I think our coffee table is pretty great. We bought it a few years ago when we lived in our Garage House and it's been so useful - I love the wicker baskets and drawers that can store a ton of kid's books and magazines. When we moved into Our DIY House last year, the colour of the baskets in our coffee table started to bug me a little. They were too orangey, and I'm trying to get rid of all traces of orange in our decor (case and point: our kitchen table makeover).
When I attended BlogPodium last month, I was lucky enough to win a whole basket of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, waxes, brushes and a book. I was so eager to try it all out because I've heard so many good things about this stuff!
As soon as I saw that I'd won a lovely warm grey colour of Chalk Paint called "French Linen", I knew exactly what I wanted to try it on first - the baskets in our coffee table.
This was a simple project that took an afternoon. Here's what I did:
- I cleaned out the baskets and wiped them down with water. (It was a good thing - they needed a nice clean!)
- I painted the baskets with the ASCP in French Linen, using the lovely brush they gave me and smushing the paint into the gaps of the wicker as best I could. I let the baskets dry.
- I made my own white or "liming" wax by mixing a blog of white latex paint in the Annie Sloan Clear Wax. I smushed this on with the wax brush I was given, stippling the wax into the cracks and corners of the basket. Then, I buffed it with an old t-shirt in a circular motion.
- After the wax dried, I put the baskets back in the coffee table and made little number labels for each one from chalk board tags. I attached the labels with twine to the basket handles.
I think the table looks a lot different now (my husband might disagree with me, but he still loves me) and I love how it looks in our living room. For an extra pop, I spray painted the former brushed nickel knobs with some oil rubbed bronze metallic spray paint.
Done deal!
I really enjoyed working with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It went on really smoothly, and the coverage was great. I simply wish it was a bit less expensive so that it was more affordable for me. What I LOVED were the brushes that I got - they made such a difference! I also was smitten with how soft the wax was and how nicely it went on my baskets.
I still have some French Linen Chalk Paint left, so stay tuned for the next project that I turn grey!
Kristi
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that colour! SUCH a perfect warm grey!!! They look so perfect on your coffee table!
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com
I can totally see why you love it Christina! We are on the hunt for one with that much storage/drawers! I saw one at the restore a few months ago and am still asking myself why I didn't snatch it up! Love the color of yours and the little number tags!
Christina Dennis
Thanks, Kendra! Yes - any storage I can pack in anywhere is a GOOD THING!
Tidy Wicker Baskets
Fantastic job! You have made such a difference to those baskets the colour is perfect!
Anita
Hi Christina:
So you mixed Annie Sloan wax with regular white latex paint? How does that work? I have used chalk paint before, but not in that capacity. Can you explain why you did that and how you did it? Thanks!
Christina Dennis
Hi, Anita! That's right. I mixed about a Tablespoon of white latex paint in about 1/2 cup of clear wax. Then, I mushed it around with a spoon and used it like I would regular wax.
Stephanie Broadhurst
Hi,
This is a really great post, it inspired me to makeover a wicker bin. After that I tackled a more ambitious bookcase. I wrote about it in my blog, you can read it here http://notsocivilengineer.com/makeovers/wicker-bookcase-makeover/. I included a link to this article - I hope that's ok!
Christina Dennis
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!