Yesterday I finished painting the dresser for the guest room - I used a custom mix of Annie Sloan chalk paint - Barcelona Orange and Emperor's Silk to make a coral. I used about 3/4 of a quart of Barcelona Orange to a tester size of Emperor's Silk. I'd recommend starting with less orange, since you can always mix more in :)
This little dresser has come a LONG way ...
I started with this $25 craigslist find - good construction with solid wood dove tailed drawers but a formica top ?? No clue why that was decided ... but I thought this would be a good test for the Annie Sloan chalk paint which says that it can be painted on anything without priming.
Back to loading it in the car ... once it was in the car I realized that it had some water damage on the bottom (I really need to look more carefully from now on...) I wouldn't of bought it if I had seen that, but figured that I could come up with a creative solution ...
After realizing that I couldn't sand it down I took the hammer to the front and cut off the sides with the jigsaw
With both sides off - we built a frame out of 1 x 3s to attach the new legs to
Drilled holes for the threaded anchor
Inserted the threaded anchor in the hole
and attached the legs (purchased from Lowes)
The whole piece was sanded minimally and took three coats of the chalk paint ...
I decided to keep the original hardware since the top drawer had so much hardware, which = lots of $$ - and I wanted to try refinishing them anyways
I gave them a coat of Rustoleum oil rubbed bronze
What a difference! So far I have been incredibly happy with the chalk paint - it was easy to apply, adhered well, dries quickly, has low VOCs and seems to be very durable. Also, clean up a breeze - a brush can rinse clean with just water!
I love the fun pop of color that this adds to the space!
and one last before and after
I love how it is now lifted off of the ground - it makes is look less heavy!
I was ambivalent about using coral, but now that I see it with the lamp shade and next to the other fabrics in the room I am loving the direction that it is taking!
The lampshade was covered in this fabric - look for a tutorial soon!
We are buying the wood for the headboard tomorrow ... wish me luck that I can finish it by the weekend (when our vip guests arrive!)
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Make sure to enter for a chance to win a copy of Flea Market Finds with Matthew Mead. It is a must read for any DIYer!
LOVE IT!!! How did you know what the result of mixing the two color would be? Also, I have seen this paint all over- where did you buy it?
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie!! When custom mixing paint I get a piece of white paper, and after I mix - I make a thin paint swatch (not too thick or it takes too long to dry!) and use a hairdryer to speed it up ... and I also look at it in the lighting that it will be in. I purchased at a local antique store, Annie Sloan's USA website has a store locator (at bottom of this page http://www.anniesloanunfolded.com/products/chalk-paint)
DeleteWOW! I love it:) Can't wait for the lampshade tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Shellilee!! Look for the tutorial tomorrow!
DeleteWhat a wonderful job you have done, Sarah!!! I love how it turned out and the coral colour is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tani! I love the coral too! :)
DeleteLove, Love, Love the coral color. Don't know how you figure out how to mix the colors, but it always works!!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your VIP guests. I know they are looking forward to the visit.
Thank you! We are looking forward to a fun visit!!
DeleteThis is a beautiful piece of furniture love the color and I agree the new legs make this dresser look so expensive. The lamp and lampshade are the perfect finishing touch. I look forward to the tutorial for the lampshade too. You are ver talented, I just found you blog and look forward to following your projects.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo! Thanks so much for following!!
DeleteLOVE. and i'm obsessed with your blog. I pinned this on pinterest and in minutes I had a ton of repins/likes... the world loves this!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet comment!! Keep in touch :)
DeleteYou have such an awesome blog! Seriously girl what a great color!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana! I love the color too!
DeleteThis is great - I love the dresser's new look! Even though I really hate red, I'm becoming obsessed with coral =) BTW, I'm your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteThanks for following along! I am loving coral recently too :)
DeleteLove the coral color, and the hardware looks so perfect with it...great contrast! I'm thinking that I will need to try out the chalk paint...it looks really cool!
ReplyDelete-Taylor
Thanks Taylor! I actually resisted going darker with the hardware (I had it lighter first but the contrast was off!) The chalk paint was very cool, will definitely be using again!
DeleteI love love LOVE the coral colour - seriously gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amelia! I am loving the coral too!!
DeleteJust discovered your blog from BOTB at Centsational Girl .. love it !!!
ReplyDeleteI also just finished a custom CORAL ASCP sideboard this weekend !! Great minds must think alika ;) What was your ratio of colors (mine was 60/40)?
Can't wait to see more of you stuff !
Cheers Niamh
www.KathleenaThomasDesigns.com
www.VancouverBanshee.blogspot.com
Hi Niamh! Thanks for your kind comment! I would say my ratio was about 70 barcelona orange to 30 emperor's silk (didn't take much red!)
DeleteI want to tey the chalk paint too! Did u put any top coat or sealer on it?
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet, but I may in the future ... it can be left as is or can be given a top coat of wax.
DeleteI love the transformation! The color is so beautiful...very fresh looking. What an inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteVisit my blog sometime! :) i hope we can follow each other :)
Zorrie
www.sugarandchic.com
Hi Zorrie! Thank you for your sweet comment!! I'm loving your blog!
ReplyDeleteLove the color you created...I must show this to my daughter! I have used ASCP a few times but have never had the nerve to truly test it out on a formica/laminate piece. Do you feel confident it will hold up well? Kudos to you for giving it a try!
ReplyDeleteHi Terri! The paint adhered very well to the formica (same as it did to the real wood). Since we have painted it had been used as a nightstand (table lamp, books, papers, etc.) so nothing heavy duty but it still looks perfect. Time will tell, but I've been impressed so far!
DeleteHi Sarah, I found your dresser on Pinterest (surprise, surprise) and am obsessed with it. I am doing my baby's nursery in teal/coral and even went as far as purchasing a similar looking dresser on craigslist in hopes of refinishing it like yours. I have never refinished a piece of furniture before, nor do I paint much (ok, never lol). I was just wondering how many cans of each paint you needed to finish the dresser? Also, do you think the chalk paint would go over polyurethane without priming, or would I at least need to sand it?? Any advice you can give would be amazing! I really want it to turn out like yours! :) Thank you! Brittany
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany! Thank you! So glad that you found a great dresser to redo! I purchased a quart of the barcelona orange and a tester size of the emperors silk and still have some left over (I ended up doing 3 coats for the best coverage) I would recommend lightly sanding the whole piece just to rough up the surface a bit (this goes by fast!) I didn't prime and was very impressed with how well the chalk paint adhered! Hope this helps, let me know how it turns out! Sarah
DeleteThank you so much and thanks for sharing all of your beautiful work. I hope mine doesn't turn out to be a big mess! ;)
DeleteAlso, I added a little water to my paint (I'd recommend if it seems too thick!)
DeleteGreat color! The lamp looks perfect with it!
ReplyDeleteHoly Coral Batman! This is amazing. What a great transformation. I'm so glad you had luck with the chalk paint on that laminate top. I just ordered some of Annie Sloan's paint for a train table redo that I have been dragging my feet on because of it being laminate. After all the great things said about chalk paint I'm going to give it a try.
ReplyDeletewww.itsybitsypaperblog.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi. When you mixed both colors how much did you use of each to make sure you would have enough to complete the project? Could i mix one of each of the small sample jars to achieve this color? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Melody! I used part of a quart of barcelona orange and most of the emperors silk tester size. I don't have the exact ratio, but there is more orange than red.
DeleteWows! It looks like a completely different piece! Love the combo paint color, it is absolutely beautiful! And great idea to add the legs, such a fun touch!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jen
Hi Sarah, I love how great this looks and the fact that there was no prepping work. I am hoping to do this on my currently dreadful looking white pottery barn file cabinets. So I have a few questions I hope you don't mind, how many coats of the Sloan chalk paint did you use to have a even coverage? also how much paint did you need? Is the paint once dry have a flat finishing and smooth? And final question what kind of brush did you to paint with.
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemarie! This dresser took 3 coats. I purchased a quart of barcelona orange and a tester size of emeperor's silk (probably used about 2/3s of the paint mixed). The paint does have a flat finish when dry, I found it to be a little thick so I watered it down some. and I used a Purdy clearcut 1.5" inch and 3". Hope this helps! :)
DeleteThank you so much for the info. I am a new follower of your blog and I am so inspired with ALL your DIY. Thanks again.
DeleteAdorable!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous!! I have yet to use chalk paint, but I know I will love it when I do. I love the new feet on the piece and the color. Beautiful inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely try the chalk paint! It is great!
DeleteI'm a little bit confused on how the chalk paint works. Do you apply the chalk paint and then the color paint? Or do you combine the chalk paint with the colors?
ReplyDeleteHi Bobbie! The chalk paint comes in different colors and you don't add anything to it. There is a link to Annie Sloan's website at the top of the post if you would like to learn more :)
DeleteHi Sarah! I just discovered your blog on pinterest and I feel so inspired looking through all your project! I love all your work! I especially LOVE this coral dresser DIY! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this dresser! I am so afraid of mixing paint. Did you pour the whole tester (Emperor's Silk) into the quart of Barcelona Orange? Also, at $40.00 a quart do you find the quality of the paint and low prep of the furniture piece worth the price (hope that makes sense)? Just curious. I am slowly furnishing my bedroom and building/refinishing furniture pieces and am so nervous about paint choices and finishes. Any advice? Thanks so much. Oh yea, what kind of brush did you use?
ReplyDeleteHi Angel!
DeleteI poured part (about 3/4) of the barcelona orange (quart) and most of the emperors silk (tester) in. It is pricey, but I think worth it because it has less prep work :) Ours still looks the same as when we painted it, I would also recommend giving it a coat of clear wax for extra protection, especially if it will be getting a lot of use. I use a purdy clearcut brush. I prefer 1.5-2". Hope this help! :) Sarah
I love your dresser!!!...I have a question. What did you use after tha chalk paint? how did you seal it?
ReplyDeleteclear wax, annie sloan or briwax :)
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