Botanical Inspired Roll Top Desk by Jonathon Marc Mendes

I'm thrilled to share this wonderful project from my Painter in Residence, Jonathon Marc Mendes. Sadly this is the last of the projects from his residency, but I know for certain that we'll be seeing much more from him!

As we've come to expect from Jonathon, this piece brings together gorgeous colour combinations, intricate techniques (including his inspired fossilised leaf technique) and bold typography.

Jonathon started by painting the inside of this roll-top desk with a mix of Chalk Paint™in Old Violet and French Linen. He painted thickly and then cracked the paint by applying direct heat from a hairdryer.

Using masking tape Jonathon masked off an area around the edges to create a border of natural, unpainted wood. He painted the ‘Office’ lettering by hand, using Old White and Graphite over the top of the surface painted in a mix of Antibes Green, Graphite and Old White. To give it that aged, speckled look Jonathon flicked a little paint off of the end of a small artist's brush.

The drawers and cubby holes inside the desk were painted in various mixes and shades of bright colours, such as that hot pink – created by mixing Henrietta together with a touch of Emperor’s Silk.

For the top front drawer, Jonathon created a leaf design using a handmade stencil and completed it by painting the detail in by hand.

On the middle drawer, Jonathon used a fossil leaf technique, which is essentially like using real leaves as a stamp! To try this technique yourself, press leaves in to paint, vein side down, and leave there until the paint is nearly dry. Then, to highlight the beautiful slightly 3D print that this creates, use a little Dark Chalk Paint® Wax.

On either side of the desk is the fantastic contemporary leaf detail, which Jonathon expertly hand painted using Antibes Green over a mix of Graphite and Antibes.

To finish the piece and to bring it all together, Jonathon used my Sanding Pads to lightly distress areas over the whole desk. He then applied a coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax to seal in the paint and protect his wonderful work.

So finally, thank you Jonathon for the constantly inspiring work that you create with my paint and products.  I know that you will continue to be a huge creative force for us all!

Yours,

Annie

Victorian Inspired G Plan Table by Jonathon Marc Mendes

Here's the latest project from my Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes. It has his stamp all over it: the thoughtful colour combinations, the clever mix of styles and influences, the excellent paintwork and, of course, typography!

This G Plan bent wood coffee table was picked up at a local junk shop. Jonathon was drawn to the waterfall edges and clean lines. It’s a classic example of 70s design, so Jonathon decided to keep some of the wood unpainted, and add an architectural heritage detail, in this case, his Victorian tile design.

The combination of the G Plan design and hand-painted geometric details creates a modern, interesting look that is pure Jonathon.

Using the famous tile company Minton as his inspiration, Jonathon first painted the base of the table in Old White. He then used various Chalk Paint® colours to create his tile design. Jonathan used mixes of Country Grey, Antibes Green, Graphite and English Yellow, but this look could easily be achieved with Honfleur and Amsterdam Green mixes too. The pop of Giverny really makes it sing!

Incredibly, Jonathan painted the majority of this design by hand! Lots of patience is required for this, but you can use a stencil to create a similar pattern. Try my stencil in Tallulah, for example.

He then painted the sides in a mix of Napoleonic Blue and Graphite for a deep navy, ready for the Minton typography, which he created with an acetate stencil.

A coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax was then applied over the whole piece, to protect the paint and give the woodwork a refresh too.


I love the modern, masculine styling of the piece. Those 1970’s stag carvings have been given a modern twist, diagonally painted in Old White to link to the piece of furniture. And that wall is a gorgeous backdrop in Aubusson Blue.

We’re nearing the end of Jonathon's residency, I have just one more project from him to share! It’s been a fantastic three months of inspirational work, and I’m not saying I’ve saved the best till last, but make sure to check back soon to judge for yourselves!

Yours,

Annie

Leather Look Chair by Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes!

Can you believe that this stunning leather look chair actually started life like the picture below? With the help of a little Chalk Paint® and Clear and Dark Chalk Paint® Wax, Jonathon Marc Mendes has turned a rather dated and old looking chair in to something classically timeless, oh so handsome and quintessentially British! 

Jonathon began by adding water to Chalk Paint® in Arles to create the consistency of thin milk. (This is a must when painting directly on to fabric - the paint needs to absorb in to the fibres.) He painted the entire fabric surface of the chair with this base colour.

Once the first coat was dry, Jonathon added a touch of Primer Red to the watered down Arles mix - this created a gorgeous, warm colour that Jonathon began gradually layering on to the chair. To create an authentic leather look, the last coat of paint was applied fairly thickly so that the seat pad would crack, just like aged leather does!

Inspired by typography seen on old clock faces and coffee sacks, Jonathon created his own stencils using card. Once the painted fabric had dried, Jonathon applied his stencil designs to the chair using a Stencil Brush and Chalk Paint® in Graphite.



And now for the wax! Because Jonathon wanted a true leather feel to his chair, he finished the piece with wax, however if you just wanted to alter the colour of your chair, there is no need to wax as the watered down paint will have absorbed in to the fibres. Take a look at my video here to see this in action.

To create that gorgeous aged leather look Jonathon applied a coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax all over, and then, using a Wax Brush, Jonathon applied Dark Chalk Paint® Wax to the surface, paying particular attention to the edges and purposefully creating patchy darker areas to add to the overall authenticity. Over time the wax will act just like real leather, cracking on the surface.

Residual Chalk Paint® Wax was then used on the woodwork, adding that final, luxurious finish.

Well done, Jonathon, what a glorious way to use my paint and products.

Yours, 

Annie 

Art Deco Inspired Scene by Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes

This delightful Art Deco scene was created by my Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes using Chalk Paint®, Clear Chalk Paint® Wax and Brass Leaf. That lovely little table was picked up at a local junk shop for a mere £5! Jonathon transformed its look with a striking 1930s font and chevron design. 

Jonathon started by lightly sanding the melamine tabletop to create a rough texture for the paint to adhere to. He then painted two coats of Old White to form the background of his design. Marking his designs out in pencils first, he painted the chevrons in a monochrome palette of Graphite, French Linen and a mix of them both for a lovely gradient. Gold Size was applied in squares on the tabletop and on the edge of the table, ready for Brass Leaf.

 

Jonathon then mixed Arles, Emperor’s Silk and Old White to paint the table legs and the lamp. The colour is very similar to Scandinavian Pink, just a little warmer. A coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax seals the work, and leaves the surface wipeable.

The overall look is chic and stylish, perfectly elegant and very Jonathon Marc Mendes. Perfect work!

Have you been inspired by the Art Deco look in your home? Let me know by tagging me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @anniesloanhome

Yours,

Annie

Vintage painted sideboard by Jonathon Marc Mendes

When I announced that Jonathon Marc Mendes would be my latest Painter in Residence on Monday, the response from you was phenomenal. If you are already familiar with Jonathan's work, I'm sure you'll be excited to see what he has created for his residency, and this incredible piece will surely not disappoint.

Inspired by Jonathan's love of typography, vintage signs, bygone circus and fairground imagery, this piece is beautifully crafted to create a sense of history.

Using Aubusson Blue for the main body, Jonathon used a variety of Chalk Paint® colours to create a rich, moody and slightly masculine colour palette.  I love the addition of Brass Leaf – it gives a real sense of faded grandeur. Lashings of Dark Chalk Paint® Wax over the paint just add to the story.

Jonathan expertly hand painted all the imagery and fonts you see here. If you want to create something similar, but are a little afraid of hand painting designs yourself, why not try my Image Medium? Transferring printed images is really simple if you know how, just take a look at one of my previous blog posts to find out how.

So what do you think of this Jonathan's first project as Painter in Residence? Has it inspired you to include typography in your own work? Let me know by tagging me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @anniesloanhome. 

Yours, 

Annie 

My latest Painter in Residence: Jonathon Marc Mendes!

I am beyond thrilled to announce that my latest Painter in Residence: Jonathon Marc Mendes!

Based in Lincolnshire, UK, I am sure that lots of you know his work, which he shares over on his Facebook page, Jonathon Marc Mendes - Painted Love. Over the years, I have loved seeing his confidence in his own ability grow, and here you can see just a few of the projects that I have enjoyed seeing from him recently.

Jonathan is a supremely talented painter whose work spans many different styles, and is at once both steeped in history and yet utterly suited to modern interiors.

The work that he has created as my Painter in Residence is unlike any of his work that I have seen previously. I cannot wait to share the projects with you, the first which will be revealed very, very soon!

Keep an eye out on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page: @anniesloanhome to keep up to date with my Painters in Residence!

Yours,

Annie