Annie Sloan chalk paint

Oh no, I'm so disappointed to hear that Tegan. I first heard of that make of paint on Mumsnet and thought it sounded amazing. I'd planned on using it on my kitchen chairs.

Were both coats totally dry?

It's supposed to dry very quickly. My son used it on a kitchen table and said it wasn't tough enough although it would have been ok on the legs [it was a very heavily varnished table though]. My daughter is going to be using a lot of it soon so I'll let you know how she gets on with it. I'm painting lots of things with it;found a letter rack in the loft which I didn't like as it was a bit twee for me, but it looks good painted white. Will be interesting to see how the paint outside copes with wet weather. I'd be careful about using it on chairs without trying it on something else first. I'm wondering if it's best to put a watered down coat on first, as the paint is very gluey.

Yes, gluey chairs could prove problematic - I'd never get rid of people!

Must say the cupboard I've just done looks a million times better than it was before [ie yellowing, knotty pine] and the wax coat has smoothed the surface out; but I've still got lumpy bits on one side. However as it's the side against a wall it doesn't matter.

My sister used it, and she is usually totally inept at everything, but her cupboard looks great

I did an outside table with it last year - it was very not the day I did it so had a bowl of water to dip the brush into to water paint down two coats and then the wax - it is under a roof so not totally exposed but has lasted and looks ok still. I gave a cupboard one coat but need to do a second and wax it - I prefer the wax finish. OH painted shelves in the utility with it and that is fine too. Not had any lumpiness . I used Paris Grey. I have heard since it is emulsion paint with plaster of Paris added - if that works the colour palette would be much wider. I have a friend who has done it but so far I have not.

Pleased to hear about the shelves; I've got some that need painting and was wondering which paint to use. This is all because, having just come back from holiday [and not even unpacked] I've decided to decorate the bedroom. It's only when you decorate a room that you realise how much junk you've got in it .

I thought about trying this paint, but the reviews were very mixed. I think it is fine if you want the shabby chic look. We were painting some old Ducal dark pine and decided to use Farrow and Ball as we wanted something more like the painted dressers in the shops. The paint was expensive, but we used the primer as well and covered a dresser, sideboard, mirror frame, computer desk and fireplace frame for £80 and still have paint left if any touching up needed which has not been the case 8 months on. I think it all depends on the look you want. We are not shabby chic people I suppose.

I've now bought a tin of Annie Sloan grey paint as well. I'm painting everything. Then great thing is that you can just go back and paint things after a few minutes. I've found that it's easier to use when slightly watered down. And I keep seeing furniture in second hand shops that I want to buy because I know they'd look great painted.

That's the problem Tegan once you have successfully painted something and see the transformation, you are hooked . I bought the first book Annie Sloan brought out in the 80's then Kevin McLeod's paint finishes.

I have accumulated lots of product from a company called Liberon who also do coloured waxes to finish. Unfortunately I can only buy these in France.

DD1 has got the bug now and actually got a beautiful cabinet free on Gumtree as the woman had just grown tired of it.

I'm being very careful not to paint anything that's in dark wood, sticking only to the old, yellow knotty pine stuff that was draining all of the colour out of the rooms they were in. The shelf [ two shelves together actually] has come up quite well, but it's taken me ages to paint. The brushes are now just soaking in a bit of water waiting to be re used today. It's so idiot proof [thus far].

We never possible, like painting a flat surface, I use a radiator roller instead of a brush. It's much quicker and can help avoid streaks.

Whenever even

I was wondering about using a roller. A decorator years ago used a roller to paint some doors for me and it made the job so much easier. I have, however chickened out of painting the bedroom walls and ceiling and I'm getting a quote for the job. It takes me forever to paint things like skirting board [and my knees don't thank me for it, either ].

I'm in the same boat. Extremely annoying when my mind has more energy than my body and restricts me from doing what I enjoy.

Bought a little roller to use today. If you could see the mess the rest of the house is in with me doing this painting ...

Ooh never thought of using a radiator roller like that. Thanks! Am kicking myself cos they had sets of two with a mini tray at a bargain price in Screwfix and I could not think what I would use it for.

Tegan I sit on the floor to do skirting boards with pages from glossy magazines slipped under them to save the carpet, easier than taping. My bottom can take the strain better than my knees

Let me know how you get on? I have been meaning to try her stuff for years and never got around to it.

My house is fairly shabby chic, and I have always painted everything in sight. I prefer to buy old furniture made of real wood and do it up rather than buy melamine that falls apart after a couple of years. I usually buy a good Crown or Dulux matt emulsion, give it a few coats and then finish off with a matt clear varnish. It works wonderfully on old kitchen cupboards. We have moved around so often that we could never have afforded to replace all those outdated kitchens and bathrooms, it was easier to update the colours. Also no-one would ever know that my bathroom and kitchen tiles are painted, too.

Paintaholics 'R' Us!

DD has certainly got the bug now too. She loves the shabby chic look but, I have to keep,reminding her she does need space for all these amazing finds she sends me links to!

I use rollers too, whenever possible.

Have you tried Preloved, Agus? It's wonderful for old furniture, you can set a search for your area. Not that you need any more...

The roller is brilliant. I'm painting an old pine cupboard whilst I'm painting the bedroom and I just go back to it and put another coat on every so often. Unlike the first cupboard, which I painted with a brush [and had lumps in it] the paint goes on very finely and I just add layer after layer. I'm going to use a sponge on the handles [which aren't removable] and the roller has worked well on them, but can't go into the grooves etc. I did notice when I went to Wickes to buy the roller that they now sell something called chalk paint, so I'm thinking that they've jumped on the bandwagon. As I said, I bought the roller from Wickes but then, annoyingly when I went to Wilkos to buy the paint [Dulux 5L for £25 on offer] their rollers are much cheaper. Whenever I go to Wilkos I always have to remind myself to check their prices for everything; I love that shop [still a family run business I believe]. It's the carpet that needs replacing [this is what spurred me into decorating the room; no point replacing a carpet without decorating the room first and this carpet is nearly as old as me and, quite frankly in even worse condition]. Problem is that the one thing I can't do is the ceiling so that will hold the rest of the work up. One good thing about being retired is that I can nip into any charity shop I pass and find bargain furniture that would look good with a coat of paint. I've never used rollers before [even on walls] so using them is a revelation.

I know - you will never go back. I first discovered them when I had to paint behind a radiator. A thin roller with a long handle was the only thing that would reach. And the replacement heads are so cheap now.

Pleased the roller idea worked for you Tegan. As you say, it cuts the time in half and a smoother finish. I love browsing in charity shops, of which we have a lot more now since the recession started it seems.

We have Glasgow Antiques Centre nearby, a huge building packed with all sorts plus an Annie Sloan section who do demonstrations. Must go along sometime since reading this thread.

DD has been salivating over Preloved jane then looking at 'Pinterest' for more ideas.