To create this finish, paint your piece in a medium to dark gray. Apply a good coat of gray being sure to completely cover everything. I typically apply two thin coats so I don’t miss anything. Check out our large selection of colors here.
For the white washing, use any shade of white. I personally don’t use the super bright whites or whites that are too yellow for this application but you can use whatever you like to compliment your base color.
Water a little white paint down until it’s the consistency of milk. I also pour a blob of paint onto a plate and use this in conjunction with the other. It’s important to use a wide whispy dry-brushing brush for this application so you get random coverage otherwise you’ll completely cover the other color.
Dip brush into thinned paint and dab off on paper towel. Make LONG, strokes in the direction of the grain. While still wet, lightly dip the very tips of the bristles into the paint blob on the paint and dab so it’s not globby and thick anywhere. Again, do very long strokes all the way across the piece of furniture without lifting if possible. You’ll achieve much better results if there is hardly any paint on the brush. It’s a lot easier to add more than it is to apply it to thick and then have to wipe some off.
I recommend messing around with this on a scrap piece until you get the hang of it. I basically do this same technique for white wash, weathered wood and liming.
Create the look of Weathered Wood
Give a piece a faux lime wash
I layered a medium gray over a slate color before adding the white. I love how it looks when you use three colors.
Create a Faux Zinc like to make your pieces resemble those pieces you love in
Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. This is requires several steps with dry time in between but I love the results. If you’re interested in how to do this, let me know and I’ll do a tutorial.
Can you tell I love playing with this paint?
The possibilities are endless!
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and at our West Michigan locations
Not So Shabby – Holland, Michigan
(2975 West Shore Drive, Holland, MI 49424 ~ East of US31, South of Riley)
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We carry a large supply of chalk and clay paints, finishes, clear coats, glazes, mica powders, wax and brushes at both our locations. Shop both our West Michigan locations seven days a week or order online HERE.
Have fun painting!! 
Shelly
Shelly
What a fabulous job of highlighting all of the great things about CeCe Caldwell paints, Paint Made Easy! You do beautiful photography.
Hello,
What is the beautiful color you have featured with the Dover White piece in the top picture? (white wash
Also, I have a question, is primer needed prior to painting with these paints you sell?
I would love a tutorial in the zinc finish! All of these finishes are superb! Thank you!
Thank you!! I will as soon as I carve out the time. Right now I’m busy with my mom. We spent a week at the hospital in Ann Arbor and are now back home recovering but she has a long road ahead of her and I’m her only caregiver.
Please do a tutorial for the faux zinc… Thanks
I will as soon as I carve out the time. Right now I’m busy with my mom. We spent a week at the hospital in Ann Arbor and are now back home recovering but she has a long road ahead of her and I’m her only caregiver.
Shelly, I would love to see a tutorial on the Faux Zinc. Thank you for your great tutorials!
I will as soon as I carve out the time. Right now I’m busy with my mom. We spent a week at the hospital in Ann Arbor and are now back home recovering but she has a long road ahead of her and I’m her only caregiver.
Yes, please to a tutorial on the zinc finish!!! Thanks so much!!!
I will as soon as I carve out the time. Right now I’m busy with my mom. We spent a week at the hospital in Ann Arbor and are now back home recovering but she has a long road ahead of her and I’m her only caregiver.
Hi Shelley. I found you at Debi’s Design Diary’s Blog so of course i had to check you out. I love your work but i’m in Florida. Do you have any online tutorials? Please say yes!
Hi Cheryl, I have a lot of blog tutorials on painting furniture. I’ve had my hands full the past five years with fighting cancer and taking care of other family members with cancer and broken bones so I do not have many video tutorials but I’ll try to start doing live videos as soon as I’m able. Right now I’m caring for my mom who just broke her femur.
Hope you and your loved ones are doing well. Nice work on everything!