Chalk paint experiment

This is the updated picture...finally got it on the wall

 

before it was hanging on the wall...

 

I finally got around to painting my shelf that Rolland built for me.  I asked for a "chunky mantel shelf", and I really wasn't sure what I'd get, but we have a very large wall in our living room where this thing is going to go, so I figured he should make it as big as possible.  It's almost 6 feet.  I had seen online some stuff about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and how easy it was to work with and how the effects that you can achieve were just fabulous for furniture and distressed objects, so I just had to try it.  I found a place in Lexington that sells Annie Sloan paint. Liz Douglas Design Shop...so I took the toddler in on a Saturday and got a little info about the paint and wax and such and got some recommendations on colors.  Then I waited, and waited...I'm not sure why it took me so long to get started, but like any good project, once you start - it's hard to stop. 

 

This is the raw piece, pine 2x6 and MDF moldings
with a little distressing from an old chain

My supplies

First I stained the pine with dark walnut Minwax
because I just thought it was too light

Next I used Greek Blue Chalk Paint on the entire piece
...I was a little nervous at first, because I am kind of color phobic

After the blue, I painted 2 layers of Old White Chalk Paint
...much better...I'm freaking out less at this point.

 

So here is where I have to insert that I distressed the paint with a yellow and green Scotch Brite sponge like Liz recommended which took off some of the paint beautifully without "sanding" my piece to pieces.  However, that blue paint that I was so afraid of...hardly was visible at all under the Old White, so I painted with a tiny brush, some more Greek Blue over some of the distressed areas and then hit it again with the sponge and a fine sanding block to knock off any chunky spots.  I cleaned the whole thing with a cloth to remove any dust...

 



Then the Clear Wax.  I applied this with an old towel
and buffed it immediately afterward, I was surprised at the sheen.



I didn't originally buy Dark Wax, but I really wanted that
aged look, so I dabbed a little dark wax on the whole piece
concentrating in areas of distressing or in the crevices.

This is a close up of what the piece looks like after distressing
and clear wax, dark wax, and then another coat of clear wax.