Annie Sloan recently launched two new chalk paint™ colours in France. Athenian Black and Oxford Navy. So lets say hello to Oxford Navy!
Oxford Navy is an inky, traditional navy blue which evokes the strong, august blue of academic insignia and fountain pens, as well as the rich pigment indigo blue so synonymous with traditional Indian block printing.
Oxford Navy Kitchen
Oxford Navy Kitchen
Oxford Navy Kitchen
This classic but contemporary kitchen has been given a new lease of life with a lick of Chalk Paint™ in Oxford Navy. A fresh coat of Chalk Paint™ is an excellent alternative to redoing your entire kitchen, and as demonstrated here, the end result is fresh, smart and beautiful. Just be sure to use Chalk Paint™ Wax or Lacquer to protect and seal the paint. Apply Chalk Paint™ in thin layers to shiny surfaces such as melamine kitchen cabinets, although wooden surfaces such as these cupboards and kitchen caddy will not require any special measures.
Annie Sloan Athenian Black
Introducing a new colour from Annie SLoan. For a long time people have been asking for a true black and here it is. There has always been Graphite in the Annie Sloan range which many people think of as a black. However Graphite is really a slate grey and not a true black. Athenian Black is a true, deep black developed to reflect the opaque figures and dramatic silhouetted shapes painted on Ancient Greek ceramics.
Stool in Athenian Black
Annie was inspired by the huge collection of Ancient Greek pottery at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford to create this opaque pitch black colour. Athenian Black has been designed with an opulence of pigment in order to suggest impenetrable shadow, like the black used to render silhouetted figures on terracotta coloured clay ware in Classical times.
The seat of this IKEA stool was first painted in Chalk Paint™ in Arles, then painted with Athenian Black, then sealed with Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax. Annie then used an artist’s knife to scratch out a Greek-style likeness of a dog, revealing the Arles beneath the black. She then brushed away the scraped off paint and Waxed to finish and protect.
Bed paint in Athenian Black
This baroque bed frame is the perfect stage for the pitch-black pigment-packed drama of Chalk Paint™ in Athenian Black. The colour has been allowed to take centre stage in this otherwise neutral room. Just two coats of Chalk Paint™ and a coat of Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax over the entire piece to protect and perfect for years of nights to come. The bed side table is an IKEA stool which has been upcycled with Country Grey and Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax.
It is important to realise that all fabrics are different and will vary in how they take the paint, therefore it is important to experiment a bit to see if you will like how it will turn out. Painting a seating cushion? Start by painting the bottom side with all the steps below to see how it turns out before tackling your entire sofa or chair!
The most successful types of fabric to paint are Cotton, Polyester, Burlap, Vinyl and Leather.
You may find it a problem to paint velour or velvet as they tend to not result in a perfect finish, however it possible with patience and pratice.
How do you know when to paint fabric, and when not to?
When deciding whether or not to paint fabric, you need to decide the value of your piece: would you be absolutely devastated if the finish didn’t work out to your liking? Is it an heirloom that has been in your family forever? If it is, then perhaps painting it isn’t such a good idea. Instead seek out a professional re-upholsterer. Second hand finds are great for this type of treatment. No attachment, Nothing gained – nothing lost. Look for items that are of solid construction, no smells or obvious stains.
Before and after painting fabric
The Process
Before starting make sure you clean the fabric. If there are stained areas that change the texture of the fabric and cannot be cleaned you may want to upholster instead.
1. Apply your first coat made up of 1 part paint to 1 part water.This helps to absorb the paint into the fabric more, and almost dye the fabric, versus a coat of paint sitting on the fabric. ( Skip adding water if painting on Vinyl or Leather)
2. Sand with a fine grit paper to soften. This will take down any roughness of the fabric. Sometimes when you paint fabric, little fibers tend to raise up, so you knock those back with a sanding pad or fine sand paper. This takes very little effort.
3. Apply another coat of paint but this time use less water and more paint. 1 part water to 2 parts paint. ( Again skip adding water if painting vinyl or leather)
This will again help it to soak in really easily. If you think you only need 2 coats of paint and you’re getting really good coverage, you can skip watering down your second coat, and go straight to a full strength paint coat for your final layer.
Next apply a 3rd layer, if necessary, of pure paint. Be sure to sand between each coat of paint for a super smooth finish.
4. Apply wax as a top coat. This isn’t strictly necessary as Fusion has a built in top coat. However it will soften the fabric and make it feel like leather. Always apply thin coats of wax and buff as necessary. We recommend using either Fusion beeswax finish or MMS Furniture Wax.
Aftercare
Once fully cured (approximately 30 days depending on weather conditions) the painted fabric is washable. We would recommend washing by hand with cold water. Do not wash with any other items! Leave to air dry.
What if I get paint on my clothes?
Not all of us are tidy painters and accidents do happen. If you get paint on your clothes our advice is to wash it as soon as possible. Scrub the affected area with Fusion Brush Soap and water. Then machine wash ASAP.
Annie Sloan’s new Chalk Paint™ Lacquer gives a hard wearing protective finish which is suitable for either indoors or outside.It has been especially developed for use with Chalk Paint™. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Lacquer includes an in built UV protection to keep colours vibrant when used outdoors. It is low in VOCs and is also certified as toy safe. The lacquer is available in either matt or gloss finish and can be applied by brush, roller or spray gun.
Annie Sloan recommends her Chalk Paint™ Lacquer to protect floors, outdoor furniture and kitchen units. Remember! Do not apply Lacquer over a waxed surface. Be sure to always test an area with paint and lacquer before you begin as results can vary depending on previous treatments. Always stir the lacquer well before using and regularly during use. Don’t over brush. Each tin will cover up to 19 m². Use a high quality brush or roller and apply methodically. Annie’s top tip is to dilute the lacquer with 10% water when applying over Chalk Paint™ for a more even finish.
Curing time for maximum protection takes 14 days but the lacquer should be touch dry and ready for a second application after 2 – 24 hours.
Outdoor use. Apply at least two thin coats to ensure full coverage – any parts you miss will be susceptible to water ingress, which could then cause the Chalk Paint™ underneath to peel over time. Annie recommends storing your up-cycled furniture indoors or undercover in the winter to prolong the life of the finish.
Aftercare Immediately wash your brushes or rollers in warm soapy water. To protect Chalk Paint™ Lacquer finished furniture, clean with a damp cloth using mild soapy water. Avoid regular use of harsh chemicals. Store left over Chalk Paint™ Lacquer in a cool dry place and maximise shelf life by decanting tins that are less than half full into smaller, air tight containers. For best results use Chalk Paint™ Lacquer within one year of purchase.
* Use Matt and Gloss Chalk Paint™ Lacquer side by side to create textural contrast and interest!
* Floss finishes are generally more robust than matt – for an extra durable finish, apply 1-2 coats of Gloss followed by one of Matt.
* Cloudiness – Use Matt Lacquer sparingly over dark colours, as a build up of product can cause the flattening agents in the Matt Lacquer to give a
white haze to the finish.
*Bleed through – Wood surfaces can be unpredictable. The application of Lacquer can draw out tannins or stains from a previous finish,causing
yellowing. Patch test before painting the entire piece – if staining occurs seal the whole surface of your furniture with shellac or another stain blocker ahead of painting. Chalk Paint™ Lacquer can sometimes work as a sealant. Test first! Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Lacquer in Gloss
Annie Sloan Svenska Blue is a crisp and cool toned blue-grey, evocative of the colours seen throughout Swedish manor houses in the 17th and 18th Century.
Svenska Blue est un bleu-gris doux et franc, évoquant les couleurs des intérieurs de manoirs suédois aux 17è et 18è siècles.
For those of you who are lovers of Annie Sloan’s Paris Grey you are going to love this new colour. Annie Sloan Chicago Grey is a cool, fresh and modern grey, with a hint of blue. Suggestive of the architecture in Chicago. A perfect neutral for industrial interiors, or muted Scandinavian styling.
Pour ceux qui aiment Paris Grey d’Annie Sloan, vous allez adorer cette nouvelle couleur. Chicago Grey est un gris frais, moderne et frais, avec une touche de bleu. Suggestive de l’architecture à Chicago. Un neutre parfait pour les intérieurs industriels ou le style scandinave étouffé.
Annie Sloan Charleston Collection.
Annie Sloan discovered the Bloomsbury group of artists and their country retreat, Charleston farmhouse, whilst she was studying Fine Art. When the opportunity arose to collaborate with the Charleston Trust to create a unique range of Chalk Paint™ colours, it was a dream come true for Annie. What is Charleston?
Charleston is an English farmhouse nestled deep in the Sussex countryside. In 1916 Charleston became the home of Bloomsbury group artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant; two of the most radical and influential British artists of the twentieth century. The house had an open-door policy and frequently hosted fellow intellectuals including Virginia Woolf, E.M Forster and Roger Fry. Over the next 50 years they transformed Charleston, from an unremarkable seventeenth century farmhouse, into a decorative masterpiece – bringing the experimental language of modernism into their home.
The Bloomsbury group included some of the twentieth century’s most pioneering artists, writers and thinkers – people who believed in debate, creativity, beauty, innovation and truth and whose work was guided by a sense of fun, freedom and irreverence. Annie has channelled this inspiration into each of the colours and products she has designed for this collaboration.
Annie’s collaboration with Charleston has seen her create three distinctive Chalk Paint™ colours inspired by the incredible home of the Bloomsbury group. Each of the colours are named after local places which the artists would have known, and are inspired by elements of the highly decorated rooms within the British farmhouse.
Click each of the rooms below to discover Annie’s inspiration behind each colour from the Annie Sloan with Charleston collaboration.
The Collaboration
The three exclusive Charleston colours will be available to buy either separately in one litre tins or a part of a set designed by Annie. To purchase simply click on your colour of choice. Firle Rodmell Tilton
Finally there is a paint your own Keepsake Box set, which has been designed to offer the full range of Annie Sloan with Charleston exclusive colours, with two best-selling neutrals from the Chalk Paint™ palette and a Clear Wax. Keepsake Box
Annie Sloan et Charleston
Annie découvrit les artistes du « groupe de Bloomsbury » et leur domaine à la campagne, Charleston Farmhouse, quand elle étudiait les beaux-arts. Aussi, quand l’opportunité s’est présentée de collaborer avec le Charleston Trust pour créer une gamme inédite de coloris Chalk Paint™, c’était un rêve qui devenait réalité.
Le domaine de Charleston, qu’est-ce que c’est ?
Charleston est un domaine niché au cœur de la campagne anglaise, dans le Sussex. En 1916, Vanessa Bell et Duncan Grant s’y installèrent. Membres du « groupe de Bloomsbury », ils figurent parmi les artistes les plus éminents et radicaux du XXe siècle. La maison était ouverte à tous et ils y invitaient souvent des intellectuels de leur connaissance tels que Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster et Roger Fry. Au cours des 50 années qui ont suivi, ils ont transformé Charleston : au départ une ferme du XVIIe siècle, elle devint un chef d’œuvre de décoration intérieure, introduisant les codes modernistes et expérimentaux dans l’espace privé de la maison.
Le groupe de Bloomsbury était constitué d’artistes, écrivains et intellectuels parmi les plus iconoclastes du XXe siècle. Ils croyaient en la valeur du débat, en la créativité, la beauté, l’innovation et la vérité. La joie de vivre, la liberté et l’impertinence sont les piliers de leur œuvre. Annie a interprété leur inspiration et l’a concrétisée dans les couleurs et les produits qui sont le fruit de cette collaboration.
La collaboration d’Annie avec le domaine de Charleston a donné naissance à trois coloris Chalk Paint™ bien distincts, inspirés par l’extraordinaire demeure du groupe de Bloomsbury. Chaque couleur a été baptisée en honneur de lieux que les artistes ont connus, et tire son inspiration de la décoration des pièces de Charleston Farmhouse.
Cliquez sur les pièces ci-dessus pour découvrir la source d’inspiration de chaque colori d’Annie Sloan lors de sa collaboration avec le domaine de Charleston. La collaboration avec Charleston
la Keepsake Box, a été conçu pour offrir l’ensemble de la gamme de couleurs exclusives issues de la collaboration entre Annie Sloan et Charleston, accompagné des deux coloris neutres les plus vendus dans la palette Chalk Paint™ et d’un pot de cire Claire Wax. Cliquez sur le coffret ci-dessous pour en savoir plus. Kit de peinture – keepsake box
En plus des produits exclusifs conçus par Annie à l’occasion de cette collaboration, nous sommes ravis de vous proposer le guide ultime du domaine de Charleston. Charleston: A Bloomsbury House and Garden est le fruit de l’érudition de Quentin Bell et Virginia Nicholson. S’il ne vous est pas possible de visiter le domaine de Charleston, vous pouvez vous munir de ce livre exceptionnel et découvrir tranquillement chez vous l’ensemble de ses pièces richement décorées. Raconté par Quentin Bell (fils de Vanessa Bell), le riche passé du domaine de Charleston est dévoilé dans ce livre illustré avec les photos exclusives de Gavin Kingcome.
If you have bought Fusion Mineral from us, you will have inevitably received a leaflet from us showing the what if any prep you may need to do before painting. (If you didn’t get one or have mislaid it please drop me an email). On the leaflet you will have seen mention of something called Fusion TSP and wondered what it was.
Fusion™ TSP is a water-based biodegradable degreaser used to thoroughly clean a bare or painted surface prior to applying paint. Highly efficient, it removes oil, grease, fingerprints, stains and other contaminants, which will improve the adhesion and the look of subsequent coatings.
Safe to use on all surfaces (wood, paint, gypsum, melamine, plastics, metals and glass). Fusion™ TSP is environmentally friendly and contains no phosphates.
For those of you who follow Miss Mustard Seed’s blog, which incidentally I do, this book has tons of gorgeous photos that are not on her blog. Miss Mustard Seed has a wonderful taste in decorating and a keen eye for beautiful things. This book is written with her usual down-to-earth style and she manages to keeps it real about expectations. The book includes a number of tutorials which are wonderfully done and she takes us through the step-by-step process of how she transformed her own house into a lovely home. As always, her photography really captures the feel for her displays of items such as white ironstone, old books, and grain sack upholstery. There’s also inside tips for bargain hunting which Miss Mustard Seed shares with the reader. Her transformations include taking a worn out dresser to become a painted piece of art. I must admit that I found some of these absolutely stunning. It is also interesting to note that as you would expect the book contains projects and information about the Miss mustard Seed Milk Paint line but interestingly also contains more than a nod to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™. Not only is this book a good read, it’s a great book to keep handy for inspiration for your own home.
“Inspired You – Letting God Breathe New Life into Your Heart and Home” is a book that I can’t recommend enough! I’ve read it numerous times now and I know I’ll keep picking it up and refer back to it many more times. It is full of beautiful photos, easy-to-follow tutorials and tons of inspiration. I think people will fall in love with this book as soon as they read what Marian has written in the first chapter about redefining what makes a beautiful home.
Inspired You by Marion Parsons
“It’s not about big budgets and magazine-quality perfection; it’s about making the best of what you have and finding contentment despite what you don’t. It’s not about keeping up with the hottest trends, style setters, or the neighbors; it’s about creating a space that feels inviting, is functional for your family, and shows off the style and interests of the people who live there.”
From the treasure hunt of finding run-down furniture and bringing it back to life again, to showing how to paint furniture, sew slip covers and more, Marian inspires all women to work with what they have and decorate on a budget, using the God-given gifts that we all have received.
Taking a peek through the book, you’ll see lots of beautiful rooms in Marian’s home. She’s a wonderful decorator and knows how to put thing together and she teaches us all how to do it as well.
Inspired You
Some girls get giddy over a new pair of shoes. Marian Parsons gets giddy over room makeovers. With a lot of ingenuity, a little bit of effort, and a tight budget, she has transformed her home into a beautiful space and filled her heart with a lot more contentment.
Marian will remind you that homes don’t have to be magazine material to be special, comfortable, and inviting. The goal you’re working toward is a home. Not a perfect home. Not an “impress the neighbours” home. Just a home—one whose walls and rooms tell the story of the family who lives there. Beautiful homes start with inspiration and a willingness to try. So uncover your God-given creativity. Be encouraged, be willing, and be inspired.
