Makeover of an entrance bench with chalk paint

On prepair

Firstly my client’s furniture had an old oiled finish, so I sprayed the Cleaner and Varnish remover on all surfaces and I left it on for 30 minutes. Once the time had elapsed, I took care to rinse several times using a cloth with hot water, in order to remove all the residue. 

I let it dry for an hour before continuing my work.  

The colour

Since the bench was quite dark and the Colorantic chalk paint is very covering, two coats of  Sunflower paint will have been sufficient. 

Colorantic chalk paint dries quickly, so drying time is quick. You can apply a second coat 30 minutes after the first coat.  

Antiquage

Once the last coat of paint was applied and before it dried completely, I proceeded to l’antiquage.

Using a white cloth dampened with warm water, I rubbed in strategic areas to remove paint to imitate wear caused by time. In a few places I used the sanding block.

• I could have antiquate more using a colored glaze or dark wax from Colorantic, which would have created a more rustic look.

Finishing

Before finishing, I waited about two hours to make sure the paint was completely dry. 

I applied a first coat of varnish, and once dry I sanded lightly using 400 grit paper. I made sure to dust very well before applying the second coat of varnish. 

I used varnish rather than wax since the bench is placed in an entryway and my clients needed a piece of furniture that was easy to clean frequently.

The entrance to the house being made of wood, this bench in a punchy color brings a very nice touch of light to the room. My client’s decor being rustic and warm, the new bench suits her current decor perfectly. 

If you need advice on upgrading, do not hesitate to contact the extraordinary Colorantic team who will be happy to guide you.