I have been known to paint a room, repaint and then paint again in order to find the right color. When it comes to my furniture pieces, I usually do not have this problem. The furniture speaks to me (not literally, I just get a feeling) and I go with it. There may have been a couple times that I changed color or reworked the original idea. But, I have not had anything that kept me up at night until now. I have been working on a old buffet that we use as a console for our television. Over the course of three weeks, I have been painting and repainting the dresser trying to get the right color. At the end, the tally was seven colors! Starting with Old White, then Svenska Blue, Lem Lem, Amsterdam Green, Napoleonic Blue, Aubusson Blue, and finally CoCo. All of these colors are from the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint collection. This piece has been one heck of a ride for sure. One I hope not to repeat anytime soon!
This is the piece in the original two tone color I did years ago. I knew I wanted to re-do it in one shade, but I did not know what color. Thus, begins the saga that would last three weeks and almost have me pushing it to the curb!!
All the shades of paint I have tried.
After first trying Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint (a tried and true favorite), I decided wanted a little more color. So I went with Svenska Blue also a Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I liked the color, but something felt off. I thought maybe it was the dark wood top. So, I sanded the top down to the raw wood and lived with the look for a couple days. Ultimately, I opted to change the color.
Next I went with Amsterdam Green Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The color was a beautiful rich green, but did not go well in the room. I continued on with Lem Lem, then Napoleonic Blue also from Annie Sloan Chalk Paints. Neither worked for me. My frustration was very high at this point. I had spent hours painting , waxing and distressing the same piece of furniture over and over!
I took a couple of days to center myself and then decided to try again. This time, I picked Aubusson Blue from Annie Sloan. I had used it before and really liked the results. As I was painting it, deep down I knew it was going to be too much blue in the room. After it was done, I was right, too much blue! Oy Vey!
I gave it one more try. If it did not work, the piece and I would part ways. To the curb with you!! For my final attempt I picked Annie Sloan Coco Chalk Paint. The irony is, I was going to use this color originally, but I used it on the hutch in the dining room and wanted something different.
I like the way it came out. Am I over the moon? No, but I can live with it. I can tell you one thing, I will never paint this piece again!
Was there a lesson to be learned here? I am not sure. I will still be a perfection, keep working until I drop and keep going on something until I feel its right. ( I can actually feel my husband shaking his head over this statement) Ha Ha! (: