Mud Paint versus Chalk Paint

I get many questions about Mud Paint versus Chalk Paint such as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I want to mention that I am a Mud Paint retailer but am giving my opinion by experience.

I have tried many types of furniture paints and also mixed my own chalk type paint. I use brush, roller and sprayer for application. My top three preferences are as follows:

Mixing your own chalk type paint: I preferred the formula that used plaster of paris, water and paint. This covered well but the downside is that you really have to mix and mix to get the grittiness out. It did store well and I could just add a little water if it was too thick. A bonus is that I could end up with any color I wanted.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: This is a very good Chalk Paint. I found that I had to use 2 coats to get the coverage I desired though. Once you use enough coats it has nice look when finished. Also there was a small amount of grit to this product, as with most chalk paints. This paint is very popular in my area.

Mud Paint: My paint of choice is Mud Paint. It is Low VOC and LEED compliant. This goes on smooth and in my experience, takes one coat with a brush. There is no grit as it is not a chalk paint but is made with organic compounds. This paint is great for antiquing and distressing. I love, love, love this paint! They have a great selection of colors.

Mud Paint Clear Coat is a must use in my opinion. In fact, I use Mud Paint Clear Coat as a sealer for all my furniture paint uses. It has a leveling ingredient that will smooth out brush strokes.

Pictures from left to right: Mud Paint, table & chairs using DYI chalk like paint, chair using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, desk using Mud Paint.

New Season Begins at Sweet-tique

With a new season beginning at Sweet-tique, I have been tossing around new/different ideas to add to the Sweet-tique shop. As a small shop owner I must always be aware of any changes going on, not only in my area but in the U.S. and also be aware of world trends. That is quite a fete for a small rural shop. I am a country girl at heart so will probably add more country and maybe bling it up a bit.

I have a couple pieces of furniture that I am getting ready to work on. Last summer I purchased an antique twin bed, both headboard and footboard. It really is just beautiful so I am still tossing around just what I will do with them. I also have an vintage Lane Cedar Chest. The wood matches the twin bed so I plan on doing something to them as a set.

I am trying to decide if I would like to do a dark color base, light color on top and then distress. Another option is a light color with a colored wax. I like to use colored wax but it is more time consuming than just painting and distressing. I may also just try to restore and distress the finish a bit. Of course, many of my decisions are truly based on time constraints since I do work a full-time job and use this as my "fun-time" job.

My sealer choice will probably be a clear wax coating, though I also am considering poly acrylic. I am out of Mud Paint Clear Coat which is the sealer of choice for me. I doubt I can get an order in stock in the time frame I am looking at.