Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Monday 3 March 2014

Loving Autentico ...

The small utility area leading into their house gets a lot of wear and tear,
and is home to the cat's bowl, washing machine, kites, balls, 
tennis rackets, bird feed, straw hats, garden seed, 
and all manner of other essential clutter.
The walls had become grubby ... and covered in slug slime ...
(the slugs have been coming under the door at night and gorging on the cat's food!).
It was long overdue a freshen up ...
An old cupboard that had been taking up room in her shed
was the perfect size to accommodate the majority of the space hogging rubbish. 
Too dark for the small space, she decided to take a paintbrush to it.
Some of you may now be gasping in horror, but it really had seen better days ...
with deep scratches, the back missing and the varnish on top badly rubbed.
She decided to use Autentico chalk paint in 'French Grey', 
available from a local shop (and worldwide) in a variety of beautiful colours.
It boasted great results, promising no need for any prep or priming, 
just like the Annie Sloan paints.
The first coat went on smoothly, albeit a little patchy and was dry within the hour.
Second coat on ...
and the job was done!
VJ would highly recommend this brilliant paint, 
She was never that enamoured with AS, 
finding it dragged and often produced little bubbles,
but this stuff is amazing!
She just needs to give it a coat of clear wax now, 
which will dull the colour slightly and protect.
She found an old key for the keyhole ...
... and some checked fabric for the door ...
The walls were given a coat of pale grey Dulux 'Engraved Locket'.
The washing machine hidden behind the curtain, along with shopping baskets.
The Victorian Fish Kettle in the window houses her hand blender and mixer.
The galvanised laundry boiler on the floor is their bin.
The box on the wall is the 'drinks cabinet' ... 
Various bags 'hanging around' hold Little Man's outdoor toys ..
... hats, bike pumps and helmets.
Stone floor scrubbed, doors waxed.
Cat bowl moved to the other side of the room, away from the door 
... and so far the slugs have stayed away! 

33 comments:

Shortbread and Ginger said...

I'd not heard of that paint before but must check it out. Love the transformation - so fresh and pretty!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Vintage Sheet Addict said...

Gosh what a brilliant little makeover, love it all well done! :) x

Vix said...

That looks gorgeous! What a fab product and a gorgeous peek at your kitchen! x

The Dainty Dolls House said...

The transformation looks wonderful!! I like this cabinet. The slugs don't sound fun, ewww! lol. I hope you have a great week doll x

ted and bunny said...

love it!
we had a mouse last week, sharing the cats food. . .and she didn't bat an eyelid!

Niki Fretwell said...

What a beautiful makeover M...Love the finished results.
Thank you for the paint tip (will definitely look out for it in my local shops)...I too am not so impressed with AS paint...or the price of it!

Thanks for your kind wishes on my blog,
Niki x

Anne said...

It looks fantastic, what a transformation!

Kristie said...

What a reveal! It's so fresh and pretty, Marina. I love the red and white checkered fabric used in the door of the cabinet and beneath the sink. It makes for a cheery room...a happy one! I love it! Great job.

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

Perfecto:)

Jean x

lemonade kitty said...

What a lovely room and a great idea for the drinks cabinet!! x

Jane Aston said...

Thanks for the info on the paint. I need some! I get buy with adding chalk to paint here in France. There is paint here but it tends to involve a bit of driving so I tend to pile a load of chalk powder in my old paints. I have chalk left over from gesso for gilt frame restoration, as you do. The make over had inspired me to push on with the organising.

rusty duck said...

Superb!
You've transformed that cupboard.

Upholstery Jane said...

That's fabulous..hopefully no more slugs!! Glad you liked the paint! :-)

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Oh I love the redo!! It looks so pretty! Love the old skeleton key too! :) What a lovely room! Happy new week! xo Holly

Flaming Nora said...

Amazing. It looks fantastic. i love your drinks cabinet.

Vintage Tea Time said...

What a result - looks great! I must try that paint, as I use AS a lot, but sometimes it gets rather 'claggy'. Well done!

nilly said...

Very interesting! There seem to be more & more chalk paints coming onto the market, but I've only tried Annie Sloan in quite deep colours, which worked well - but I'm not too brilliant at the waxing - perhaps I should apply that with a brush too. Or just rub harder!

tlcukjourney said...

I absolutely LOVE your little room!
I love those red and white checks especially!
I hope you're having a great week,
Much love,
Tammy

Rose H (UK) said...

Superb! If you fancy a working holiday anytime my laundry is crying out to be sorted....;o)
Will check out the paint too.
Rose H
xx

Jacqui Galloway said...

love the makeover!

haggiz said...

What a lovely makeover. I love grey and really like how you have brightened it up with the red gingham. Julie x

Unknown said...

well i think it looks lovely - very well done you and thanks for the comments on the chalk paint - a project i am hoping to do (after we've sorted our son's flat ready for re-renting - which is taking up a lot of our spare time at the mo) involves painting our old cupboards in the kitchen with chalk paint - may try this paint if it's cheaper!!! absolutely love the drinks cabinet - i would love an old box like that!!!!

Down by the sea said...

That transformation looks so good. I haven't heard of this paint before. I too was a bit disappointed with the finish with AS. You reminded me that we haven't been to Martock for ages too! Sarah x

Willow said...

Beautiful little face lift .
I love that wooden door ~ sounds like a fairy tale with little slugs climbing under it to snack at the cat bowl , course I see them as cartoon characters lol

Jen said...

What a charming space. Love your paint job and the fabric. (and that flower painting!)

The Custards said...

Yay - how fresh and pretty. A bit of paint does wonders doesn't it.
Hope that it is sunny in your part of the world today
Best wishes
Jenny

Maria said...

~ LOVE it! Great job, Mrs VJ....Ooh we have those 'pesky' slug's around in our utility room too...they harbour around Mr Rosey tinted spec's smelly trainers and enjoy the kitties left overs...~ hehe! We have a shop locally that stocks your paint...Marvellous colour and I soo love 'old to be made 'young' once more...Wishing the sun to be shining on your week...
Hugs Maria x

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

You did a great job. I've not tried that paint yet, if it's nothing like Annie Sloan I'll give it a go!

What about a brush attached to the door to keep the slugs out? x

the linen cloud said...

Gorgeous makeover ... just so pretty ... I have just bought some AS paint ... it was a toss up between that and Autentico ... I think I will try Autentico next time ... Bee xx

Barbara said...

It all looks lovely, fresh and clean. I really like the French Grey paint and the red check material. Those sneaky slugs won’t dare to enter now!

Bag End Gardener said...

That looks absolutely drop-dead gorgeous with a cherry on top!

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who doesn't worship at the shrine of AS paints - spent a lot of money on them last year and found them a great disappointment.

As a slug deterrent (if you can bear the smell, which I can't - certainly not in the house), spray the place where slugs are getting in with WD40. It seems to act as a pretty effective barrier, has certainly worked for me in the past across greenhouse doors.

Streetcomber said...

My friend sells Autentico paint in her shop and I love the colours. The transformation of your room is amazing, I love all your accessories.

Linda said...

Oh Jane....what a delightful post...
Love the transformation....
May I visit again?

Cheers!
Linda :o)