And now for my monthly feature, where Cindy from Edith and Evelyn shows us how she does it! Today she is showing us how to paint a faux finish.
There are two things that always get the most ooh’s and aah’s in our kitchen renovation.
One is the planked ceiling, and the other is the blue French buffet.
When we knocked down the wall to open up the kitchen, we were left with one long wall between the family room and the formal dining room. Knowing it was going to need a long piece of furniture to go there, I started looking for a piece that would fit in that space, and also, one that I could paint for an added splash of color in the neutral kitchen.
We found the perfect piece at an estate sale, a French Provincial dresser. These old dressers are great to repurpose for use in areas of the home other than the bedroom. This one was the perfect length to go along the wall, had lots of drawers for storage, and was in wonderful condition. The original finish was a very yellowy, golden color, which was fine since I was going to paint it anyway.
I’ve learned that when painting furniture, if you want a little bit more “depth” to the piece, you need to add color in layers, which gives the finished piece more of a deeper, aged over time, look.
I layered five colors on this buffet, starting with our base color of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Aubusson Blue. Once it was dry, I gave it a wash of ASCP Provence.
To make a wash, just add some water to the paint to make it a bit thinner . I let the Provence dry, then added a wash of ASCP Duck Egg, this time taking a dry soft cloth and wiping back some of the paint as I went.
After the Duck Egg was dry, I dry brushed a coat of ASCP French Linen just randomly here and there all over it, especially on the details of the wood and let it dry.
The final coat was dry brushing ASCP Paris Gray over the details of the wood as a highlight. To do a dry brush coat, just slightly dip your brush in the paint, and wipe off the excess so there’s not much paint on the brush.
Once the dresser was completely dry, I distressed it with a sanding sponge, bringing out some of the original golden finish.
The final step is waxing. I use clear wax first, and then a combination of clear and dark over it.
I find that the dark wax straight out of the can is hard to work with. For me it’s not “user friendly”, but I like the way a dark wax will bring out the details in a piece of furniture. So I always have a separate container that I mix three parts clear wax to one part dark wax and this is what I will use to “antique” and bring out some of the carvings and details.
I also don’t use a wax brush to apply the wax. I find it much easier to apply the wax with a soft cloth like an old tshirt, and “massage” the wax into the wood. It seems to keep me from applying too much wax, which then turns into a problem when it’s time to buff.
After waxing, I let the dresser cure for 24 hours and then I buffed it with a soft cloth. I put the original hardware back on it, because the old brass had some wonderful patina.
I love the way it turned out, and it fits perfectly on the large wall. It’s turned into the centerpiece when you walk into our kitchen door.
I have an old cement bird bath that I found at an estate sale that fits perfectly in the center, and it usually stays there. I just change out the contents seasonally.
The French Provincial bedroom dresser has new life, as a French kitchen buffet!
Cheers,
Cindy
Thanks Cindy for another fantastic idea!! You can find me at Bali Blinds Blog today where I’m a contributor. I’m talking about what to put on the wall above your bed today. BALI BLINDS BLOG
Love it!
Hi Cindy,
Great article and what a beautiful french buffet, I’m about to start my own project for the first time dobYour help and advice in this article is very helpful. Can I just ask how long this project took you and what the tough cost was?
Many Thanks
Paul
Could you tell me please if you had to rub down the dresser prior to painting? As it had wax and varnish on it I just wondered if you could get away without any preparation. Thank you.
Hi Paul!
It didn’t take long, maybe a couple of hours to paint. Of course the wax needs to cure 24 hrs before buffing. The only cost involved was the cost of paint and wax, which varies by what brand you may be using.
Oh WOW, do I love how you painted the dresser and where you placed it in your kitchen. what a perfect spot, Just beautiful. The finishing touch is for sure your birdbath, and the mirror with the boxwood wreath. What wonderful ideas. I have pined your photo on my pinterest board “Ralph Lauren and other beautiful rooms”)
Thank you Bonnie!
Cindy, I just love this tutorial and the dresser is stunning, and I love re-furbishing and re-using old pieces. Now to look for a similar piece here in Australia!
Thank you Suzana!
I have been researching faux finishes with Anne Sloan chalk paint, as I have several pieces screaming for a new look in my new home. Thanks so much!
Cindy–thanks for your tip about mixing clear and dark wax together! I’m sure it will make my dark wax coat go on easier and will look better. For a long time now, I felt that I was using up too much dark wax and then wasting it by wiping it off to get the right look I was after. This tip will save a lot of expensive dark wax! Your French dresser is gorgeous! You achieved a nice, worn vintage look that fits in so well with your kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Ruth Anne!
Love how you painted your dresser turned buffet, really stunning….
And the ceiling is just beautiful As is your home…
Thank you Maritza!
What a beautiful makeover – just stunning ( ascp are my go to paints ) and looks gorgeous in your kitchen !
Thank you Suzan!
Simply Gorgeous!! But mostly thank you for the in depth clear talking directions. It means a lot and I have 3 pieces in that french provincial style. Now I think I can paint them. Thanks
Barbara Ann
etsy.com / shop / barbaraannscreations
beautiful tutorial my friend. I invite you to share at the Thursday hop ( open now until Sat at midnight) xo
Can you tell me what finish you used on the ceiling? Love it! (The dresser is gorgeous too. :))
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for the post!
Cindy,
I just recently started following you on Pinterest. Your boards are wonderful!!. Now that I signed up to get your news letter, I am really looking forward to seeing things like this! I love the easy directions, and your dresser is stunning! I have a couple pieces to try this on in creams.
Did you have to sand, or seal the dresser first before you put the first layer of chalk paint on it?
Cathy
Absolutely beautiful !!!!! I have a buffet that I’m going to try this on.
This piece just blew me away. You ahem done a superb job on this piece of furniture and i look forward to seeing more of your creations. Congratulations!!