Welsh Dresser Painted in AS Paris Grey

This piece of furniture started off in Pine. It needed to be updated and given a new look. I decided to give it my own 'French Antique Style' - this is how I do this technique :-

Firstly, I apply 2 coats of Zinsser 123 Primer in white. I use this particular primer as it is a good 'stain blocker' and needs to cover the 'knots' to avoid 'bleed through' - which you don't want showing once it is painted! I leave this overnight to cure and then the next day I apply 2 coats of Dulux Quick Drying Eggshell, also leaving overnight. The next day I can then coat it with wax - I usually use a wax called 'Bri-wax' which is a very soft wax which applies very easily. Just rub it on with a soft cloth and then rubb most of it off, leaving a nice 'antiquey' finish. Then all you need to do is to buff it up and it leaves a nice soft sheen. Then I finished it off with some new glass knobs.

This finish does not require further 'finishing' as the wax is very hard wearing.

I decided to give this piece another 'update' and thought I would use Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint. I have already used Annie Sloans paint on some other projects and like to use it. So I chose the colour of Paris Grey.

TIP - when using Chalk Paint I personally like to add small amounts of water. As all Chalk Paints I have used are rather thick and when it is watered down it flows much easier and personally it looks and feels better. Just go sparingly with the water, as you don't want to go too overboard with the water so add little by little. You can always add but you can't take out!! It is much preferable to have two thin coats than one thick!

I decided that I did not want it all too dark. Therefore, I mixed in with the Paris Grey some AS Old White to paint all the Dresser except the drawers, which I painted solely with AS Paris Grey. I just wanted to give the dresser a little bit of difference to the 'norm'.

I finished off with a varnish to protect the paint - I like to use an acrylic varnish called Polyvine - I usually give the piece of furniture at least two coats of this, depending where and what the furniture is being used for.

Est. 1998

DECORATIVE IDEAS

Interior Designer, Specialist Paint Techniques & Artist

Welsh Dresser Painted in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Paris Grey

TOP OF PAGE