Does black wax scare the you-know-what out of you? It can be intimidating, right? It takes some creative-courage to slather black all over a freshly painted piece – especially if your piece is painted in a light color.
If you haven’t mustered up the courage to use black wax yet, I bet this table makeover in Annie Sloan Antionette will inspire you to give it a try!
Just as a little background on this table; last week I was on the hunt for some pink inspiration. I enjoyed sharing the pics that were sparking some ideas – and thank you for all your fun comments! I love chatting with you guys.
After checking my inventory, I didn’t find the style of furniture I was looking for. That’s okay – it makes for a perfect excuse to call my sister for a thrift-run. 🙂
We spotted this Mersman Walnut Table at a Savers…well, Andrea did. She’s not only the very BEST sister and my very BEST friend, but she also has these amazing eagle-eyes. I swear she can spot the good-stuff from a mile away with her better than 20/20 vision.
My first thought when I started painting this table was… Oh-No, this piece might end up looking like a cupcake.
To make sure it didn’t look like an edible, I did these 3 things:
1:: Distressed the pink chalk paint to allow some rich walnut to peek through.
2:: A ribbon of Annie Sloan Old White was added to break up the pink.
3:: Annie Sloan Black Wax was applied onto the bevelled edges and leg details.
This pink Antoinette table is the perfect piece to demonstrate that black wax doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you’re concerned a dark wax might be overpowering or look dirty or muddy, it’s okay to use it sparingly to highlight details.
Black wax on details creates depth, dimension, interest and instant patina. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce yourself to dark waxes without feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some close up examples of how the black wax ages the piece. Notice how it was just added to the lip of the two tiers and the crevices on the legs. It gives this table a vintage look without darkening the entire piece.
Tip:: The strength of any dark wax can be controlled by applying a layer of clear wax first and then applying the black wax where desired. In this case a Q-Tip was the perfect sized applicator for the beveled edge. If you find the result is too harsh, just rub a little clear wax over top to erase the black and tone down if necessary.
I hope I’ve inspired you to give it a try. Like everything in life, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing! You can start small and use black wax to highlight small areas rather than an entire piece.
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The pink color is very pretty I think it’s too distressed and the black is harsh
But that’s not to say it’s not well done
It is
Just do not prefer it !
Brave use of black wax !
Hi! I think the table is absolutely gorgeous! I have 2 questions for you. In this project, when the black wax is being used to accent/ age a piece, couldn’t you just use a dark or black paint to do the same thing?
Also, I’ve been losing my mind working on an old cabinet that I got out of someone’s basement. When I spotted it, just knew it had great potential, but standing in the middle of my kitchen, I didn’t have a clue what to do with it. I read and researched painting techniques, looked for anything that looked at all similar. So last night I finally finished the painting but I need to accent it in some places. The piece is incredibly simple though. Everything is flat with absolutely no detail to accent or highlight. I needed to do something!!!! Before a piece of sandpaper or a paint brush touched it, I got out my drummel and carved a flower in the middle of each door as well as smaller flower designs on each corner of the door.
I think I’m going to paint the carvings in a ligjt metallic acrylic by Martha Stewart, tined with a tony hint of green to match bmy project. I wish I could send you a pic because I’m wondering if I should accent it in s dark wax or dark color or i…A big question….Can I tint clear or dark wax to make black wax???
Thanks, Tristany and glad you like the table. 🙂 Yes, you can use a dark/black paint to accent but unless its’ mixed into a glaze, or wax, it tends to look very harsh. More like a harsh dry brush effect rather than a muted antiquing effect. I think the metallic mixed with green sounds really nice and that may be the best place to start because if by chance it’s not the look your after, it’s much easier to cover up with a dark wax. When unsure – start with light and then go darker. 🙂 And yes, I’ve tinted my own wax many times. Hope this helps and have fun. 🙂
Hi Denise, wonderful job on the table and thank you for all your great advice. Question: can I put black wax without applying clear wax first? I’m trying to get the best result with the least money possible. I’m making my chalk paint with paint + calcium carbonate (burgundy color) and I’d like to give the antique look with dark wax but a few videos I saw recommended to use clear wax first. I trust you! 🙂
Hi Liz! YES, you sure can! I’ve used dark waxes on their own many times! The reason why I (and other furniture painters) suggest applying the clear wax first – it gives you a little more control of the black wax and affords you the option to ‘erase’ if necessary. I would suggest applying your black wax on the burgundy (which btw black antiquing on burgundy looks amazing!) in an inconspicuous spot so you can see if you like it – and if yes, wax away. 🙂
maravilhoso… faz muito que queria saber como fazer essa técnica… achei que tinha que pintar de preto por baixo e ralar… fica feio… muito obrigada por compartilhar conosco… bjs SUCESSO!!!
Oi Stephanya! Tão feliz que você tenha achado o tutorial útil! x
This table is awesome, excellent project. Thank you, I am energized after seeing this.
Nancy
Glad you like it Nancy…thank you. 🙂
I would like to paint my kitchen island in graphite but looking to deepen it into a soft black shade. Would the dark wax give me that look?
Hi Donna! Applying a black wax over graphite paint will darken and deepen the shade for sure. I find this combo looks more like a beautiful pewter dark grey rather than a soft black (which is gorgeous when using graphite) so I would test to make sure it’s the soft black shade you’re after though. Best x
I purchased Antoinette and already have the black wax for a little end table with lovely detailing that I have been putting off starting because i was trying to picture it all finished and was struggling. Thank you for having the commitment I seem to be lacking!! The table looks perfect! Thanks for helping me with the visual of what my heart wanted but my head was slamming the brakes!
Hi Katrina! So glad this helps with your visual and I’ll bet you’re going to have a lot of fun painting with Antoinette. It’s such a beautiful color. x
Your table is absolutely beautiful!!! I love everything about it!
Question: is it ok for the clear wax to dry before applying the dark wax? I am working on a desk with Napoleonic Blue. I applied the clear wax yesterday and plan on doing the black wax today. Thank you!
Hi Nancy! You can apply the dark wax over the clear the next day however it might not be as easy to ‘erase’ as it would be applying it over a fresh coat of clear.
Omg love love love the pink. So girlie.
Thanks Joyce! It is a really pretty color!
I just bought some Antoinette for a dresser I thought I was going to do in this pretty shade of soft pink but she changed her mind and decided on a minty green…oh well some times furniture is like that…lol I’ll find another piece that wants to be pink 🙂
Yes you will Annie. 🙂 And it will probably be the girl that you think is going to be minty green.
Oh no, sorry about the hacking!! =( Hope you can fix this…
Thanks Zovesta! A day and a half later of working on this but I believe all is good now. Now I need some Advil!
I wish I could find a table like that and I love what you did with it.
Thanks Marie! 🙂
Well hey, I like it just as well the second time around as I did the first. 😉
Hah! Saw this in my feed and thought “hm… is this an in-depth tutorial of the black wax or something??”.
OMGosh…this page has given me nothing but trouble the last 2 days! I apologize for the duplicate emails!!! But hey, I’m glad you still like it the second around Zovesta LOL 😉
Thank you so much for this post. I think I would have worried about it looking dirty or muddy but it doesn’t at all. Your table turned out just beautiful. I appreciate your detailed instructions too!
Hi Nancy! Thanks so much.. I appreciate it. 🙂
Thanks Denise, I am now able to view this prooject on black was.
It’s beautiful.
Jackie
Oh good.. I’m so glad Jackie! I had to delete and republish this entire page/post so I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.