Chalk Paint Mirror

By Kate Riley May 24, 2011

Yep.  I gone and done it.  Two weeks ago, I clicked the ‘Buy It Now’ button and ordered some of Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint.   I had read such rave reviews, I just couldn’t take it anymore, I had to try it for myself.  So I did. 

Two days ago, my shipment arrived.

chalk paint

 

If the French distressed look is what you’re going for . .  this paint will do the trick.

This is ‘Paris Grey’.  It’s quite lovely. 

foyer mirror corner

 

I mentioned awhile back I had a thrift store mirror sitting in my garage.  I loved its shape, especially the arched cathedral top.  Since I planned to have it sit in the foyer, I didn’t want it to be dark wood because the dresser below is already a dark stain.  I saw the mirror above it in a complementary distressed paint treatment. 

Like this:

distressed corners

I paid $16 for this mirror, so it was the perfect candidate for the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint experiment. 

My review, thus far:

What I love:  This paint is very easy to use, it’s water based, has no odor, and has a nice consistency for flat paint.  I was able to cover my mirror’s frame in just one coat.  This paint goes on very quickly, I painted this mirror in ten minutes, which is a heck of a lot quicker than my traditional method (primer + latex paint).  The chalk paint cleans up with water and a little goes a long way.  According to the company, there is no primer required and the paint will stick to varnished furniture or melamine surfaces. 

There is little open time since this paint dries very fast.  I noticed that with a brush, there were visible strokes when wet due to the quick drying time, but when the paint dried they virtually disappeared.  The paint dries very quickly (in about 20 minutes), and has a chalky finish.  Once it’s dry, you can easily distress with a sanding wedge, the paint comes off in tiny dust particles.  

easy distressing

 

What concerns me:  This paint is very expensive: one quart cost me $39 from my closest California retailer House of Anne.  ($51 total with shipping, ouch.)  That is one pricey quart of paint.  Not gallon.  Quart.  Also, what is it about this paint that allows one to skip the primer step?  What is the special additive?  I couldn’t find the answer on the Annie Sloan website or anywhere on the internet, so I wrote to them. 

I’m always concerned about durability, you can read Annie’s answers to my inquiries in our Q&A.  I’m still curious about the formula, and want to know what exactly distinguishes this paint from all the other water based paints which allows one to skip the primer step.  Annie is keeping her ingredients a secret.

Also, this paint is available in only 24 colors, which you can mix to create your own colors, but at $30+ a quart, that adds up quick. 

chalk paint colors

 

To finish off my mirror, I gave it one coat of clear paste wax (Johnson’s) which slightly deepened the color.  I did not purchase the waxes from House of Anne, they are an additional $25 for each wax (clear or dark).  However, the chalk paint + Johnson’s paste wax combo looks really great up on the wood mirror, and I can say I will certainly use this paint again (after all, I have most of my quart left!)  There’s a dresser revamp I have in mind, and this ‘Paris Gray’ will be perfect for it.  I do want to see how it performs over a long flat surface that gets a lot of wear and tear. 

My first impression is a good one thus far.  This ‘Paris Grey’ chalk paint looks aged when dry and distresses exceptionally well.

paris gray chalk paint

 

Bottom line:  If you can stomach the cost of one quart, then I encourage you to try if for yourself.  I can’t vouch for its durability over time, but I’m loving the result so far.  If you love a flat finish and a European distressed patina, then this paint will give you the look you’re going for.  

I can’t deny my $16 thrift store mirror looks fabulous in our entry.

paris grey chalk paint top of mirror

 

cg foyer mirror

 

What say you?  Have you tried Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint?

What do you think of this brand ? 

 

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141 comments

  1. Kate I haven’t tried it, however just as you say it goes on like a dream. It is pricey. I adore your mirror, and so for special pieces it may well be worth it.

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Do Come and enter my Great Giveaway from Serena & Lily! Ends tomorrow the 25th at 12 am EST

    You will love it!

  2. hi Kate -Firstly I can not believe you got that mirror for $16. WOW that’s fantastic. and i love how you painted it. we can’t get annie sloan paint in australia but i’m dying to try it. actually tempted to make my own chalk gesso paint. I’ll let you know how i get on. Am really keen to see how your other followers comment about the durability of this paint. i’m always a stickler for priming….
    cheers Fiona from LilyfieldLife

  3. Kate, I haven’t used the paint but for a paint to adhere without a primer, it has to have some kind of bonding agent like a bonding primer. A bonding primer is different than a general all purpose primer. It just bites onto the surface and won’t move.

    A good ceiling paint has similar properties. I’m able to use it on woodwork and it wears like iron! I suggest try that route next on a test piece of wood without primer. It also leaves a chalky finish so it may offer you a similar outcome for a fraction of the price. I use it on lots of wood projects. BUT… it adheres so well it’s pretty tough to distress. :)

    Donna
    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

  4. Oh gosh… you have no idea how jealous I am.
    I’ve been obsessing to try it out myself.

  5. The more I read this piece, the more that paint sounded just like typical German wall paint. Germans don’t ‘do’ latex (for what reasons I can’t be sure, but it’s definitely in the minority here, as is oil-based paint). My experience with German paint is that it’s also super chalky, doesn’t need a primer, dries extremely fast, and is easy to rub off.

    My experience w/German paint is that it sucks for the long haul. On something like a mirror, fine, but I would never paint furniture or walls with the stuff. I’ve actually seen it flake off walls when bumped (small flakes, but still).

    My overall impression of Annie Sloan’s paint is that they’re marketing a cheap/standard paint with a massive price tag. A PP’s comment about the ceiling paint certainly adds to my suspicions. I think somebody’s making money hand over fist on this one.

  6. Dear Juliette – above – my paint is NOT a standard wall paint but it is my own unique formulation developed by me in 1991.

  7. Hi Kate,
    The paint sounds like it defeats the purpose of buying cheap and refinishing at $39 a quart! I like the idea of the ceiling white… I’m going to try that. In any event, I love the mirror ! It is such a beautiful shape and the paint job looks beautiful!
    Susan @ homeroad.net

  8. I think that mirror is lovely! The paint color you chose for it is perfect. That is one pricey quart of paint!! But I bet it was worth it this one time to see how well it holds up. :)

  9. So, I have done a few pieces in the Annie Sloan paint. I have just placed my second order, mainly because I ran out in the middle of a large 4 poster bed project. Ouch. The cost is ridiculous. In fact, the cost angers me, but I decided to try it based on one person recommendations, Marian Parsons (aka Miss Mustard Seed.)

    The paint is like velvet and the finish is breathtaking, but it is the dustiest paint ever! You HAVE to wear a mask, or risk a sinus issue when sanding. It is a bear to get off for distressing purposes after the second coat. I have used a few different waxes, the Fiddles and Sons giving me the nicest results.

    I would not use this on a piece of furniture that I felt was going to see a lot of wear and tear. But, I will say that if I was going to put this paint on the top of a dresser, I would probably seal it in the very least with three coats of a wipe on polly in a matt finish. I mean, come on gals, we do this with latex paint too!

    Regardless, I am holding my breath waiting to hear the ACTUAL results from everyone out in blog land as we continue down this road. I have my suspicions too. Remember something also, the reason that the paint is so expensive has a lot to do with the US currency rates. The dollar is weak internationally and that makes a huge difference in the cost of this paint as well. If I lived in London, the pint would cost me 16 English Pounds. Just my two cents.:)

  10. Hey! I just tried it for the first time myself this last week. I agree with all the pros you pointed out but the price tag is PAINFUL! I paid $89 for 2 quarts with shipping. I blew threw one already painting a big piece of furniture already. It’s fun but I don’t know how much more, if any, I’ll buy at those prices. My thrifty heart can’t take it! Your mirror is beautiful, btw! JenT

  11. Beautiful mirror. I bought a quart of old white and was suprised that it was a quart. I read wrong when ordering. I am not a furniture painter, by any means, I thought it was OK. I liked the finish it left after sanding. I had some major brush strokes showing. I wasn’t going to distress as much as I ended up having to, because of the brush strokes. I have a few more projects that I’m going to be working on, I hope I get better at it.

  12. The mirror looks fabulous! Glad you gave chalk paint a try. It’s almost all I use now and I can safely say I will never put latex on a piece of furniture again.

  13. The mirror is beautiful! But the price of the paint is just too much for me. I’m glad Donna from FJI mentioned ceiling paint- I would have never thought of that and will probably try it first! I wonder if ceiling paint can be tinted- would the tint formulas work right?

  14. Love the mirror! I found someone in Dallas who sells it, so I wouldn’t have to pay shipping. I still think it’s pretty pricey!

  15. Love getting the scoop on this… I might spring for a quart for a project or two, but would be hard pressed to justify using a lot of it. I do love the look and the mirror looks wonderful in contrast to the chest in your foyer.
    Thanks, Kate, for the low down!

  16. I’ve never heard of chalk paint before, but my guess is that it’s a water-based type primer with chalk added. Or maybe plaster. And pigment. When I Googled what chalk was made of, I learned that “Chalk is primarily calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or magnesium carbonate (MgCO3).” I know that Annie Sloan’s information about this paint says it took years to develop it, but it sure would be fun to monkey around with some cheapo ingredients here and see what we all could come up with!

  17. I love ASCP. I have used Chateau Grey on several pieces and a little goes a long way. For those of us who are impaitient, it makes painting instantly gratifying.

  18. I haven’t tried the chaulk paint. I tint the water based Zinnser primer with paint tints and use it as the base and the finish coat. It dries fast and looks the same as chaulk paint for a whole lot less. Your mirror is gorgeous! Great find at a great price. Love that!

  19. I really liked Juliette’s post and I am going to give the ceiling paint a try since I already have that. Your mirror looks very nice and I think I will try it on a vintage mirror that my neighbour gave to me.

    I just read Wendy’s post, I will have to try that as well. I certainly have a lot of chalk dust around with a 9 year-old :-)

  20. Wow Kate, you really got me wondering now! I was going to “save up” and purchase some (ha!), but now I’m wondering if ceiling paint would do the same! I am glad that you are questioning the paint a little. That way others can think more about something themselves. hmmm…very interesting. I’m going to come back and see what other commenters have said…

    Oh and before I forget, That mirror is the BOMB, girl!!! For 16 bucks??? Look at it now…Wowza!!!

  21. I havent tried this pain but your project makes me want to. I never find goodies like this in my area … ot is it that I dont quite have the vision you do to see to make the miracles you do. I love this piece and cannot wait to get DIY’ing.

  22. I will try ceiling paint before paying for this chalk paint. I also looked up http://www.milkpaint.com after seeing it on Martha yesterday painting terracotta pots.. This one comes in powder form and you mix with water.. cheaper also and wondering if this is worth trying.

  23. Hmmm… I have never played around with chalk paint and while it does look beautiful. I do not think I could stomach the price, I wince when paint is 10 dollars a quart. Also, I love the Paris Gray color, I believe it was Real Simple a couple of months ago did a piece on grays, and they had this beautiful room painted all gray and the designer swore this was the gray every Paris apartment was painted and it looked gorgeous much like your mirror!

    ~Blair

  24. Oh, I use it all the time. You can see some of the projects on my blog. I think it’s wonderful and I plan on using it again. You did a wonderful job! It’s a beautiful mirror and the amount of distressing is perfect! Thank you for sharing XOXO Laura at bandbnest.blogspot.com

  25. Love, love, love it! I tend to work with a somewhat limited color palette, so only owning 3-4 quarts of this stuff goes a long way for me depending on the size of the pieces I’m working on. The biggest thing for me is that Chalk Paint actually makes me WANT to paint. None of the crappy prep + prime that I used to go through. If you think about the time and money you save by skipping those steps the higher price tag seems much more reasonable {time is money}! Now it’s just me and my brush {and of course a few sanding blocks}, but I’m really enjoying it. Oh, and I can’t forget, your mirror turned out FABULOUS Kate!

    Rachel
    xoxo

  26. I’m waiting for my shipment right now. It should have been here yesterday…hopefully today. I bought two colors and the dark and clear wax and a wax brush and the book. All I know is before I blinked I was up at $200. Not telling my husband that part. Hope this stuff is as good as it seems.

  27. i have used it and love it! it seems to me that it gets harder and more durable over time… meaning if it’s been on a piece a while it will stay there. i love the fact that i can skip steps, but the price is definitely scary! but you aren’t paying for primer, and it is so easy on your brushes and washes out so well, that over time you will probably go through less brushes. i just don’t like the limitations of color families, and sometimes i crave glossy moderns, which you can’t really use this for. your mirror looks fabulous! i hadn’t yet tried the paris gray, but it’s on my list! :)

  28. Kate, I’m so glad you tried this out. I’ve been reading about it but haven’t tried it. I’ve been worried about durability. I’ll come back again later today to read the additional comments that are left on this posts. I’d love to know how it holds up on a piece that gets a lot of use, like a chest where drawers are being opened and closed. Perhaps the wax helps seal it. It’s price does sort of defeat the purpose of buying a bargain but it might be worth it if a quart goes a fairly long way.

  29. Oh, forgot to say…LOVE your mirror! The shape is fabulous and it looks wonderful in your entry!

  30. I just finished painting a mirror last week with Annie’s chalk paint and really loved the results. I too used Paris Grey. I decided to use a glaze and then a wax. Your expereince was very similar to mine in that it only took one coat to cover and once the paint dried there were virtually no brush marks.

  31. I haven’t tried chalk paint, I would like to but my heart goes into spasm every time I think of the price. I don’t see it in my future, not that I’m not dying to try it, its just not in my budget.

  32. Hi Kate, I too just purchased Annie’s paint. I am painting my dining room table and chairs. So far, so good. I have used just a tiny bit on 2 chairs and the entire base of the table. I have 2 more chairs to go and know I will need to do a second coat. It does try very fast…. I wonder if we could just buy Rustoleum chalk board paint . They sell a tint base one so you can choose any color you want ;) also I came across a company named Hudson that also sells colored chalk paint. A little less pricey then Annie..I think theirs is $24 per quart. I am going to try the Rustoleum brand on a end table soon.

  33. The price made me cough when I read it, but the results are gorgeous! I’d say the mirror is worth more now that it’s been made-over than the sum of its parts. Love it. :-)

  34. Hi Kate,
    First off, gorgeous mirror, and love the result with the Paris Grey! Secondly, good for you for giving your honest opinion on Chalk paint, and not just automatically jumping on the “Chalk Paint is the best creation ever” bandwagon. I have not tried it, and maybe it is a fantastic product, but I was impressed that you expressed your concerns as well as what you like about it. If given the chance, I probably will try it for myself, but I’ll also be anxious to see how you find the durability of this product is =)

  35. Yes, love the mirror. I bought the paint about 3 weeks ago and have not used yet. I also bought the waxes in clear and dark and have used these. I do love how easy the waxes are to apply and love how “easy” it is to use the dark wax to antique. I bought the wax brushes and also love them. I agree the price is really high, it’s the reason I haven’t used yet. I have 3 quarts and “stalling” to use since they are so expensive. Thanks for the honest post.

  36. Thanks for trying this paint for me! I have been wondering the same things that you question, namely, how will this hold up for the long haul? Keep us posted!

  37. Thanks for the review!! I keep wondering about the durability too… I guess all of the ones who are trying it out now can tell us in 6 months. :)

  38. Hi Kate-

    Your mirror is gorgeous! The size, shape, and details – the white distressing really works well on the piece. That was one great find.
    I have not used chalk paint yet, but have used Kilz original primer as a base and top coat. It is oil based, but is fully dry in 30 minutes and hides everything for about $10 a quart. It holds up extremely well and does distress. I use it on everything I paint, but found that I liked the look of it without paint on top on some pieces. Never thought about the ceiling paint that Donna mentioned, but that is an exciting alternative.
    My best-Diane

  39. That is pricey paint, but if you look at your total investment for that stunning mirror is $70…then it’s pretty good!!

    Talk about pricey, when we were in Belgium last month, I picked up 3 teeny-tiny 2″ pots of sample paint from Farrow & Ball (what kind of diy blogger would i be if i didn’t pop in there?!)…to the tune of 25 EURO!!! so, about $40? And no, there’s no gold flecks or hip slimming agents in it!

  40. I have used it, and I love it! But I also think it is crazy expensive!!!! It is super durable after waxing I have done 2 dressers and a buffet. The wax seals it and makes it almost like a poly but with a more natural looking finish….but the wax is also CRAZY expensive!

  41. I love, love, love how your mirror turned out! What a great product. I’m not sure I need a full quart for a project, but maybe I can convince a friend (or two) to split the cost and have a little DIY party. Thanks for sharing your review of this paint!

  42. Your mirror looks just beautiful. What a great find. I’ve been reading about the paint around the blogosphere but that price is over the top. I like Donna’s suggestion of the ceiling paint. Great tip. The French gray is a color that I can’t get enough of right now.

  43. First and foremost can I say ‘CENTSATIONAL’ site!!! (Sorry, just had to do it…) Second, love the mirror and the paint….you’ve peaked my curiosity, researcher at heart now I have to find the answer to your questions…. while I only have a minute this morning, I did find this cool site….

    http://paintmaking.com/basic_ingredients.htm

    Chalk paint has been around for years and I think, could be wrong, it was the main paint in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s….I remember seeing recipe’s for this type of paint, but I think they used lye in it. I’m sure it’s the chalk that makes it dry so quickly.

    None the less, love it, love your style, girl after my own heart. If I find out more I’ll let you know, mostly because I love the look so much and considering the price tag and the fact that I’m a DIY kind of girl I want to find a recipe to make myself…. I know there has to be one out there!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Keke

  44. Thnaks for reviewing the paint. I’ve had my eye on it since I found it at a faux finish institute in Brandon, MS close to where I live. Has anyone else tried what Shannon said “water based Zinnser primer with paint tints” as a substite? Thinking of doing this or the ceiling paint.

  45. Hey Kate…..I also jumped on the band wagon for the chalk paint. Got three colors! I am very pleased with them. I mentioned my personal pros and cons on my *new* blog.

    Another Pro that I forgot to mention is that it does go a long way and so far in my experience, once waxed it is pretty durable. I did a side table, in Provence, that gets lots of use and the top is holding up just fine. The table also has spindle legs which were so hard to do with regular paint, but Chalk paint worked awesome ( I was the one on FB that asked about spray painting over latex, OK if you don’t remember : )

    Biggest con of course is the price but other than that I am a huge fan. Limited colors as well but the ones Annie Sloan did create are great. I got Paris Grey, Old White, and Provence. I figured any combination of the three of these will get me where I want to be, considering the colors I am loving at the moment.

    Loooove your blog! ~Kristina

  46. I choked a little when I read the price but I do have to say your mirror looks amazing! Perfect color and looks great next to the dark wood piece.

  47. I’ve been wanting to give it a try and hoping that one of the giveaways I entered would send some my way but no such luck thus far. The mirror is gorgeous!

  48. I buy pieces used and choose to refinish them because I can’t always afford to purchase what I need brand new. Doesn’t the cost of this paint defeat the purpose totally? I mean, I’m a serious bargain hunter and I cannot justify spending that amount of money on paint. I also do not want everything in my house matchy-matchy and feel I would spend a fortune on different paint colors. I looked into it, but if my husband knew I purchased any, he would have a stroke.

    Almost everyone here mentioned that the paint was “crazy” expensive…are you listening Annie Sloan??

    I hate using latex paint on furniture because I hate the peeling look when I try to distress. Why hasn’t any company come out with paint that is strictly for furniture?? OR am I missing it? I would love to try the Annie Sloan paint, but it’s just not in my budget, with food and all! :)

    I’m definitely going to look into tinting ceiling paint and will be doing more research on other chalk paint and different types after seeing other comments.

    Also, Kate, I’m so relieved that you gave an honest review and actually paid for the paint, and not a review because you were given the paint. I feel like some of the reviews are not as honest because they are being given free paint in return for advertisement. Bummer.

  49. I haven’t tried it yet but posts like this and may more I’ve seen in the past couple of weeks has me wishing I’d press that “buy it” button myself. LOL

    Your mirror looks fabulous now and I just love how distressed it is. So lovely

  50. so tempted to hit the ‘buy’ button myself…am redoing a $25 dining room table and think that old white would be fab on the bottom half..just have not heard much about the durability of the finish once you use the wax..anyone know?? thanks for posting!

  51. Love how it turned out! I wish I could get some paint but I can’t stomach paying that much for it. Are there samples?
    There is a little hype working for sure but other manufacturers will get on the bandwagon and prices should reflect.

  52. You did a goregous job as usual Kate, but can this look be acheived with less cash? My thrifty soul would shake at a $51.00 (with shipping) can of paint to redo a thirft store find. You find THE most awesome things in thrift stores.

  53. Wowza, that is some expensive stuff! Looks purdy though. I would have to think long and hard about the cost before I would buy some.

  54. This looks fantastic.. and just out of curiosity has anyone tried to use on a non wood item? I have a tv stand that is from Target (craigslist find) I was thinking about spray painting..but this looks so pretty and I could tie it in to some of my other pieces. Maybe it would need a primer?

  55. I feel so behind the time with not having tried this stuff yet. I’m so glad you brought up some of your concerns because I have some of the same ones. But, I am so close to buying some! Ah! Decisions… I wonder if it would hold up on bathroom cabinets.

  56. Just started a new project with the paint and I’m going to try a two tone distress look with it. The piece I painted last night was done in old white and I was pleased again with the lack of brush lines when dry. It is super expensive and I too worry about no primer especially on pieces with stains. Look forward to the answer. I also bought the recommended hinnants wax and that was my favorite of all. I’ve never been a fan of waxed finishes on my furniture but this wax is soft, easy to work with, and leaves a great finish. Check out my post on chalk paint and see my two projects. Love the mirror, Paris grey is a nice color!

  57. Hey Denise, you think like me! I would love to find a less expensive way to achieve the same look, tinting primer is a good place to start. It’s hard to justify such a big expense on a small amount of paint, but I think this paint goes a little farther than most, I barely put a dent in my quart. Will report back with future experiences.

    Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary!

    Kate

  58. I have been very intrigued with this paint and wanting to give it a try. I have not jumped in yet because of the higher price. Your mirror looks beautiful, Kate, and perfect for your entry. I love the finish of the chalk paint. I appreciate your post and you sharing your experience with it.

  59. Fantastic! I’m in love with it! You did an amazing job distressing and this mirror was meant to be that color!

    I did it too! I hit the chalk paint button lol I will post in the near future what I have done with my expensive paint.

  60. Thanks for the honest post. This is the first one I’ve read that has raised questions or expressed any doubts. Glad to hear it still seems amazing. I really want to try it and am waiting for a piece that I love enough to spend that much on painting. I will…one of these days.

  61. I ordered one of Annie’s books last week (haven’t gotten it yet) and a color chart. Everything I’ve read says the paint does go a long way, so I’m trusting you to see just how far before I buy it! :) If it wears well and looks as good as your mirror, which is gorgeous BTW, it will be worth it to me to pay the HUGE price. I have LOTS of projects and little time to do them, so the savings in the time it takes to sand, prime and paint would be well worth it to me.

  62. I had never heard of that paint before so thanks for sharing. It creates a really nice finish, but that is pretty steep for a quart of paint. Unfortunately, there aren’t any retailers in Minnesota. The shipping charges drive me crazy. Your mirror looks great!

  63. I’m so glad you showed the color options. I have two things to paint for my daughter’s room re-do. She wants distressed white. The grey that you used looks like white in the picture. My problem is that i’m not sure if i should order the old white or the paris grey. eek!

  64. Hello Kate,

    I just painted my first piece with Annie Sloan ‘Provence’ and I love it! This paint is so easy to work with and because it dries so quickly, I was finished with my project in record time. I saved money on primer, I saved precious time and have plenty of paint left for many more projects. My brushes clean super quick and easy with soap and water. The best thing is that I am not filling the atmosphere with toxic spray paint overspray. Sorry, but everybodies spray paint obsession is really bugging the ‘go-green’ part of my brain.
    I read Annie Sloan’s response to your questions and I liked her answers. Why should she give away her families recipe for the big guys to copy (Valspar-Behr..etc). Chalk paint has been around for many years. It is not, as some have suggested, a new fad with a high price tag.
    This paint comes from England..that’s the reason for the high price tag..it is not a rip off. Sometimes we need to take a step back from our ‘Walmart’ pricing mentality and realize that quality often comes with a higher cost. Thanks for an unbiased and helpful review.
    Ok…just my two cents….or should I say $39.00.

    Your friend,
    Janet
    http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

    PS…your mirror turned out beautiful…even adding the cost of the amount of paint you used, it was worth it. I would still consider it a thrifty endeavor!

  65. I was wondering when you would try chalk paint! I just did my first project with Paris Grey as well and I am in love! Hope to post about it later this week. I found it easy to work with and fun to wax. Look forward to some future projects with some bolder colors as well.
    -Amanda
    P.S. I remember the post about this mirror in questions . . . you were right to paint it! It looks wonderful and makes the dresser stand out.

  66. Hi again you guys on Centsationalgirl! I can see you are all price conscious – an important point but with this paint you do not use primers /undercoats and the paint goes further than normal paints, so therefore it is not a ridiculous price. It is quick and easy to use, can be used as a wash or thickly, it doesn’t get a thick plastic skin on top it just get thicker and you can then add water if it is too thick. You do need wax at the end though so that is an extra additional price. Anyway, we’ve been making the paint for 20 years and it’s still sticking to the furniture!
    Annie

  67. I haven’t tried it yet, but I certainly want to. I’m also curious about what makes it so durable, and able to stick to any surface like that, but I want to give it a try! I was incredibly shocked to find out that there’s a store in my city that sells Chalk Paint. I was sure I would have to order it and pay for shipping! Your mirror is gorgeous. I can’t believe you got it for such a bargain!!

  68. I too jumped on the band wagon and placed a very large order. I have 5 cans of paint, the waxes and the wax brush. I love it. I used the Provence to paint a $15.00 GW dresser that was green. I sanded to let some of the green show through and love it. I am in the middle of painting a Cherry coffee table the Off White color and used the Paris Grey for a sofa table. I think the initial price is shocking but … I think the paint goes a long way. Since you only used 1 coat for your mirror you skipped several other steps and painted it in 10 minutes that could justify the price alone. You could easily do a big dresser and another project with the leftover paint. I would like to see the price lower.

  69. I appreciate your review. I’ve seen this paint featured on another blog (Miss Mustard Seed) and she seems to love it. But I’m trying to figure out why it’s so much better than regular paint. ??? What am I missing here? I know you don’t have to prime – but I rarely prime when I’m going for a rustic look anyway.

    I guess I’m wondering – why pay so much for this paint? Just to skip the primer?

  70. I have been dying to try this but honestly the cost in and of itself has kept me at bay. I also had all those questions about how this works so well without primer. And you along with others have mentioned how easily it distresses so how it will hold up over time concerns me. Wont all the paint just rub right off? That would seriously defeat the point of using such expensive paint. So with that being said I’m off to read the Q&A =)

  71. Thanks for an honest review. Your mirror looks great! It seems as if a lot of bloggers are jumping on the chalk paint band wagon. Other than your review, I’ve only read one other that gave a thoughtful critique of this product.

    Sorry, Annie Sloan. No matter how you try to justify it, chalk paint, IMO, is not worth the hefty price tag. If you figure in a gallon can of latex paint, a can of primer and wax or polyurethane to complete the project, I’m still not $100+ out of pocket.

  72. i keep adding it to my bag and then not completing my transaction haha. that’s so much money for a quart of paint! i’m sure i’ll cave and buy some sooner or later.

    very excited to know johnson’s wax works fine.

  73. Thank you for the first honest review, no one else seems to sneeze at the cost. I really could not justify using for furniture for resale. I just would not make any money. It looks great and I would love to try it and I know it comes from England, but I am just saying ….Come on!

    Carol

  74. Love the look! You finished it and distressed it beautifully! I really like how it dresses up your entry.

  75. Yes, I just bought this and tried it yesterday and today. My opinion: wow, the price (!), but no primer needed and it dries quickly so the next coat can go on quickly….kind of balances out the price if time is an issue. I bought the old white and paris grey ’cause I’m a safe decorator. I am refinishing a dresser. I grabbed a drawer and decided to practice. I put on a coat of the grey and hated it. Then I put white over it and I think I messed it up a bit by drying it with a hair dryer (impatient as I was). I used latex glaze on the crevices. Hmmm….then I put on the wax. Um…not in love. At all. And I cursed Miss Mustard Seed and her ilk for making it look so easy. And then I cursed myself because I’m not really a shabby chic kind of decorator, so *what* was I thinking in the first place?!

    OK, so today I decided to just bite the bullet and ruin the whole dresser. I painted the body in the gray, then went back over it with a wash of the white paint (watered down). And oh.my.word. It was gorgeous! I felt like I was getting my mojo back. Tonight I brought in all the drawers and painted them in the white, and then followed up with a white wash so the paint wouldn’t be thick. I plan on waxing it, and then going over the whole piece in a dark wax (hey, does anyone know if I can mix Minwax stain with the wax to make a dark wax? ‘Cause this chick isn’t buying anything else for this dresser!). I like the fact that I can paint with this paint in the house and not stink up anything, but then I’ll have to take it back outside to wax it, so I’m not sure that I’m gaining much on that.

    So right now, here’s my conclusion: this is best if you want distressed paint, and it looks best if you use two colors, or at least sand back the edges of your piece. (Sorry if this was too long!)

  76. I’m also so glad to see you give a straight-up review. I understand Annie Sloan’s desire to keep her recipe secret. But we are some of the most ingenious people in a country founded on ingenuity and there is nothing we crafty gals can’t figure out – right?
    I am currently thinking about trying tinted gesso in lieu of Annie Sloan’s. Gesso is used by artists to prime their canvases and it is cheap! Traditionally it was made from animal glue and gypsum, a chalk-like substance (!). These days, the animal glue has been substituted for more modern binders. From what I can see, my challenge will be to get enough pigment to color the gesso to my preferred colors. Gesso is usually white, but also can be found in black. I’ve seen brightly colored gesso made in Japan, but it’s cost prohibitive. I’m investigating a highly-pigmented acrylic paint from Golden to use for added color, but haven’t tried it out yet. But I am looking forward to experimenting!

  77. I love the way the mirror looks and have been wanting to repaint ours in our entryway as well. I don’t know if I can make myself pay $51 to get that paint in my hands. I wonder why we can’t purchase it at any of the the regular hardware stores??

  78. I love the way the mirror looks and have been wanting to repaint ours in our entryway as well. I don’t know if I can make myself pay $51 to get that paint in my hands. I wonder why we can’t purchase it at any of the the regular hardware stores??

  79. I’m going to play devil’s advocate here for a minute. I see several complaints here. The first is price. So you pay $39 for a quart of the paint, but it goes really really far. I can see the drawback of paying $39 (or $51 with shipping) for paint for a mirror. However, if you only used a little bit of the paint, then really, how much of that $39 was really spent on the mirror? Maybe $2 or $3? You wouldn’t hesitate to spend that amount on a can of spray paint for a mirror and you would feel thrifty doing it. You also save a lot of time because you don’t have to do all the prep that would have to be done to get latex to stick. You don’t have to use multiple coats to get good coverage. The wax step, I think, is easier than the regular sealing step and is a bit more fool-proof too. So, you haven’t really spent more money and you’ve saved time and energy.

    As for Annie keeping her formula secret–more power to her! I’ve done a lot of reading and there are professional decorative painters who say they do kitchens and bathroom cabinets with it and it holds up. I don’t think the pro’s would be using it if it weren’t holding up and they have many years of experience with it and it’s still working for them. So I think it does have a proven track record.

    And finally, the last reason I can think of to use it instead of regular old latex is that you get a different look and the distressing is better. Plus, you can mix your own colors or add water for your own consistency. It’s pretty versatile.

    Just some food for thought. :-) I don’t have any affiliation with the company. I’ve just been doing a lot of reading on the product and planning some projects of my own. Thanks for trying it out and reviewing it for us.

  80. Hi! Thanks for the review. I was initially SHOCKED at the price too, but I have to admit, I just ordered several different colors. I ordered from the seller Miss Mustard Seed mentioned in her give-away, and it was $34.95, and the shipping was the same if you ordered one qt or four, so why not order the most I can and save on shipping. :) I’m planning on using it for my kitchen cupboards because the thought of having to take them all down and sand and prime…nope. Not with 3 kids. I hope to get it in the mail any day now. I also ordered some to paint my daughter’s floor. We live in a 1850 stone house, and the wooden floors were not in the prettiest shape. I didn’t sand her floor when we moved here; just painted over it. It’s peeling and looks terrible now, so I’m hoping this paint will spare me the trouble of sanding and all. My daughter picked Provence for her room…we’ll see how it looks. :)

  81. I’ve been wondering the same thing – why don’t you need primer if it’s a water based paint? I’d really love to know what the “secret” ingredient is :) I haven’t tried this stuff yet but am thinking of using to paint my daughter’s bed. Thanks for keeping it real with an honest review!

  82. I haven’t bought any of the chalk paint, mainly because I don’t have a project to use it on, and I just don’t need to add to my stash of stuff I can’t get to. But! I wanted to put my two cents in :)

    In my opinion, from what I have read here and on other blogs, that quart of chalk paint really seems to go as far as a gallon. You even said you had lots left over and a little bit went a long way. And you don’t have to prime, another savings. And the drying time is super fast, that makes time for other projects right? And not to mention, this is not a paint you would use on your walls, so if furniture and mirrors are what you are going to be using it for, it sounds like the coverage goes just as far as a gallon of regular paint. Plus everyone has said that quality of the paint is wonderful. So can we really compare it to the cost of a off brand Home Depot paint?

    I am glad Annie doesn’t give away her secret, and I feel bad that people are trying to figure out the mixture. I think this company deserves the success for all hard work and marketing it has put in for 20 years. Isn’t that what the American dream is all about?

    I haven’t meet Annie nor have I bought her paints, but I will probably one day, when that “have to” project comes along.

  83. OK, I have tried this paint on a dresser and two small table so far. I did the dresser in my kitchen so the lack of odor and prep is great. So far I have found that if I wait a few hours before distressing I can control the look better – I don’t get to the base wood so fast when sanding. I also think that by waiting a day or two before using the piece the paint seems to harden and scratching is lessened. Finally, the paint can be mixed with clear wax to color tint the wax, and I think this is a neat trick. I’m thinking of mixing Paris gray with wax for my bed. Paris gray is a beautiful color. I still have a lot of paint left even though I first used it like a latex, two coats for base color, which is not needed. I do like this paint a lot, and I am lucky that I can take a two hour car trip and buy the paint for $30.00/quart.

  84. I used the chalk paint to do my kitchen cabinets. One quart covered all of my cabinets. I didn’t have to do the prep work on the cabs, and that was the major reason I decided to paint the maple cabinets (5 yrs old) with the chalk paint. It came out great. I started out by painting a secretary first, and I was unsure about it, but the wax finish does stand up to washing, so I figured it would be ok in the kitchen. My hubs says the Paris Grey looks like auto primer ( I bought both Paris Grey and Old White). I think essentially this product is just a primer, but it works for me. $70 to do an entire kitchen, not bad.

  85. i bought the old white awhile back and i love it! i’ve painted a bunch of stuff, the grey is next on my list to order! love the mirror! susan

  86. I agree that $51 delivered is more than I would consider paying. But when you take into account the $16 mirror and the fabulous results….you couldn’t buy that mirror ANYWHERE for $66!

  87. I’d never heard of this paint before. Thank you for the tip!
    And I have to say, you do have fine taste in thrifty frames. That is one stunner of a mirror!
    Rose

  88. I like it. I really, really like it. Why don’t you go to the workshop in California on June 4th and get back to us with all of the details!!!

  89. So glad you did this post !! I just received my Annie Sloan and Paris Grey paints today from the Faux Finishing Institute in Mississippi. I ordered yesterday and they were delivered this morning via UPS. I have a queen bed (headboard and foot board), french dresser and four chairs that I am planning on painting. I am so excited! I’ve been debating for a month to purchase and finally bit the bullet.

    Yes, the price is might seem a bit expensive but I’m looking forward to using a safer paint that is water based, easy to apply, quick drying and best of all a little goes a long way!

    Betsy

  90. The mirror came out great…I’ve been using Annie Sloan’s Chalk paint for a couple of months now and love it. It is pricey but when you consider that you are painting something you picked up at a thrift shop or yard sale it is still cheap compared to buying new. It’s very easy to work with, forgiving, and cleans up so easy and is eco-friendly. A quart also goes a long way…and the colors are just so vibrant. You can also buy the small samples of paint which are a lot cheaper. You can paint an entire dresser + with the size of a sample.
    Happy Painting,
    Marianne :)

  91. Lovely mirror, Kate! Love the Paris Grey. Awesome, well-thought out review.

    After trying some of our own projects at home, we’re starting to use this paint in our furniture refinishing business. The benefits (low-VOC, easy to work with, fast drying, no need to prime, lovely finish, easy to distress) seem to outweigh the cost for us. I’m very hopeful, because I’d love to be able to use a product that’s effective AND safer for the environment!

    Kacey

  92. Your mirror is simply beautiful, Kate! Very well done!

    I talked with a stockist about this paint a few months ago and thought it was a great solution for putting together that look. Obviously, you have to have the right type of decor for this to work in, but I think it’s great for that distressed French style.

    Other than the cost (by the time you buy the paint AND wax – ouch!), I was struck by the “feel” of the stockist’s samples. Perhaps they weren’t properly sealed although they were waxed, but they felt “chalky” to me. When I touched them, I wanted to wipe my hands on my jeans. It wasn’t the smooth finish I’m used to getting on my painted furniture pieces. Does that make sense? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that with yours properly sealed.

  93. Wouldn’t milk paint work the same way, or does that give a different look? I’ve added water to regular old latex paint to use as a “wash” (on walls) and on furniture (dresser) for a distressed look, and after 10+ years the dresser still looks great.

  94. I just got done doing a bench with the same paint .. I ordered 4 quarts in differnt colors, my stockists price was a bit lower and so was my shipping. I did this bench with it http://www.domesticanarchy.com/2011/05/romancing-bench.html

    I suspect that the secret to this paint is lime ( the mineral) and it’s magic in adhesion is similar to that of milk paint. There is no gloss when this paint dries and you can increase the open (workable) time of this paint by adding water. I personally like the smooth cool finish and then waxing it makes it glow. I also bought the colored wax and had some clear on hand.

    I find after doing 3 projects with it that the paint is near endless in the can.. loves and fishes paint! so while it’s only a quart I am getting tons of coverage and uses from one can so I think the $$ evens out with the exception of that shipping issue (pooh!)

    Next week I am using a new order of the paint in the green for the kitchen in my studio… a bit nervous but totally excited to try it on SUCH a big project.

    Can’t wait to see if you do more with it!

    maddie

  95. Love the frame Kate, beautiful finish! I have just recently used the Annie Sloan paint. And yes, it was very very expensive, and I am a very thrifty crafter. I finished a very large cabinet, I wanted it to look like an old Armoire. I loved the look of it. I bought a quart of the paint, and both clear and dark wax. I gave the cabinet two coats of paint, and on the doors 3 coats. I still have at least 1/2 of the quart left. I used the clear wax, then the dark wax, and then followed up with the clear wax again. I ran out of clear wax, and had to finish up with a clear paste wax from Lowe’s. I will probably go that way again, as the cost of wax at Lowe’s was 1/3 the price of the Annie Sloan. I found that using a brush for the paint left brush marks, I think I needed to thin the paint more than I did. Anyway, I love the project, I will use it again, but will finish up this quart first. You can see my project here. http://bobbisfavoritethings.blogspot.com/.

  96. Wax question: So did you just wipe on the wax? Did you buff or sand afterward or just wipe it on good and leave it?

  97. In my opinion, when you consider the price of striping, priming, and the time it takes to finish a piece of furniture, the cost isn’t that bad. The paint goes a long way and leaves a beautiful finish. I’m sold on chalk paint. I have to stop myself from painting everything!
    Debbie

  98. Thanks for the great review! I still have not made that purchase because of the ouch price tag. Might wait a few months to see how it is withstanding on everyday items that have been painted by others. Not having to sand and prime sounds like a dream!
    Have a great weekend!
    XO
    Kristin

  99. Well, I had sent Marion at MMS this email about chalk paint and its origins because I was curious as to why it was so costly and did a little research. Maybe it will be of interest to you, too:

    “I’m no artist but I couldn’t help thinking that the paint you were describing sounded a lot like gesso. Here is a link that seems to confirm that I am at least partially correct.

    http://www.earthpigments.com/finishes/gesso-chalk-paint-for-furniture.cfm

    I have often admired furniture pieces at antique markets that have a very matte finish and thought how they resemble gesso. One thing I thought you might appreciate in the above link is the recipe for chalk paint because the version you posted is uber-expensive. But then again, I’m not sure how readily available and/or expensive “rabbit-skin glue” is!”

  100. I’ve seen a couple of blog posts saying that chalk paint is just latex paint with non-sanded grout added. (You know, like the DIY chalkboard paint recipes.) I think there’s more grout in it than for the chalkboard paint, but I haven’t tried it myself yet. You can bet I’m going to soon, when I paint a bookcase I just got for free. Maybe the paint is one of those paint & primer in one deals, since it sticks so well.

    Anyway, just some food for thought . . .

  101. I’m wondering how painting with this compared to the tinted chalkboard paint you wrote about in March? Chalkboard paint is very durable and will stick to just about anything, is cheaper and you can get the exact color you want….but I’m curious if it performs as well as AS paints do. I’ve often heard of people using it for furniture and whether it’s called chalk paint or chalkboard paint I’m thinking it’s the same thing.

    I purchased a quart of Old White and was very pleased with the coverage. I also purchased a quart of Louis Blue (at the suggestion of the stockist because she was out of Duck Egg Blue). I didn’t care for the Louis Blue and doubt I’ll use it so I did feel that was a waste of quite a lot of money. Every time I look at the can I see wasted dollar signs :( For my taste its just too little boy blue. Live and learn. I have 2 dressers and a chair to finish so I’ll be ordering more of the Old White and hopefully this time the Duck Egg will be in stock. It’s just too easy to not use it. No smell, no prep (other than cleaning) and I can even paint it in the room it’s in, so no hauling outside to spray.

  102. Try the milk paint girls!! I have used it for years with GREAT results. It is usually available at your local hardware stores for 14.95 a quart. It has that same chalky feeling and I have never had to sand or prime my furniture. I will be trying the Annie Sloan paint because her colors are fabulous and her paint can is super cute.

  103. I am the northern CA stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I would be happy to answer any questions anybody has about this wonderful product. To answer a couple here – it isn’t latex paint with something added. There is no plastic in the paint. It is very porous and works wonderful with the wax! YOu can even paint right over the wax if you change your mind! It seriously sticks to everything and even though a quart pot is $38.95, it spreads 140 – 150 square feet with no priming or sanding or stripping….not a bad deal. Teri – so sorry you did not like the Louis Blue. You can change up that tint a bit if you use a bit of the dark wax. It will tone it down. I would be willing to give you a pot of Duck Egg Blue at a discount so you could paint over it. Contact me! FYI – we have workshops, parties and I will soon have a mini stockist up near Sonoma so it can be purchased more locally! Follow my blog and keep up with the Chalk Paint family additions! And Centsational Girl – I am your nearest stockist!!

  104. First, the mirror is fabulous! I plan on doing my own initricate mirror in the next week or two (stay tuned). Second, I just had to say that Vicki Shoemaker’s offer was bar none – the exemplary in customer service (I’d love to deal with her if I lived on the west coast), how nice of her to offer her expertise and a discount on a future purchase.

  105. hi kate, thanks for the review on the chalk paint. your mirror turned out fab! there are pros and cons to this product, just like any other paint-nothing is perfect. here’s what i liked, goes on smooth sands easily, if i did get brush strokes on my piece i just sanded them right out! what i didn’t like, i painted a dining room table and waxed it with johnson’s paste wax, when we ate at that table later after i had painted it (probably a week later!) it was left w/ greasy stains from the shredded cheese we had w/ dinner. i had to repaint the whole table top w/ latex to get rid of the grease stains. i tried sanding it and repainting it w/ chalk paint first, but that didn’t work. i also tried it on an end table in my liv. rm. and i am very pleased w/ how it is holding up. but, i was very disappointed about the dining table, the product says it can be used on kitchen cabs, so i would think it would be fine for a dining tabl. also, i had a desk w/ that fake paper wood w/ a glossy finish and after painting it w/ chalk paint i could just run my fingernail over it and scrape it right off! so then i tried sanding the desk and repainting w/ the chalk paint, still it scraped right off w/ my nail! and yes, that was AFTER waxing! that being said, there are many things to love about this paint. i did use it on a dresser for a client and it turned out beautiful! hopefully she won’t eat cheese off of it! ;) anyway, just wanted to know if anyone else has had any of these problems or has any tips for me! thanks!

  106. I’ve been looking into the Annie Sloan paint lately, and I have a question I have been unable to find an answer for. The paint is touted as low-VOC which I love, but I cannot find the VOC level in the Annie Sloan paste wax. When I looked at the wax containers at the box stores, they ran very high on the VOC level, so I am assuming that her wax is similar.

    It says on her website that the wax is very low odor, but that does not necessarily equate into low VOCs. It is a little telling to me also, that the VOC level is not mentioned on the website description either (it is on the paint description). But perhaps I am mistaken–which I hope I am–because I would love to try this out.

    If anyone has a can, is the VOC content listed on it? [email protected]
    Thanks so much for your help with this!

  107. I was given a solid oak table yesterday. The chairs are hideous and the table is dated, but I wanted it specifically because it’s begging for AS Chalk Paint. Now I am scared to take the plunge! One of my favorite boutiques carries it, but don’t know much about it at all.

  108. I have the same concerns with the Chalk Paint…price!!! You might want to try Briwax for the wax after painting. You can get it in colors & is wonderful I use it on any antiques I buy. It’s a lot cheaper than the wax A S carries. You can check online for prices & closest shipping. If near a Restoration Hardware , they used to carry it & I’ve found it in a few antique malls. I primarily use the daark brown

  109. Hi there! I’ve been using the ASCP for about a month, and I’m pretty happy with it. If you have a really shiny piece, though, you’ll want to sand it to get rid of the shine.
    I have had some problems with the wax, but didactic sample board comparing minwax paste and varathane water based floor paint. I really don’t see a difference. I think I’ll continue with the varathane as it offers more protection. You can get it in a satin finish, so it will look very similar to the buffed wax. A gallon of this stuff is about $35, but will last a long time- AND it won’t yellow over time.

  110. The mirror turned out beautiful. Would you say that the paris white has a hint of blue in it?

  111. Your mirror looks great but I have to agree with you the cost is very high. I ve been using this paint for over six months, and have tried a few colors, I can purchase throug Spokane Artworks and have it shipped to Canada where I live. If I buy it in Canada the cost is 49.95 a quart plus shipping which runs me close to 80.00 when I am done. I do sell my work and find more and more customers are asking for that paint so I can recoup my costs. I do feel that if does get very pricy for everyone. The time and ease in which you can work with this paint is great but for the long term wear and tear waxing it is a must or it will show water marks and spills.

  112. In response to the comment above about the chalk paint scraping off with your fingernail, even after waxing…did you let it cure for a few days before trying to scrape it? I’ve chalk painted metal a few times, and, when I do, after waxing and buffing, I just let it sit for a week. No problems. Hope that helps.

  113. Calcium Carbonate is the “base” of ASCP. I have mixed it with regular latex paint to create my own chalk paint. Works like a charm! The nice thing about mixing it with regular latex paint is that you aren’t limited to color. Let me know if you would like more info!!!

  114. I use the Ben Moore paint with the primer right in it – and with excellent results. Tons of colors and a lot cheaper, but it is not chalk paint… Guess it depends on what you want to do.
    I love the mirror!

  115. I have been using Annie Sloan paint for some time and absolutley love it!!! I have used the Old White for the Shabby Chic look and Paris Grey with the Old White as accents to create that “Paris Look” or a French Provincial twist. I look for maple furniture from the ’60’s that is readily available on craigslist in my area. I then paing and resell the pieces. This paint is a dream to work with!!! I recommend 2 coats, you can add water when doing the second coat to stretch it out. I use a terry cloth covered sponge for the wax application. I mix the wax with Mineral spirits in a bowl (1:1) and then wipe on, works GREAT. I haven’t tried other waxes but have heard they don’t work as well. I even used this paint and wax to redo my ugly oak kitchen cabinets with first the clear wax then a bit of the dark wax for that ‘antiqued’ look. I have a whole new kitchen without sanding or a big mess.
    I have also had great success with Behr Premium paint that has the primer built in. Not as expensive as Annie Sloan and works well when you don’t want a ‘distressed’ look.
    Debbie

  116. I have used this paint on several projects and love it. The first thing I used it on was a heavily carved Broyhill end table stained in a dark mahoghany. I painted it Duck Egg Blue and Old White. I painted the intricate trim with an artist’s brush for more precision. I used clear wax and the dark wax. It looks absolutely gorgeous. I then did a similar treatment for a vanity with matching bench, I just lightened up the Duck Egg Blue with some white. It also looks great. I did an ornate metal lamp that I paid $2.48 in Old White and the clear and dark wax. Again, it looks fabulous. I had a coffee table that I got at a thrift store for $6.48, it is not heavily carved, I did it in Old White and did the wax treatments over it. I like the legs but the top doesn’t look quite right, I used the dark wax full strength over the clear, whereas before, I had mixed the clear and dark for the second coat. I am going to paint over the top of it with French Linen, and then do the wax treatment, I bet that will look better. And for $6.48, so what if it doesn’t? At this rate, I may end up painting everything in my house in chalk paint!

  117. I love AS Chalk Paint. It goes on oh so smooth and sands like a breeze. I HATE the wax. Maybe I’m just not used to using a paste wax. It seems like a real workout putting it on rubbing it off buffing it out…phew. Today I mixed Howard’s Feed and Wax with a bit of AS dark wax. It was sooo much easier to put on. I’ll see how it buffs out in the morning. Has anyone used other waxes that are less expensive and softer but not as soft as Howard’s?

  118. Great maiden voyage, in the land of chalk paint. The paint does feel “chalky”, hence the name. That’s why you really need to wax after sanding lightly, the dry finish. As another said, $35 for a can that will refinish several pieces of inexpensive furniture and bring them up to date, is a small price to pay…especially when very little prep work is needed! Pricing does vary, between $35-40. Check to see if you have a local source and can save on shipping.
    It’s even fun!
    Cheers, Barbara, a budding furniture refinisher at The Treasured Home

  119. Try using Ce Ce Caldwell paint next time. If you live on the East Coast near South Carolina you can
    get it for under $30 per quart. West Coast $37 a quart. It is made of chalk and clay base and has
    beautiful colors.

  120. I may be a little late adding my $.02 on this thread, but here goes…I LOVE the ASCP, but it is pricey and colors are slightly limited…You can mix Plaster of Paris (4 lbs for $6 at Craft & Home Improvement Stores) with any color $3 paint sample and a little bit of warm water and it comes out fantastic and VERY NEAR the ASCP. You MUST MUST mix the Plaster of Paris with water BEFORE adding it to paint to get out the grit…kind of like whisking flour/water before adding it to gravy…1:3 ratio (plaster:paint) works for me, and add enough water to make your plaster similar to (food reference again) a thin pancake batter texture… It dries, distresses, and goes on great – and chances are very high you already have a zillion paint samples lying around.

    Sidenote: I searched high and low for an ASCP retailer near me, finally found one while travelling out of town and bought oodles…wasn’t until I came home and started using it that I looked for an alternative with more color variety…

    And that’s my two cents…Hope it’s worth somethin to someone.

    -Melissa

  121. I would love to try this paint, but it seems like this paint may be more for “looks” than durability. I want tops of dressers and vanities to be hold up and be resistant to everyday normal wear and tear. As the women posted above…..her dining room table didn’t work out so great. Anyone have testimonials as to durability? Thanks!

    • Hi Stacey, I’ve used Chalk Paint a lot on various pieces around my home and for friends, and I think it’s durable, but I’ve never used it on a kitchen table or cabinets so I can’t speak to its durability on those high use surfaces, others might be a better resource for that. Wish I could offer better advice!
      Kate

  122. I am going to mix the plaster of Paris with paint to try and get the same effect. Do I need to sand or prime the furniture if it has a varnish on it? Can it be used on that fake wood furniture? Do you use flat paint when mixing? Should I use a matte shellac over it or just rub with Johnson paste wax? Sorry for so many questions but I want to get it right. Thanks for your help. Sandie

    • Hi Sandie, I haven’t tested the Plaster of Paris recipe for Chalk Paint, so until I do I still recommend primer – a good adhesion primer will work on previoulsy painted surfaces. The protective finish will determine your sheen, so you’re free to use flat, but I do love a paste wax finish and Johnson’s works nicely.
      Kate

  123. I love Annie Sloan’s chalk paint! I actually made a pretty functional chalkboard right on my wall in my dorm last semester. I’m definitely going to do another chalkboard next semester (though this time on a thin sheet of birch plywood or some laminate so I can use it multiple time and for a smoother finish).

    Kate, I love what you did with the mirror. Good move using Johnson’s wax in place of the Annie Sloan one.

  124. Dear Kate,
    I had to go back to this article and re-read it. My beautiful soon to be 9 y.o. wants her bedroom redone and I have a great desk I bought for her, classic lines, real wood that I want to paint over but like you said, Annie Sloan is just way too pricey for me. But thank you for the review on it. Someday.

    Best,
    Jackie

  125. First, I LOVE THE MIRROR!!!! You did a awesome job. I have never used ASCP, I usually make my own. Much cheaper that way, and it goes on beautifully and distresses great.

    Happy Chalk Painting,
    Angie

  126. I am a huge fan of Annie Sloan chalk paint. I have done several older pieces in my home, as practice for a larger project….my kitchen cabinets. Although the paint is expensive, I was able to do my entire kitchen with ONE quart of paint, and TWO quarts of clear wax (and I still have some left over). For $115 approximately, my kitchen looks amazing!

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