Hello again, Remodelaholics! I am Cassie from Primitive and Proper here to share my monthly contributor post. Today I am going to begin a new series about one of my favorite things…. my secret weapon in almost all of my projects…. paint! Each month, I will share a project and my thoughts on a different type of paint.
We are going to start with a newer-to-the-market paint, CeCe Caldwell’s paint. Here is what the company has to say about its paint:
I am fortunate enough to have a sponsor, Vintage Shabby Chicks, that carries their paint, and I receive a new color every few months to try out. Recently, I received a new color, Pinkerington Violet. It is a gorgeous and very faded violet, perfect for a subtle touch of femininity. It was a color that needed a special piece, so I searched and found this French table at my local Goodwill that I thought was just perfect!
The beauty of this paint is that there is NO sanding or priming needed. This paint has amazing adhesion! It also dries pretty quickly and is ready for a recoat in just a few hours. I gave this table its first coat of paint, and a few hours later I applied the second and last coat. All it needed was two coats, and at that point it looked like this. As you can see I painted right over the leather top. I have done this before and never had a problem with it.
Now, with most paints, I distress by sanding, but the unique way to distress with this paint is to use a damp rag and apply pressure and rub where you want to remove the paint. I absolutely LOVE this quality because you don’t get any of those little sandpaper scratch marks and the result looks naturally worn. Here are a couple of pictures (please note the lightly discolored area is just still slightly damp from my rag)
Now, CeCe Caldwell makes an all natural and eco friendly finishing wax that I love. However, in this case, I wanted a more aged and antiqued look, so I used Briwax Golden Oak and applied it with my Cece’s round wax brush. I love to use this wax because it ages lightly, and it also protects, all in one fell swoop of the brush! I applied wax all over it, and after that dried for an hour, I buffed it with a rag to give it a harder finish and a slight sheen.
As a final step, I applied rub-n-buff to some of the details to glam it up a bit. (You guys may remember my love for rub-n-buff from my last post!) I love to use it to highlight details, and I love the color combination of blush and gold- so girly and glam and perfectly suited to this little table. Here is the final result!
What I love about CeCe’s paints:
- Easy to apply
- No sanding or priming equals less work
- Eco-friendly
- Distresses with water
- Packaged in recycled containers
- Made in the USA
What I don’t love about CeCe’s paints:
- Limited color palette, but they can be mixed (I have done this before!)
- Sometimes finish can be uneven, so I find it lends to a distressed style better than modern
All in all, I absolutely love using this paint- I find it to be super easy to use. I have been painting furniture for some years now, but I think this paint could be used by the most novice painter. I would definitely recommend it for your gorgeous distressed pieces!
I will see you here next month with my thoughts on another type of paint! 
Great info, Cassie! Time for me to try out CeCe Caldwell, I think! Thanks for sharing — love the table AND the rub n buff accents.
Thanks so much Cassie for starting the great and informative paint series!! I think your table done in CeCe’s looks so feminine and fab:)
Julie
WOW that looks amazing.I am going to have to try this paint!Beautiful piece.
(((Hugs)))
Anne
I really like that old antique effect you used. I think you just gave me a new project to work on : D
So pretty! Very chic with just the right touch of glam. I love the curvy French style. Cassie did a beautiful job.
Great tips Cassie … I’ll be reading the posts like gospel, I know you won’t lead me astray.
I haven’t heard of this type of paint before but now I’m wanting to try it. I like the fact that there’s no sanding or priming required. Your table came out so pretty.
I am in love with this! Where do you find such great stuff to redo? Ugh, I never see great things like this!!!
Hugs,
Bj
What a great series. I can’t wait to see your reviews. Will you be trying out the paint from Southern Living Magazine?
Traci
I LOVE the color…before the waxing etc.
I’ve read before about CeCe’s paint and would like to try it someday. But I’m not much for distressed pieces..I’m more into a smooth, new finish look. Any thoughts about doing a piece with CeCe’s paint then using a clear wax without the distressing step in between? I’d love to see how that would look.
Thanks for showing us that cute piece!
hi connie! my own personal opinion is that the style of the paint lends more to the distressed look- it has a chalkier feel and finish and even a clear wax over it tends to give a slightly uneven finish, giving it more of an antique look.
Love this piece Cassie! Beautiful!!
Gorgeous, Cassie! The gold details and soft color are so pretty.
It sounds like nice paint. Thanks for the comprehensive review!
The transformation is just magical! Thanks for sharing this. (Are you sure there wasn’t any magic involved here?)
What a makeover, the color is perfection and the gold accent just makes it!
This is just beautiful work Cassie (as always!). I love the gold you’ve used – I’m actually thinking I need to find a project to use some gold on after seeing your use of it!
Is it ok that I’m a bit upset that the naturally worn leather was painted?
So pretty and great info, since I have a table with a leather top waiting to be painted right now. And, I did not know what to do with the leather top. THANKS for sharing.
Candy
PICKINandPAINTIN.blogspot.com
Love the finishes of your little table! Just beautiful! Hopped over from Simple Creations Friday Party! Blessings ~ Judy
This piece looks amazing, but you could have made it look amazing with any paint. Thank you for doing such a great post on this product I love. Definitely, the easiest paint for new comers to use.
You sure do pretty work Cassie. I like the addition of the rub n buff, it is just the right glam touch
De-lish!!
I like the idea of no sanding. But I usually put some sort of urathane on my table pieces when completed. Meaning even after the distressing. Helps with wear and id liquids are placed on the pieces. And I do this with chalk paint? Maybe no wax. Would there be a reaction to chalk paint the anything other than a wax used?
Keep Painting!
Barbara
I’ve been wondering about this paint – great info! Checking out the price and colors.
I did not see a mention of what you used for the gold accent on this piece. It’s beautiful! What did you use?