Categories
DIY Expert Tips Furniture

Chalk Paint project: how to create an ombre sunset cabinet

We just loved this Sunset Chalk Paint Ombre Cabinet by Annie Sloan and we had to ask her for the step-by-step guide to creating it so you can have some upcycling fun too!

You will need:

  • 1 x 1L Chalk Paint in Capri Pink
  • 1 x 1L Chalk Paint in Barcelona orange
  • 1 x 1L Chalk Paint in Florence
  • 2 x Large Chalk Paint Brushes
  • 2 x Large Flat Detail Brushes
  • 1 x 500ml Clear Chalk Paint Wax
  • 1 x Small Chalk Paint Wax Brush
  • 1 x lint free cloth

How to

To recreate this ombre at home, begin by painting the bottom of your furniture with a thin first coat in Capri Pink Chalk Paint. Brush in all directions. Then do the same with Barcelona Orange Chalk Paint to cover the top half of your piece. Repeat the process to give full coverage of each colour. There will be a distinct line between the Capri Pink and Barcelona Orange halves.

It’s blending time!

You’ll need two brushes for best results. Annie prefers Chalk Paint Brushes because they hold a lot of paint in their densely packed bristles and allow a lot of control. Starting with your Capri Pink brush, paint over where the two colours meet. Whilst the paint is still wet, take the other brush and work Barcelona Orange into the Capri Pink.

The trick here is not to overload your brushes; allow the bristles to pick up excess paint and mix small amounts of each colour together with each brush stroke rather than trying to deposit more paint with every movement. You should always work so one colour is painted on in one direction (i.e., upwards or left to right) and the other colour is painted in the opposite direction (downwards or right to left), so they blend together to make a new colour. A light touch is most effective.

Once your ombre is dried, channel Annie’s colour-clashing expertise by adding some Chalk Paint in Florence (as seen on the inside of this cabinet). The turquoise waters of this blue-green colour will contrast magnificently with the tropicana warm tones outside and add to the holiday feel. Finish by protecting the whole thing with Clear Chalk Paint Wax. Ta da!

For more details and stockists.

Chalk paint by Annie Sloan, from $54.95 RRP for 1L.

Categories
DIY Expert Tips Kitchens

Chalk paint kitchen cabinets: 2 amazing before & afters and how-to

Making over your kitchen is remarkably easy using chalk paint. So, if you’ve been bitten by that lockdown DIY bug, we’re here to share a very easy way to transform your cabinets quickly and stress-free, with some amazing real life examples to prove it!

This before and after by Jessica Davis of Nest Studio (above and below) blows my mind!

“With a partner and no interruptions, you could do your kitchen cabinets in a weekend,” explains chalk paint creator, Annie Sloan. “Or if the thought of a big job is overwhelming, break it down. Do your top cupboards one week and your bottom cupboards the next.”

Jessica even tackled her kitchen FLOOR with chalk paint and stencils! Read all the finer details of her incredible kitchen makeover on Kitchn.

Here’s another amazing transformation by Avery Michaels of Holland Avenue Home, which almost broke the internet when she first posted it!

Even better, she’s more recently shared how it’s holding up two years later, for all of you skeptics! I get it, this stuff does sound too good (and easy) to be true! The short version is, it’s still going really well!

How to transform your kitchen with chalk paint

Annie herself shares these tips:

  • Start by giving your kitchen cabinets a clean with soapy water to remove any oil or grease.
  • When dry, apply your first coat of chalk paint using an Annie Sloan Flat Brush for a smooth finish.
  • Leave plenty of time to dry, before painting the second coat of Chalk Paint.
  • Once dry, finish with at least two coats of protective finishing sealant: Chalk Paint Wax to emphasise Chalk Paint colour and give a mellow velvety finish; Gloss Chalk Paint Lacquer to give a light sheen; or, Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer to give a sophisticated, plush, muted look.

Would you give it a go?

While both the examples in this post are American, all the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint products are readily available right here in Australia. I’d love to hear from you if you’ve made over your kitchen with chalk paint or if you’ve been inspired to give it a go by this blog post!

For more on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and to find a local stockist

Categories
Design

Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 ‘Classic Blue’

Pantone’s much-anticipated 2020 Colour of the Year was revealed a few days ago, and I’ll admit to finding it a bit underwhelming at first – it certainly pales next to last year’s vibrant and inspiring shade. But while the colour does have an almost corporate feel, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of blue – what better hue is there to provide comfort through uncertain times?

Pantone Classic Blue

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of The Pantone Color Institute.

Annie Sloan ‘Napoleonic Blue’ paint: Taking inspiration from Pantone’s Classic Blue, Annie Sloan’s ‘Napoleonic Blue’ is reminiscent of the ultramarine and cobalt blue pigments used in neoclassical interiors.

Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue

“Blue is one of my favourite colours, especially in interiors, because of its calming, recessive qualities. I’m so glad Pantone have chosen to highlight this blue for 2020, as I think we all need a little calm and tranquility for the coming year!” says Annie Sloan.

Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue

Artistudio ‘Botanicals 1’ limited edition print: Artist Arti Shah combines her background in graphic design, painting and photography to create her unique works. I love this gorgeous, moody blue floral. From $395 (unframed)

Aritstudio print

Canning Vale Spendour bath towels in Mezzanotte Blue: A staple for over 30 years, this towel range is constantly updated to reflect the trends; Classic Blue is in the current mix. From $19.99 (face washer)

Canning Vale towels

Madoki Pantone 2020 Classic Blue and concrete clock: Incorporating the hue quite literally, this  minimal clock comes with a choice of frames including natural bamboo, black and white. $46.67.

Pantone clock

Highgrove Bathrooms Oliver wall hung vanity: A fresh alternative to the usual neutral suspects, this deep blue vanity is a fabulous hero piece for the bathroom. From $458.

Highgrove Bathrooms Oliver vanity

Highgrove Bathrooms Oliver Vanity

Adairs Home Republic Vespa denim blue pot: Useful as a place to store knick-knacks or your favourite plant, the textured finish is the best thing about this pot. $19.99.

Adairs denim pot

Fenton & Fenton Lapis Lazuli tray: Made from Lapis Lazuli (which usually exhibits a varied but deep, celestial blue), this is one statement making tray. $310.

Fenton & Fenton

Globewest Theodore Louis occasional chair: Merging classic French style with Art Deco details, this velvet chair has a tufted back and brass-tipped tapered legs. It’s the perfect blue accent piece. $1605.

Globewest chair

Check out Pantone’s 2016 colours of the year – Rose Quartz & Serenity

Categories
DIY Interviews Styling

Christmas styling tips from DIY queen Annie Sloan

Chalk paint and DIY doyenne Annie Sloan is known for producing beautiful imagery, but this year’s Christmas pics stopped us in our tracks. Completely free of the usual Christmas tropes, Annie has a sophisticated and stylish take on the festive season. We caught up with her to tease out her best Christmas styling tips.

Annie Sloan
This dreamy sage green is such a beautiful alternative for Christmas

The role of colour at Christmas
Just like any other time of year, colour has an enormous impact on the way your home can feel at Christmas time. It pays to ask yourself, what is the holiday vibe you are going for? “Do you want your inside to reflect a winter wonderland in contrast to the warm summer outside? Or do you want to bring that warmth into your home too?” says Annie.

For instance, blues, silvers and whites can feel cold (which may be the frozen, stylish look you’re going for), while reds, golds and yellows will have a warmer feel.

Annie Sloan
Navy looks fabulous at Christmas time

Think beyond red, green & white
Many people have been thinking well beyond the usual red, green and white for a while now and it’s something that Annie encourages. “Any colour scheme can be made to feel like Christmas, especially in warmer climates such as Australia. Play on the red and green scheme and use a pastel pink or go deep and royal with purple and gold. The colour you use doesn’t really matter, it’s what you do with it,” says Annie.

Annie Sloan

And as for the key to pulling a diverse colour palette together, it’s all about metallics. “Whether gold, silver or even copper, metallics make a space feel more festive,” says Annie. We concur!

Annie Sloan

Easy DIY decorations
Christmas DIY projects are a great way to reuse old decorations and upcycle second-hand ones; both great options for minimising waste and environmental impact. I love painting ornaments for Christmas – it’s an amazingly therapeutic exercise and one you can do with all ages, from grandchildren to grand friends!” says Annie.

Try painting or gilding pinecones – they can be used as table name holders, tree baubles or even bunting.

Annie Sloan

Christmas styling 101
“I have frames dotted all over my walls in varying size and placement, as well as furniture and sculpture dressing every wall. This keeps the eye moving throughout a room and makes the most of vertical space as well as horizontal space,” says Annie who recommends translating this idea to the festive season by placing presents and candles around the room at different levels – not just on the floor.

“Also, how about a bar stool with a gilded wreath on it? Or baubles hanging from the ceiling?” says Annie.

For more on Annie Sloan | Christmas candles 2019: The most stylish & best scents

Categories
Furniture Homewares Shopping

New furniture & homewares: Our favourite October finds

Spring has certainly sprung on the home front with lots of lovely new things hitting the market. From a cute rainbow footstool to Mimco’s first foray into the home, and Annie Sloan’s latest shades, here are a few of our favourite October finds.

Circlehome: A new Aussie furniture start-up, the Circlehome range is a fun celebration of colour. The velvet Milly Button ottoman features a chic scalloped design while the highly Instagrammable Rainbow footstool (from $199), would look great in a kid’s room. Inspired by dresses of the 1920’s, the Flapper footstool ($399) caught our eye too.

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Milly Button ottoman, $449

Rainbow footstool in pink, from $199

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Flapper footstool, $399

Annie Sloan latest: Two new colours have been added to the Annie Sloan chalk paint line-up. ‘Oxford Navy’ is a sumptuous, ink-like navy while ‘Athenian Black’ is a long-awaited true black that adds drama and depth to any up-cycling project.

Annie Sloan
‘Oxford Navy’

Annie Sloan
‘Athenian Black’

Beeline Design: 18 months since the launch of the brand’s Ridge Collection, Melbourne’s Beeline Design has added two new pieces to the range – a dining table and console. With marble and timber tops, the new pieces are available in statement shades of cranberry, raspberry and black.

Beeline Design
Beeline Design Ridge dining table with Carrara marble top, from $5345. Photography: Martina Gemmola | Styling: Bek Sheppard

Beeline Design
Beeline Design Ridge console, $2565. Photography: Martina Gemmola | Styling: Bek Sheppard

Mimco home: The latest fashion brand to enter the homewares space, these colourful bird and zebra-print cushions make quite the statement. $99.95.

Mimco cushion

Mimco cushion

Trit: The modern rattan trend persists and with these curved pieces you can see why. The ‘Cane Low Cabinet’ ($3150) combines an ash wood frame with rattan while the ‘Cane Dressing Cabinet’ ($3980) has a mirror inside for make-up touch-ups.

Trit House
‘Cane Low Cabinet’

Trit House
‘Cane Dressing Cabinet’

5 bathroom trends that are here to stay | Australian kitchen trends: Spring 2019 edition

Categories
Interiors Addict

DIY: Brand new Annie Sloan gilding waxes for your next project

Beloved by DIY enthusiasts across the globe, paint queen Annie Sloan returns this month with a brand spanking new product range and this time the focus is squarely on metallics. Unlike her crazily popular Chalk Paints (that, rather amazingly, allow you to repaint old wooden furniture without having to pick up a sander!), this new range, called Gilding Waxes, is designed to add a metallic touch to your painted furniture or decorative pieces with a minimum of fuss. And with metallics still such a strong look on the interiors scene, we’re predicting this fabulous range will be a big hit!

The gilding waxes are ideal for creating that worn-in look

“I’m so excited about the launch of these new waxes. Gilding Waxes are quite different to gilding leaf and leaf has a harder and shinier look to it. Waxes like these have a much softer look and one that really subtly brings out a gilded effect,” says Annie, who has over 1,500 stockists across the globe.

They gilding waxes also work well when used in small, subtle amounts too

With five fabulous shades (warm gold, bright gold, dark silver, bright silver and copper), upcycling enthusiasts will be rather giddy about the endless possibilities that await them with this fun collection. “They come in a small tube, but this tube goes a long way! I can’t wait to see what people create,” says Annie.

A lamp revamped with the waxes in a variety of shades

Perfect for DIY projects, you can also apply the wax to ornate carvings and mouldings to enhance texture and detailing throughout the home. Alternatively, you can also decorate with gilded shapes, lines and designs using an Annie Sloan stencil (or even your own!).

Annie Sloan Gilding Wax tubes, $14 each.

Shop online.

Categories
DIY RENO ADDICT Shopping

How to: Upcycle furniture using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Upcycling your own, unique masterpiece from old or new pieces of furniture is a breeze with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Only one coat of paint is normally required for an excellent finish and due to the paint’s strong sticking power and dense consistency, no priming or sanding is necessary! The range also features over 30 decorative colours which can be mixed together to create the perfect shade for your DIY project.

Below are a few upcycling ideas from Annie Sloan to get you started!

Chest of drawers with graduated colour

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1. Find a chest to upcycle with close fitting drawers.

2. Paint the frame with a dark shade of Chalk Paint – Annie chose Graphite.

3. Choose two complementary colours for the bottom and top drawers – Annie chose Chalk Paint in Greek Blue for the bottom and Barcelona Orange for the top.

4. Starting with the bottom drawer, make gradual colour gradations using those two colours.

5. For the bottom drawer – Annie used Greek Blue on its own, for the next drawer up Annie mixed a small amount of Barcelona Orange in with Greek Blue, and so on, finishing with Barcelona Orange on its own for the top drawer.

Mid-century modern chairs

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Annie found these chairs languishing in an attic before transforming them completely with a little love, paint, and fabric.

1. The upholstery had sunk with age and was looking dull and shabby in sage velvet, so Annie stripped it back.

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2. The wood on the back of the chair was polished with a Danish oil to give it back its lustre. Annie then painted the legs with Graphite using a small flat brush and painting in one direction to get a smooth finish.

3. The existing seat pad was in relatively good condition so it was reused, adding a new piece of polyester wadding and fire retardant calico.

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4. The seat was covered with gentleman fabric. Stapling it in place.

5. Using masking tape, Annie marked off the area she wanted to paint.

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6. She then made a dye using Chalk Paint mixed with water (approx 10 parts water to 1 part paint) in a small container. Annie applied it to the seat using a small flat brush, working the dye into the fabric. Once dry, it’s good idea to heat seal the paint dye either using a hairdryer or an iron. This will lock the dye into the fabric. The fabric will feel just as soft as before – not crunchy with paint.

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To find a local stockist click here.

Categories
Designers

Annie Sloan’s gorgeous paint colours now available as fabrics

If you have even a passing interest in interiors, you’re no doubt aware of the famed British artist and decorative paint guru Annie Sloan. Much loved by up-cyclers the world over, Annie’s Chalk Paint (released in 1990), is the go-to product when revamping old furniture or homewares for its simple, primer-free application. Annie fans will be overjoyed to hear that the Brit has just released a range of 10 new cotton/linen blend fabrics that combine her most popular colours. And it’s no surprise that, like her popular chalk paints, the colour palette is pretty delectable.

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“Colour combinations are the linchpin to all my work, both for painted furniture and interiors. I don’t believe that colours exist on their own – they are part of the colour story. My new range of linens is, for me, a total triumph as at last I have woven fabrics dyed to match the exact colours from my paint range. I have chosen these colours carefully to make both vibrant and strong, as well as subtle and soft, combinations,” says Annie.

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The fabrics have been tumbled to ensure they have a super soft texture while remaining strong and durable enough for upholstery use. Also, because each fabric is a combination of two of Annie’s chalk paint colours, they are the perfect complement to her existing range.  So now, you can upcyle your favourite chair with a combination of Annie’s paint and fabric too!

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The combinations include Aubusson and Provence, Louis Blue and Graphite, French Linen and Old White, Scandinavian Pink and Provence, Emperor’s Silk and Florence, Coco and Duck Egg Blue, English Yellow and Antibes Green, Napoleonic Blue and Barcelona Orange, Emile and Graphite, Old White and Violet.

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With 25 books (printed in 11 languages) and an ever-expanding range of interior products stocked via 1,500 stockists across the world, Annie is quite the decorating gun.

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Visit here for more.

 

Categories
Competitions Furniture

Win an Annie Sloan prize pack to makeover a piece of furniture

Now I know I’m not the only one that constantly collects (or perhaps the better word is hoards) secondhand pieces of furniture. I buy them with these grand plans; think metallic spray paint, matt door handles and hey if I’m feeling crazy, a little sawing! But nine times out of ten, they stay in a corner of the garage collecting dust.

annie sloan
Image source: Annie Sloan

Well not anymore. For anyone like me (who lacks the willpower, time or funds), now is your chance to change! We are giving away three Annie Sloan prize packs valued at over $200 each. Containing one litre of Chalk Paint (you can choose from 32 hues), 500ml of Soft Wax, one small pure bristle brush and one small wax brush, it is the perfect kit to help you transform an existing piece of tired furniture.

Antoinette Shelves 2_low annie sloan
Project by Agnieszka Krawczyk

small tables side before annie sloan
Project by Agnieszka Krawczyk

What’s even better is the pack contains products that are super easy to use. The Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan, which I have used myself and can attest is challenge-free, offers a velvety matt finish and can be applied to almost any surface without any priming or sanding. Hallelujah! Bang on trend, you can use it pretty much anywhere: on walls, floors, wood, concrete, metal, matt plastic, earthenware, brick and stone — inside or out. You can even use it to paint upholstery and dye fabric!

annie sloan
Shibori cushions by Abigail and Ryan Bell

Drying fast, so you can add a second coat quickly, it can be thinned with water and used as a wash or used as an impasto (thickly) by leaving the lid off overnight. Once done, you can also add Annie Sloan Soft Wax for a subtle sheen, protection and durability.

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Image source: Anne Sloan

For your chance to get your hands on an Annie Sloan prize pack, all you have to do is fill out the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Friday 23 October 2015. The best three responses will get a prize pack and will have their finished piece shared on Interiors Addict. So no pressure!

For more information.

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Categories
Interiors Addict

Pantone colour of the Year Marsala inspires new paint shade

With the announcement of the 2015 Pantone Colour of the Year (the reddy-brown and much maligned Marsala) Annie Sloan’s legendary decorative paint range now includes a rich and warm Burgundy.

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Annie says: “Burgundy, as the name suggests, is a rich, claret red which I was drawn to because of its classical French Napoleonic connections.”

The Chalk Paint range comprises 32 decorative and historic colours and the colours can easily be mixed together to provide an even larger colour palette. As Annie explains: “Burgundy is a timeless favourite, a regal colour that works well on its own, or with my own favourite pairing for this colour – Château Grey. Add some Primer Red and a little Old White and the colour takes on a more contemporary personality, becoming a delicious, raspberry pink like Marsala, the Pantone Colour of the Year, giving a little shocking jolt to a room!”

Burgundy_01

Chalk Paint can be applied straight on to furniture without the need to prime, sand, or even remove old wax, paint or varnish — the paint will adhere to wood, plastic, stone, brick, concrete and metal. Much more than just an indoor paint, it lets you instantly upcycle, revamp or redecorate your favourite outdoor piece without sanding or prepping.

The colours have been developed to mix beautifully together so you can either take a colour straight from the tin or create your own by mixing two together. The paint can also be used to achieve a variety of looks and finishes; apply it thickly to create a chippy look or dilute it with water to make a wash. You can even use it to paint and dye fabric! What’s more, it’s water based and eco-friendly, containing virtually no VOCs, and it is highly concentrated to produce extensive covering power.

Burgundy_Open Lid

The best part? The paint dries quickly with a beautifully velvety, matt finish and for most purposes, one coat is enough. So you can easily complete your project in a day and still have paint left over for more projects.

$59.95 RRP for 1 litre. Australian stockists.

Categories
Appliances Furniture

The new chalk paints for creating distressed furniture

Chalk paint is the perfect choice for creating distressed and elegant effects on furniture, frames, shelving and flea market finds and Porter Paints’ Chalk Emulsion and Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint are two of the best in the business.

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Porter Paints’ new Chalk Emulsion

Both have a decorative matt finish, with a chalky soft appearance that covers easily and is self priming, you don’t even need to remove old wax, paint or varnish! Coming in more colours than you can count, many effects are possible. Try using one or two colours for distressing with sandpaper, or watering it down a little or a lot for washed effects and for sealing.

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Annie Sloan’s new Chalk Paint

Watch a video about the new Porter’s product here and find out more about the more well known Annie Sloan paint here.