Painting By Numbers

Following Annie Sloan’s illustrated instructions from her book, Quick and Easy Paint Transformations, is just like painting by numbers.
My most recent project was this chest of drawers which I rescued from my daughter-in-law. The first thing I had to do was remove the note that read “FOR THE DUMP”!

Armed with my Annie Sloan tome, two colours of her Chalk Paint™, Paris Grey and Old White, a tin each of Annie Sloan clear wax and dark wax, and a set of Annie Sloan brushes, I embarked on the transformation.
Starting with the drawers I first painted the fronts and pulls with Paris Grey. Once dried, I painted the top and bottom edges with Old White.

The next step was to apply a layer of clear wax to protect the colour. Whilst still sticky I applied a layer of dark wax.

Immediately afterwards I removed some of the dark wax with a cloth leaving a discernible colour difference and some dark wax in the little nooks and crannies in the paintwork and wood.

Once all four drawers had reached this stage I turned my attention to the cabinet. I repeated the same process but this time, as per the instructions, I removed less of the dark wax.

I was absolutely delighted with the finished article and couldn’t wait to put it in the guest bedroom to set off my new Laura Ashley pillow cases.

The book I used for reference covers many different techniques. This particular one was to age and distress a piece of furniture by using wax to change the paint colour.