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The Tutorialist – French Flea Market Finish

Jun 14, 2019
2 min

The Tutorialist – French Flea Market Finish

In the spirit of Summer holidays to faraway foreign lands, we finished this lovely petite bombe chest in a style reminiscent of a Parisian antique. To learn how we did it, read below: Here’s how we did it: Wipe down the piece of furniture you are painting. No sanding or priming is required when using Chalk Paint as long as the surface finish isn’t peeling. The original finish was a glossy walnut veneer…very 90s and not very appealing. Once the piece is wiped off, apply Annie

Before + After: A DIY Graphite Brick Fireplace Makeover

Mar 29, 2019
2 min

Before + After: A DIY Graphite Brick Fireplace Makeover

We always ask our customers to share their DIY project pics with us and often post them to our Facebook and Instagram pages. Occasionally, the project is so transformative yet so inexpensive and quick and easy that we really want to reach as many potential DIY-ers as possible so we opt to share here on our blog. This is one of those projects! Our lovely customer, Cynthia, traveled from New York to Montclair to purchase the paint for her project and spend some time getting ins

Seasonal Decor Idea – Chalk Painted Pumpkins

Sep 19, 2018
1 min

Seasonal Decor Idea – Chalk Painted Pumpkins

We love a quick and easy DIY project! We started with foam pumpkins from the craft store and created three different designs: Graphite Basecoat with chalk marker hand-lettering & spiderweb Paris Grey Basecoat with “watercolored” Chalk Paint® (for this we watered our paint down significantly by 80% and spritzed it through a spray bottle) Old White and Graphite Basecoats with “mud cloth” inspired painted designs using Annie’s detail brushes There’s so many different designs you

Transfer Leaf – so easy a kid can do it!

Aug 2, 2018
1 min

Transfer Leaf – so easy a kid can do it!

We posted this video on Instagram about a week ago and had quite the response! Check it out on Instagram We were surprised at how many of you hadn’t used Transfer Leaf and also that the general consensus was that it was difficult…so we created this video to prove otherwise! Stay tuned here to see how the chairs turned out…we are dying fabric (white cotton) with Annie Sloan paint (and also using the Gold Transfer Leaf!) before reupholstering. Can’t wait for the big reveal! Pro

The Tutorialist – Layered and Luxe

Jul 24, 2018
4 min

The Tutorialist – Layered and Luxe

A friend of mine (& fellow decorative painter) asked about this finish today and I couldn’t believe I never posted the tutorial! Things have been really busy with {verdigreen} because of all the design work we’ve taken on, and it somehow slipped through the cracks…but this was a fan favorite for sure so here’s the story. I was hired to modernize a dining room for a client. She has a “Z Gallerie” style happening in her home – trading out her old Tuscan pieces for light, modern

The Tutorialist – a Hamptons style Dining Room Update

Jul 23, 2018
2 min

The Tutorialist – a Hamptons style Dining Room Update

We just finished a lovely dining room project and had to share the photos and instructions in hopes to inspire others to recreate this quick and easy update. We were referred to this client from her designer who had already suggested she paint her dining room furniture to update the look. Based on the new fabric they selected for the chair reupholstery, we suggested they paint the table apron and legs Pure White and the sideboard/buffet in Antibes Green with a White Wax patin

Before & After – Marble Top Custom Table Finish

May 29, 2018
1 min

Before & After – Marble Top Custom Table Finish

A dear friend of mine, Jenna, owns a local boutique called Little Black Dress. It’s on Church Street in Montclair and she carries the cutest, feminine clothing. After moving into her new location, she realized her existing table felt too dark and heavy so she asked if I would custom finish it for her. She chose the “gold base, marble top” look that is trending right now as her finish. Here was the “before” — a espresso wood finish: We first painted it entirely in Paris Grey a

The Tutorialist – Golden Nude

Jan 7, 2018
3 min

The Tutorialist – Golden Nude

We are so thrilled with the response this particular finish has gotten this weekend on our FB & IG. I took a screen shot below but here is the IG post of the video showing me waxing the piece…almost 1500 views and 300 likes! Wow. That’s a lot of attention (by our little shop’s standards) and I love when something resonates with you all. I am personally so happy you all love it as much as I do. I was inspired to create this look because, of all things, a lip color! I wanted a

The Tutorialist – a Mercury Glass inspired finish

Mar 7, 2017
2 min

The Tutorialist – a Mercury Glass inspired finish

We recently purchased a sweet antique Depression Era petite dresser (chest of drawers) and wanted to experiment with a finish specific to the era it was built in. We were inspired by one of our favorite collectibles, Mercury Glass: Here is our final result: This is what we did to achieve the look: Prep your piece (dust, wipe down, vacuum out, etc) – no sanding or priming needed with Chalk Paint® Base coat it with Graphite by Annie Sloan – 2 light coats for full coverage – wit

Subtle Finishes

Feb 13, 2017
1 min

Subtle Finishes

We are working on a custom painted desk for our client’s daughter and she chose a really lovely light yellow blend of English Yellow, Pure White, and Old White Chalk Paint®. After our two light coats of the custom Chalk Paint® mix was dry, we felt it was a bit bold for the soft lavender on our client’s walls. After considering options, we decided using Annie Sloan’s White Wax would give it a subtle aging and would kick the color back a notch. Here’s a 5 minute video showing h

The Tutorialist – Classic Finish: Old White & Aged

Jan 29, 2017
3 min

The Tutorialist – Classic Finish: Old White & Aged

Every so often, a piece of furniture calls for a classic aged look without any bells or whistles or special techniques…and if done well, it looks authentic and charming! We are going to tell you how to achieve that look by using a simple method. Read on! In this scenario, our client had antique ladder back chairs she needed painted for her dining room. Someone had painted them in the most horrid butter yellow latex (glossy and goopy and gross!) so we lightly sanded some of th

Malachite Dreams

Jan 24, 2017
1 min

Malachite Dreams

We are feeling grateful for our newest interior design client because her commercial space project is right up our aesthetic alley! Her vision for the space is “Enchanted Forest” which could not be more our jam. Since she is an Energy Healer (Shaman) we proposed a Malachite finish on the ceiling of her healing nook – and naturally she was all about it! We documented the process, step by step, below: Her new space: Mixing the base coat – Duck Egg & Florence: Base coat painted

French Linen Secretary – French Style

Jan 4, 2017
1 min

French Linen Secretary – French Style

We are currently working on the most beautiful custom kitchen – part of which is styling a secretary in the adjoining breakfast nook to fit cohesively within the finish palette. The original finish on the secretary was the reproduction French Provincial fruitwood from the 60s and in need of some updating. After consulting with the client about her aesthetic, we recommended French Linen by Annie Sloan, lightly distressed, gold leafed, and both clear and dark waxed. The project

Color Me Happy with BARCELONA ORANGE

Dec 27, 2016
1 min

Color Me Happy with BARCELONA ORANGE

I live a colorful life & love it when my customers come in and ask for something other than white. Don’t get me wrong, a white, light airy aesthetic is so pleasing and calming…I even have an all neutral room at home (our master bedroom) despite how Boho I am everywhere else. However a bold pop of color feels ALIVE and rich and as the kids say “literally gives me life.” When Tom & Vicki (my awesome friends who are equally awesome customers) said that they were finally ready t

Painted Custom Headboard

Dec 22, 2016
1 min

Painted Custom Headboard

We LOVE an ornate headboard! We purchased this beautiful hand carved antique (you should have seen the footboard!) with the intention of painting it to sell in the shop but before we could do much to it aside from base-coat it, a client walked in who had to have it for her new home in South Florida. We quickly switched gears and created a custom heirloom she will treasure! The base coat is a mix of Napoleonic Blue, Pure White, and Antoinette. We then dry brushed heavily with

Tinting with Old White

Dec 9, 2016
1 min

Tinting with Old White

Have you ever looked at Antibes Green (or any of Annie Sloan’s other rich, deep hues) and wondered what it would look like lightened up a bit? If you have come into our shop, you have likely seen our “Pantone strip” wall of Florence lightened with Pure White. We also have the handiest visuals of each Annie Sloan color tinted with Old White with 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 ratios. Customers are welcome to peruse them at their leisure, or snap iPhone shots of them to take home…so we

How to DIY (ahem, DYE) a faux Sheepskin rug with Chalk Paint – IKEA HACK

Sep 27, 2016
1 min

How to DIY (ahem, DYE) a faux Sheepskin rug with Chalk Paint – IKEA HACK

You guys know I love a good dye job. I have been playing a LOT at the studio (aka my Wonderland) with different textiles and decor items…and last week’s experiment was by far my fave thus far. Here’s what you will need: 1 IKEA faux sheepskin rug (Tejn $14.99) 1 or more Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® hues…I chose Graphite & Arles for one rug and a mix of Burgundy + Pure White and Florence + Pure White on the other rug Bucket or tub Warm water Sunlight 10 minutes How to: Fill a tub h

{verdigreen} nyc at NYFW

Sep 13, 2016
1 min

{verdigreen} nyc at NYFW

We had the pleasure (and honor) of sponsoring talented designer, Irina Shabayeva, for her New York Fashion Week show on Sunday. We met Irina because she was a neighbor to our East Village shop. She sampled some paint (she paints her lovely gowns) and promptly fell in love, as we all do, with Annie Sloan! She asked us to be her sponsor and we were over the moon excited with the opportunity to be a part of something so special. Take a look at her leather pieces, hand painted wi

Stenciling Stairs

Jul 22, 2016
1 min

Stenciling Stairs

We love the creative ways our customers use Annie Sloan products! Anna, a lovely local, asked if we could show her how to stencil her stair risers (with Annie Sloan Stencils and Chalk Paint®) to create a more charming, original space. We worked together – using Greek Blue and Napoleonic Blue – to transform her space into something so special and inviting. Pics below! Purchase Greek Blue and Napoleonic Blue here. View Annie Sloan stencils here. Visit our flagship shop to see a

Shibori with Annie Sloan paint

Jun 23, 2016
1 min

Shibori with Annie Sloan paint

There are days (ok, most days) when the daily tasks involved with owning a small business/retail shop are more than I can muster the energy for. I just can’t help it, it’s the creative in me. I need an art outlet – or an artlet, if you will. Ha! Enter: dying fabric with Chalk Paint®. We have been dying fabric with Annie Sloan paint for several years. Tie dye, watercolor, painting upholstery, lampshades, tote bags, pillow covers…you name it! We had never used it as a Shibori