blue

The next coat was a color wash with Aubusson Blue & water (mostly water) applied with a brush and wiped off, giving the paint enough time to settle in cracks and crevices but not to completely dry.  

Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint - Aubusson Blue

Desk after application of both colors.  

 The wash with Aubusson was applied before the Louis Blue had a chance to cure overnight.  By applying the paint this way, the Louis Blue just rubs off in places with enough pressure so that sanding isn't necessary.  I love saving steps!

Tools of the trade:  Paint Can Opener; Water Bottle Lid; Snapper to Keep Bag of Snacks Fresh; Flathead Screwdriver and the drawer pulls!  Isn't this what you use as well when working?  =)



Desk Top Before.  Most of the marks came off, but not all.  Had hoped to be able to stain the top, but the stain did not stick.  Tried a light sanding but that did not help.

Desk top after. 

Big difference achieved with Annie's Dark Furniture Wax.  And believe me when I say that a little goes a long way.  The arms wear out quickly when buffing wax  The wax did sort of revive the top though.  I really like the way that the wax made the "leather" look old and worn and comfortable. 

Final after photos.

These last photos all have different colors, don't they?  Still getting the hang of the camera. 
This last color is the truest match to the dresser up close and personal.

This desk was such fun to do!  The drawer pulls were sprayed with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze and reattached.  I think she looks spectacular and hope that someone on CL falls in love with her too!

 Next project?  A redo of our music dresser.  I just love to strip furniture!   

Before & After - French Coffee Table

Hi Y'all - it's Paula!

This set of B & A's is of a French Coffee Table. Jennifer and I purchased this table and several more items at an estate sale.  This project was completed before we got our Chalk Paint, but it's still gorgeous. The subtlety of the gray is something that I'm learning to like more and more.  The table was painted with Behr's Manhattan Mist and then topped off with a coat of MinWax. The before photos have escaped me. Just imagine a Maple-e color coffee table.

The curvy legs and sides just make me want to smile!  So pretty. 

Love these streaks of dark on the top. 

My carpet isn't really brown, but oddly enough, the coffee table color looks true. It's a gray with a hint of blue, not much, just a tad.

The table was waxed- with dark Minwax for furniture and buffed with my own little arms.  Is there such a thing as a furniture buffer?  I'm gonna check on that one!

Coming up next - a French Desk makeover!