Remember that fabulous aunt I mentioned a couple of weeks ago? The one that gave me a few pieces of solid wood furniture? I have her to thank for this fantastic piece as well!

Here’s how it started out. Cool roll-top, but very un-cool 80’s oak. This thing was is great shape! It just needed a make-over.

I started by removing all the old hardware. Next, I began to remove the roll-top portion. I originally wanted to keep the roll-top in tact and paint it to match, in case whoever bought it would like to keep it, but as I started to remove it, I realized that I couldn’t remove it and keep it intact. Some roll-tops are made to be removable- this one was NOT!

As I was pulling everything apart, I found some old papers and coupons. A couple made me laugh. Check out the expiration date on this coupon! (7/2/89)

After I pulled the roll-top off, this is what I had left.

I’ve been dying to try Ce Ce Caldwell chalk and clay paint for a long time now. I prefer the color pallete to ASCP, the stockist is closer to my house, its cheaper than ASCP and I have to be honest, it’s not so trendy and over-done. While in the store trying to decide what color to buy, I saw a sample piece with several layers of colors, one, which happened to be Georgia Clay. I fell in love! I liked that it was a unique color (especially for me) and I started getting ideas on how to layer it.

I then removed the wood top, and painted the whole body and drawer faces with 2 coats Georgia Clay.

How does it compare to ASCP? Well, it doesn’t seem to cover quite as well, but still better than latex. I prefer the texture when dry; not quite as sandpaper-like as Annie Sloan and it seems quite a bit more durable before being sealed. I can’t stand the smell though! Smells just like Playdough (probably the clay in it), but not a headache causing smell. All in all, in my limited experience, I prefer Ce Ce Caldwell to Annie Sloan.

As the second coat of Georgia Clay was drying, I used a rag to distress the edges and handles.  I love the way this paint distressed! Very natural looking.

The next step I did something a little different. I went ahead and sealed everything with one coat PolyAcrylic in satin. Why? Well, I knew I wanted to layer color and if I had applied wax, only chalk paint could have been applied over it. Also, I knew I was going to use dark wax, and I knew I needed to seal the paint so it wouldn’t absorb too much dark wax and look muddy.

Next, I lightly dry brushed 2 shades of latex paint (“oops paint” testers) and 1 shade of acrylic.

Then, I applied 1 coat of Ce Ce Caldwell dark wax all over. One little sample pot was more than enough to cover the entire piece and it was SUPER easy to apply; just rub it in well with a rag, wait 15-20 mins and buff it off with a dry cloth. I then sealed everything with a coat of SC Johnson wax in natural.

After dark wax on the left, before on the right.

For the top, I busted out the belt sander. If you don’t have one yet, go get one. It’s life changing, especially if you need to strip paint and stain. I made-do with a little finish sander for years. The first time I used my belt sander, I shouted ” Where have you been all my life?!” They aren’t much more than a finish sander, and well worth the investment.

This is what the wood looked like stripped clean.

I then applied 1 coat of wood conditioner, let it sit 15-20 mins, and lightly sanded with 220 grit to bring down the raised grain. Next, I applied 1 coat of Minwax stain in Dark Walnut. After that was dry, I applied 1 coat of English Chestnut to warm things up.

I dropped the can of stain and take a look at how beautiful it made my feet look!

The next morning, I mixed up some custom glaze, like you can read about in this tutorial. I mixed in some raw umber and a good deal of black paint. I wanted to deepen the color of the wood, and I wanted to minimize a bit of the oak grain. I brushed on 1 coat and let dry several hours. I then sealed the top with 3 coats PAS.

I l-o-v-e this satin color. So rich. Just the perfect mix of warm and cool. My new favorite.

I attached the top to the body, added some new hardware I found 50% off at Hobby Lobby, and here’s the finished look.

Remodelaholic