Aubusson Blue in the foyer

January 14, 2013

aubusson blue chalk paint dresser

I’ve shown you our foyer a million times, most recently right around Thanksgiving:  

black interior front door

I’ve mentioned once or a hundred times that I wanted to paint that buffet. I am tired of all the black dressers in our house! Thing is, many of them have come from the same source. I bought this one and at least one other from a Craigslist seller. She finds some great pieces and paints them all black.

The one in my office will stay black, just because I love it so very much as is. This one in the foyer  just needed something, especially right by that black front door.

So something it got…in the form of Aubusson Blue chalk paint:

aubusson blue chalk paint

I have loved this color from the first time I saw it last year and knew I wanted to use it in my house somewhere. I’m pretty much obsessed with deep, rich blues right now. Which is funny because five years ago you couldn’t find blue anywhere around here.

The great thing about chalk paint is the no sanding/no priming part. I did sand this down a bit though, because the paint was really rough in some spots --  it’s always bothered me:

how to paint furniture 

how to paint furniture  

I hate sanding but I did it super fast – like two minutes for the whole piece – just the spots that felt rough on the doors and drawer fronts.

After a wipe down, I was ready to go and was super excited to see how well the paint went on:

painting with chalk paint

I realized pretty quick I was going to get away with just one coat and I was stoked! Whoo!! Thing is, I wasn’t perfect about it – I didn’t mind seeing a hint of the black coming through. That was my goal really. I did a good coat, and if I was a perfectionist I would have gone back for another, but I’m not. So I didn’t. :)

I decided to rough up the top with sandpaper too, because I keep a lot of my tools in this dresser and I am not gentle to the top of it:

painting with chalk paint

I figured a quick sanding never hurts. I did just one coat of the blue on the top too. I was thinking of some fun way to do the dresser – maybe two tone, maybe sanding down the top and staining it…but I just wanted this done and really? I’m just a simple girl at heart. Paint it and done.

Well, paint it and then wax it that is. I have tried both the Annie Sloan and CeCe Caldwell wax and I like the latter just a bit more –- it’s just a tad lighter and easier to work with in my opinion.

I wiped it on (like I showed you here) and then buffed it off well – but I think too well. The top is still chalky when stuff hits it so I need at least one more good coat. I’m always afraid to leave any kind of film for fear it won’t dry well, so I take a lot off.

Here’s the deal. This chalk paint stuff is expensive. But get this…it lasts forEVER. And I can promise you there is NO way I would have been able to cover something like this with one coat in regular latex. Just no way.

Here’s proof that it lasts forever – this is all I used:

aubusson blue chalk paint

You can compare that to the pic of the new paint can above. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

Crazy eh? So in my mind, the ease of use (no primer) and the great coverage makes it worth it to me to splurge every once and a while. Now I just need to decide what else I’m painting this color! :)

I absolutely ADORE how it came out:

aubusson blue chalk paint dresser

It’s fun and pretty and I love it in the foyer – it makes me happy that visitors will see this first thing when the walk in!

I did quite a bit of distressing, just so it didn’t look perfect – cause things don’t stay perfect around here anyway so I just helped it along. I just did the edges and raised parts with some sand paper – the areas that normally get wear over time.

I pulled from all over the house to accessorize:

accessorizing a dresser

aubusson blue chalk paint dresser    

I want to redo that whole gallery above the dresser, but it’s funny how well that blue ties in to the art above. I did a super fast coat of the blue on the bottom frame to ground that a little bit too.

And I love that it ties in to our DIY art in the reflection:

aubusson blue chalk paint dresser

So pretty!! I just love how it turned out!

Now…onto the tile in the foyer! I’m more determined to replace that now more than ever.

Doesn’t it look like spring to you? It does me:

aubusson blue chalk paint dresser

Mother Nature is determined to remind us it’s a long way off though – it is absolutely freezing here today!

Again, here are the details on this project:

Color/paint: Aubusson Blue, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Protective wax: CeCe Caldwell clear wax
Painted with a wide angled brush.

You can see my other chalk paint adventures here and here!

So are you a chalk paint fan? Have you made your own? I’m still wanting to try that out too.

Email subscription form header
Your email:*
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

Comments

  1. Oh my, love this color. I have been thinking about painting a piece in my office, and I think this might be the color! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE it!!! It looks amazing with the blue, and I like the way all the colors in your foyer mix together. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love chalk paint - ASCP, CeCe, Fat Paint and homemade. Quick, easy cleanup, easy 'wearing', waxing and done. Love the blue in your entry. Very spring.
    Joy

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is a GREAT color. Love it with the green.

    ReplyDelete
  5. love!!!! will this paint work on any kind of "wood"? or does it have to be solid. I want to repaint my bedroom furniture.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is my absolute favorite color in the ASCP line. I have painted many things with it! One of my first posts was a dresser I painted with it that resides in my study.
    Very pretty
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not usually a fan of blue but that is a gorgeous color!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's funny that you said you want to change the flooring - when I got to the 'after' photo the first thing I noticed was how different that color made your floors look (even scrolled back to be sure). Whatever you choose will be stunning no doubt. I'm coining a new term from this - Urban Beach - because it does feel refreshing but not in a sand between my toes kinda way (which is good!). ~ Dee @deeconstructed.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just bought this color on Friday and can't wait to try it out!! Your dresser looks awesome!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! I didn't realize that you could re-do wood in chalk paint. I will have to keep that in mind. We just got a table and chairs off of Craigslist that I have big plans for, but I was going to use enamel based paint. I will have to think about this idea!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love that shade of blue! It goes so nicely with the green, beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm normally a pastel girl, but I'm loving this piece. It looks so much better blue than the black it was before. You did a good job on picking out the perfect color!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I haven't used that color yet, but now I might have to. In your opinion you think the CeCe Caldwell wax is better than Annie Sloan wax? Does it go on better? If so I might have to get some.
    Wonderful colors and love how it all coordinates!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It looks GREAT! I love it! You have the BEST projects ever. Come to my house..? : )

    Kayla
    www.lovelucygirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOVE LOVE LOVE that color! I think this is the perfect choice for the dresser in my master bedroom that's begging to be painted!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOVE it!!! What an amazing transformation! I loved it in black, I did, but oh my, this is just gorg! Have a great week Sarah.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I loooove that shade of blue- I can not get over how little paint it took and how rich the color came out!! also, I'm loving that little wire bird cage thing too :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your furniture transformation! Looks fabulous! Nice shade of blue. I have been busy painting my daughter's bedroom furniture white and need to take pics to post. Thanks for sharing.
    hugs,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  19. ABSOLUTELY love the way the dresser turned out! Off the subject I am trying to style me sofa table. I noticed your plant. Is it real or artificial? I want to incorporate some greenery but not sure which to use! Thanks! And great job again!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Heavens to Betsy that is gorgeous!!! You have such great taste!!! I love that color!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. i normally dont like blue but that blue look gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  22. Aubusson Blue is the latest can I bought and I am loving it--so rich and wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I absolutely *ADORE* this Sarah! The colour is fabulous and you have it styled so perfectly! Totally love this and it looks so beautiful in your home! Happy New Year and have a lovely week! Angie xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the blue and it plays so nicely with the green mirror above.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the new color and it looks beautiful with the coastal paintings.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I LOVE Aubusson Blue, I did a server back in the fall in that colour, and I was inspired by the blues I had seen in Paris. Aubusson blue was a perfect match to what I had in mind.

    I love how you accessorized the whole thing with the green, like the mirror frame and the books in the cage, classic yet contemporary. Well done Sarah!

    Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  27. It looks awesome! That color is perfect in there. I have made chalk paint, the recipe with grout, paint and water. It works really well, but I wouldn't use it very often as it is super chalky and flakes off pretty easily. I haven't worked a ton with it, but that was my first impression. It would be great for frames and other items that won't get a lot of wear and tear.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love that color!! What a great pop of color for your entry, and it blends beautifully with your artwork - bonus!

    I haven't yet tried chalk paint, but it's on my list of to-do's! I had to giggle at your comment about not having blue in your house five years ago - I was the same way. Now I can't get enough of it - I have blue all over the place! I just can't stop being drawn to the blue hues!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love that color! I suddenly have tons of blue in my house where I had almost none until recently, too. And I love the green mirror with that blue, too.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love this!
    I wanted to let you know that everytime I try to read your blog in Google Reader, when I click it comes up as a virus trying to attack my computer. So I now have to access your blog through Google search. I should note that it doesn't happen when I click on the other blogs I read in Reader.
    Thought you should know, not sure if it is a system thing or my computer but its strange that it only does that for your blog.
    I miss seeing your posts bc I am usually too lazy to go to Google.
    Yes, I know.
    I will subscribe.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I wasn't sure about the blue until I saw it all pulled together. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such a perfect way to welcome all who enter your home, with COLOR! Love this shade of blue too!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The dresser looks amazing and I love that blue! A tip regarding the wax. Try SC Johnson paste wax. Works just as well and it's about $7 from the hardware store. You can't beat that savings!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Like you, I fell in love with this color the moment I saw it. The transformation is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Looks beautiful! Love the color. I have a dresser painted in a similar color but it isn't chalk paint. I really like the look of this one though!

    -Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

    ReplyDelete
  36. LOVE it!!! Looks amazing! I've been stewing over how to redo some nesting tables and I think you just gave me my answer! Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  37. It looks amazing - love it! I get the virus message too when clicking on your blog. It says my AVG contained the virus. Then I have to click out of your blog, then click back again and it will go that time. The only other blog I get the same message from is The Nester. It has happened for about a week. Today was the first time it didn't happen.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hey Kari! A few blogs are having this problem -- it's with the browser, not the blogs, thankfully. If you clear your cache it should take care of it! I know that's a pain but it seems to work. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have heard so many times how great AS is, and this just proves it. One coat for that black piece and yes, I scrolled up to see the other can right before I read to. Amazing. I am going to have to get some after all. Love the blue.

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a big difference. Brightens up the entire room. Oh, bty, I have that exact lampshade and love it!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Sarah! I'm so excited you just did another post on the chalk paint, it looks awesome! I am in the process of redoing my front room and need to paint an end table, chair, and lamp. I purchased a table painted with the ASCP and love it. :) Now I just need to decide which color to paint the rest. I'm so glad to see it's so easy to work with!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. I LOVE this color, Sarah! I haven't tried it on a big piece yet, but now you've inspired me! Thanks for sharing ~ xo Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  43. I simply adore that color of blue, too! However, instead of a furniture piece I bought a pair of slacks that color over the holidays - they called the color "London Blue." Hubby thought I was crazy until he saw them on me accessorized with a black jacket, now he loves them. Now that I've seen your dresser, I'm over the moon! What will he think if I start painting things that color, too? We'll have to wait and see!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oooooh I like this color! My ASCP sample sheet just doesn't do those colors justice. I've done 2 pieces in chalk paint and am itching to get at a third piece but have been hesitant on my color choice. I think you just solved my dilemma!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I'm totally into blues in general. It started with a soft beach-y blue, then morphed to turquoise, and now I'm loving the darker blues. Have been planning a dark blue furniture project myself. I'm more of a glossy paint girl, so I'll pass up the chalk paint. Love how the blue livens up your entry, and how it ties in so well with your artwork. Great choice!

    ReplyDelete
  46. The transformation is awesome and such a great color! I've been wanting to paint a buffet that I have but the doors already close tightly and I'm worried that painting a coat of paint on it will cause the paint to scratch off over time or that the doors won't close. Would I just sand down the doors enough to give it some wiggle room before painting? I like the fact that this kind of paint goes on in one coat. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Um yes. It looks amazing. The whole setup.
    Hey, so I've been thinking about jumping on the chalk paint bandwagon, but I read something the other day about fingerprints leaving nasty greasy marks that are impossible to remove. Have you had issues with that at all? Or maybe a good coat of the wax takes care of the problem?
    With three kids, greasy fingerprints are unavoidable, but at least with regular paint, they can be cleaned up.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love this color blue and how it goes with that green frame. I can't wait until I have a house to decorate!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I thought the dresser looked nice before but now it's even better. Such a gorgeous blue and it goes so well with that mirror.

    Thanks for the info on the chalk paint. I see Annie Sloan talked about all the time but since I've never really painted anything, I didn't know what all the fuss was about.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've painted several pieces of furniture but have never tried chalk paint. I'm itching to try it now! It looks awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love the pop of blue - it's gorgeous! (But I also liked the black...I wasn't the one living with it, but it was very timeless and elegant from my virtual "visits" to your home!)

    Will the wax coating make it hard(er) when you want to swap out colors again?

    Thanks!
    Terry @ Domesticated Dilettante

    ReplyDelete
  52. You did a fantastic job! I'm obsessed with that color blue!

    ReplyDelete
  53. That color is absolutely gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I've been visiting you for a few years, and don't comment often, but MUST tell you how lovely this is! I'm not normally a blue fan (in decor), I even panicked a little at the thought of "defacing" your perfect-in-that-spot black buffet. But, you have made me see the (blue) light!! What a GORGEOUS vignette, and INSPIRED transformation! I'm off to drive 35 miles to buy some ASCP. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Just Purchased some the other day and waiting for its arrival! cant wait to try! thank for posting I am now totally inspired. BTW I love your site and your home.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh my gosh! I just bought a sample jar of this color. I was thinking it's such a pretty color and I'm surprised more people don't use it! Your buffet turned out beautiful. Gorgeous color.

    -Colleen

    www.58waterstreet.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love the combination of the dark blue and springy green! It's so unique and fresh. I've been wanting to use chalk paint on something forever, but I just haven't found any furniture that needs painting. At the first sign of scratches on a piece of furniture, it's on!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love it! It's such a nice color. I too like the distressed look...it definitely helps to camouflage little imperfections that happen over time. That's also why I like a light layer of glaze too (helps hide dirt haha).

    ReplyDelete
  59. I fell in love with this color the second I saw it too last spring! I bought it and have since painted exactly one frame with it. My MIL just gave me a beautiful dresser for Christmas that is sitting in my foyer too awaiting a makeover. I've been gathering samples and ideas but you just inspired me to use what I already have onhand! So beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Did you use a quart or a gallon of the paint? It looks like a quart to me, but my husband said there is no way you used that little of paint on the dresser! It looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow, I love the knew color! You may not like your tile, but I think it looks really good with this paint color. Or at least on my monitor! :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. I agree with everyone else - gorgeous color! I can't help trying to read the titles of the books in the little cage. I always want to know what old books people have.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Very pretty color! It does add a new dimension to your foyer area.

    I have not yet tried either ASCP or CeCe Caldwell's. I have made my own chalk paint and have liked the results. But call me nuts, when I paint an item I want it to look fresh and new annnnnnnd...not distressed.

    ReplyDelete
  64. It turned out so pretty! I love that color!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Great job Sarah! You always make it look quick and easy.

    ReplyDelete
  66. That is a gorgeous color! It looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Love this! The color turned out perfect, and it goes so well with the green frame, so spring. I have a love/hate relationship with chalk paint, love that there is no sanding and priming, but hate the wax, plus, I find that it marks way too easily. I recently used BM Regal line in Matte, it goes on like chalk paint, and drieS beautifully, without wax or any other protective coat, plus, it's way cheaper then chalk paint.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Awesome job, Sarah! It's the perfect pop of color in your entryway. And you're right-- it goes well with the gallery above.

    I've had a quart of ASCP waiting on me since September but I'm being a big chicken about painting with it. Maybe I'll take the leap by this September.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Soooo pretty. I am like you -- I didn't have a hint of blue in my house until recently. I recently used ASCP for the first time. Now I think I know what my next color purchase might be! :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Looks awesome! I love how it turned out. The color is so fresh and looks great in your entry.

    I painted my coffee table in Aubusson blue last year, but used dark wax over it to tone down the color (I have gray/blue walls in my living room, so the bright was a little too much). I could go nuts with this color!! If you want to take a look, check out this link http://lilacsandlonghorns.blogspot.com/p/diy-projects.html I LOVE Annie Sloan paint...have sooo many projects I'd like to do!

    ReplyDelete
  71. BTW...I have made my own chalk paint with plaster of paris before...it's really chalk BOARD paint and not at all like ASCP. If there's a formula for something like ASCP I haven't tried it. Also...thanks for the info about CeCe's wax...that's good to know. I almost bought some of her paint the other day but then decided against it. Now I just might go back and try some! :)

    ReplyDelete
  72. @TDC do you think the black base influenced the color blue that you ended up with? I ask because I want to use this same color on my office kitchen cabinets which are currently oak but I'd like to end up with a result closer to what you have here. What do you think? Should I use a dark priming color first?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good question -- I don't think it made a big difference because the paint is so saturated. You could always just paint some on and see how it covers and then decide. But I don't think you'll need a primer. Good luck!

      Delete
  73. Where can I get the Annie Sloan chalk paint?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to look online to find shops that carry it or I believe you can order online.

      Delete
  74. Does anyone know of a similar color in a non chalk paint? :)

    ReplyDelete

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!