We recently created this look – with progress pics! – and a wonderful tutorial to share with you all. We love this “driftwood” look — it has dimensional layers in gorgeous greys and can be used in many home styles. Try it yourself – read more below!
Staining With Chalk Paint ®: Drift Wood Effect
Chalk Paint® makes a perfect stain (or what we refer to as a color wash) because it can be diluted with water without affecting its adherence. So on un-primed, raw wood (think Ikea pine) you have the ability to go from bland to winter perfect in a few coats of paint.
I took an unfinished sample board and with four total coats of Coco, Graphite, and Pure White, I created a drift wood effect.
First, I took Coco and without diluting it, I applied one coat onto the board, unconcerned with an even or solid coverage. Allow your coat of Coco to dry.
Second, take Graphite and add 50% water. Sweep on watered down coats in the same direction as your brushstrokes. Wipe away the excess with a cloth or paper towel immediately after applying. Allow to dry thoroughly so that your colors don’t get muddled.
Third, do the same with Pure White. In my example I allowed the coat of Pure White to dry and then decided I wanted more of a grey look to it so the fourth and optional step is to repeat your Pure White wash.
Clear Wax after a minimum of an hour. The pressure of removing wax can also remove light layers of paint when done too soon after applying them!
There are many ways to use layers of Annie Sloan paint to create these lovely looks. There is no right or wrong way so experiment and have fun! For example, here’s a fellow Stockist who has tried this look with a similar outcome and slightly different steps: http://hueologystudio.com/2013/06/driftwood-wash-look-table/
