For Me Or Not For Me - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

By now, many of you know that I have never tried the real stuff, "Annie Sloan Chalk Paint". I love my homemade chalk paint (HCP) and hadn't given much thought to actually spending the extra $$$ to buy ASCP. But after reading The 411 On Chalk Paint by Mandie from Altard, I had to try it, in order to satisfy my own curiosity. SO, I searched the web and decided to purchase 2 cans from Robyn Story Designs. Not only do they offer the lowest price anywhere online but they also have a flat shipping fee. Additionally, RSD also had the newest color, French Linen which is really what I wanted to try.

Just like a little kid in a candy store, I could hardly contain myself when the box arrived. I tore into it and was pleasantly surprised to see not only the paint but a photocopy of the official ASCP color chart, a color board of real paint samples, instructions on achieving "sample techniques" and "color ideas for 2 color distressing".

I decided to tackle a simple project with one of the recommended '2 color distressing ideas', specifically French Linen over Old White and the piece, my kitchen table.

At first glance, the paint appears to be similar in consistency to my HCP. However once poured, I noticed that its texture is much smoother. I'm wondering if I used a finer unsanded grout in my recipe would it be less gritty and more like ASCP? I elected to roll it on with a smooth foam roller and below is the table top after one coat of ASCP.

I rolled on another coat of Old White and then applied two coats of French Linen. Once dry, I sanded the top coat of French Linen to expose some of the Old White. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture prior to applying my Golden Oak wax. Here it is, half & half...

After 'waxing on and waxing off' the darker wax, I applied Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. What I like most about this wax is the quick drying time (10-15 minutes) and it buffs to a brilliant shine.

Below is the completed ASCP table....

According to Annie Sloan, "Painting with our paint should always be a pleasure" and it is. Furthermore, it "is very easy to work with and allows people to be creative as one doesn't get involved with the technicalities of preparation", which is also true. However, the homemade chalk paint recipe that I use, does all of this at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, you have the flexibility of creating every color on the Pantone chart with endless color combinations to achieve a range of decorative and vintage looks.

Project #7 Complete!!!

Let me know what you think.....

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