Since so many people have asked me about these cabinets I will tell you how I achieved this look.
I actually took several photos while I was refinishing these cabinets, but sadly none survive. I don’t know where they are. But I can still walk you through the process! (UPDATE I FOUND SOME OF THEM.)
I asked the painters to paint these built-in cabinets SW pussywillow gray. I then planned to go over them with an antiquing glaze. Then I realized they painted the cabinets with oil-based paint.
So, I had to paint the cabinets again with the same color but this time I used latex paint and added a few tablespoons of calcium carbonate to the paint. Then I taped off the area before I painted it.
After the paint dried, I used Annie Sloan dark wax, and buffed on a layer of wax over all of the cabinetry, wiping it off as I went.
(The windows are above the cabinets not behind them. I only mention that because some people think I covered them up.)
You can see a close up of the paint technique on the photo below. You have to wipe off the wax soon after you apply so you can see the paint beneath it.
It would sound impressive to tell you I used 15 layers of paint, wax, stain, etc, and that it took me forever to achieve the technique, but that wouldn’t be the truth. It was fairly quick and easy, even having to apply a coat of paint before I waxed. The smart thing I did, was complete the antiquing before I moved in.
Gorgeous finish…..What color latex did you use, the same grey? Because the finish looks like a brownish barnwood and that’s the look I’m going for on 2 new cabinets I bought. Or does the calcium carbonate do the trick?….Just curious
Yes the gray is the same, the dark wax made the cabinets look brown, not the calcuim carbonate. The CC doesn’t change the color.
I love your blog. I am new to blogs very new you are actually my first one to follow. I know that sounds funny to those that blog. But with that being said. I am so glad I found your because I look forward to it everyday. My name is Teresa Talbert I am the owner of Sweet Tessie’s Attic and I paint and sell Van gogh Fossil Paints. I also sell upcycled items because I love to give a new life to something old or that someone is about to throw away. Maybe its one of my ways of paying it forward. I would love for you to try our wax line. We carry Natural Wax and French Caffeine. I found the paint line and loved to paint and decided to carry it and teach classes. Our product has no harsh smells and makes your hands feel so soft after waxing with it. So anyways if you would like a sample to try I would love to send you one. Again love your sight.
Thank you so much Teresa!! Your wax sounds wonderful, because the wax I use is really stinky.
I so love those cabinets and truthfully I thought that you did use “15 layers of paint and stain and wax”…as they look awesome..just love the patina and weathered look…they are the perfect compliment to your beautiful room!…Happy Valentine’s Day Anita!
These cabinets are absolutely stunning! I am curios though as to the windows behind the cabinets. Are the cabinets covering windows or are they just small windows? Also, what is calcium carbonate and what does it do?
Thank you again for a beautiful post! As always, I’m impressed!!!
The windows are small. The cabinets are built in, so they are not covering the windows! Cal Carb makes latex paint a chalky paint. Easier to distress, doesn’t require priming, sticks to about anything.
Where in the Houston/Sugarland area can I purchase the Anne Sloan caulk paint? thanks and love the cabinets!
Try Wonderfaux Studios.
Wonderful job! I am itching to do some painting! Have you ever used Plaster of Paris or do you only use Calcium Carbonate? I just wonder if there is a difference in the results. I have mixed in the plaster but it seems to develop blobs (for lack of another word) sometimes. Thanks so much, I enjoy your posts and photos!
Had the same result with POP which is why I don’t use it. Thanks!!
Thanks for replying! I will try the calcium on my next project!
The cabinets are beautiful, just the look I’m going for. Did you use the Annie Sloan clear wax before using the dark?
I didn’t Teresa, but I think it is better to use the clear wax first.
These cabinets are so pretty Anita. We will have cabinets on the bottom of bookshelves beside our fireplace. We are still debating if we want the shelves or if it would be a hassle for me to clean them. We will se what we decide and I may do a glazing technique. So much is still up in the air.
Cynthia
Hey Anita- the cabinets are just beautiful! Just curious -did you use the clear wax first before you applied the dark wax or did you just use dark wax only? Thank you for sharing!
I didn’t but that is a good idea to start with clear wax Adele.
Great job! Where did you find such beautiful cabinets?
My carpenter made them onsite. They are built in cabinets
I am not familiar with adding calcium carbonate to latex paint. Can you tell me why you do this?
Thanks.
The wax will stick to it, it is easier to distress, and it doesn’t require primer or roughing up the surface
Hi Anita!!!
I love your Blog!!! I enjoy seeing what people do with their houses in anyway. Thank you for giving us a lesson on painting. I love learning about redo projects and how you ladies did it.
Love your room!!! So lovely and beautiful!!!
Enjoy the weekend!!!
Pam
Love this look! I have a question for you, is the SW Pussy willow grey similar to Annie Sloan’s chalk paint Paris Grey? Thanks for sharing this. Your homes are absolutely beautiful!
The colors are similar. Paris gray is more blue though.
Thanks so much!
Hi Anita!! I love your blog—–you really have so many beautiful ideas and projects. The cabinets you painted really turned out gorgeous. My daughter is an interior decorator and “painter” and just recently opened a small shop in the historic part of town. The shop is called “Le Vintage Soul”. She has a variety of vintage furniture painted pieces that she has painted and after trying and experimenting with several different chalk paints, glazes and waxes, she found one she just loves called……SHABBY Paint”. It is a safe, non-toxic paint and wax and can be used on baby furniture as well. My daughter, Halley Briggs–sells Shabby Paints in her shop and would be glad to ship you a sample to try. The paint comes in several popular colors, along with the pearl wax, black and brown and grays, too. Look it up on facebook or online under the store name….Le Vintage Soul…….. Your blog friend, Martha P. from Alabama
Martha, I will get back to you. Great idea!! I have a lot of things, going on right now, but I will check into it. Thanks so much for thinking of me. Congrats to your daughter!!
I was asking a guy at home depot about the chalk paint, they were not carrying anything like it at that time but he said that if you put some plaster of Paris in your paint a lot of his customers thought it turned out very close. Where can I find a bedspread like yours. I am tired of comforters and wholesome to ho back to the bedspread we had growing up.
Be careful with plaster of paris, it can make the paint very lumpy. Try calcium carbonate. And the bedspread can be found at the Joss and Main sale I am curating, going on now. http://bit.ly/1aS6I3H
These turned out stunning! I love that they look authentically old…sometimes things look too “intentional”…but these look randomly perfect! Well done!
Take care!
Terry
Gorgeous cabinets! I’m curious, I’ve never heard of adding the CC to make it more chalk like. What is the ratio of CC to a gallon of paint?
Thank you!!
It’s a couple of tablespoons per cup of paint. I never calculated it for a gallon.
Love these. Matching cabinets are their own kind of awesome! 🙂 Love your blog by the way..
I just love all of the furniture you have painted. I enjoy reading your blogs.
Hi Anita,
I would like to give the finish you gave this cabinets to my cherry-wood finish dinning room table. Do you think I will get the same results? And where can I bug the wax you used for this project?
Thank you,
Celina
beautiful and so inspiring……it encourages me to “just do it” thank you for sharing
Love your work. Where is the best place to buy calcium carbonate?
I found it on Amazon.
Love these cabinets. I want them, ha!
I am inspired by aa that you do,
Barb hagy, Indianapolis
I love your cabinets. I achieved a similar look on a dresser using a clear wax then a dark wax. I found the dark wax a little easier to work with and I liked the look of it. I was wondering if you stenciled your lamps it bought them that way. I love them!!
The ones in the dining room? Bought them that way. They are hand-painted and discontinued.
OK, I’m off tomorrow to get some SW Pussywillow Grey – what antiquing glaze did you use?
Love the whole room!! You are amazing!!
I love the room! Do you know the brand/model of the fan? I am looking for a fan just like it!
Thank you!
Anne, It’s an Old Jacksonville fan. I don’t have a model number. I hope that helps!