Les Ateliérs d'Annie Sloan / Annie Sloan Workshops

The Bohemians à Brantôme, revendeur officiel de Chalk Paint™ une peinture décorative par Annie Sloan, est heureux d'annoncer que nous offrirons des ateliers sur les techniques de peinture les mardis à partir de 22 Juillet, 2014.

Mardi, 22 Juillet, 2014 10h00-13h00
Chalk Paint™ essentiels
Pendant les 3 heures, vous apprendrez quelques techniques distinctes pour Chalk Paint™ qui sont très utile avec tous vos projets de peinture, également des conseils pratiques pour obtenir le meilleur résultats. Nous travaillerons sur les échantillons en bois qui sera le votre. Tous les matériaux nécessaires et des rafraîchissements légers sont inclus dans le prix de cours de 45 € (Juillet Offre spéciale de lancement, le tarif d'atelier est de 60 € ). En plus, recevrez un reduction de 10% pour les produits Annie Sloan achetés le jour de l'atelier.

Mardi, 29 Juillet, 2014 10h00-13h00
Chalk Paint ™ essentiels, deuxième partie
Continuez votre voyage de Chalk Paint™ avec cet atelier de 3 heures où vous pourrez apprendre et pratiquer les techniques de dorure, pochoir et le découpage, et plein d'autre conseil. Nous travaillerons sur les échantillons en bois qui sera le votre. Tous les matériaux nécessaires et des rafraîchissements légers sont inclus dans le prix de cours de 55€ (Juillet Offre spéciale de lancement, le tarif d'atelier est de 70 € ). En plus, recevrez un reduction de 10% pour les produits Annie Sloan achetés le jour de l'atelier.

Tous les cours se déroule à:
The Bohemians
20, av du docteur Devillard
24310 Brantôme

Pour réserver votre place, email info@thebohemians.fr ou par téléphone: 0609.712.931.

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The Bohemians in Brantôme, official stockist of Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan, is pleased to announce we will be offering workshops on painting techniques Tuesdays, starting in July.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014. 10:00 - 13:00
Chalk Paint™ Essentials 

During this 3 hour workshop, you will learn three separate techniques for using Chalk Paint™ with all of your painting projects, plus advice and practical tips for achieving the best result with your paint. Each student will have hands-on practice of the techniques using a board which is theirs to keep. All necessary materials and light refreshments are included in the course price of 45€ (Special July intro rate, normal workshop fee is 60€). All students will receive a special 10% discount for Annie Sloan products purchased the day of the class.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014. 10:00 - 13:00
Chalk Paint™ Essentials - Part 2

Continue your journey using Chalk Paint™ with this 3 hour workshop where you will learn and practice the techniques of gilding, stencilling, crackle technique and decoupage .. and plenty of other tips! Each student will have hands-on practice of the techniques using a board which is theirs to keep. All necessary materials and light refreshments are included in the course price of 55€ (Special July intro rate, normal workshop fee is 70€). All students will receive a special 10% discount for Annie Sloan products purchased the day of the class.

The workshops will take place at the shop:

The Bohemians
20, av du docteur Devillard
24310 Brantôme

To reserve a place, email info@thebohemians.fr or call Kimberlee at 0609.712.931.

Revendeur de Chalk Paint™, une peinture décorative par Annie Sloan ... Stockist of Chalk Paint™, decorative paint by Annie Sloan

Nous sommes ravis d'annoncer que nous vendons maintenant Chalk Paint™, une peinture décorative par Annie Sloan dans la boutique (et bientôt en ligne). Vous trouverez la gamme complète de couleurs à la fois 100ml et pots d'un litre. Nous offrons également des cires et des pinceaux, et une sélection de magnifiques livres de design d'Annie Sloan (en français).

"Annie Sloan est non seulement une légende dans le monde de la peinture décorative mais elle en est aussi l'un des experts mondiaux les plus connus". - Recettes de couleurs

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We are delighted to announce that we are now offering Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan at The Bohemians (and soon online as well).  You will find the full range of colors in both 100ml and 1 liter pots. We also have waxes, brushes and a selection of Annie's marvelous design books.

"Annie Sloan is one of the world's most respected experts in the field of decorative painting. She has written over 10 books and has featured prominently on PBS and HGTV."

In the coming weeks, we will share more information on products and upcoming workshops to be offered in our shop in Brantôme.

2014!

Il me semble il était trop long depuis nous avons partagé quelque mots ici ... mais avec tous les formes de média (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, tumblr, flicker, etc etc) il est dûr!  Je me trouve plus à Facebook que le reste, particulièrement pour The Bohemians.

Mais bon, il faut que j'utilise cet endroit aussi ... un ans sans nouvelles n'est pas correct!

Je suis heureuse pour la nouvelle saison! nouvelle ans, nouvelle direction! J'ai décidé à réduit un peu les vêtements et continuer dans une direction qui me plait beaucoup ... mes meubles, la déco et les choses fait main par les artistes de la région.

Bien sûr, je vais continuer d'offre les jolis truc de La Fiancée du Mékong, mes jeans Vintage, un plus petite collection des robes et Vestes Vintage.  Mais, pas la même quantité des vêtements Vintage.  Ca prends beaucoup de temps de les cherche, plus et plus difficile à trouver les chose qui j'aime.  Heureusement, ils sont plus et plus des boutiques Vintage dans la region qui je peux recommander.  Une nouvelle, "La Booty Deux" vas ouvrir premier de Mai à Verteillac. La propriétaire est une copine, Rachel Evans.  Bon chance à Rachel et sa partenaire Helen Mortimer.

J'ai un GRAND SURPRISE que j'ai travaillé sur depuis plus qu'un ans et j'espère que faire l'annonce en Mars!  un nouveau produit, très utile et beaucoup des choses associé!  je peux pas dire maintenant mais très bientôt!!!

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It seems to me it is too long since we shared a few words here ... but with all the forms of media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest , tumblr , flicker , etc. etc. ) it is hard! I find myself more on Facebook than the rest, especially for The Bohemians .

But hey, I must also use this place ... one year without news is not correct!

I 'm so happy for the new season! new year and a new focus! I decided to cut some clothes and increase the direction that I really like ... my furniture, décor and things handmade by local artists .

Of course, I will continue to offer the lovely clothes by La Fiancée du Mékong, my Vintage jeans and tees plus a small collection of vintage dresses and jackets . But not the same amount vintage clothes as before.  Since I try to find the best and not just be a big 2nd hand shop, it takes a long time to seek more and more difficult to find something that I love.  Happily there are some new vintage shops opening in the area that I am happy to help you find ... La Booty Deux is one opening March 1st in Verteillac, hosted by Rachel Evans.  I have had Rachel's clothes at The Bohemians for the past couple of years so I know they will be great and I wish her and her partner Helen Mortimer loads of success.

I have a BIG SURPRISE that I worked on for over a year and I hope to announce in March ! a new product, very useful and a lot of things involved ! I can not say now but very soon !

bises xo Kimberlee

l'Ouverture de la Nouvelle Saison - New Season Opening!

Nous somme heureuse d'annonce notre ouverture de 2013 pour Samedi, 27 Avril!

Pour commencer la saison, nous serons ouverts definitivement tous les week-ends de 13:00 - 18:00.... et plus comme inspiré!

Nous avons des nouvelles collections Vintage, de La Fiancée du Mékong, des bijoux et beaucoup des petits truc amusant!  et bien sûr, des belles meubles relooké!!!

plus de nouvelles à venir .... et à trés bientôt!!!   Kimberlee xo

We are happy to announce the opening of our 2013 Season on Saturday, 27 April!

To begin the season, we will be open all week-ends from 13:00 - 18:00 ... and more as inspired!

We have new collections of Vintage women's clothes, new styles from La Fiancée du Mékong, new handmade jewelry collections and lots of fun little things!  and OF COURSE, beautiful new revamped furniture pieces by yours truly!!!

more news to come soon xo can't wait to be back and see everyone soon!  Kimberlee xo

chalk paint vs. chalk paint

Un petit note sur la peinture craie que j'ai appris. J'ai déja essayé un version fait maison qui n'etait pas trop mal.  mais, pour ma part, je suis concernant avec l'environment et la durabilité de les choses je fais.  Il y a beacoup des produits qui vous pouvez mettre dans votre peinture à fait un effet de 'craie'.  Mais, ils ne changent pas la composition de la peinture, les toxins etc.

Avec la peinture d'Annie Sloan <>, vous avez une peinture 'eco-friendly', verte ... sans odeur, et trés faible avec les chimiques.  Il est comme une rêve à utilise avec simplicité et sans complications!  Les couleurs sont très pur et durable, ils sont fait par une artiste donc, voila! tant mieux!

si vous êtes comme moi et vous avez l'envie une ambience ecologique a votre maison, les chose vous aspirez et touchez ... vous allez trouvez cet peinture la meilleur, c'est sure.
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A note sharing a little more I have learned about chalk paint.  Doing some research led me to homemade chalk paint recipes which I indeed tried with some success.  That homemade version and many you will find on the market, involve adding chalk or chalk-like substances to the paint.  This results in a mixture that sticks better to an unsanded, unprepared surface.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which I also tried in comparison, is not called chalk paint because of the addition of chalk.  It has that name because of the flat, almost chalky finish it produces when dry and before treated with any waxes.  Unlike many other mixtures, it also is very eco-friendly being low in VOCs and practically odor free.  Its colors are formulated from an artist's point of view and remain true even when diluted.

I am just learning more about these varieties of paints, but one thing that stands out to me is if you are buying/using a chalk additive to put into your paint ... you may be achieving a chalkier mixture that adheres differently.  But the paint is still the same, it is not an eco-friendly paint and the same elements remain in the paint that affect how it mixes and goes on, the color quality, the texture of the paint, etc.

So if you, like me, are concerned about the environment, about what affects the quality of your home environment...even to the point of what you might be breathing in or have touching your skin ... you might want to take a closer look at your DIY projects and how you accomplish them.  Annie Sloan also has wall and floor paints which are worth checking out.

I am of the conclusion that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, around for more than 20 years, is the original and best out there.

au nord! up north ...

Je suis dans le nord pour faire beaucoup de choses, y compris les lieux de chasse pour de nouveaux <>. J'ai entendu parler de certaines sources intéressantes dans Reims ... également, j'ai mes favoris à Paris.

Je vais aussi visiter Les Couronnes Sauvages
à coté St. Malo pour acheter un grand choix de peinture <> et trouver quelques meubles pour les relooké.
J'ai retardé l'ouverture du magasin quelques semaines à cause de tous les travaux ici. Tous les jours la route est fermée dans un nouvel endroit et il est presque impossible de se garer ou à venir avec la route et les ponts fermés. J'espère que pour la mi-Avril maintenant, il me semble que les routes seront ouvertes comme d'habitude alors!  à très bientôt!

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I am in the north to do many things, including hunt new sources for vintage.  I have heard of some interesting places in Reims ... also, I have my favorites in Paris.

I am also going to visit  Les Couronnes Sauvages
 to buy a big selection of Annie Sloan chalk paint and scout some fun furniture for using it on.  They are near St. Malo, so I am looking forward to a nice lunch there as well since it is nearly four hours away!
I have delayed the store opening a couple of weeks because of all of the road work.  Every day the road is closed in a new place and it is almost impossible to park or come in with the road and bridges closed.  I am hoping for mid-April now, it seems the roads will be open as normal then.  Hope to See you SOON!  xx

Annie Sloan vs homemade

en francais bientôt!

so I have been wanting to get to this post for a bit. Last update was about homemade chalk paint. here I go with the professional version .... drumroll ... Annie Sloan. I am kind of a day late and a dollar short, as the expression goes. Once I randomly started googling about ways to simplify my painting life given my abundance of projects and scarcity of time ... I discovered that my problem (endless preparation time for redoing furniture) had been solved ages ago. le sigh. because of the myriad of plaudits for the Annie Sloan brand, I decided to try it for my professional test. And now I will join the angelic chorus in shouting hallelujahs to painting high heaven, amazing amazing where have you been all my painting life?

First thing I noticed when opening the can is the luxurious whipped texture. Now this is a can that was shipped to me from Northern France. so it did not come to me fresh off the paint can shaker thing at the paint store (technical term there) so this texture is obviously inherent to the product. It is smooth like frosting, but a little less thick. I chose the Old White because it is presented as devoid of any color pigments (yellow or pink) and thus a welcoming base to any color.

I used the paint on a client project I had overwintered. A large, 2 piece buffet from the 60/70s, pine, covered in a hideous orangey varnish, so well known on pine of this timeframe. I felt this would make a handsome test for the Annie Sloan chalk paint claims of no sanding, no priming, just paint. Normally this sort of finish would reauire either complete sanding or 1-2 Coats of primer to avoid bleed-through to the new finish. especially a light colored finish.

My client had already chosen a color, somewhere between a seafoam and sage green ... the Annie Sloan duck egg made a close match. So I wanted to test not only the ease of using the product, how it matched up to its claims ... but also the economy of it as I have seen some complaints about pricing. For this project I ordered 1 liter of Old White and 1 test jar (100ml) of the duck egg paints, and one tin of the clear wax. I wanted to lighten up the color to get to my client's desire. I mixed approx. 1/3 of the white liter with 3/4 of the sample pot and several tablespoons of water to create the supply of paint for the exterior of the piece. I anticipated I might need to do 2 coats.

For the interior, I blended about 1/2 cup of the white with a yellow acrylic I already had. Also wanting to see how well the Annie Sloan product could integrate with other brands. I covered the entire buffet with one coat that went on smooth as silk, no streaks. I kept the consistency pretty thick like a pancake batter, not very watered down. I did a second coat solely on the top surface of the buffet as this area would experience the most wear.

I did the interior more as a wash because the old wood / veneer was fragile and slightly warped in places and I did not want to get it too wet. I had already contracted with my client not to do any repairs and I did not want to create any more work for myself! After the paint had dried, I was ready to wax.

With chalk paint, you apply wax vs. a clear topcoat of varnish. This goes against everything I have done for years and was the more awkward step of the new process. The weather was super cold here and the wax was not soft (as when it arrived in my warm kitchen) but really firm and difficult to get on the brush. I warmed it up a bit to room temperature and took another go. This will take some adapting on my part, but I can already see where I can improve my approach ... and a little extra research has given me some good tips. Like heating the wax to form more of a glaze you can lightly brush on and then go back to buff. In warmer weather I can see where this would not be a problem, but in my unheated atéliér in the frezing winter of countryside France it is a different story. You apply wax BEFORE sanding which also goes against all instincts for a clean final finish but trust me it worked! only sand what you want to distress or change the look of, you do not have to sand the whole piece to achieve a clean final finish. once you have done your sanding, you can buff the piece to the desired glow or shine. If it is a little streaky or you want it glossier you can add some wax and polish on. The wax adheres to the paint and through buffing creates a finish that will continue to harden and age to a nice patina.

One thing that kind of stumped me was the interior of cabinetry. I usually paint and topcoat the interiors and drawere for a more finished and clean outcome. I don't think it is feasible to wax and buff the interior of cabinetry. No worries there, you can topcoat chalkpaint as an alternative to wax. Which I did.

I am impressed by the ease of working with this product as well as how easily it adhered to the original finish on the furniture! As far as the cost goes ... here it was 22€ for the liter and 9€ for the sample pot. I estimate I used about 20€ of product on this very large two part piece. I did not sand and I did not pay for primer. I used my existing brushes and tools. At a minimum the expense was about the same. I still have plenty of the white paint and wax to use on another project. Which I already have planned! I also purchased a sample pot of their Antibes Green which I was immediately attracted to. I think I can stretch this for 2 projects I have ... wait and see!

I know there is a plethora of other techniques to discover with this paint such as layering more than one color and revealing with water vs sanding, using the dark wax to achieve an aged patina and some of the other specialized finish products like crackling ... but for now I give an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up!