Wednesday, July 4, 2012

No Fear Layering

After playing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for the past year, and seeing the beautiful transformations by Rosemary at Villabarnes and Amy at Maison Decor 
(who, by the way, show no fear by combining colors and washes) ~
I'm learning that the beauty of a painted piece is all in the layering of paint colors.

(Kind of like getting dressed in the morning.)

This little French side table is by far my most favorite piece I've completed since I started painting furniture ~
because of the layering technique I used with four colors.

(Back in April, I applied a two-color technique on this beautiful French dining table.)

When I brought her home from the antique market last month,
this is what she looked like.
Chic and pretty in her little black dress.
Legs to die for.
Detailing to swoon over.

But I envisioned her in a light, summery dress that would compliment the master bedroom better.  Something less formal.

(You know me...no formal attire here.
Scrappy blue jeans, boho tops and bare feet, baby.)



This would be the first time that I would layer so many colors on one piece,
but I was ready to give it a whirl.

I applied a light coat of Duck Egg Blue first.


  

Pretty ~ but not enough interest and depth yet.

(Like a new pair of jeans that desperately need to be broken in.)

I applied French Linen next.

After letting that dry,
I distressed it with my palm sander
which brought back the Duck Egg Blue as well as the original black and bare wood.

Better ~ but not quite finished yet. 

(Like my soft, broken in, distressed jeans with the holes at the knees.)




The next step was a whitewash of Old White 
which I immediately wiped back with a terrycloth rag.
The watery white paint crept into the nooks and crannies
highlighting the beautiful detailing. 

(Like throwing on a favorite lacy top over those holey jeans.)




After a coat of Clear Wax and rubbing to a subtle shine,

(like putting on my favorite big, silver hoop earrings)

she danced her way into the bedroom in her new summer dress...

barefoot, of course.





















It's all in the layering,
whether you're painting a table,
styling a room...

or

 just pullin' on your favorite jeans.


~  Blessings ~




PS ~ God bless all of you who kept us in your prayers concerning the selling of our lake house. God sent us a buyer (finally) and we close on it this week! The terms and price weren't quite what we wanted, but we are considering it an answer to long time prayer and trusting that we're making the right decision.
Thank you, Lord!  :)


Linking to the linky parties on the lower right of my sidebar.
Just click on the buttons for some great summertime inspiration!

77 comments:

  1. wonderful news about the lake house!! your table looks great. that chalk paint sure is fun to work with....
    happy fourth...it's gonna be a hot one!
    erin
    xxoo

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  2. Laurie,
    I am swooning over this <3.So beautiful!
    (((((Hugs))))
    Anne

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  3. Well, laying does add character to anything and this has it in spades now. Bet you don't put it back in your booth now to sell...
    Have a great day!

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  4. So pretty! I love that soft, sweet, crochet throw too! All of the colors shine through! Happy 4th, hope it's a great day with family. I am inside for a bit cooling off!

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  5. Your Frenchy table is so BEAUTIFUL!! Love your paint technique and it looks perfect in your bedroom. So glad you were able to finally sell your lake house.
    Mary Alice

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  6. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, Laurie. Thanks for the mention. WoooHoooo, you sold the house! I'm so happy for you.

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  7. Laurie, This is my first visit to your blog. Oh, my goodness, it is a beautiful, beautiful blog and I see that you are a very talented lady.
    blessings, Beth

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  8. The table is GORGEOUS. Beautiful color. Just love it.

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  9. I couldn't agree more! Depth and texture - but still subtle. When I first saw the photo of the base coat, I thought, "That's not what Laurie does usually..."
    Then I began reading and saw the final product. Lovely!
    -Revi

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  10. Gorgeous side table! Congrats on finding a buyer -- saying a prayer for you that all goes smoothly throughout the rest of the process.

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  11. Hi Laurie ~~~ WOW, the piece is amazingly beautiful. It is beautiful hearing your prayer was answered too,

    Blessings to You Laurie,

    Michele
    Pearl 13.1

    Happy 4th of July too

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  12. Love what you've done with the table very pretty

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  13. It's a real beauty Laurie...a real beautiful piece. Love those legs!!!

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  14. wow laurie, what a fabulous job!! looks amazing, as always with everything you do!!! hope you hada great 4th of july!! hugs, laura xx

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  15. Hi Laurie,
    Your table is so pretty!!
    So glad to hear that you have a buyer for the lakehouse.
    Hope you had a Happy 4th of July.
    Cindy

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  16. It's fabulous! and i loved the commentary... smile, makes me want to go and have some fun with some Annie Sloan chalk paint!

    Cindy

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  17. J'aime votre persévérance... Le résultat est là, magnifique sous nos yeux... le jean je ne sais pas et il vaut mieux pas le voir peut-être!!! sourire.

    Gros bisous.

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  18. Just beautiful! I love that gray colour!!
    I cannot wait to try this chalk paint one day!!
    Pamela xo

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  19. Love this piece, it looks great...I recently bought my first two cans of ASCP and dark wax, ahh-mazzing! I have been painting away & lovin' the results. Live Happy!!

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  20. That little table is a true style maven now! I'm so happy to hear you sold your beach house! ~ Maureen

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  21. The table looks so beautiful Laurie. I think layering is the way to go for sure :)

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  22. The table is simply lovely--good job!

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  23. That is great news darling !!...i am so glad for you....like that table what you have done with it.....love love Ria...xxx...

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  24. It looks great, love the color. I have both those colors and have not tried the layering yet, just might have to now.

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  25. Laurie,
    Prayers coming your way concerning the $ale of your lake house! God will see you through! Adorable transformation of your table. Thank you for sharing that it's all in the "steps" and the process. Well aged and over time!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  26. Laurie - the table is gorgeous. I love layering paint to get different effects. Recently did a little table that was a cream colour and layered grey, then mossy green over top. It looks amazing.

    And congratulations on the sale of your property. I'm sure you are breathing a sigh of relief.

    Would love to invite you to share your project at the All Stars Block Party.

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  27. interesting, laurie. you have me thinking. as usual. :-)
    blessings,
    ann

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  28. gorgeous!!! Your no fear treatment is totally perfect for this table. I love how this came out.

    Congrats on the sale of you're house. I completely understand what you went through with a less than ideal offer ... That is what happened to us when we sold our last house. Now that the offer part of the deal is done, I hope the rest of the transaction goes smoothly.

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  29. She looks beautiful, Laurie! I haven't done layering yet, but I suppose my "fear" is that I'm adding these colors and then not seeing the first color anymore. Or that I may sand back too much. Definitely something I need to play with ~ maybe on a small piece to get the hang of it.

    Congrats on the sale!

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  30. Laurie your table came out beautiful!! I have been dying to paint lately and you have inspired me even more :)

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  31. Just wanted to say how much we appreciate your love of our Chalk Paint (tm) and I love your post. Lovely words, photos and project. Thank you from Debbie Hayes, Marketing Director, Annie Sloan Unfolded. PS Visit our blog at unfoldedblog.com.

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  32. Laurie,

    This table came out great. I love the colors. I use it but I am still afraid to mix colors. I just have to make myself do it that is all. Again perferct table and love the vignettes.

    Cynthia

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  33. I love it! Perfect detailing on the table for the finish you did on it, Laurie!
    Great job girl!!!
    xxoo

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  34. That's so lovely Laurie! I haven't tried chalk paint yet, for one thing the price is so high and I've heard mixed reviews on it. Did you use chalk paint for all the layers?

    You sold your house? I didn't even know you had it up for sale! I'll have to read your older posts.

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  35. Beautiful piece!! I'm going to try that on a dresser I am in the process of redoing!

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  36. Hi Laurie: This is just so beautiful--I never would have guessed how many layers of paint you applied and took off in order to achieve this result, so thank you so much for sharing your steps with us--I love it! Take care and have a lovely weekend!

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  37. What a beautiful difference Laurie, you are painting up a storm. Everything is looking well fitted for your Nordic style you can be proud of yourself, and you have a home to love.

    Lots of inspiration over here.
    Xoxo
    Dore

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  38. Your talents never cease to amaze me. Love the table.

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  39. What a great job you did Laurie! I love her layers...beautiful piece!!
    Blessings~

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  40. Hi, Laurie. Thanks for sharing your layers with us. I have an armoire that I'm hoping to paint soon (I've been hoping for MONTHS now!) and I want to achieve this layering effect. Your table is lovely!

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  41. Your table turned out beautifully, Laurie! Thanks for sharing your technique!

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  42. Your table is beautiful! I love the layers of paint.

    Dee

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  43. Love all the layers on your table, and the illustration you used about clothes to describe it!

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  44. Your table turned into a real beauty using your layering techniques!

    Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!

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  45. I adore you table. You did a great job on it. Layering is the way to go. Thanks so much for sharing it at the All Star Block Party.

    Holly

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  46. She is beautiful!!! Thank you so much for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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  47. Gorgeous! I love how you have layered the paints to create such a perfect piece.
    Congrats on selling the lake home. I'm sure it's bittersweet, too.

    ~Shanon

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  48. ...sigh...so beautiful!

    Congrats on the sale of the lake house!

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  49. The table turned out beautifully! You did a wonderful job on it.

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  50. Laurie, Well, turn about it fair play... you make my day by sharing your gorgeous photos with us. I love the table but that photo with the brilliant roses is luxurious!

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  51. Your table is so gorgeous now! I love the way you have layered the colors. It makes it so much more interesting. Just want to say that your bedroom is dreamy, looks fresh off the pages of a magazine.

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  52. So very pretty! Sighing. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Funky Junk. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-4.html Wishing you a grand Sunday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  53. I really love the style of your table & the layers of colors that you painted it is like frosting on the cake! Pretty, pretty, pretty! I really believe that layering paint is an art form itself.

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  54. Well first of all Laurie the table is so elegant and shabby in the best way!! It is gorgeous! And secondly, thank you for your kind words...so glad we have become friends in blogland, sharing our love for Sloaning pieces!! It is so wonderful isn't it? Your photos are great too~

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  55. I love the style of your table. <3

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  56. Laurie
    I just love your table.. its just gorgeous...
    Thanks so much for linking up with the ALL STARS BLOCK PARTY...

    I'm your newest follower...

    Carri
    simplydonewright.blogspot.com

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  57. I love the colors that you put together on this table. She turned out beautifully and I am inspired to try layering myself.
    Thank you,
    Traci

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  58. I just found your blog today...and am a new follower! I love this little table...I have watched all of you bloggers use ASCP...I think you have finally convinced me that I may need to try it! I looked through some of your older posts...and hearing you talk about your antiquing in cute little Michigan towns...well I'm so homesick. I'm from the great lake state...and now live in Indiana...I miss Michigan so much! Of course our family still lives there, so we're home often...and we still have some property up in Rogers City...but its just not the same! I'm glad I found your blog...I will live vicariously...in Michigan...through you!
    Sharon

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  59. Congratulations! I featured your beautiful side table on my All Star Block Party Features post today.

    Shasta @InTheOldRoad
    http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/2012/07/all-star-block-party-5-features.html

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  60. Your post was inspiring. I have been thinking of using the chalk paint for a long time now and you've given me the confidence to do it on my next piece (my son's dresser). Your blog really is beautiful to look at and your writing is witty, sweet and descriptive. No wonder I enjoy your blog so much. Blessings and may you have inspiration all summer. Congratulations on selling you lake house!

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  61. Beautiful! Great tutorial, thanks.

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  62. ah, I am breathless! all these layers are sooooo beautiful and work so well together , what a great combination of colours! I can imagine some distressed mason jars on it! wink wink!

    thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment, s very appreciated!!

    Andrea
    SCD

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  63. Hi Laurie,
    She was a pretty thing when you bought her, but a complete knock out now...I agree barefoot is always best;-) beautiful work!!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  64. I love how you used both of Annie Sloan's Chalk paints to come up with that soft color. It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing on Simple & Sweet Fridays.


    Jody

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  65. I have found that layering is where the magic happens with chalk paint, and have developed a look that I love...you did a great job with this! Keep it up!
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  66. Thank you so much for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again next Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  67. Lovely! This is a fabulous color combination! Your paint layering is wonderful!

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  68. Wow, this painting tecnique is so interesting!! Your table are beautiful.

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  69. Wow, this painting tecnique is so interesting!! Your table are beautiful.

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  70. Well done! Layering paint is fun and should be done with no fear - I love your comparison - great illustration - I could just imagine you cozying up in that wonderful chair - old jeans, lacy top and barefoot! My way to go!
    I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  71. So incredibly beautiful, and a really interesting painting technique. Quite a beautiful table. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

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  72. everything you do is so very soft and charming, laurie:) and the little table shape is so sweet-love it! tfs, and congrats on the sale!

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Bless you and thank you for visiting! I read each of your comments and treasure them all. So, please make sure your settings will accept emails, or leave your email address so that I can reply! ♥ Laurie