Colour, texture and artistic expression took centre stage on Saturday at Velvet Apple Café where a group of do it yourself (DIY) enthusiasts learned new paint techniques from Martin-Shawn van Huyssteen, Michelle Campbell-Gillies, Annie Sloan Assistant and Anneke van Huyssteen, Annie Sloan Specialist.
Velvet Apple Café, of which Van Huyssteen is the owner, is the only stockist of Annie Sloan products in Polokwane and Van Huyssteen and his team are well trained in all of the techniques that this giant in the home improvement industry perfected.
The workshop also served as launch for the ‘Annie Sloan Paints Everything’ book, a step-by-step guide through 40 DIY projects.
Guests were treated to delicious snacks while they learnt how to achieve a simple vintage look, two-colour distressing, the rustic “chippy” look and a smooth modern finish. They also tried their hands at stencilling and other painting methods.
Annie Sloan first developed the Chalk Paint range in 1990 to answer the need she had for a versatile paint that would work beautifully on furniture, would be easy to use and quick to dry, and could be used for different paint techniques. She called it Chalk Paint because of its velvety, ultra matt finish. “There is no need for tiresome priming and sanding. You can get straight to the fun bit,” she says of her invention.
The Chalk Paint is complemented by soft waxes in clear and dark shades. The waxes are water proof and can be used to give the paint a soft sheen or to achieve authentic distressed looks by applying the wax and then sanding the paint.
Van Huyssteen says he is proud to be an Annie Sloan stockist as all stockists are hand-picked for their individual style and no two are alike. “I also love using the products in my own design work at Black Apple Design, my interior decorating business.”
Story: MARKI FRANKEN
>>marki.observer@gmail.com
