Saturday, August 4, 2012

Weathered Whites {DIY}





Another week of summer is upon us

and this week I am sharing

 my dry brush painting { DIY } using

the Dior home staple colors of white and grays!






I love neutral colors on vintage furniture





Every room is filled with whites and grays







Since the Dior home is based in neutrals

 washing the white and grays with dry brushing

 is one of my favorite furniture treatments

for our coastal styled home.





I love to paint the old fashioned way so each piece

is sanded first completely by Mr. Dior.

This technique works so well

since at this point I am working with bare wood.

I pour a small amount of any shade of white paint {flat}

on a paper plate, then a small amount of {flat} gray

on another. I usually have two or three

inexpensive paint brushes to work with.

{I use the wood handled brushes from the Dollar tree}

If you wash and clean them properly you can get a months

worth of painting out of them.




Without placing too much paint on to the brush

I start covering the surface. Sometimes depending on the

look I want to achieve I will do one or two coats.

I know this is more of a labor involved way than

if I were using Anne Sloan Chalk paint.

I have been painting like this for fifteen years

and it is still the way I love to paint.




I then start dry brushing the gray over the surface

immediately. That way it is still a bit damp when applying

the gray color. I still use minimal paint on my brush at all times.





Now half way through I start to wipe the gray off

with a clean dry {WHITE} wash cloth {Not a rag}. The effect is

much different than what a rag will create.





After finishing the bottom half and wiping off the gray I am

almost to the end of the process.

When the furniture is completely dry you can repeat

the steps if you feel you want more white or gray color.

Using 120 grit sandpaper on my hand sander I

will then distress the piece accordingly.





The last part is to rub a clear wax over the entire painted

surface. I use clear Min Wax from the hardware store.

{Any brand of clear wax will work}






With our head board I went heavier with the gray

than the white paint. Then finished with a clear wax.






With this shutter I did a bit more

of the white. Then added another coat of gray

to the center and the sides.


Its easy to play with it till

you reach the look you want for your piece.





This table is done in the white only

then wiped off and

finished with the clear wax.

I never dilute my paint with water

I only wipe off to thin it out

and by using the paint in small amounts

it helps me control how much goes on to the brush.





The light gray used in all of these

projects is from Benjamin Moore

called { Pigeon Gray }



My newest gray love is also

from the Benjamin Moore line

called none other than

{ Dior Gray }





Pictured here the {Dior Gray}

 color has a deep gray tone that gives

this vintage table a great strong look!







I will be linking up this week with

some fabulous and amazing gals!

Kathleen's White Wednesday




Please email me using my link if you have any

further questions. I am always happy to answer!





Have a beautiful week!!
XOXO

39 comments:

  1. So beautiful Ms. Kate ... Gonna pin this one to use at a later date : )
    Hugs to you my deary ~
    Deanna

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  2. You always do such a wonderful job with your weathered finish, Kate. Dry brushing is one of my favorite things to do.

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  3. YES!! I have been hoping you would do a tutorial on your dry brush technique. Thank you! Your pieces always look so amazing! I usually have success with dry brushing smaller pieces, but on larger ones not so much. I will have to try using a wash cloth.

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  4. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for your tutorial. I love this look but when I try to accomplish it it never looks right, I think I have been using way too much paint. Thanks for sharing. Sending wonderful blessings your way,
    Jeanette

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  5. Hi Kate,
    Thank you so much for your painting tips. I always love how your pieces turn out!
    I hope you've been having a lovely summer!
    Have a wonderful afternoon.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  6. Hello my Dear!
    I too paint the same way...the old fashioned way that is :)I love to paint each piece by hand and then wax it. i have yet to by the infamous AS paint,however I do use her clear wax and I LOVE it! As usually my friend it looks marvelous darling...just marvelous. Enjoy the rest of your week!!!

    XO,
    Shiela

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  7. As always, everything looks great!!

    Take care,
    Sue

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  8. How sweet of you to share the good stuff Kate,I am sure lots of people will get inspired and perhaps try on their own!?
    Love your greys!!!And how about that table!!!
    Tovehugs:)

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  9. Wowwww like your style of decorations darling !!...love what you do......love you....seize the day...xxx...

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  10. Thanks for the tips. I have a beautiful old cabinet that I have finally decided to paint white. I bought ASCP in old white and will try to copy your painting style.

    Your piece is beautiful!

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  11. I have never painted this way, thanks so much for the tutorial. I am going to have to find a piece of furniture to try this on. By the way, I love the Union jack table, sooo cute !!

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  12. Kate,
    Thank you for sharing your technique.I have not layered my painting when I dry brush.But I will try this.This is a fun technique.Your pieces are beautiful.Love the color and textures.
    xx
    Anne

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  13. Hi Kate, I have been wondering how to do this. I have a little stationary desk that I want to paint this way. Maybe I can do that on a day when my son starts back to school. I don't have a sander, but I think just using the wash cloth will help me achieve the look I would like. Thank you so much for sharing your technique. It gives beautiful results.

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  14. Your items all look lovely. I love to dry brush also. If you look at my current post, you will see a little bench I just did. I have yet to put the wax on because I haven't been to get any. I do plan to do that this week though.

    Love your grays too!

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  15. I love how this technique looks, Kate! Is the gray paint flat, as well? Thanks for sharing the tutorial and the paint color names, too!

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  16. I always wondered what dry brushing meant. I mean, isn't your brush dry when you put it in the paint. ha! :) Now I know. You are definitely an expert at it after 15 years. I have very little patience for painting and don't think I could get the same results if I even tried. Happy August to you! Tammy

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  17. Awesome post, Kate. I love Pigeon Gray. When I was staging homes, that was my go-to color. I always got calls wanting to know the name. It truly is a great color. Happy weekend!

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  18. SO gorgeous. Please come help me. AND my poor house....lol.

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  19. Beautiful. You do this painting soo perfect.

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  20. Awesome tutorial my friend! I'm so glad you finally shared your secrets. The Dior Gray is amazing, and have lucky you are to have a paint color named after you! ;)

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  21. Great tutorial Kate, everything you do is so beautiful. I'm working on this technique, thanks for the great tips!

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  22. I love it all! Nice Union Jacks pieces.

    (especially those ruffled hemp pillowcases)

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  23. Beautiful job and fabulous tutorial, Kate! Thanks for sharing your tips! Your furniture always ends up looking so soft and natural! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  24. I love your style and I love your blog! I have never tried painting like that but your pieces turn out beautiful! Thank you for your great tutorial I am going to try this in the future! I am also your newest follower!

    -Peggy

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  25. wow, LOVE that darker gray table with the UJ stripe! such a great look, and as always, love everyting you do. Why don't I live close enough to shop your spaces at CR? xoxo

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  26. Nice job painting! It looks so nice and shabby chic/vintage now! Thanks for sharing.



    Ciao Bella
    Your newest follower
    Sensible Sarah

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  27. Hi Kate, I use to do alot of dry brushing. Have not done it in a long time. Time to get back to basics I think. Thanks for sharing all of your great tips with Share Your Cup. I think the Dior Grey is as lovely as you! The table is fab!
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Love the weathered look of all the pieces...they look as though they have been gracefully aging for years - beautiful! I am just beginning to change our home design to coastal --- I have a very long way to go but love the inspiration {thanks!}

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  29. Love this look Kate...thanks for sharing your secret! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

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  30. so nice to you to share your techniques! love the way your things turn out...very stylish! lovin' the Dior Grey!!

    xoxo

    Polly

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  31. Hello Kate!

    I just came across your site through mutual blogging friends, and just LOVE it! So happy to have found you! I am your newest follower and have added your inspiring blog to my blog roll. :) Take care and have a wonderful day!


    XOXO's,
    Jessie

    acozycottageinthecity.blogspot.com

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  32. Kate,
    Thanks so much for sharing all your tips..I will be sure to try it out soon.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  33. I love to learn a new painting technique, and I have never seen someone paint like this. Every piece you have shared is just gorgeous. Going to check out the rest of your wonderful work now. Visiting from Common Ground. Thanks for sharing! -K

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  34. Your tips are great and appreciated! Your painting is amazing! Love your blog! I'm now following along and look forward to more inspiring posts!

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  35. What a straight forward painting effect! Love it:)Lovin your blog as well and following you now:)Please stop by some time and get to know your new friend!

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  36. Dear Kate,

    Thanks for the tutorial. Your technique is def different than what others do but I like it. I will be checking out paint brushes at the dollar store since I tend to ruin Purdy brushes!! I'm going to try this on a piece of my furniture!! Glad to see a picture of you in action!! Please show more!

    Pat

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  37. Can you make a YouTube video of you doing this? I love the look!

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  38. Your finishes are gorgeous and look perfectly time worn. I have stopped by before but am now your newest follower.

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