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"Where better to care for the soul than in the details of our daily lives?....The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment. It requires them like the body needs food and the mind needs thought... An enchanted world is one that speaks to the soul, to the mysterious depths of the heart and imagination where we find value, love and union with the world around us. As mystics of many religions have taught, that sense of rapturous union can give a sense of fulfillment that makes life purposeful and vibrant." ~ Thomas Moore.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Hutch Makeover Chalk Paint, Wax, etc




Hello Everyone!

I'm typing with one finger seriously bandaged so is going a bit slower than usual, but will do my best.
This post is about the Monster Hutch I showed in my last post which looked like this...a much desperately needed makeover. I wasn't really in the mood but had no choice. But it is done, and there are lots of pics and I will show how I did it trying to use the famous chalk paint without having tried the original one by Annie Sloan which I do intend to one day. But this is how to do it with what one has.

These are the before and after. If you are interested in how I did it, please read on. Warning, lots of pics LOL.

     


One thing I knew was that regular paint was not for me, since I did use chalk paint on my garden gate
and I loved it. I've seen what so many women are doing using chalk paints for their furniture giving average pieces some serious upgrading and artistic touches. I especially love what they are doing with so many hutches or armoires like this one above.
After searching with no luck for 2 weeks, on the day I needed to work on the items going into the armoire, I got back online and found one for $60.dollars on Craigslist. I knew when I finished with my room makeover I wanted to put as much ''away'' as possible, to keep my things clear of dust and to have an easy on the eye simplicity in the room. The hutch or cabinet was the way to go. I lucked out that morning at the last minute, with this one. It has pretty little legs, a light inside, good hardware, a few nice details, but the price was best.




 So. the first thing was to decide what colors, and that was easy because my entire room is based on whites, silver and pink. I already had palest grey for the walls in a fresh can by Olympic called "Moondance" and for pink I'd have to mix some red into it to get a shade I liked. Mixing the red with the grey was good because I wanted a muted shade of pink, not a bright one which is what would happen with red mixed into white. I mixed an old bottle of acrylic engine red by the drops, with the grey till I got the shade of pink I wanted, then I mixed in some plaster of paris, about a third to the amount of paint and mixed very very well. It thickened up a bit and then I added tablespoons of water as needed to get a nice thick kind of silky paint consistency. I found that after a few minutes I'd have to add more water as it thickened up as I used it but only for the first 15 minutes or so. I began painting the inside with this and let me tell you it did not look promising!
It was very streaky and I thought I'd made a mistake.







I got scared and left it.


What a disaster! Nobody says how bad this is going to look with just one coat! Also you can not go over the same places more than a few strokes because it then begins to peel off.
So I got nervous and let me tell you it was a scary thing after all the work I've been doing to come across something that was NOT going to work out as everyone said! So I left it as I researched some more, and did not have the stomach to see it again, until the next day. When I saw it dry, I saw how much blended it became, all by itself! and so I decided to finish the first coat on the rest of the inside.





After that first coat dried, hours later I did a second coat and from the first stoke I could see complete coverage and thought how relieved! nice that something was actually working out as it was supposed to! I got heartened and finished up the inside of the top part.
This first below is with the inside light on, the next one it is off. This is just 2 coats of the chalk paint. I did touch ups here and there.
Nice huh?




 


This bottom one, the bottom part of the hutch has only one coat. You can see the difference. Also because I  didn't put enough red in, but the 2nd coat I mixed more red and it matches better when dry.


 



Drawers with one coat.....




 ...with 2 coats.......coverage is good with two coats once the first has dried. It was scarey before ! LOL





Bottom inside with 2 coats.........


 


 Inside all done with 2 coats of the mixed paint.....engine red drops into "Moondance" grey paint for Pink...



So in between everything I browsed on line for all I could find on those women using homemade chalk paint to learn all I could, I read their how to's and read all the comments for all the helpful advise that come in there too. I kept learning and relearning. I was doing it right, but it looked terrible. I decided to continue to search online for more information on chalk paint on furniture of all kinds. And I came across some beauties.
One site in particular was very helpful by Maison Decor and her helpful hints which I definitely would pay attention to. However, she is describing her experience with Annie Sloan's paints, and I was not using that, so in the texture and mixing etc I was on my own. I had nothing to compare it to because I had never used Annie Sloans paints, so I had to guess what the right consistency was. It turns out to be a matter of preference mostly. But I will surely buy Annie Sloan one day to know what it is really like. But Amy has done some gorgeous pieces!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN01yysnkGaNiktn49xXZhl2yxM_GsSN8MteVzbF2LbvAkO2DWx-oGS-RTOyIIrkPFhtbhXATwHQB43Y_uM7hA-gTD-Rf7rWEFXCMudFGHd-4OmcVi20YNQMssxQUbQpPhhdsvfjOGvZ1/s300/mora5.JPG
source



Some others online....these two below from here http://lindsayroadvintage.blogspot.com/

 



  
these below from http://beautyandbedlam.com/diy-hutch-redo-before-after/




 And this below....from here  http://feedingmysunshine.com/before-after-painted-hutch/

 

  
And I even found one who had the same exact piece as mine and her version is beautiful too!. She used Annis Sloans' "Duck Egg Blue".
 First thing I did when it was in my room was yank out that chicken wire! lol....not for my bedroom....:D

source


Back to mine....next was to decide on the outside color which I wanted grey but the grey I had was too light, and the pink needed something more substantial than the whitish grey, so I had to mix that color too. All I had was "midnight" in an acrylic which is a deep deep dark blue. I wanted black to make a true grey but I didn't have it and had to use the "midnight". I put some "midnight" into the Moondance into the mixing container until I liked the shade. It is a gorgeous bluish grey. When I look at it, I am very pleased :D


 
Scary people! One coat is definitely scarey!~~










When it dried it was still too light, so the 2nd coat I had to mix more and made that a bit deeper in grey.






Here I took a shot of the hutch next to the door which is pure white for color comparison.



It dries darker which is good. After this dried I needed to give it some artistic treatments, and give it a light white dry brush wash. I tested this on the panel of the door first with a light dip of dry brush into pure white paint, mostly wiped off and lightly brushed the wood. Then with a clean damp T shirt I rubbed in the light paint and I liked this since it removed brush stoke marks and blended it in, so I went over the entire piece doing this. The "rubbing in" also took off alot of the wet paint too so I had to do it around 4 times over the whole piece, leaving some of it "unwashed", until it had enough of a "white wash" texture to it that I liked. Then I added pure white with a brush to the panels again for extra white and to the trim including the legs. A bit of distressing with sandpaper, more of this and that and rubbing and it was done. I cleaned the hinges and treated them with silver rub n buff including the hardware.

I almost forgot. In the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint world, the process of waxing seems to be critical though I cannot figure out why. Maybe chalk type paint needs a sealant which has been my experience since it scratches easily much more so than plain dried latex. Maybe the waxing process is not just for sheen but more a protection from this easy scratching, I'm not sure yet until I use her brand. But the previous chalk paint I made with baking soda, and this one with plaster of paris is certainly easy to scratch off. So I bought a wax I read was a good substitute for Annie Sloan's, and I got it from Lowes, but when I read the can it has warning as the first thing so I brought it back. I don't need anything toxic in my world. So I decided to make my own furniture paste, or wax. The most basic ingredients seems to be beeswax, oils such a olive, jojoba, coconut, carnauba, and maybe water. I felt confident in this because I will never forget while I was in Bali, and the worker/artisans were crafting their floors and wood for a new building nearby, and the floors were the most beautiful I had ever seen......they were polishing the beautiful raw wood to a most gorgeous sheen using only coconut oil the head manager told me, who was my guide while I stayed at that palace. I will never forget the beauty and efficacy of Nature's simplicity and those who are rewarded with the Beauty of it.
Here, I used what I had which was beeswax, coconut oil, olive and jojoba. I melted the wax first in a double boiler 'system', then added the oils and mixed, then let cool. The end result I wanted creamy so I could just dip my cloth in and get some to wipe on. It involved melting it several times since the beeswax made it harder which meant I kept having to add more oil, such as olive to keep it as a creamier consistency. In the end I would roughly guesstimate I used an ounce of beeswax, half cup each of olive, coconut, and jojoba oils each. I put it into a jar and its lovely to use on my hands! LOL I love when that happens!


I used a soft shoe shine cloth to put onto the hutch. It gave it a beautiful sheen!





The wax gave it a beautiful sheen which seemed to even pearlize the white parts! I didn't do it  I promise LOL



the drawer on the right got the wax, and the one on the left didn't...it looks flat.



 different angle same thing....





The glass was last to do and I was cleaning it with zest when I sliced my finger badly and had to stop everything. My housemate was home and I asked him if he could help finish the 2 panels of glass which he did with my careful watchful eye over this accident prone person until I couldn't take it anymore and made him wear gloves. He cleaned the glass and installed them, with gloves! and then there were the glass shelves to clean and put in. But glass was not my friend now and I didn't want to handle them nor did I want John to either since he decided to ignore my cautions, removed the gloves, and I was in no position to tend to any accidents on his part so I decided to just cover the glass shelves with more of the beautiful wrapping paper I have. I guided him to help me since I had basically one hand, so he was another lol.... we cut the paper, glued them onto the glass, trimmed them, then he carried them in (ceremoniously I might add! lol...I think he felt proud of his new found crafty abilities lol) and put them in...... he said he liked it and so did I. The pale pink paper complimented the pink interior and broke it up a bit and if the glass should break it is wrapped. :D  For wrapping it all I did was cut the wrapping paper to its size, and glue with a glue stick to the glass, and overwrap the paper to stick to the paper on the other side, alot like wrapping a gift but only on 2 sides and gluing with a glue stick instead of taping. It looks beautiful.

 
Here it is finished...







Glass shelves wrapped with paper......


 






 
And some pretties.....




the light is an oil diffuser and I add pure Lavender essential oil to it every morning and turn the light on....the heat from the light diffuses the scent. Every day I enjoy this scent.


I hope you enjoy your own transformations. I encourage anyone to do it even if it looks scary in the beginning, it will for sure...but keep going, its worth it. Now I have a pretty place to store everything.

Soon in a day or so, the entire room will be done.

blessings.


Sharing this post with FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE: Feathered Nest Friday
and with The Charm of Home
and with At The Picket Fence 
and with No Minimalist Here
and with Shabby Art Boutique
and with Savvy Southern Style
and with A Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thursday
and with The Shabby Creek Cottage
and with Shades of Amber









22 comments:

  1. This turned out so beautifully but I'm sorry you cut yourself. Hope it is healing well. What a job to mix everything. I did a desk using the same technique but used water based semi-gloss paint and it came a little streaky when I did the wax. I'm ready to try another piece but will know better this time..Your's is just beautiful..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  2. WOW! THIS IS GREAT! I have seen so many people lately take these hutches and transform them into a vintage looking gray beauty. I have a glorious French armoire that is not an antique and have been itching to paint it Paris gray by Annie Sloan. I know it will give me the look I see to complete my dining room !!!

    How are you other than being ultra busy with your make-over?

    I miss you coming to visit my blog. Enjoy your new environment my lady! Anita

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anita,
      It is an amazing thing because I've never had such a heavy piece of furniture. Everything I've ever owned has been light as I've wanted to travel on this planet :D
      But I'm loving the colors and the feel. My friend came into my room yesterday and was awed, said the walls looked like French wallpaper....that French thing again
      And I wouldn't call the armoire French, but its looking that way according to some, because I myself don't know what French furniture looks like lol
      Other than being all day busy with this because I'm not sleeping in my own bed or room, and the house is in disarray, I'm fine, except for the pains, which I'm slowing down to ease that.
      I'm so sorry I haven't been to your blog or anyone's because that kind of luxury just wasnt' in my space these past weeks, but now time will come again for such pleasures.
      Thank you for your visit as always
      hugs
      lady

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  3. Beautiful job! Hope your finger is much better. Love the pink inside and gray outside. xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara. Am nursing the finger which is heavily wrapped, could not get it wet or anything today so everything was on hold. Tomorrow I hope to finish up....and maybe even sleep in my own room and bed!
      blessings
      lady

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  4. Good evening sweet Lady!!

    How nice to see you my dear....and are you enjoying this hutch? I really have to make it a project to paint my armoire but lately, I have been working like mad to finish 16 paper shoe ornaments and other things for next Friday to take to a shop in town. Oh you would like the little shoes I made!

    Blessings to you dear one! Anita

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    Replies
    1. I'm not enjoying it yet lol, just finished it today with the help of my housemate John as I mentioned I sliced my finger and I had to stop everything. I know I write too much and many dont' read, but I do try to explain things.
      I'm so glad you're busy making things you love. I aspired to that one day soon!
      enjoy your weekend!
      lady

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  5. Your hutch turned out so pretty! Love the pink on the inside. I am doing a giveaway on my blog right now I think would look lovely in your new bedroom:)

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  6. From duckling to swan! Isn't this fun? Have been chalk painting with Annie's and homemade for a year now. Like Annie's the best. But am very intrigued with your wax. Annie's is wonderful and have used it on every piece however it is not natural. You may just become a painted furniture addict now!
    4theloveofwood.blogspot.com is a neat site up near Vancouver B.C.just north of where I live in Washington state, lots of tutorials. You did a lovely job. Hope your finger is healing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, swan LOL....fun? only now that its over. I only have to make the crystal light and I should be done, but I am so happy with the result! I want to try Annie's but the price! But I must do it see what it is like and the true differences between hers and homemade. I thought I'd never touch another paint but I'm already eyeing the living room furniture because I can see a swan in there too! In fact many! LOL....oy! Thanks you.

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  7. Visiting from feathered nest friday.
    i love what you did with your hutch. it looks so fabulously frenchy now. I've been using ASCP in all my projects so far but I'm kinda curious about the homemade one - actually found a couple of recipes on the web. ought to try it one of these days.
    Your wax recipe sounds intriguing and love the treatment on you hutch.
    thanks for sharing the recipe.
    rita

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  8. How are you, dear Lady...I hope this one shows up ok....
    Your finger is healing well? Whenever I get a bad cut (oh, the kitchen knife does not like me), I put on gobs of pure aloe...magic. I'm sure you have some good remedies of your own.
    Wishing good healing, sweet friend.
    This hutch turned out gorgeous!!!
    I have one almost exactly like it which I inherited from my grandmother...and now am considering a nice paint job...we shall see.
    Your work is always brilliant and inspirational, dearest Lady...can't wait to see more.
    Take care...
    Bright blessings,
    - Irina

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I got this one! :D
      my finger is slow because I keep using it and it keeps opening up again...am typing without it LOL
      I do have remedies but the use of it not good...
      Thank you for your thoughts on my "piece" which I love too! :D am looking into doing the living room now lol. Just "informed" the housemate and told him I need his help this time, but am going to get started on it in a bout a week after I heal my body from intense work and this finger......
      thank you and many blessings
      lady

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  9. Oh, I hope this one comes through, dear friend! You visited the "friends" post! Thank you...some wonderful quotes there, yes?
    And how lovely that you are truly enjoying yourself, I am so happy to hear that...and browsing those Victorias perhaps? :)
    May your finger (and all else) heal quickly....I just cut myself AGAIN...this time on an anchovy bottle cap...sheesh! Typing now with a big glob of aloe on it...
    Take care, beautiful Lady, and many thanks for visiting me this evening...we can enjoy our tea together in this virtual space...(just like that drawing!)...you keep dreaming up these wonderful projects....how exciting!
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  10. WOW!! LOVE this hutch! I Too made over my ginoprmous hutch so I can totally appreciate all your hard work!!

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  11. Your hard work paid off with beautiful results. I love that you painted it using 2 different colors. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

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  12. How beautiful,it was well worth the effort. I hope your finger heals soon. I am in the middle of doing up a little dressing table with my home made chalk paint. I ran out of furniture wax so found some bees wax in my cupboard from a previous project long ago. I have it melting over hot water. Meanwhile I thought I would browse some blogs and came onto yours. I found your recipe for the beeswax polish Now back to mixing the wax. x

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    Replies
    1. 0 Hello, so sorry to take long but am skimming emails due to finger issues lol
      thank you for your comment and am sure glad when something I post is something that is helpful! I love when that happens! Please do let me know how your wax comes out. My hutch is feeling a bit tacky, I dont' know if this is normal, and I hear Annie Sloans' wax takes 31 days to "cure"....I wonder if that is what is happening? I don't like the tacky feeling though.
      blessings
      lady

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  13. Beautiful! Love your blog, I am now a follower!

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  14. This is absolutely gorgeous - LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink interior!
    Definitely your newest follower! Would love to have you come by and follow back when you have the time!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  15. This is gorgeous - there is much to be learned about using chalk paint - most times I did have to use more than one coat - your post is beautifully done with terrific detail. I do appreciate you sharing and I will be featuring your post in this week's Home and Garden thursday,
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you Kathy.
      Thank you for featuring me!
      I'll soon be working on 8 more pieces in the living room lol...at least I won't have to paint the walls though. I'm still on the fence about getting the ASCP, or making it. I know I do not want to wax especially 8 pecies of furniture! And with ASCP you have to. Or maybe I can use a glaze? Will have to check. I think I just have to try it and see.
      blessings
      lady

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