Thursday, August 18, 2011

My First Chalk Paint Project

Have you ever been so excited about how a project is turning out that you show it off before it's even all the way done?  No?  Well, I am going to.  I have been DYING to try out the amazing chalk paint all summer.  My wonderful friend, Amber, of Shades of Amber (click on this link to order), has recently become Colorado's only stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  She was kind enough to send me a quart for me to try.
 I heard all the rave reviews about this last winter and have been wanting to try it ever since.  It may seem a bit expensive at $36.95 a quart- but believe me, it's worth it.  It's a beautiful, thick, creamy texture and spreads beautifully.  The best part is that you don't have to prime, sand or strip down your furniture.  Yup, that's right, just spread the gorgeous paint right on. 

So, here's my guinea pig project. A nice, round coffee table I found cheap on craigslist.

 See that nice glossy, stained finish?  Well, it didn't last long with chalk paint.  In the past I would have had to sand it down a bunch, wipe it down, apply a couple of coats of primer and then get around to painting.  With chalk paint, it's all instant gratification (definitely my type of project.)  I used both a nice purdy-brand brush and a foam roller to apply three coats of paint.  You only need to wait about an hour between coats (see, it IS instant gratification at it's best!)

This is what she looked like with just one coat of "cream" chalk paint:



I was impressed at how thick the paint was, making very few drips or paint brush marks.  It dries very fast, though, so go light, rather than thick as you apply it.  After the three coats, I let it dry overnight.

When dry, you are left with a nice smooth, but matte surface. Here's where the fun begins.  Because of it's chalk nature, it sands away beautifully.  I sanded all the edges to give it a nice aged patina.


It does leave quite a mess of chalk dust when you sand, so do it outside (not inside, on carpet, like I did!)

  I knew right away what I wanted to do to make this table special.  Like the tables I did in my last post here, I found an old french label from The Graphics Fairy (an awesome copyright-free website of clipart) and blew it up at Kinkos.

So here is what it looks like so far.  I still need to use a couple coats of wax to seal in the paint and lettering.  The wax will harden and protect as well as give the piece a sheen (when I finish with the wax, I'll add a post script on with a picture.)






 I love how it looks now!  I'm still not sure it's the right scale for the room, but I'd sure have a hard time parting with it.  It was such a fun, quick project (probably a total of only 2 1/2 hours of work!)

So, are you sold on chalk paint yet?  Well look at all the amazing colors it comes in (and yes, you can layer or mix colors.)
Shades of Amber  (click on link to order) offers a beautiful color deck that you can buy so that you can see what you're getting before you mortgage the farm or cat or whatever to buy the paint!  Brilliant, huh?  What's even better is that they've covered one side in clear wax and the other side in the brown wax so you can really see how it changes/accentuates the color! Amber sent me a deck and it really is beautifully done.

I also recommend visiting Amber's blog to see projects done with chalk paint.  She even hosts a fun link party on Mondays so you can get further inspiration and ideas of what can be done with chalk paint. I'll be linking up my table on Monday, Amber!!!

I would also recommend visiting Miss Mustard Seed's blog posts about chalk paint and her video tutorials on wax if you're feeling a little nervous about trying this.

I still have 3/4 of a can left after painting this table, so I plan on painting a secretary desk that's in my daughter's room next!  I can't wait!!  So what are you going to try Chalk Paint on?


This week I'm linking to:

11 comments:

  1. Erin my mom told me about this paint too....I have a tv stand I want to redo..where do you buy the paint????

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love, love, love it! If only I could afford that paint! *sigh* That room looks awesome and I would definitely keep that table there! Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jill, it's not found in stores. You have to order from a stockist online. I like Shades of Amber as linked above since I know them and KNOW you'll get good service.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just gorgeous! One day I have to try that chalk paint!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Erin....so glad you are enjoying the paint. Be careful...it's addicting!
    Beautiful job on your table and I love the graphic!

    To cut down on the dust, try either waxing first and then sanding OR you can try "sanding" it with damp terrycloth towel. Much more control that way and no dust!

    Thanks so much for the love

    Amber
    www.ShadesofAmberInc.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely project! And ASCP, haven't tried it yet, but I can just IMAGINE wedding registry all over the country have chalk paint listed in hopes that guest will pick up a quart to add to the bride's creative efforts and new home!

    Love the round table too- right there in your LR- don't move it :)
    Smiles, visiting from MMS Linky Party today,
    ~Suzanne in IL

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is spectacular! Oh my goodness - it looks like such a custom piece. Well done! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am inspired to try chalk paint now. I would not have considered it before because of the price. The lettering you did on top took it to the next level. Beautiful!!!

    Krista-Artista.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is so beautiful! I love the writing on top, such a great detail!

    I am hosting a fun giveaway & would love to have you check it out--

    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/uprinting-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Erin, I am a new follower from Pinterest! Your table is amazing. Thanks for the great information I'm thinking of trying this paint on a bath vanity!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails