My Kitchen Cabinets with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

If you follow my blog, you know that I am an avid user of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. So when it came time to remodel our kitchen, we knew that chalk paint cabinets was the direction to go. My husband and I happily divided the tasks. He would handle construction and installation. I would handle the cabinet painting, kitchen design and appliances. Our theme for the room is "Farmhouse Chic" and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.

Now...the cabinets.
I would like to add a bit of disclaimer here. I LOVE Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I really don't ever want to use anything else. That said, it is easier for me to use ASCP. My booth is at Carter's Cottage, our local Annie Sloan headquarters. I understand that if you have not tried it and it is difficult to come by in your area, you might be hesitant. I was the same way until Christie became a stockist and my go-to paint girl. However, knowing what I know now, I would order it in a heartbeat.

Ok, here is my list of supplies:
2 cans Old Ochre
2 cans French Linen
1 jug Lacquer*
*I will get to that soon.

I began the process by wiping down all of the cabinets to remove any grease from the stove. The former owners were very clean so this was pretty easy. Next, I began my normal painting routine, just as I would a piece of furniture. I prefer a brush for most projects but for the size of this one I used a brush and a roller. The trim around the cabinet doors was very easy to paint and went on smoothly in one coat. The doors were a bit trickier do to curves and notches. We painted over a 3-4 day span but it could have been done in 1-2 if I had taken a day off. It went very quickly.

Once the desired amount of paint was used on the cabinets, I began my normal sanding process. 400 grit sandpaper on a hand sander. I sanded everything to my desired look. Again, our look is "Farmhouse Chic" so brush strokes and imperfections were welcomed. We lived in the dust for about a week. It wasn't terrible but I don't really want to do it again. ;)

So now the question was...Wax or Lacquer? I use Annie Sloan Wax on 99% of my projects and have really liked the result. However, I was hesitant to use it on these cabinets because of questions of durability and time involved. I couldn't imagine hand waxing all of it 3 times. UGG!! So I posted a question on Annie Sloan's wall to ask that question: Wax or Lacquer? She said wax is the way to go. However, after further conversations with my paint guru Christie, I decided on the lacquer. That being said, my friend Sherrie from A Ruffled Nest used the wax on her cabinets and is loving them.

I began the Lacquering process by using a foam roller but didn't feel comfortable with it. I couldn't get it to stop bubbling. I then switched to my trusty small detail paint brush. It is about 1/2 inch wide so the process was slow going around the trim. However, I felt more comfortable. For the doors I switched to a larger brush but didn't like the feel so I went back to my 1/2 in. It was again, SLOW GOING.

At first, I was nervous about the finish. It slightly tinted the Old Ochre and brush strokes were evident at the beginning but I got that figured out as I went. I waited for it to dry and then put another light coat on and touched up any areas I missed. I am still seeing places that I need to touch up. I think I was nervous because I have been waxing so much that a poly type product seemed very foreign.

As for the color, it tinted it into a more rustic look. For our purpose it turned out great! I love it. However, If I wanted a white, shabby chic kitchen, I don't know if it would be the best choice.

Now the question is...durability. It is a floor lacquer made for high traffic areas. It should be very durable but only time will tell. I will post an update every couple of months.

***Tonight is a full week since the lacquer has been applied and it seems to have settled. Some areas in which I was contemplating sanding down again, no longer have brush marks. I am so pleased with the finish.

So...All in all, I am extremely thrilled with my colors, the paint and the finish. I would definitely do it exactly the same way if I had to do it again.