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Antique Vanity and Gentleman’s Chest in ASCP


I’ve been told many times throughout my lifetime that I’m “visual”.  Whether its the topography blueprint of a golf course or a dated piece of furniture,  I can see the finished design well in the initial stages of a project.
There are moments though when I get hung up on color.   This happened recently with a bedroom set I picked up to refinish.  I knew I wanted to strip and refinish the tops in a rich espresso stain, but I visualized the gentleman’s dresser in a dark Graphite, while I saw the vanity in Old White.  When I mentioned this idea to someone, I was told “you can’t do that!”  I can’t?

As I stripped layers of paint from the top of the vanity, dresser and bed frame, I discovered the beautiful mahogany hidden underneath.    This is a VERY MESSY process, but well worth the effort.


The next step was removing all the contact paper and cleaning all the drawers.   Oh my gosh this stuff has staying power!

When I was exhausted from battling the contact paper, I started messing around with paint colors.  Paris Grey?  Versailles? Country Grey?

Nope!  Just wasn’t working for me.  Ah, what the heck, it’s just Chalk Paint – ha!

I have a confession to make.  I don’t like pastels – gasp!  I decided on Paris Grey but planned to darken the color using my Annie Sloan Dark Wax.  I was having a REALLY hard time it sticking and glopping and ended up with a disaster, so I painted over it and started again.

Quite honestly, I’ve battled her dark wax from the day I got it four months ago.  I kept trying it OVER and OVER and OVER again with the same frustration, wondering what the heck I wasn’t getting.  Then, last week my sister came over with her AS dark wax and I couldn’t believe the difference!  I was like “what?”  I was like “huh?”
Her wax is an entirely different consistency than the wax I received.  I’m guessing it was either a bad batch it melted in the delivery truck or something, but it was just wrong!  My wax was thick and gummy and almost crystallized from the get go.  I also bought one thing of clear wax that was fine, but the inside of the lid was covered with what appears to be rust.  Bottom line, check it out!  They’re not supposed to be that way.

I had worked myself into a tizzy with the dark wax, so I opted to glaze the paint with a stain then finished it with clear wax.  Now that’s what I’m talking about!

And, after a long battle… this is what I ended up with:)


Next, comes the vanity…  I stuck to my original thought of a different, yet coordinating combination.



And just in case  you want to see the color by sunset…



 

Stay tuned for more furniture transformations!  If you don’t want to miss anything, subscribe, follow, ‘like”… Shizzle Design with whatever suits your fancy!

This piece has been featured at:
Since this post, I’ve learned so much.  I worked around the clock for a year using these products but continued to have difficulties achieving a quality finish with their wax.  I tried other several other waxes by different companies, some were hard, other’s were a little easier to blend in and work with but also had those terrible fumes.
I experienced months of recurring respiratory problems and even with my exhaust system, I was advised to remove as many chemical hazards from my environment as possible or find another line of working order to get well.I replaced toxic, hand burning, chemical strippers with citrus based strippers (which work better anyway), pulled chemically laden paints, waxes, glues… and started searching for better products.
That search eventually led me to the products I choose today ~ American Paint Company’s all natural, eco-friendly chalk and clay based mineral paints.  From the first time I tried  them, I was sold.   I know that sounds so dramatic, but after everything I went through, It was a God send.  This type of paint is so much easier to work with.  It spreads easier, covers better, adheres well and the wax and finishes have been life changing for how much work I can accomplish on any given day.
For my style of painting, I can achieve a much more superior finish and can create it much faster eliminating the stress of working so hard to achieve something that’s easy with a chalk and clay mixture.

I love these paints so well that I decided to share what I do with our followers.  We proudly offer American Paint Company Paints locally in the Greater Grand Rapids area and sell worldwide on our Online Shizzle Shop.  

shizzle design paint studio 2018 Chicago Drive Jenison MI American Paint Company CeCe Caldwell's Paints retailer buy chalk clay instructor workshops paint retailer 1

  • Did you know…

    • Shizzle Design is a small family owned business in Jenison, Michigan.  My sister Cathy and I work, paint, ship and teach our chalk and clay paint workshops out of the same space where we paint all our furniture.  We are truly humbled to be known as a leader in the world of chalk and clay paints.
    • Instead of hoarding our knowledge, we empower DIY’ers by sharing our years of experience.  Stop in for paint and we’ll offer you honest and knowledgeable answers for all your chalk and clay paint needs.
    • We are so blessed to have taught people from all over the United States and Canada.  Join us for one of our super fun hands-on chalk and clay paint workshops.  Learn in our casual & relaxed environment.  Click Paint Workshops to see a list of current classes offered.
    • Subscribe to Shizzle Design for tips, tutorials, ideas, pictures, videos for our furniture painted in all natural chalk and clay based mineral paints.
    • Did you know that you can get these sent directly to your inbox and that it’s FREE?  It is ~ what are you waiting for?  Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
    • We have a Shizzle Design Facebook Page.  We share all sorts tips, ideas, photos EVERY DAY and offer special deals (which you’ll only know about if you’ve Liked our Facebook Page).
    • Pin our posts on Pinterest ~ Find all sorts of inspiration here.
    • We sell our painted furniture in our Shizzle Design Paint Studio at 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428 and at Not So Shabby Antiques and Fine Furniture at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, Michigan
    • Shizzle Design is an Authorized Retailer for American Paint Company Paints.  We offer a large inventory of chalk and clay paint and supplies at our Shizzle Design Paint Shop /Studio,  2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI  49428.  We also stock several other shops in the greater Grand Rapid’s area, to find out where, click LOCATIONS.  Not from Michigan?  No worries, we ship paint and paint supplies worldwide through our Online Shizzle Shop.

    Click here to see Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

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    Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

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    Click here to see Funky Finishes

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    Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

    Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party
    The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday
    Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday
    Redoux – Friday Link Up Party
    Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend
    Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special
    Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays
    Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

    a hui hou ~ Shelly

A hui hou!

Shelly

30 Replies to “Antique Vanity and Gentleman’s Chest in ASCP”

  4. prepare to be the hot feature this week! you knocked my socks off with these two pieces! i’m going for the look you have on the legs of the dresser on a side board i have–is it just dry brushed paris gray??

    and this post earned you an exclusive spot in my “inbox”!!

    amy

    Reply

  8. That turned out beautiful! Do you like working with the chalk paint? I found your blog from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia party. I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by my new blog loveofhomes.blogspot.com & follow along too!
    thanks,
    sally

    Reply

  11. Super cute photo’s.. Love it.Those pieces are beautiful…Officially following ya with smiles.. So much creativity here.. ..Found ya while blog hopping around on Nifty Linky..
    PS: I am hoping you could join in and hopefully participate in “Project Pink Blog Day” Please check out this post of mine, I would LOVE to have you be a part of my Project Pink Blog Day if it fits your schedule.. “All blogger’s going pink a day for “breast cancer” — Wishing you a lovely weekend..http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/10/paint-your-blog-pink-awareness-faith.html

    Reply

  19. AH HA my dear Shelly Thank you! George’s PC desk is just like this vanity and I have been at a lose as to what to do with it. I’m going to copy you this is perfect to keep the beauty of the wood but incorporate it into our style.
    Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

    Reply

  21. Grogeous! Your hard work really paid off with the “wow factor”! Both pieces are beautiful, but the dresser in it’s mix and match colors is fabulous!

    I am delighted that you linked up again this week at Potpourri Friday! Many thanks!

    Reply

  23. Wow! These pieces look just amazing. I love the contrast in natural wood and paint, and I love that you did something different with it. visiting from MMS.

    ps I host a linky party every Friday-Sunday, would love if you could stop by to link up. Thanks!

    Reply
  30. Pingback: Thank You West Michigan for Loving Shizzle Design’s Painted Furniture! — Shizzle Design

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