Craqueleur and Gilding Wax

ASCP, Craqueleur, and Gilding Wax, OH MY!

I decided to try a few new things this week
slightly thickening my paint
Gilding Wax
and Craqueleur

Because I am lazy
I decided to do all three
on one piece...

Something very Old World
and European...
oh, who am I kidding...
Old World and FRENCH!

(these open door pics always
remind me of a flasher...!)
To thicken the paint
we just left the top off for about 45 minutes
(we only thickened the white...)

The Craqueleur was very easy to use...
just wait for your paint to dry
brush on #1 in an even coat

Allow #1 to dry, then brush on #2
As you can see, I used random strokes
and I went heavier in some places
lighter in others

Although you could use a dryer
or heat gun on low
Because we live in Florida
and it's hot
I opted to simply let them dry outside
in the sunshine...

The Craqueleur acts as a barrier
for the dark wax
so there is no need to clear wax
areas that have the Craqueleur applied

The gilding wax is also so easy...
just brush or rub it on.
That's it.
So simple.
It's the consistency of soft butter
and spreads just as easily

We're quite pleased with the outcome
of this little experiment...
we hope you enjoy it, as well!

You can find these products
on Annie Sloan's site
or contact your local ASCP retailer!

Annie Sloan Unfolded...Unedited!

Welcome, indeed!

Wouldn't you love to have a pot
of every color
at your disposal?
(OK, so we might ALMOST
have every color, but still...)

In case you live under a rock and haven't heard
Annie Sloan Fabrics are coming...
Most are double width
to make lovely curtains and bedding
not to mention upholstery!

I tried out the new brushes
and I'm going to be beating down
doors to get one
just as soon as they are available!

Annie was such a great sport...
game for anything...

This is Antoinette,
as you can see,
she lost her head AND her skirt!

Even Pierre got in on the action!

We tossed around the idea of going to this event
from the moment it was announced

We knew we WANTED to go...
but it involved reworking my work schedule
taking time off work
arranging daycare
driving to Atlanta
driving home from Atlanta...
well, you get the idea!

We knew the class would cover the basics
and I *think* we've pretty much mastered the basics!

But, I mean, really...who would pass up
the opportunity to sit in front of
Annie Sloan and listen to her
talk about her products
and color theory?
(am I a complete DORK for wanting my books signed??)

It was time well spent...to say the least!

Annie's passion for color and her paint
comes across in every word
and it's infectious
(ok, so her charming accent and fabulous sense of humor
didn't hurt, either!)

The break-out session was great fun!
As expected, all the stockists
had their space done up right!
They're also so passionate about
Annie's paint
and you can tell
they genuinely want you to have
a great experience
with these products

We met so many great people
and had fun playing in the paint!

My friend and fellow painter,
Anne of GypsyFleur
flew in at the last minute
(million dollar air fare not to
mention cab ride from Buckhead!)
See, I'm not the only one crazy for this paint!

Annie stopped in to say hello and talk a bit about her business
I was struck by her desire to allow each stockist
to just be....themselves.
No franchises, no McStores...
just great shops selling great paint, among other things!
She mentioned how disappointed she was to find the Gap store in NY
was just the same as the Gap store in England...
so homogenous...you know just what to expect
This isn't what she hopes you'll find when you walk
in to an ASCP Stockists shop!

She doesn't aim to be stocked on the shelves
at the Big Box stores
She just wants to share her passion and her paint
with homemakers
and like-minded folks
she wants it to be fun, and quick
but also fantastic

Her company, as well as her products,
aren't trying to be something they aren't
or to be like someone or something else...

This philosophy resonates with us
and makes us proud to say we use these products
almost exclusively

But I digress...back to our day in Atlanta...

The book signing was great fun
and Annie graciously invited us
the the after-party

We felt a bit like interlopers
but, again, who turns down an opportunity like that?

I don't know about you, but when Annie Sloan
invites us to an event, we are GOING...

The shin-dig was held in the loveliest little town
Senoia, GA
at the loviest little B & B
The Veranda

Azalea's in bloom all around the wrap-around porch
Antiques everywhere you looked
chandeliers, tin ceilings...oh my

The innkeepers were charming
and the southern fare was fabulous
(peach tea, homemade pimento spread, sweet potato biscuits,
bacon stuffed tomatoes
pecans, banana pudding...I could go on and on...and on!)
If you find yourself outside Atlanta, stop in and say hello!


Kenny spent a great deal of time chatting with Annie's husband, David...
I'm sure he was grateful to have a guy to talk to
after spending all this time surrounded by women
gushing about paint!
(David, I mean...Kenny was more than happy
to be surrounded by women
and to gush about paint!)

Annie and David were the loveliest sort of people,
and it was an honor as well as a pleasure to be included
in such great company

We owe a HUGE thank you
Annie Sloan
for all their
support
encouragement
acknowledgement
and
kind words
(OK, and their PAINT)

Spring has Sprung

(BEFORE)
Remember this tired old girl??

(AFTER)
Well look at her now!

The hardware is original to the piece

We custom mixed a pale Duck Egg Blue
highlighted with white

A bit of Coco really brings out the pale blue

After refinishing the top
back to wood
we stenciled the sweetest little bird

As luck would have it
I just happened to have
the most perfect fabric
to recover the bench...
It's French Laundry
and it's soft, nubby, and lovely

This poor bench...
Removing it's layers of fabric
was like a trip through the past four decades

It had it's original pale blue velvet
covered with hunter green chintz
followed by 1980's brushstrokes fabric
before finally being covered
in a dark mauve sheet!

The original mirror is in great shape
and the original dividers are still in place...

Love Love Love this vanity!
I would probably repurpose it as a desk
and stash pens and such inside
but it would def work as intended, as well!

Pressboard needs love, too

I purchased this desk
against my better judgement...
I knew it had some pressboard
but the elderly woman was so sweet,
I really wanted to bring her little desk new life

I custom mixed a lovely blue
(it's not nearly as bright as these photos!)
and got busy...

As you can see, I got about 90% done
I painted inside the drawers
waxed the outside...
I tried, really, I did!

But I just can't do it.
My rule is solid wood only...
and although this looks darling
and has survived nearly perfectly
since 1960
I can't, in good conscience,
sell it
and ship it

Because I know I'd be disappointed in the quality
and my other rule is
I only sell things I'd be proud to own...

So this little cutie is going on Craigslist
or maybe I can find a little girl
in the neighborhood to love it...

This was my inspiration
along with my custom mixed color...
I think I'll save it for another piece...
I do have a lovely vanity awaiting paint!

Pour Moi...

I'm ready to do some work
in MY dining room
The piece above
and the piece below are both candidates
(I also have the table and chairs that match
these, but I don't adore them
enough to keep them)

I also own the set below...
clearly, all of these need paint!

I have numerous other Frenchy sets
and two farmhouse tables
as well as a gorgeous Empire set
Too many choices!

Below, some inspiration pics
I've saved over time...

I love the mix of warm wood
with the cool neutrals

I adore the photo above
Frenchy table, slip-covered side chairs
and I'd add two caned chairs at either end
(my husband will KILL me
if I go this route, as we've
already had slip-covered chairs at the table
and they get dirty FAST!)

This is identical to the table we have now...
I love it, but I'm over it, if you know what I mean!

I'm craving a bit of color lately, too...
trying to "ride it out"
as I fear it's just Spring Fever
and as soon as I paint a hutch green or blue
I'll wish it was grey or linen...

In any event, this is my weekend project...
that will probably carry over through the rest
of the MONTH!
(hopefully I can get a few items
painted for Etsy, too!)

Starlet Desk

Remember that vanity
I posted during the week...
the one that I stripped down to bare wood?
This one!

She's finally done...

The color turned out perfect
pink without being
too childish
elegant but not stuffy

The awesome knobs are from
Robyn Story Designs
(she has the BEST knobs!)

I debated on gilding the details
but thought the color was so strong
it didn't need anything else!

Inside the drawers, a soft pink

The chair is so unusual
and the fabric is amazing...

the ombre dyed cotton
is soft and silky
and the colors graduate from
the palest pink to deep crimson

The photo above best depicts the color

We're going to add either a mirror
or a chalkboard
depending on how it will be used
I love the idea of storing a laptop inside
but of course, it makes an amazing vanity!