Read my story and how chalk painting completely captivated me!

I am Jenni, or jennijohannesunique.

I started painting furniture after my first child was born when I was looking for a high chair that would fit our decor. Since I couldn’t find one ready-made, I decided to paint one myself from a wooden chair I found at a flea market.

As a result of this event, I don’t think I’ve been without a paintbrush for more than a week at a time!

Painting became my own moment in the evenings, a hobby I could do from home. The space in the two-room apartment was tight, but inspiration and enthusiasm were bigger than the space, and the living room easily turned into a painting studio with tarps and the balcony into storage for furniture.

Since I was painting indoors, I became interested in the non-toxicity and odorlessness of the paints. I didn’t want to expose my child especially to a chemical overload and strong smells. Chalk paint was ideal and actually a more interesting option for this.

I noticed that with chalk paint, you can create very personalized effects. Wear, shading, layering, crackling… I’ve tried everything and learned along the way.

Shade in the picture: Victory Lane, Al Fresco

You don’t have to be a painter to achieve a stunning result - you just need the courage to start and a moment to read the instructions.Discovering Frenchic Paints has been a real lifesaver for someone like me, with a impatient nature! I want to get a finished surface quickly, without waiting days for layers to dry. Also, the chalk paint with protective agents ready in the same can speeds up the work significantly.

My favorite tool is the oval brush

I used to always skimp on buying brushes and chose the cheapest option in the store. Now I realize I would have saved a lot of time if I had invested in a proper brush from the start!

With an oval brush, you get a more opaque and even finish faster than with a flat brush, and with proper care, they last longer - I recommend it!The Detailing Brush set is also a standard part of my cabinet. It allows you to paint gaps that a large brush can't reach or create small detailed touches.

Painting day is the best day of the week!

If I happen to have a day off at home, I always find myself accidentally painting something. Recently, the family was surprised when the walk-in closet wall changed color. It's wonderful to seek inspiration from social media, which is full of ideas!

As a test, I've also painted vases, plate edges, and all kinds of small things that would probably have ended up in the trash otherwise. I've also successfully painted worn chair cover fabrics. The feeling of winning often comes from turning someone else's trash into treasure.

But in my opinion, you shouldn't overthink it too much.

Every time I've been satisfied with the result when I choose colors according to my mood at the moment.

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I noticed I was decorating with beige and light blue, which at first glance aren't really my favorite colors, but together the shades create perfect harmony; a warm and bohemian atmosphere! Also, purple shades (Plum Pudding and Velvet Crush) have surprisingly found their way into our home.

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Lately, I've gotten excited about decoupage - again. When I want to create something extra nice and interesting for furniture, I use decoupage images because they are quick and easy to attach with Finishing Coat.

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Glazing technique has also been a fun idea that I got from others! Briefly like this: You just mix paint into Finishing Coat - the finishing coat - and get a thinned paint mixture. Use the mixture to create a translucent and tinted surface, which works really beautifully on, for example, oak surfaces. The wood grain comes out in a completely different way with this technique, looking like beautifully patinated wood - this easy technique also works on new wood surfaces and uses only very little paint.

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What about metallic shades - lovely and suitable for everything!

Mixing metallic shades is easy: a pinch (or a good splash) of metallic pigment and Finishing Coat and mix - that’s it! FrenSheen metallic shades almost always belong to the furniture I paint, if I get to decide freely I often use even two different shades on the same piece of furniture! It’s worth trying mixing them together too, to find new metallic shimmer variations.. Easily make champagne shade, olive, purple, rose gold, and antique gold yourself.

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It has been nice to meet like-minded 'do-it-yourself' people from the Frenchic painting group and through Instagram. Welcome to join our growing community! Talking about painting is a-l-w-a-y-s fun!