Today I’m going to teach you a few tricks that I learned when I took the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Stockist training in High Point, North Carolina! These techniques work best with Chalk Paint Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan but since I couldn’t get to my local stockist, I used another brand and *NEWS FLASH* it worked just as well! These techniques will take your furniture to a shabby, chippy, gorgeous new level without spending any extra money … all you need is paint!
Today’s project was to refinish my German Beer Table & Benches! Williams Sanoma sells these highly functional tables for ONLY $599.95 … ONLY?!? Nobody panic, I got mine on Amazon for less than half the price! Here is what I have … 3-Piece German Beer Table Set
I love how functional they are! They comfortably seat 6-8, stand up great outdoors and fold completely flat when you need to store them away! We tote them to shows and even toss them in the camper if we think we will need them for seating! My only issue is that they don’t fit my aesthetic at all … they are so PLAIN! No biggie … a quart of paint, some dirt, a blow dryer & an hour later they are going to fit right in!
Step 1. Pick your paint!
Like I said, I’m a snob for good paint so normally I would go straight for my Chalk Paint Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan. But I’m all out! So I popped on over to Amazon last week and ordered some awesome alternatives! This project I used Behr Chalk Paint but it’s not my favorite so I would suggest you snag some Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint
Step 2. The Crackle
Take a look at an old, painted piece of furniture and your bound to find an abundance of little cracks all down the paint. This crackle finish can be achieved a few different ways: naturally over time, with expensive multi-step crackle finish products, or by speed drying thick paint with a regular hair dryer. Yah … lets go with that 3rd one!
Lay on the paint extra thick in the direction of the natural grain of the wood and immediately hit it with a hair dryer on high heat. It’s really that easy! To be technical, the top layer of paint dries at a different rate than the bottom layer of paint giving your affect in minutes instead of hours like with other products!
Step 3. Rub some dirt on it!
Whenever my kids scrape their knee or get a ‘boo-boo’ this is what we tell them to do but it works in painting too! After your paint dries literally take some dry dirt and rub it into the nooks & crannies! Take your unwashed paint brush, get just a little paint on it and work the dirt in! This is where you have to use your artistic eye… the more dirt you use the more grungy it gets! For these tables I didn’t use much!
Step 4. Dry Brushing!
This is the only technique that takes a little practice! Using a darker color of paint and a dry paint brush, you dip the brush in a small amount of paint and then use a scrap material to work MOST of the paint off of the brush. You literally want just the tiniest bit of paint still left on the brush and then you will GENTLY & quickly brush along the areas where you want the piece to look more distressed. The idea is for the paint to grab onto the uneven textures we have created and add dimension and shadow to accentuate them. I like to use a water based paint for this because if I use too much, I can quickly wipe off some with a wet rag! This technique makes a huge difference but can be a little tricky!
Step 5. Apply a protective coat.
These beer tables will be toted around, packed away, and used by a group of rough-and-tumble BOYS so I need for this finish to last. I clear coated with Rust-Oleum Chalked Sealer Topcoat
Of course once I was done and the paint was dry, we had a celebratory picnic to test it out! These boys approve!
If you use any of these techniques on your next project be sure to tag us on Facebook or Instagram so we can see your awesome work! & if you could shop through our links that would be fantastic as well! Happy Painting!
XOXO,
Laura
The Fun Filled Family 