I have bought several sample size jars of AS chalk paint by phone order, calling a shop in MA, which is the closest one to my home in Maine. I did this mirror with one of the sample jars, as well as that entire bureau that you saw in the other post about chalk paint, and I still have some left!

On the mirror, I used Old White, Paris Grey, Provence and Cream. I wanted something to blend with these old hand painted vases that I got on CL, two for $10! They were sloppily made into lamps and dirty when I bought them.

I just kept the vase nearby, and layered the colors on the mirror, using more of one color in one area, etc. I didn't wash the brush between colors. I probably spent 2 hours on the darn thing as I would put on another color and not like the look I got.

I also would rub some off before it completely dried with a damp paper towel. That is how I re-exposed the gold in the corners. I didn't sand any of the pant off this, just did the rubbing while damp, blotted on more of those colors if I got too far back down to the black.

IMO, it's the wax that makes the look. I don't have her wax, but I do have BriWax in light brown and dark brown, as well as good old clear Butcher's Wax. To me, it adds depth and a great aged look. I used all three of the waxes on the mirror, playing around til I got the look I wanted. Start with clear, as the dark can really change the color of the paint, and maybe more than you want, til you get used to it. I hope this helps!

Have you used the gilded wax? I'm dying to try it too but so far don't have a project for it. I also bought some crackle stuff that I have not used - it's for more of a chippy, time-worn look. I've been looking at an old column that sadly has been repainted. I'm thinking the crackle might work just right on it. Haven't made up my mind yet.

tina

If you want a 'wax' type substance to try inexpensively, I'd go for Rub N Buff, which I have used. A tube is inexpensive and it comes in many colors. A little bit goes a long way!

Good morning, sujafr,
I hope you get the results you want! It's really just playing with the paint until it looks good to your eye, and knowing that if you are going to use one of the colored waxes, it WILL change the color of the paint look, but it adds a richness that I couldn't do without. Even a clear wax will make the paint color look slightly different, but GOOD!

Now if you would meet me at the transplant clinic so we can infuse some of your talent into my brain, I'll get started.

I've finally managed to strip all the old darkened finish off the 2nd Eastlake chair and have applied the tung oil. I hope to be able to get some fabric on it tomorrow. I'm VERY eager to see how that fabric I've stashed for ages looks on it. Fabric is my biggest vice, I think.

And thank you - I am not without creativity, but I don't claim to have your level of craft and artistry.

I do have a question regarding the wax. I have waxed everything I painted so far... but the furniture "feels" waxy.. did I use to much, do something wrong.. or does it take a long time to cure?

lazydaisy, I was amazed when I experimented with chalk paint and 'regular' latex on a piece of furniture to test colors. I have linked the prior post below. Chalk paint will adhere with no sanding at all; I just make sure the piece is clean. I would have had to sand the sample chalk paint colors off that piece, but the latex just came right off when I dragged a fingernail over it.

It also goes a long way, and in the picture of my decoupaged bureau, you will see some of the sample sized jars below it, that I use. It IS pricey, as I paid $6.95 each for those jars. I have not made my own, as I'd be concerned about duplicating the color later, if I needed more.

I have NO connection with Annie Sloan chalk paint, but that is what I have used. Here is a link to a search of stores that sell her paint in the US. You may luck out and find one near you. http://www.anniesloanunfolded.com/retailers

Last summer, I bartered for this bureau, with some of my eBay and CL finds in my favorite local shop. I saw an original tag inside it once I got it home showing a NY antique dealer, and also discovered a date written inside in the European way of '26/2/26' (Feb 26, 1926) and what is either a signature or perhaps where it came from. It appears to be Pilona, which is a town in Spain, which MAY explain the format of the date written next to it.

It isn't in perfect condition as far as the painting on it, so I can tell that the painting has existed for a long time, and has yellowed. But, I also didn't notice the painting of VR on the sides til I got home. That combined with the date inside makes me feel it was done after the reign of Queen Victoria (Victoria Regina) who died in 1901.

It's really all just fun theories, as I don't know if that date and 'name' inside are just of someone who owned it at that point in time, or those of the builder, or a place!

I also found that "fifteen ships of the British Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Tiger after the feline tiger, with a number of others provisionally bearing the name at various stages in their construction" (Wikipedia), but I doubt any of them looked like the ship painted on the top of my chest!

First 2 pics are taken in the shop. I just took the 3rd standing on a stool trying to capture the whole top, with the lovely window AC unit in the background. 4th one is taken in my garage when I got it home.