Why I LOVE Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

After completing Beatrice, I've had so many questions about paint and what exactly is ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint)?  I know chalk paint is really big down south but many people up here in New England look at me funny when I say I'm painting with chalk paint - thinking I mean chalk board paint.  Annie Sloan's paint can be used as chalk board paint, but it is not the black paint associated with chalk boards.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Waxes

I plan on doing a series on my love for the paint - tips, tutorials, waxing examples etc.  So if you have any questions send them my way - just subject it with chalk paint.  Oh, before I start listing my love - I think it is important that you all know I'm not affiliated with Annie Sloan or Annie Sloan Unfolded.  All these opinions are my own and no one is paying me to share this love with you!

1. NO PREPPING REQUIRED

As a busy mom of two little guys, I don't have tons of time to sand and prime furniture before painting. So when I first read about ASCP I was so excited to find out I didn't have to do these things.  On the advice of my good friend and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist, Nancy, at the Sea Rose Cottage, I have been washing pieces down with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol and warm water.  If the piece has any damage or looks like it could bleed through I use clear shellac.  I always do the above if I'm working on custom pieces or items I'm selling, better to be safe than sorry.  If the wood is bare, then you'll have to spot prime knots.

That was the initial reason, I started using the paint - the no prep, but there are so many other reasons I love it now.

2. THE COLOR PALETTE
Annie Sloan's colors are fabulous.  They are historical and routed in her love for history.  Aubusson is the original French blue from the 1800s, Arles a golden color popular in France, Old White an antiqued white (which I love).  My absolute favorite is Duck Egg Blue.  As seen here on little Beatrice:

Beatrice - Duck Egg Blue and Old White with some dark wax

You can also customize colors, by mixing any together that you like.

3. LOW VOC, LOW CHEMICAL
As a mom who thinks organic / hormone free food is important, who tries to buy green products, I don't want to be ingesting chemicals when working with furniture.  I love that I can paint with Annie's paints in my kitchen (my studio) and my whole house doesn't have that paint smell.

4. PAINT ON ANY SURFACE
Yes, you read that right.  You can paint virtually any surface with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  Wood, metal, plastic (matte, not shiny plastic), laminate (you need to sand with black 220 grit paper prior to painting), indoor, exterior.  The possibilities and work surfaces are endless.

I've painted metal lamps and frames, wood, laminate bedroom furniture and formica (Annie Sloan doesn't advertise painting on formica, but I had great luck with it).  Here's the formica table top I did.

Old White Table with rustic finish

5. QUICK DRYING
Due to the nature of the paint it dries very quickly so I can essentially finish a piece in a day!  I like this very much as I'm the type of person who wanted everything done yesterday.  Not sure if you are similar to me...

6. MATTE OR HIGH GLOSS
Both effects and everything in between are possible with chalk paint.  The paint dries matte, free of brush strokes (unless you've added these on purpose).  After clear waxing you can buff it to make it have that high gloss sheen or light gloss (even years later).  Or you could use her all natural dark wax to add an aged patina or distressed effect.

Union Flag Bureau - high gloss

7. SPECIAL EFFECTS
There are so many effects you can get with Annie Sloan paint and you don't need to have anything fancy to achieve them.  Just the paint and possibly a wet rag and a bit of sand paper.  Here are some effects I've got with the paint.  I learned some of these at a painting workshop at The Sea Rose Cottage and also on Annie Sloan's tour.

Two-Tone Distress:

Beach Cottage Blue Chair - Louis Blue and Old White

Here's another example with Old White and Graphite:

Shabby Chic Side Table - Graphite, Old White and dark wax

White washing:

White Washed Table - using Old White and dry brush of Paris Grey

Crackle:

Beatrix Bookshelf

Close up of top:

Crackle with dark wax to hightlight

Tinting wax:

Louis Blue Mirror in Old White with wax tinted with Louis Blue

Rustic Finish:

Rustic finish with Barcelona Orange and dark wax

Gilded Finish:

Gilded finish - great on picture frames and mirrors

The list goes on and on.

8. ANNIE SLOAN HERSELF
I had the pleasure of meeting Annie Sloan when she came to Boston with Annie Sloan Unfolded. I talked about it in this post here.  She is such a genuine, kind and funny person.  She is so talented and had a wealth of information to share with us.  I also really love her Quick and Easy Paint Transformations and Creating the French Look.

Me & the great Annie Sloan

9. CREATIVITY
But the top reason I love her paint is that it has allowed this stay at home mom turned blogger / furniture painter to also have a creative outlet which I was missing when my kids were first born.  I'm so happy with my projects and feel fulfilled helping friends with their furniture.  I've also met so many incredible and talented people who also share a passion for the paint.

Now, if that doesn't tell you why I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint maybe her new video will be a good illustration:

If you'd like to find out more about Annie Sloan's paints check out her website and here is a listing for local stockists.

If you have any questions about the paint or want some color advice send questions my way.  I'd love to chat with you about chalk paint.  I have a slight obsession!

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