Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop

From the keypad of Peggy Pardo…

Have you ever attended a workshop or class where from the moment you walked in you knew something extraordinary was going to happen? That’s exactly what I experienced when I participated in the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop hosted by Robyn Story Designs in Tampa a few weeks ago.

Before I start raving about the workshop, I’ll tell you a little about Annie Sloan Chalk Paints. Only recently did I became acquainted with this amazing paint. After I heard Annie Sloan’s concept for her paint, “Painting with our paint should always be a pleasure”, it piqued my interest even more. Annie says she developed this paint because she wanted a product that would have many uses “from acting like limewash to looking like old painted furniture” and with a color palette that could be easily extended by the user. There is also very little prep work involved, so you can get right to work creating something gorgeous. That’s our favorite part now, isn’t it?

Okay, back to the workshop. The feeling that something great was going to happen that day actually began at the front door. The workshop at Robyn Story Designs is held in one of their warehouse spaces. With all the doors at this facility, it was quite easy to pick out the right one. Not only is it painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but it also has a few extra embellishments that set it apart from all the other doors…

Once inside, I found a workshop setting that had been transformed from a storage area to a fully equipped classroom. This is obviously a room where creativity is nourished. And that day, so was the body. A scrumptious breakfast was set out for all the participants to enjoy. Everyone had a chance to nosh and mingle before the program began. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What a great way to get started! BTW – They also served us lunch, too!

Many of Annie Sloans books were also available for us to peruse. I have three of them myself - Creating the French Look, Quick and Easy Paint Transformations: 50 Step-by-step Ways to Makeover Your Home for Next to Nothing, and The Complete Book of Painting Techniques for the Home. Samples of work done with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint were everywhere about the room. On furniture, accessories, the walls and even the floor…

Stencil: Springtime in Paris, Royal Design Studio

You didn’t have to search high and low for a list of paint colors either. A whole wall (in reality an ingenius use of the storage door) was devoted to showing you Annie Sloan Chalk Paint samples…

Our work stations were fully stocked when we arrived and stayed that way the entire time! As we finished using one color, the used bowls were picked up and the next color was set out ready for us to use on the following finish. They equipped us with aprons, samples, and all the tools we needed. Everything was at our fingertips; we didn’t have to leave our comfortable chairs for a thing. To top it off, we didn’t have to wash a single brush all day either! Did I mention that the chairs were lovely to look at as well…

At each station, we were provided with a folder that included step-by-step instructions for all the finishes we would be learning, a schedule, color chart and information on Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and other Annie Sloan workshops. Every participant also had their own set of sample boards that were pre-labeled with their names, the type of finish and the colors and wax that was to be used. These boards were set out before the chairs and worked as placecards so we all knew where we were sitting…

Robyn Story kicked things off by telling us a little about herself and showing some examples of her fantastic design work. This beautiful lady is talented, funny, vivacious and a force of nature all her own. Her enthusiasm about Annie Sloan Chalk paint and everything design is completely contagious. By the time she was done speaking, her words had inspired us all…

Robyn’s right hand that day was the extremely knowledgeable, delightful and professional (but not in a stuffy way at all) Lori Rombold. She is an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint guru! It was easy to see why Robyn trusts her to present this workshop. She was able to answer all of our questions and was sincerely interested in what we had to say. The whole workshop ran smoothly with her at the helm…

We learned seven finishes in the workshop, but by far my favorite was the Two Color Distressed using Primer Red, Duck Egg Blue and both waxes. This finish totally changed a gaudy factory-finished piece of gold metallic painted molding into  something unique and dazzling. Let the transformation begin…

A short while later, voila! A thing of beauty to behold…

This has nothing to do with the workshop, but I found it very impressive. Robyn told us that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint will adhere to pretty much any surface. Then demonstrated this by showing us an upholstered chair in its original state…

And what it looked like after it was completely painted with this astonishing paint. And I do mean completely. The fabric was painted, too…

You obviously can’t tell from this picture, but the fabric had the feel and texture of fine aged leather. The cushion was still soft to the touch and comfortable to sit on. The paint didn’t leave any residue on your clothes either - and we tested it with someone that was wearing black pants! The way it was cracked and weathered looking yet soft, reminded us of an old bomber jacket…

I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to attend this enlightening workshop. Robyn is a wonderful hostess; she made it a terrific experience for everyone that attended. In the very beginning, Lori had made the comment that it was going to be a spa day for our souls and that summed it up perfectly. If you live in the area, you really must attend one of these workshops!

As this post is being written, my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project is almost ready for the clear wax coat. This paint has opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities for me. I look forward to sharing them with you.

Have you used this paint before? What types of projects have you done with it? I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers to all,
Peggy

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