It's that time of the month again, and I am so excited to have been introduced to Pure & Original chalk based paint, the sponsor of this month's contest. The theme is Pure Colors, Original Elegance. I am particularly partial to this theme's context because I love preserving as much of the original character of a piece as possible, when possible.
For my piece I chose a vintage French Provincial china cabinet which I had been hanging on to for just the right feel. When this paint company announced its sponsorship, I knew this was my cabinet's time to shine. Pure and Original paint is a beautifully pigmented quality product that lends an authentic old world essence with its super matte finish and the paint tone.
I selected two colors, Polar Blue, a gray, icy blue and Libo Bay a historical looking color that has a teal undertone. These two colors are from their Classico line which they describe as, "A chalk based paint made with 100% natural pigments that creates a velvet, powdery and matte finish." I had thought I would be choosing between the two for the cabinet, but when they arrived, they complimented one another perfectly. I was thrilled to use them both on my project.
The paint itself is a delight. It has very little odor, glides on smoothly with a brush, which is my preferred application method, leaving very little brush stroke evidence with the first coat and even less after the second. Good stuff. It also has excellent brush-over capability. If you brush back over a previous stroke fairly quickly, it does not pull the first layer off or make it gravelly as I have experienced to my chagrin. It smooths right over top given the first stroke is still damp and freshly applied. I loved this because I can tend to be tedious when it comes to wanting straight strokes that leave little path marks. Another fine feature of this chalk based paint is that it has wonderful hyde qualities. It slathers on nicely and sheers itself out to blend seamlessly leaving a flat and cohesive finish.
Back to the cabinet. I love the French Provincial style. The classic, classy, elegant, fun, dreamy, swirly, curvy features of it are so easily merged with other styles. The theme could not have suited this piece more. It had the Original elegance, now it needed the Pure color to play up its beauty.
I also adore the flared swirly leaf pulls which are characteristic of French Provincial. And these had acquired a lovely patina, so I opted to keep the originals as they are genuine to the piece and suit the theme as well. I exchanged the dated gold trimmed glass panels for some Country French Chic chicken wire. What a nightmare that became. First I cut the wire slightly too large, a habit I have to prevent shortage. But this time, I could not fit it into the previous slots. So I had to attack it with my scissors again, because of which my thumb knuckle and forefinger are brutally sore. Then, my daughters friend accidentally tripped over our dog and fell on the wire mashing it out of shape. Next, my staple gun ran out of staples so I had to use a heavy duty one which required double fists to punch it. Well, to get the angle in the side spaces, I had to sit in the cabinet and twist my arms sideways. Horror. Many misguided staples went flying. Anyway, it all ended well as I love the wire far better than the glass. However, I did save the glass just in case the new owner wants them for nostalgia's sake.
And here it be all prettied up with pure color in its original elegance:
For my piece I chose a vintage French Provincial china cabinet which I had been hanging on to for just the right feel. When this paint company announced its sponsorship, I knew this was my cabinet's time to shine. Pure and Original paint is a beautifully pigmented quality product that lends an authentic old world essence with its super matte finish and the paint tone.
I selected two colors, Polar Blue, a gray, icy blue and Libo Bay a historical looking color that has a teal undertone. These two colors are from their Classico line which they describe as, "A chalk based paint made with 100% natural pigments that creates a velvet, powdery and matte finish." I had thought I would be choosing between the two for the cabinet, but when they arrived, they complimented one another perfectly. I was thrilled to use them both on my project.
The paint itself is a delight. It has very little odor, glides on smoothly with a brush, which is my preferred application method, leaving very little brush stroke evidence with the first coat and even less after the second. Good stuff. It also has excellent brush-over capability. If you brush back over a previous stroke fairly quickly, it does not pull the first layer off or make it gravelly as I have experienced to my chagrin. It smooths right over top given the first stroke is still damp and freshly applied. I loved this because I can tend to be tedious when it comes to wanting straight strokes that leave little path marks. Another fine feature of this chalk based paint is that it has wonderful hyde qualities. It slathers on nicely and sheers itself out to blend seamlessly leaving a flat and cohesive finish.
Back to the cabinet. I love the French Provincial style. The classic, classy, elegant, fun, dreamy, swirly, curvy features of it are so easily merged with other styles. The theme could not have suited this piece more. It had the Original elegance, now it needed the Pure color to play up its beauty.
I also adore the flared swirly leaf pulls which are characteristic of French Provincial. And these had acquired a lovely patina, so I opted to keep the originals as they are genuine to the piece and suit the theme as well. I exchanged the dated gold trimmed glass panels for some Country French Chic chicken wire. What a nightmare that became. First I cut the wire slightly too large, a habit I have to prevent shortage. But this time, I could not fit it into the previous slots. So I had to attack it with my scissors again, because of which my thumb knuckle and forefinger are brutally sore. Then, my daughters friend accidentally tripped over our dog and fell on the wire mashing it out of shape. Next, my staple gun ran out of staples so I had to use a heavy duty one which required double fists to punch it. Well, to get the angle in the side spaces, I had to sit in the cabinet and twist my arms sideways. Horror. Many misguided staples went flying. Anyway, it all ended well as I love the wire far better than the glass. However, I did save the glass just in case the new owner wants them for nostalgia's sake.
And here it be all prettied up with pure color in its original elegance:
A little reminder of the frumpy flat brown to the now fabulous french blue:
All that elegance for which I credit French Provincial and Pure & Original paint. Another excellent feature of their paint is that it does not require a topcoat. Wow. Now that is a rarity. They state that it dries to a rock hard finish and may be washed two weeks post application. Awesome, I say. I admit I felt a bit naked not top coating the china cabinet, but I refrained. I love the silky matte finish that looks elegant and rustic and soft. That's a tough combination to pull off from just one product, but Pure & Original did it remarkably.
In keeping with the Country French/French provincial original style, I staged it with some soft decor items. I could see this in a bedroom, sitting room, dining room, kitchen....anywhere that the lovely Libo Bay blue will add a cheery, comforting touch.
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My Grandmother's beautiful red chinaware was begging for a role in this makeover, so I happily obliged.
As always I want to thank not only our monthly theme's sponsor, Pure & Original, but also the hard working hosts behind the entire Fab Furniture Flippin' Contest, Stacy from Anastasia Vintage, and Carrie from Thirty Eighth Street. For more information regarding the contest, please email info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com.
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