Mini Tutorial on Fabric Fronted Furniture

*** NOTE TO READERS: At the time this blog was written Annie Sloan had not yet released her Decoupage medium in the U.S. Since that is now available, I would use Annie's Decoupage rather than another brand to adhere the fabric to the chest. Also Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® is now copyright rather than a trademark! 1/4/2015


The customer is always right, we shopkeepers know! So I needed to find a way to incorporate toile fabric into a dresser she had her eye on and wanted done a special way. The client supplied the fabric. Here's how it turned out!

Painting the dresser was a breeze, using Chalk Paint(TM) decorative paint by Annie Sloan. This is Napoleonic Blue which is a rich blue -- not quite navy, not quite royal -- with clear wax. There was an old brown finish on the dresser, which if you are familiar with Chalk Paint, did not need to be removed or even sanded. I prepped the piece by simply washing it down with dishwashing soap and water, rinsed and dried.

I cut rectangles of the toile fabric slightly larger than the drawers, emphasizing the various vignettes in the fabric. I then applied Modge Podge generously to a drawer front, positioned the fabric over it and carefully applied pressure with my hand to make sure it fit firmly across the surface. Once dry, I trimmed the fabric to be even with the drawer edges with an exacto knife.

The final step was to protect the fabric from raveling and from dirt. I shook up my liter container of Lacquer -- ie floor varnish -- that is another terrific Annie Sloan product and applied a generous coat to each drawer front. When dry it also gave just a tad of sheen to the fabric and it looked terrific!

I can't wait for the customer to come in and see the final piece. She better come soon or I may just take this home to my guest room!

Old Idea in a New Package! Milk Paint Coming Soon!

I wish I had $10 for every time someone has looked at my cans of Chalk Paint™ decorative paints by Annie Sloan on display and said "Oh, you have milk paint." No, I would answer.....much different and they are! But that doesn't mean both don't have a place on the shelf of someone who likes to refinish furniture. And so now, here in Iowa, you will soon of the option, as I will be carrying Miss Mustard Seed's line of Milk Paint.

It's a very old, reformulated product in a new package and more ease of use than the milk paint our foremothers used. Literally, one form or another of milk paint has been around for hundreds if no thousands of years. Someone once told me, if you are stripping furniture and hit a layer that is like steel to get through, you've hit milk paint!

Like the total ease of use, smoothly distressed look of Chalk Paint? Then Annie Sloan has the answer. Want an unpredictable chipping look to old wood? Then Milk Paint may be your answer.

I must admit I have not tried it yet, but my sample kit is on its way to my store. So next week I hope to find a moment to do a piece and see for myself how the two compare. Meanwhile, Marian Parson's -- aka Miss Mustard Seed -- loves both paints and you can visit her blog to see what she has to say.

http://missmustardseed.com/2012/05/milk-paint-vs-chalk-paint-again/

Plus, if you are not familiar with Marian's blog, you are in for a treat! Start following her for some great decor ideas.

And in the interest of being even handed here, if you haven't had time to read up on Annie Sloan's blog, be sure to visit there to learn more about color and how to work color combinations, plus history of her color palette. So much good stuff! Who has time to go to work anymore?

http://www.anniesloanpaintandcolour.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, I have three projects underway at the shop and gearing up for our next Chalk Paint 101 class July 21! Still a few spaces available so sign up soon by calling or emailing me....515-991-7383 or janet@tlcvintagecollection.com or by going to the "SHOP" tab of my website http://www.tlcvintagecollection.com/

Thanks for stopping by!