My favorite “color” is white. I know that is strange but true. I happen to love white furniture, white floors, white cabinets…the list goes on. Painting in white is another story. It can be super time consuming and typically, many coats are required for good coverage. However, the result is always worth the effort.
All white can actually create two very different looks, depending on the piece and paint.
This mid-century cabinet is being painted in Snow White by General Finishes.
It is a huge project. I could have first primed it and then applied the milk paint, but I decided to skip the primer and go straight to the paint. I kind of hate sticky, latex primer and don’t mind adding another coat of the General Finishes instead. Here it is after two coats…
Seeing as the piece has more modern lines, I may not distress it and just go with a more modern finish. Each piece is different and lends itself to its own look.
Here is my white, shabby chic cabinet. You can see how distressing it and using chalk paint – in this case, Annie Sloan’s Old White – gave it a true cottage/shabby vibe.
Before:
After:
Two cabinets in white with two very different looks. Can’t wait to finish the mid-century piece!
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You can never go wrong with a classic white piece of furniture – beautiful! Do you have a favorite finishing product for white?
Hi Sharon! Well, with chalk paint it is the clear wax. I find that General Finishes really is fine without a finishing product but for the top of dressers/buffets I like their water based polyacrylic or High Performance top coat. I may use it on this piece to give it more shine. Thanks!
Hi,
I love that old cabinet, it looks beautiful.
I’ve found using white (anything) seems to take HEAPS of coats, even when I do two primers. If there’s an easier way I’d love to hear it. When you used the ASCP Old White, did you sand and prime before-hand?
Is the General Finishes white paint a matt finish and are you sanding between coats?
Thanks so much for your lovely blog, which I’ve only recently found.
Hi Elisabeth, I also find it always takes many coats to really cover a piece in white. If using chalk paint, I apply it straight on and never prime. However, if the finish is super shiny/laquered, a quick sand prior is the best way to go. GF is a matte finish and can be made into a shinier finish with their high performance top coats. Is doesn’t need wax to seal (like chalk paint). I don’t sand between coats but have heard a lot of people do. I find it looks great without sanding and don’t like to make extra work! Thanks so much!
Love this Suzanne! I always lean towards loving to do things in white as well ….I think the distressed furniture looks great when the wood shows through the white. This piece of furniture really has a great shape to it, and I think you did a really super job painting it!
What a difference the finish makes! Of course you chose a lovely piece to work with, but it’s so beautiful in the distressed white. Just wonderful… 🙂
Lory at Designthusiasm
Hi Suzanne! Just finished a dresser that I painted with GF Snow White. I’ve lost count on how many coats it took – even with two coats of primer. I’m debating whether or not to seal the top of the dresser. I have the GF High Performance poly – but I don’t want the poly to yellow. Any suggestions?
Hi Beth, I actually like to use General Finishes polyacrylic water based top coat. I have had success with it and haven’t yet tried the High Performance poly but have heard great things about it. I am busy working on a large sideboard and just finished the paint. I just may try the poly on this one. I will post about it, if I am so brave 🙂 Cheers, Suzanne