February Classes and a Silvery Grey Sideboard

 The latest painted piece in the shop is this Silvery Grey Sideboard. 

Its quite large and has great lines and storage.

 I found it at auction and this is how it came into the shop~

all two tone brown with scratches and scuffs but in solid overall condition. 

 I was going to go for a Gustavian look with this piece.

 This time I planned to use quite a few things like Chalk Paint

in addition to a couple of other things like the Artisan Enhancements 

Pearl Plaster and French silver gilding wax.

The piece got a coat of Zinsser clear  shellac after it showed me 

it was a bleeder...that meant I could see staining coming through the first areas

 I painted. After the shellac dried, I coated the piece in 

Annie Sloan French Linen for my base coat. 

 Then I mixed up a batch of Ironstone MMS milk paint 

and started applying that in a random and layered way.  

I followed that up with some Old White Chalk Paint

until I got the look I was going for~

It was looking soft and weathered and silvery grey....

You can see how the white would stick in the crannies of the piece...

After it was all dried I added Pearl Plaster to the Ogee edges and the fluted ends.

After the Pearl Plaster I waxed, then highlighted with Silver Gilding Wax.

You can see the understated sparkle~

It really looks lovely~!

If you want to get more comfortable with painting furniture using 

Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan consider taking one of my 

Introductory Workshops.  I refer to is as my "everything" class

because you will learn how to use the paint and the clear and the dark

waxes, when to do what and when NOT to do this and that...you will use the

French Gilding Wax and create take home samples to inspire!

My January classes are sold out, but not February.

 My February classes will be on Sunday Feb 3 and Sunday Feb 24. 

The 3rd has 4 slots left and the 23rd has 6 slots open...

so sign up early if you want to be included by going to my online shop.

www.shopmaisondecor.com

You can see most of the furniture we have for sale and other goodies too,

 like our complete line of Chalk Paint books, brushes and fabrics, 

Pearl Plaster, Gilding wax, gift certificates and home decorative items.

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Fifty Shades of Grey~your way

 Grey is the base color of the decade~

its the darling neutral right now and it is the most popular color requested 

at Maison Decor for custom painted furniture jobs.  

You can pop open a can of Annie Sloan's Paris Grey 

and get a nice grey color, 

or you can explore your options by color mixing.

 Another decorating trend is metallics in furniture~

and by using these exciting accents you can totally change

 the look or add a subtle hint that makes your piece much 

more special.  At the shop I have been playing around with gilding waxes, 

gilders paste and now pearl plaster.  These 3 things in my tool box

 have made painting more sophisticated and a lot more fun!  

 The idea of color mixing isn't new, but with Annie Sloan's paint line,

 these Chalk Paint colors suddenly open the door to

any shade you need or want~hence Fifty Shades of Grey! 

 Even after mixing colors to get the grey you want, 

you can use decorative paint techniques to enhance

 the base coat by color washing or dry brushing another shade of grey on top.

 The end result can be stunning!

 So don't stop learning all the ins and outs of painting furniture~

 Your piece can be as lovely as you make it~

 Create two color combinations like this one using Paris Grey and Old White.

 Embellish your pieces with furniture appliques~

 Explore the sexy world of flash in a can~Pearl Plaster!

 Or just gild the details of your antique piece after its been painted grey~

 Distressed and gilded can live together~

the rustic luxe look is quite appealing!

 Experiment with Silver Gilding wax~the results can be totally amazing!

 This formerly gold candelabra is now a silvery delight 

by using grey paint and silver gilding wax.

So if your style is country or glam~Grey is you go to color.

Add metallics or distressing or both.

Create your signature style by taking a class

 with me at my Maison Decor studio.

For the Fifty Shades of Grey furniture painting class

sign up here~and get your grey on!

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