My favorite specialty painter in the Santa Clarita Valley, and greater Los Angeles area for that matter is the very talented Cindi Rowley of Cindi Rowley Designs. Not to be confused with Cynthia Rowley (easily to confuse the two names).
Cindi Rowley has graced many of my client’s homes with her stunning paint finishes; Venetian Plaster, stenciling, custom ceiling medallions are just a few of the treatments she has added to my projects which put them over the top in my opinion. Cindi Rowley’s talent is “Next Level”!
I recently attended one of Cindi Rowley’s workshops using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was so pleased with the entire class, I wanted to share the process with you, my treasured readers!
Read on to see the journey Cindi took the five class attendees on one quiet Sunday in February, 2013.
Upon arrival, Cindi had this lovely display of the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint products, which also include fabrics now.
Cindi, in the smock, professionally guided us through this beginner workshop. Each participant was invited to bring an item to transform with paint. I chose a small table, while others chose picture frames, a small curio, a drawer, a picture frame and a bed post.
With the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint hand colored paint card as my guide, I selected the paint color for my accent table.
I was inspired by a piece Cindi had just completed for her bedroom, in a lovely color “French Linen”. She added these lovely mother-of-pearl knobs. How amazing is this piece? I wanted to put it in my house!
Here is the small color sample of French Linen on the left, leaning against my formerly “blue” table. On the right image, you can see one coat (wet) of French Linen on my table. Already taking on a new feel, right?
Here is a glimpse into the wet paint can, and again, one coat on my table. Annie Sloan chalk paint does not require sanding, base coat or multiple coats of paint! These chalk paint colors cover in one coat! That saves time, money and allows me to do more projects on a Sunday afternoon.
We also had the opportunity to paint small moulding samples with various finishes. Cindi was extremely organized and professional, while letting us still play and experiment with finishes. I felt like a kid in pre-school! The image on the left shows the Annie Sloan dark wax over pink (before I rubbed it off). Image on right is the pink paint with glaze on only right side of sample, rubbed off.
We did the same application with a Duck Egg blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. See how dramatic a difference the dark wax makes, it ages the paint finish, instantly!
Let’s check in on my classmates and see what they are creating, shall we? Jill started with a kicked-to-the-curb table, which she power sanded, then added a cream color, rubbed it back to reveal more of the blue, then added a dark wax. Her finished piece looks just amazing!
Bea worked with a bed post and picture frame. The picture frame started out an antiqued bronze. Bea added one coat of duck egg blue, followed by the dark wax. Presto, chango! A brand new look!
Bea purchased some paint to finish the rest of her bed to match the bed post from the workshop. She had great results. First coat was black, followed by a second coat of cream, then rubbing back to reveal a bit of the black (not too much), then a coat of dark wax to age the paint finish.
Cindi explained some advanced painting techniques available in her advanced workshop. That was a plain cabinet door transformed with paint and stencil treatment. Cindi has mad skills, but honestly, she can teach you how to do this!
My piece is coming along nicely. Left photo shows my table drying in the sunshine. Right photo is after the dark wax has been applied to the French Linen paint. I am thrilled with the outcome!
There are beautiful Annie Sloan European fabrics available for purchase by the yard to compliment these paint finishes. They can be used to upholster chairs, make pillows, table runners, bedding etc.
The right tools make all the difference with painting, so I purchased several paint colors and wax finishes, along with the Annie Sloan paint brushes, all of which, Cindi sells at the workshop!
Tawni transformed her Pottery Barn curio (originally black) with a coat of duck egg blue, followed by a coat of dark wax.
To really enhance a piece, consider changing out the knobs, yes… Cindi sells a line of these too. They remind me of the knobs I have seen at Restoration Hardware, only better!
Thought you’d like to see my piece at home next to my double chaise lounge. I think I’ll add a little vase and the book I am reading. I am very happy with all I learned and my first attempt at working with Annie Sloan chalk paint.
So if you want to learn more about an Annie Sloan workshop in your area, they are only conducted by authorized Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vendors. You can contact Cindi Rowley via email to learn about her schedule of classes, if you live in the southern California area.
If you need guidance in pulling a room or your entire home together, help is only a phone call away. As a professional designer, I have the ability to help you define and express your design style within a reasonable budget! Please check out my design portfolio, and if it feels right, I would be honored to have the opportunity to help you!
Happy Decorating!
xo
Tami
