Rustic French Server
We are OBSESSED with our latest transformation! We decided to do a DIY overload and used many of our SUITE supplies! We used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® products, General Finishes products & Artisan Enhancements Products to create this rustic french beauty!
We first started this piece by painting the base in a mixture of Chalk Paint® in Paris Grey & Country Grey. We mixed it in a 1:1 ratio. Inside the panels & doors, we did a base coat of Chalk Paint® in Old White.
After the paint as dried, we applied a thick coat Artisan Enhancements Crackle Tex inside the panels and insets where we previously painted the Chalk Paint® Old White. Crackle Tex is a thick medium that allows water based paints or plasters to create “chunky”, chipped crackled effects. Crackle Tex reproduces the sophisticated, aged, antiqued look of weathered paint and/or plaster. After we applied the Crackle Tex, we allowed it to completely dry then applied our Chalk Paint® mix of Paris Grey & Country Grey. As that layer began to dry we took a rag and strategically pulled off & sanded off some of the paint to create that gorgeous rustic, crumbly textured finish.
The final step on the base was to seal it completely using our Annie Sloan Large Wax Brushes and Annie Sloan’s Clear & Dark Soft Wax to deepen the antique-y, vintage look.
Next, we did the top of the server. We used General Finishes products & foam brushes to create that beautiful layered look! First step was a layer of General Finishes Gray Gel Stain. Gel Stain is an oil-based product, which means it provides very rich, deep penetrating color. This also means you must wait 72 hours before you apply any water-based products on top, which we did with the Glaze Effects. After the Gel Stain completely dried, we applied General Finishes Van Dyke Brown Glaze Effects. Glaze Effects are perfect for layering and creating new decorative finishes! We then decided to apply General Finishes Winter White Glaze Effects (Watch Amanda do it HERE!) to create even more depth. As we were applying this layer, we felt as if it brightened the piece too much, so once it was dry we applied another coat of Van Dyke Brown Glaze Effects and fell in love with the results!!
Last step, was to seal the top of the server with General Finishes Satin Topcoat! The topcoat will give it a protective satin sheen!
In this piece and in many of our pieces we realized that creating a unique piece isn’t just about the finished product, its about the journey! We learned to love the process and that sometimes the vision changes and that’s great! The best pieces come when you let the piece “speak” to you. In this piece for example, we thought our last layer was going to be the Winter White Glaze Effects but when we continued to layer more Glaze Effects on top, we realized we loved that extra little tweak.
We also learned using different product lines can really elevate your piece! All of our products can be used together and we love when you do so as well! ; ) The combinations are endless and always result in gorgeous results! Come stop by the Huntington or Massapequa locations to come see this piece and more like it! If your in LOVE with this piece it is for sale in our Huntington location and you can buy it here!