Vintage Chest in Black Reveal & General Finishes Chalk Style Paint Full Review

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What isn’t to love about classic black?  Honestly, I didn’t use a lot of black when I started my business almost four years ago.  I have always been a more lighter and brighter kind of girl with a true love of any hue of blue.  This was until I painted my first piece in General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black.  It was a old sideboard and I was astounded that a few coats of black could turn a very vintage piece into true glam.black

This week, I was lucky enough to try General Finish’s new chalk paint line.  I mixed half part Pepper Black to half part Empire Gray and created a gorgeous deep gray/almost black hue.  While drying, I dabbed the black onto my brush to basically streak it over the deep gray.  I only lightly brushed over the detailed sides to highlight the design and then used 220 grit sandpaper to distress it. The whole piece was easily sealed in General Finishes Flat Over Flat topcoat.  I used a simple sponge brush to apply it – nice 🙂  The top was left in its perfect shape with its gorgeous striations.

General Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted Dresser General Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted Dresser

General Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted Dresserwood striations, wooden top, wood topGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted DresserGeneral Finishes Pepper Black Chalk Style Paint, Vintage Dresser, Painted Black, Painted Dresser

The difference between this chalk style paint and my other favorite, Annie Sloan are minimal but there are a few.  I find Annie Sloan slightly easier to distress.  I also feel that the Annie Sloan wax (while tedious to apply) does give a piece more of an aged look versus the GF topcoat.  It depends on the look you are going for on what sealer to use.  The GF sealer is a liquid and needs to be evenly brushed over the piece or it can give a cloudy look where it settles unevenly.  Believe me though, brushing on a sealer as opposed to waxing a piece is a whole lot easier on your arm!

I am a fan of both types of chalk style paint and both types of sealers.  I love that there are now even more options and plan to mix both types with each other to create more interesting colors.  I also enjoy having a choice of sealer to use.  A win-win!

I must add a pic of my Christmas angel.  My girls found him broken in the trash at the Lucketts holiday market a few years ago when I had a space there.  He has lost part of his wing and you can still see the split where I glued him back together.  He also lost his trumpet somewhere along the way but he reminds me of that weekend I spent with my girls at Lucketts and I love him ♥

Christmas angel

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  2. Holy smokes, Suzanne, both pieces are now so elegant with a slight edginess to them. Brilliant! Cheers and Happy Holidays, Ardith

  3. Thanks so much for taking the time to share the info on the General Finishes paint! There is a shop near me that sells it, but I have yet to give it a try. I keep hearing how much people love the Lamp Black milk paint though, so one of these days I’m going to get some for myself! Also, gotta say, I absolutely love how the black suitcase in your photo mirrors the look of the dresser itself. Fabulous!

    • Thanks so much and yes – you have to try their products! They are really great and I’m a big fan. I was lucky with the suitcase matching 🙂 found it last year at a thrift store and grabbed it!

  4. The chest is gorgeous. I love the color. I have heard so many wonderful and positive comments about GS paint. I want to try it in the future.

  5. The chest is absolutely gorgeous!!! Love your style. Thanks for taking the time to give us a tutorial on the paints. That was very much appreciated. I will be taking your advice going forward. Love Annie Sloan chalk paint, but am looking forward to trying the GF paints. Again, thanks for all of your wonderful advice!

  7. Suzanne! I loved that piece even before you painted it but now…wow…you have definitely brought it to life..very elegant…and your angel is beautiful!!

  9. I love the color and the different way of distressing. There is a shop in my area that carriers General Finishes that I will be visiting! By the way, I have the twin to that suitcase by the chest so does that mean I win the prize? eg. “that painted chest” …. LOL

      • I really do have the twin, and I am sure I bought it from a thrift store or yard sale several years ago in Memphis, TN. I just love and enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing!! You inspire me!

  10. Oh my goodness The pieces are beautiful.
    I found online where the sale Annie Sloan chalk paint I’ll have to see who sells the
    General Finishes paint.
    Thank You..

  12. The dresser is quite lovely Suzanne. Just the right amount of distressing and the tear drop hardware adds so much to the piece too. Like you, I’ve fallen in love with black painted furniture these days. Interesting to read the differences between General Finishes and Annie Sloan. I haven’t tried GF yet.