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Girl in the Garage®

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Nailhead Vanity Makeover and Annie Sloan Wax Brush Review

Furniture Makeovers

This piece almost beat me this week.  If you don’t think you can get a workout while doing a furniture makeover, then you’re wrong!  My arms and shoulders used muscles that haven’t been used in a long time- probably since I painted the entire ceiling in our full-size basement.  And I may have possibly considered just giving up and starting all over…  I’m glad I didn’t.   😉
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

The lady I bought this from said it had been in her family for awhile, but she was getting ready to move and no longer had room for it.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

It had a lot of knicks and scratches, and some Western-looking handles.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

I chose Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Old Ochre because I wanted a neutral color with a clean, crisp look.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

After painting I protected it with Annie Sloan clear soft wax.  This was also the first time I was able to try an Annie Sloan brush for waxing.  In the past I tried an inexpensive chip brush and I really didn’t like it, so I switched to using clean rags to apply wax.  Even though they were clean I always ended up with lint being transferred onto my furniture, and I’d go nuts trying to buff it out and have a smooth surface before the wax dried.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

I’ve been using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan since last summer – I’ve owned many cans of paint and wax, and I’ve done a lot of research.  I’ve even written a few posts with advice for using Chalk Paint®.  However I never took the plunge and bought the brush. Why?  I’m stubborn.  I thought it was wiser to spend the money on another can of Chalk Paint®.  The truth is, if you are painting more than one or two pieces, then you should really invest the money into a nice brush.  In my opinion, the oval shape allows for faster and better coverage than a traditional brush- and you won’t get wax all over your hands like if you use a rag.  (I know this from experience!)

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

The brush is easier to use if you hold the handle low.  Press the bristles lightly into your wax (it’s recommended to scoop some wax onto a disposable plate so you’re not dipping the brush repeatedly into the can, possibly contaminating it).  Then work in sections on your piece, pressing the brush down firmly and moving in a circular motion.  Immediately you can tell the difference – the wax doesn’t change the color of the paint, but it deepens the hue.  Wax takes about 30 days to fully cure and you’ll see the color intensify even more during that time.

When you’re finished, cleaning the brush is easy with just soap and water.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

Then I hammered about 400 nails into the drawers.  (I told you my arms and shoulders hurt!)

It took a day and a half of driving my husband, dogs, and kids crazy (in that order) hammering away on the nailhead trim I bought from the craft store.  9 packages x 48 tacks = 432 (minus a bunch that ended up bent or mutilated, before I found my rhythm).

On the second day I was getting ready to start working again and I said “It’s hammer time!” but my husband didn’t think it was funny.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

Hint: It helps to take the drawers out first.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

I had to touch up quite a few areas – and only hammered my finger a couple times.  If you look closely it’s still not perfect, but it’s pretty darn chic if you ask me.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

The drawer pulls are antique bronze just like the tacks- I had to do a little hunting to find them but it was worth it.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

Here’s a closer look at the smooth finish thanks to my new Annie Sloan brush!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

And another…  I love it.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vanity makeover in Old Ochre with nailhead trim and a review of the Annie Sloan wax brush. girlinthegarage.net

 While I was working on this post I found some helpful videos on YouTube.  HERE is a link to Annie Sloan’s YouTube channel.

Have you tried the Annie Sloan brush before?

Have you had any pieces you were tempted to give up on, but were glad you didn’t?

xo Jen

Related Posts:

* Vanity Makeover and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Review and Tips

* Hutch Makeover and How to Give Furniture an Aged Look with Wax

* How Many Pieces Can I Paint with One Can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy @ artsy chicks rule says

    It’s beautiful Jen!! I love the nail head trim. I am like you, love Annie Sloan but have never used their brushes! I really need to try their paint brush! (I have another wax brush but use rags mostly…maybe I need to try that too. 😉 )

    Nancy

  4. Kadie says

    I LOVE this! I am always so afraid of using the wax… I don’t know why but I feel like I will do it wrong. However your before and after shot is impressive, I think I need to get some wax and the brush! 🙂

  6. Michele says

    Love LoVe LOVE!!! I’m so impressed by the nail brads and how amazing they look. Love a good makeover that inspires creativity because of the way it lends itself. Pinning!

  7. Trista says

    Gorgeous!!! And sooooo worth the effort. My mind is spinning on what I can add nailheads to in my chalk paint collection, lol. And yes, I heart my Annie Sloan brushes! I started with just the wax ones but saw what a difference they made and use them for paint too. I’d never go back.

  9. Susan Ballard says

    You did such a nice job on the vanity! Don’t know that I would have the patience and endurance to attempt a project that involved. Have arthritis in my hands, so just chalk painting and waxing is enough for me. Love the look of old tacks tho. I ordered MinWax size 10 round brushes thru Amazon and they work real well. Probably cheaper than AS brushes~ only $14. each. Love your work Jen!! It gives me ideas on what to do with all the side tables I have picked up on street corners (free) or at garage sales! SB

  11. Nancy says

    I have to give you a lot of credit for hammering all those tacks!! It’s very unique and turned out beautiful!! I have used used all the ASCP Products and there isn’t one I didn’t like but I agree with your thoughts of 2 cans of Paint or the Brush. I did that for awhile too before I broke down and bought the Wax Brush, and it’s been so worth it~

    Huggs, Nancy

  16. Wendi @ H2OBungalow says

    Wow! Love the nailhead trim. You picked the perfect piece for it too. It looks completely different and contemporary now. I love my wax brush and can’t imagine waxing without it.

  19. Linda says

    I like the nail head touch, when I am nailing tacks I hold them with a pair of needle nose pliers, saves not only my fingers but the tacks as well because it is harder for them to bend. Looks great!

  20. Lara says

    Thanks for the info on the waxing brush! I too have always opted to buy another can of paint but have been a little bummed about using a rag to apply the wax. I really couldn’t figure out what my issue really was but now I think I know so next purchase will be a brush. Thanks again for talking to us regular women and not getting too technical and over my head!! This piece really looks amazing —( and just think of how many muscles you were developing w/that hammer!;)

  29. Kammy's Korner says

    Awesome! I had to come visit from MMS to see how the on earth you got those nailheads so darn straight. When I tried that on a piece… well ummmm… didn’t come out looking so perfect. I guess it was the groove you had to work with. I tried it by drawing my own line with a pencil and then hammering them in. Gorgeous job and Pinning!

    http://www.kammyskorner.com

  30. Bharati says

    Its a stunner!! absolutely love the nailhead trim on the dresser. You did an awesome job at painting and trimming. I have been thinking of adding nailhead trim on the dresser, but havent managed to do so. Thank you for the inspiration

  35. clarissa says

    I am in awe! Aside from shoes, creating or doing anything with a furniture is one of my lusts, haha.
    Really great work, looking forward to seeing more!

  44. Jen says

    Thanks Kammy! The groove definitely helped, but I still made a lot of mistakes at first. It took a lot of patience, that’s for sure!

  45. JJ says

    I know this must have been a lot of hard work but it is so inspiring! I’m also glad that you shared about the oval brush and how to hold it. I’m like you, I keep wanting more paint and have never bought the brush!

  46. Jen says

    Thank you JJ- I’m so glad you’re feeling inspired! If you buy the brush I think you’ll agree it’s a great investment. 🙂

  51. Camille says

    Well done, Jen! A word of assistance (for you and your readers): when doing tack trim, it’s a LOT easier if you prepunch. Take a nail (they’re LONGER!) and lightly tap your holes FIRST. That way, you’ll have your guide and also make it easier to “start” the tacks so they won’t bend. It’s one extra step, but it really makes it a whole lot easier to hammer those suckers in. Just be sure the nail is the same size as the tacks so the holes won’t be too large.

  56. Jaime says

    Love this piece. I did a headboard once with similar lines and colors and we used a line of tacks where you only have to put one in every so often. I was wondering if they didn’t have that in that particular tack (as I know ours were more smooth) or if you thought that wouldn’t work well on a piece of wood furniture just for my own future reference?

  57. Jen says

    Thank you Jaime! 🙂 At the time, I wasn’t aware that those tack strips existed. I wish I had known- it would’ve saved me a lot of time and trouble!

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