A GUIDE TO CHALK PAINT

Chalk paint is an essential item to look into if you are decorating your home, creating a feature wall, painting floorboards, doors, or just upcycling a piece of furniture. There are loads of different paints available on the market, but it can pay to shop around and do your research. So if you are looking for a shabby chic finish, then look no further. Here's a few simple tips for painting with chalk paint!

1. Go for a trusted classic

Annie Sloan are the creators of the original chalk paint, as a brand they have an excellent selection of classic colours all in their iconic heavy matt consistency. The reason for the introduction of chalk paint was the want for a very matt, chalky finish in paint which wasn't available at the time (1990). Since then it's popularity has grown massively and can now provide a quality, trusted finish which can add value to furniture and walls. Annie Sloan paint is recommended to be used diluted as it's consistency is so thick. Annie Sloan paint doesn't actually contain chalk, rather it is known for being long established and it's matt finish than reference to it's ingredients. Another great thing about Annie Sloan is that it requires no prep, the paint can be applied to wood that hasn't been prepped with sanding for example. The paint can chip, so be wary if you are using it on a heavy usage object or wall. Annie Sloan also stock a range of brushes and finishes to use alongside their products. 
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is £18.95 a litre.

2. For the eco-decorator

Less well heard of, but nonetheless incredibly beautiful! Auntentico was recommended to me when I visited a local boutique called Vintage Belle. The great thing about Autentico is that it is completely safe to use on children's furniture and non-toxic. It is low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and is compliant with EN71-3, which means it's entirely safe for use for children. There are three types of Auntentico paint: Vintage for distressing furniture, Velvet for a more professional finish and Venice which is made from pure lime, for that classic french look. These paints work great on outdoor furniture and do not degrade or peel off, you can even paint on iron and it will not rust or chip! Auntentico have a range of 140 shades, which means there is more to choose from than Annie Sloan, however finding a UK stockist is fairly tricky as the company is currently building their supplier base. You can get it online here.
Auntentico is priced at £14.99 per litre.

3. High-end

Farrow and Ball are one of the leaders of high-end paints. They offer a good range of shades in a few different finishes. From eggshell, emulsion, high gloss and floor paint. Their eggshell gives the closest finish to a chalk paint, without being a chalk paint. Stain and scuff resistant, Farrow and Ball is more hardwearing than Annie Sloan, so will not get that 'lived in' look as easily as Annie Sloan without distressing by hand. Farrow and Ball are priced at a slightly higher price point, but one great tip is to use the colour chart to get a copy. I only recommend this with a good quality paint mixer, so be prepared to still pay a little bit, but not as much as full price. I go for Valspar at B&Q. 
Farrow and Ball Estate emulsion is £22 per 750ml.

4. Make your own

You can make your own chalk paint by mixing 1/3 cup of plaster of paris, 1/3 of cup water and 1 cup latex paint. Or perhaps slightly easier is to use 1 part calcium carbonate and 2 parts paint. Full recipe from Salvaged inspirations You have to use the powder form of calcium carbonate otherwise this won't work, and the mixture must be mixed thoroughly before use as it can separate and become grainy. It gives a stunning and professional chalk paint finish and is completely affordable. 

What are your thoughts on chalk paint? Have/will you consider using it for your DIY projects?

Sophie x

FOREVER ENGLAND

On my recent trip to Somerset, I visited Forever England. Safe to safe I am a firm fan and loyal customer! They stock quintessential shabby chic accessories, from bedspreads to furniture, to jewellery all of their products are beautiful quality. They also do a lovely range of children's items and gifts. Forever England have a shoppable online store and stores in Wells Somerset, Sidmouth and Dorset.

Their ranges are displayed in colour coordinated scenes and include furniture, which allows you to envisage how your purchases will look in your home. You don't often find such lovely bedspreads, and many people settle for the ease of Primark quality. However, when you sleep on your bed every night, investing in decent fabrics made by the experts really makes a difference to a wonderful nights sleep. They also currently have a great offer; free shipping on all orders over £50 with a one-hour delivery slot! 

I purchased the Lucy quilted bedspread (£95) which included two pillow shams (pillow covers). Pictured also is the Clarice white Bedspread. If you need a little inspiration, check out my Pinterest boards.

The bedspreads really transform your bedroom and are incredible quality, you can purchase a single for a double bed which is adequate to cover the bed folded over or open. The patterns act as a focal point for the room, or alternatively you can build up a palette of colours and patterns. Buying a few styles is great as you can change them as often as you change your sheets for a different theme. The bedspreads are completely machine washable too!

From top to bottom: Top crocheted blanket (home made), Lucy bedspread, Celeste, Clarice.

A big thank you to the lovely ladies at the Wells store for allowing me to take photos and review their products! 

What are your favourites?

Sophie x

10 TIPS TO PRO INTERIOR DESIGN ON A BUDGET

As a little girl I was forever rearranging and tidying my room (I know that's a little bit strange!) However, I loved seeing how my things in different places or laid out differently would completely change my room. Since getting my own place and having the opportunity to start with a blank canvas, I have really indulged my creative side. Still being a student, of course, this has been done on a budget and I hope that sharing the following tips with you will help you achieve the nest of your dreams!

1. Make an inspirational mood board & plan for each room

You don't need to be a pro at this, social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram are great for gathering your ideas. Instagram has plenty of beautifully organised images and colour schemes. Pinterest enables you to collect your ideas on virtual pin boards. Swotting up for a few minutes on the colour wheel will also give you a little insight on which colours match/clash. 

Or you can keep it old school and grab a few magazines such as Good Housekeeping or Ideal Home (both of which have Pinterest and Instagram accounts). Magazines are great if you are a tactile person, you can cut up pictures you like. Also the hard work of pairing colours and prints is done for you, or often organised in a list of tips. I like to theme each room slightly differently, some people like to keep the style continued throughout the house, so organising your ideas will help you to visualise your intended end result. 

2. Use high quality brands as inspiration 

In order to create a room that looks expensive on a budget, it's important to seek inspiration from brands that do this well. My personal favourites are Farrow and Ball, Annie Sloan, Laura Ashley. You can also find plenty of inspiration at your local hardware store i.e B&Q if you prefer something a little more accessible to the masses. Grab a few colour charts and samples. Each individual colour has a code, so you can also use paint producers such as Valspar to mix your paint much cheaper than the designer brands. I have done this with all my rooms and it's such a cost effective way of creating a high end look. Definitely my top tip. 

3. Check out the seasonal sales!

I mostly buy my wallpaper from Laura Ashley, they produce classic and modern prints but some can be fairly expensive when wallpapering a whole room. One way round this is to only paper a feature wall. The other is to ask the store assistants when the next launch of sale is, I have got my wallpaper at more than to 50% off, an absolute bargain when you are buying in bulk. Just make sure you buy the same batch number of each roll! (Example pictured below).

4. Up-cycle old furniture and old accessories

Most of my furniture is either recycled or purchased from Gumtree. This is such a cost-effective way of getting a beautiful on-trend piece. You can transform an item of furniture with just one lick of paint. There are plenty of different finishing techniques you can use after painting too. Sanding after the paint has dried, using a crackle glaze or wax finish can all transform items. Make sure you prep the furniture well beforehand and apply coats of paint thinly, not forgetting a finish. You can find tutorials on YouTube showing you how to do this. 

5. Shop around for designer-inspired products

Don't underestimate eBay, a well-executed search will allow you to locate items in your local area. Another way is to use HomeSense or TKMaxx who always have designer products at reduced prices. You can really grab great pieces, either classic or contemporary, from these stores. 

Laura Ashley Camomile Hydrangea Wallpaper £20 reduced from £40, buy it here