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Monday 23 July 2012

Lovely Ribbons, Scarlett Ribbon ...

On Sunday morning, we woke with good intentions of spending a day in the garden, painting the cupboards which I showed you earlier.  The skies looked a little grey and threatening so that idea had to be put on hold ... however, I had a bee in my bonnet about some miraculous paint which I'd heard about, so it seemed the ideal time to try it for ourselves.  Me, Steve and Millie set out for the Lake District, about an hours drive away. This was our destination ...


Scarlett Ribbon, a delightful little shop, nestled in the lovely town of Windermere.


It is a delightful treasure trove of all things lovely ... and the sale was in full swing!


The shop is set out very cleverly, making full use of the space available, but with a feeling of space and calm. It sells clothes, accessories, greetings cards, toiletries, jewellery and lots of very lovely things for the home.

Millie, having a bit of a browse ...

 

But this is what our journey was about ... Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! I had heard great things about this product, so quizzed the lovely lady in the shop, and she assured me no preparation was required! No sanding, no priming, just load your brush and paint! Definitely my kind of product!


Lots of lovely, unique colours to choose from, so I was like a child in a sweet shop ... I finally selected four colours; Old Ochre, a rich, creamy colour; Provence, a deep turqouise; Paloma which is a grey/lilac and Antoinette, pretty in pale pink.  I also bought some soft wax which seals the paint and protects it.  I didn't buy any of the dark wax used for deepening the colour and ageing/distressing, as I use Briwax for this. I also bought the book which tells you all about the paint and how to use it, with loads of lovely pictures and ideas for projects.



The paint charts are very clever too, they are actually hand painted so you know what  the actual colour will be when you paint - some charts are very misleading and the finished product looks nothing like the colour  on the chart, so choice can be a bit hit or miss.
  

 The paint can be used inside or out, on plastic, stone, brick, concrete and metal  ... my head is bursting with ideas, and believe me, if it stands still for long enough, it's going to get a coat of Annie Sloan!


Loaded up, we said our goodbyes to Scarlett Ribbon and had a little potter around Windermere, This little sign was above a wine shop, I thought it was perfect ...


 But I was itching to get started with my new find, so we travelled home, had a Full English (late) Breakfast, then set to! Steve took Ruby for a walk (it takes exactly an hour) and instead of lugging all the cupboards downstairs I took this little beauty outside. 


It's one of the chairs which makes up my Ercol 3-piece cottage suite. In my front room, which I showed you the makeover of last time, I always thought there was too much wood and it needed softening a bit.  I know some people will think it sacrilege to paint over classic furniture, but I like to give things a modern twist while retaining their old charm.  I bought the suite last year for £45 from a charity warehouse, but probably lots of them just go the tip ... that is sacrilege!


By the time Steve got back from his walk I'd painted the chair.  The paint glides on and dries almost immediately so you can touch up straight away, without having to wait hours for it to dry before you can give it another coat.  It took one coat and then just a few dabs to cover any obvious gaps.  I waxed it with the soft wax, then took a cloth and rubbed the briwax on.  It took less than 2 hours from start to finish ... miraculous stuff indeed!

I don't normally paint as it takes so long ... sanding down, wiping, priming, then about 3 coats of paint ... it takes days and I'm far too impatient for that.  Not any more though! Hopefully today the sofa and other chair will get done, then I've got a bookcase lined up (pale pink I think), kitchen cupboards, metal garden furniture, Millie's bedroom furniture ... the list is endless!

Tomorrow I'm off to Leeds to see my boy, and hopefully Cath Kidston too!

Hope the sun shines on you this week,

Love, Claire xxx

50 comments:

  1. I haven't tried that paint yet, but it sounds wonderful - no prep - perfect!!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  2. What a fab shop and you did a good job on that chair.

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    1. Thanks Daffy for your lovely comments xxx

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  3. Well that's what I call a good speedy job Claire!!
    I know you really did all this in one day too!! haha..
    Enjoy seeing your young man tomorrow, too.
    I wonder what else , will be your next make over.
    love Maria x

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    1. Hi Maria, had a lovely day with Jacob, see you soon xxx

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  4. Yes the paints really good, I did some shelves in it. I don't think I put the wax on them very well though, doesn't matter as it will ALWAYS be full of vintage sheets! You are definitely super speedy! Ada ;)

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    1. I can't believe how versatile it is Ada, absolutely love it! Xx

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  5. Oh Claire - your chair looks fabulous! I am a HUGE fan of Annie Sloane Chalk paint. I have used it on quite a few things around the house now and I simply love its' lack of fuss. I painted a set of ercol chairs as well - in pink! Don't worry about anyone who considers painting classic furniture a crime - YOU have to live with it - and as long as it makes you happy then that's all that counts - and besides - you have gorgeous taste so you can't go wrong.
    Hope that you're enjoying the sun today!
    Paula x

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    1. Thank you Paula, that's lovely! As long as we're enjoying old furniture and not sending to landfill, that's surely a good thing, isn't it? Hope you're enjoying your week xxx

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  6. Lovely post Claire, I will definitely look out for this paint, I too think there is nothing wrong with painting classic furniture, I did get a bit jittery when I painted my Grandpa's sideboard I had inherited, I kept thinking, He's not going to like this, but it looked so much better!
    Keep painting!!
    Thea x

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    1. Bet your sideboard's lovely Thea, hope you'll share it with us? Thanks for dropping in! Xx

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  7. Ooooo - wonder paint indeed - is it pricey? chair looks wonderful and much better for its coat of paint. Sounds a spiffing weekend
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny, it was about £18 in the shop, a bit less online but you have to pay postage. That's for a litre, and a little goes a very long way! Plus you don't have to buy sandpaper, or primer so very good value. Am in love with it! Have a lovely week xx

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  8. Oh, I do love Windermere Claire!..I feel that I have to go back very soon and I will definitely be looking out for this little shop. The paint sounds wonderful (I like the sound of the deep turquoise shade!)and your chair looks fabulous,
    Hope you have a happy week,
    Susan x

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    1. Hi Susan, the shop is near Lakeland Plastics ... Turn right down the hill instead if going in to LP. Well worth a visit! Xx

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  9. You did a lovely job on the chair. I know the paint is expensive but when you take into account all the extras you would need to do the job plus all the time it would take it works out as good value.

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    1. Aww thank you! Yes it's very good value, and a tin of it will do a lot of projects. Thanks for popping in xxx

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  10. I liked the Annie Sloan paint, I did my mum's old dresser with it and it was so easy. I haven't got round to doing anything else but I have a few ideas up my sleeve!
    Really like your chair and look forward to seeing what else you paint!
    Hope you're enjoying the sunshine!
    xx

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    1. Hello Missy, I've got lots of things planned, so will definitely share them with you xxx

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  11. Hi Claire,
    That looks like my type of paint. I always get impatient waiting for it to dry, I'm amazed how fast you completed it and your chair looks fab!
    Enjoy your day out with your son and Cath Kidston!
    Sarah

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    1. Thanks Sarah, was amazingly quick to use! Had a lovely day with Jacob and the sun was shining brightly in Leeds (unlike here!) hope you're basking in sunshine too xxx

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  12. Hi Claire, it looks amazing! I had heard about Annie Sloan paint but didnt realise it was as easy as it is.Your chair looks fabulous!

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    1. Aw thank you Anne, it's good stuff alright and no hanging about watching paint dry! Have a lovely week xxx

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  13. Hey Claire what can I say hmmm well Annie Sloan is just amazing and like you said anything that stands still long enough gets a coat of Annie Sloan If you need any tips give me a shout and I will help. Love from the Annie Sloan Junkie Tracy x

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    1. Thanks Tracy, that'd be lovely if I can get tips off you! Have looked through your blog and you've done some amazing transformations ... Enjoy your week xxx

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  14. You've completly sold me on that Annie Sloan paint! Like you,all that faffing around with sandpaper etc has put me right off and I just think,Oh well I'll live with all my pine.I've been wanting to paint my kitchen cupboards for ages,so now I'm off to see where I can buy this miracle paint! Have a great time at Cath Kidston...I could spend a fortune in there!
    No..it's not a bench,all will be revealed soon! :0)

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    1. I can't sing it's praises loud enough ... Your cupboards will look fab and you don't have the inconvenience of waiting for them to dry. Intrigued what the item is! Xxx

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  15. Hi Claire, is that a new shop in Windermere, looks great and your painting, theres a shop in Sidmouth, which is the tiniest shop ever, in fact its a shed, but there is this huge dresser bursting with Annie Sloan paint Julie xxx

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    1. Hi Julie, am not sure how long it's been there ... I first visited it last year. A little shed full of AS paint? Fabulous! Have a lovely week xxx

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  16. Thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog the other day...your blog is lovely. Oh your painting is going to be wonderful..such a sweet little shop. Off to peek around your blog a wee bit more. Happy day to you.

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    1. Hi Koralee, thanks for popping in ... Love your blog too! Xxx

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  17. Oh I wondered where the nearest stockist was !!!! and I didn't know you could use it on so many surfaces ...fab ! Love the chair...Gail x

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    1. Hi Gail, will be having a trip through with Maria soon, you're very welcome to join us! Xx

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  18. Hi Claire
    Thanks for sharing your lovely day out. What fantastic paint, just what we all wish for, no sanding down. Your chair looks lovely and the cushions are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Have a lovely time in Leeds. Ali x

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  19. Hi Ali, thank you! Had a great time in Leeds, and you'll get your parcel very soon ... Have a lovely week xx

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  20. Gosh! my sort of day out...lovely. I've hear so much about this Annie Sloan paint and seeing that its turned out so well for you...I mean that chair looks very nice ....that I held my breath and quickly googled it to see if I can get it here in Spain. I was pleasantly surprised to see there is a Spanish Annie Sloan page and I can order the paint online. I have a bedside table that needs a vital facelift.
    Great post Claire


    Amanda :-)

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    1. Hi Amanda, thanks for dropping in! Hope you get your bedside table transformed ... you'll be hooked ... I'm already planning my next visit to Scarlett Ribbon!

      Have a lovely weekend,

      Claire xxx

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  21. Lovely job on the chair, it looks great, so comfy and fresh! The paint chart is such a good idea, I've lost count of the times I have been deceived by whats on the tin!
    Hope you enjoy your trip to Leeds...oh, and do treat yourself to something from CK....thats an order!

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    1. Thanks for dropping in and for your lovely comments! I had a lovely time in Leeds and did get a few treats in CK ... Have a fab weekend xxx

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  22. Do you know I have been trying to persuade my husband since we married that painted furniture is okay! Maybe it will be Annie Sloan who succeeds in convincing him!

    Lovely job on the chair :D

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    1. Thank you, and yes you'll have to get Annie to persuade him! Go onto her website and she'll show you how to paint a cupboard in 3 minutes, in between answering the phone, serving customers, etc! Have a lovely weekend xxx

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    1. Hi Nina, yes it is ... It comes highly recommended! Thanks for dropping in xxx

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  24. Hi Claire,

    Its always nice when some one pops by my blog and even nicer when I get a comment and new follower!

    I have heard a great deal about Annie Sloane paint. I will have to find out my nearest retailer one day. I love making over things but it can be daunting with all the flaffing to prepare it etc. Sounds like they come in lovely colours too!

    P x

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    1. Hello Paula and a big warm welcome to Thriftwood! Xxx

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  25. Hi Claire,
    Thanks for the lovely message on my post today - I have been sooo fed up lately, blogging has taken a bit of a back seat! I must try this fab Annie Sloan paint I have heard so much about - I am a F&B convert but it does sound good - I sometimes Briwax over F&B emulsion, with good long-lasting results.
    Happy Painting x
    Sally

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    1. Hello Sally, thanks for popping in, loved your post today! I love F&B too, but thnk I may be converted because of the lack of prep required. Have lovely weekend

      Claire xxx

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  26. You've worked wondered with your Annie Sloan. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I love it. I've got a cupboard stocked full! I never have much lucky with it if I paint outside, it seems to dry too quickly. So when I paint I do it inside, and there's no nasty fumes either. bonus xx

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    1. Hello Katie, thanks for dropping in, I love it, and am going to stock up o it too! Have got 4 colours but lready planning a few more. I'veonly painted outside and it dies dry quickly, but iquite like that, will have to see what effect painting I side has. ... Just don't have the space really! Have a lovely weekend,

      Claire xxx

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx