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DIY Money Saving Chalk Paint

June 10, 2014 By: Melanie

We are happy  contributors for Jordan at Fun, Cheap, or Free.com.  Have you checked out her site?  She’s amazing, energetic and full of practical money saving ideas!  We were thrilled to share this project on her blog a few weeks ago.  Here we go!

Hi!  It’s Melanie again from Find it, Make it, Love it!  Steffany and I have been so excited about Jordan’s “Focus on Change” theme for this month.  We think one of the most fun ways to mix things up in our homes is to change furniture!  We are here to show how to easily transform a piece and how to do it for way less than you might think.  We’re talking about making  your own Chalk paint. First, Chalk paint is NOT the same as Chalkboard paint- Let’s chat real quick about the perks of  DIY chalk paint:

  • Much less expensive than the name brand.
  • Can use any color you want.
  • It dries super fast.

And best of all…..

  • No sanding required!

It’s true, no sanding required!  As long as the furniture does not have a heavy lacquer finish, this paint will stick!  We have painted dressers, tables, nightstands and even a piano with no sanding!

If you’re following along with Jordan’s 30 Days of Change Challenge, we’ve got you covered for at least 3 of the challenges!  Ready!?

Let’s dive right in with the BEFORE and AFTER reveal picture:DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (1)

This is a table Steffany snagged from her Grandma, it was headed to the dump if you can believe it!  We fell in love with it’s geometric top and curvy legs–gorgeous!  We have decided Grandma furniture is a perfect way to acquire beautiful furniture to give new life to.  Thrift stores and Yard Sales are also great ways to score some fabulous pieces!  (Check out Jordan’s Yard Sale tips HERE, and HERE.  Also check out some of our other thrift store furniture transformations HERE,  HERE, and HERE.)DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (24)

Before starting,  wipe down the furniture using a de-greasing cleanser if necessary.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (16)

Now for the DIY money saving chalk paint recipe:

What you need:

  • 1 cup Latex paint
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup Plaster of Paris
  • bowl for mixing
  • whisk

Here’s a couple helpful tips:  if you’re painting a small piece, just buy the sample size of paint from The Home Depot for about $3-it is exactly one cup!  Plaster of Paris can be found at Walmart for around $5 a box, and a box will last a long time.  So for under $10 you’re on your way to a fabulous furniture update!DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (19)

Here’s how to do it:

Pour the water and the Plaster of Paris into the bowl.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (20)

Mix the two together with the whisk VERY well!  This is the trick to perfect homemade chalk paint!DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (21)

Next, pour in the paint……DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (22)

and mix until well blended.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (23)

A foam brush works best, then just start painting.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (17)

We took this picture after the first coat.  Don’t panic!  The first coat of chalk paint never looks good!  Just keep going. 🙂DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (18)

First coat close-up.  Just keep going. 🙂DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (15)

As we mentioned, the paint dries super fast.  It can be re-coated after about 10 minutes.  See how good it looks after a few more coats?;)   We painted 4 coats on this table.  DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (13)

With such a cool hexagon top, we wanted to do a little something special.  We taped around the outer edge to start our design. Then used a ruler and pencil to lightly draw lines from corner to corner.  This gave us a guideline for the rest of the design.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (14)

We used a ruler as a spacer for the remaining lines.  (Honestly, we were winging it here.  Keeping it simple and hoping it would look how we wanted! 😉 DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (9)

With a box cutter and  a ruler, we trimmed lightly trimmed any tape hanging over.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (10)

When painting with stencils, whether it’s an actual stencil or just painters tape, be sure to paint from the edge of the tape inward.  This will prevent the brush from pushing paint under the tapes edge.  Perfect lines are a big deal on a project like this! DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (11)

Once you’re done painting, carefully pull off the tape.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (12)

Clean lines!  Hooray!DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (4)

For the charming distressed look, sand along all the edges letting the dark wood underneath peak through.DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (8)DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (5)

Seal it with a good finish.  Our favorite is Minwax Paste Finishing Wax.  It is easy to apply, and it holds up perfectly! DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (7)DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (3)

In just a few hours a piece of furniture can be totally changed!  DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (1)DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (2)DIY Chalk Paint-Hex table (6)

What do you think?!  We know there’s something sitting around your house that could use a fresh new look, we say change it up! 🙂

Linking up to some of these parties:

Monday:  Craft-o-maniac, Skip to my Lou, Keeping it Simple, Creatively Living
Tuesday: Clean and Scentsible, Not Just a Housewife  Wednesday: Seven Thirty Three, Snap!Creativity,  Creations by Kara, Made to be a Momma,
Oh my! Creative, Someday Crafts, Gingersnap Crafts, The Life of Jennifer Dawn, Life as Mrs. Larson  Thursday: Artsy Fartsy Mama, Put a Bird on it, The Happy Scraps
Friday: Tatertots and Jello, Summer Scraps, Just us Four, Wait Til Your Father gets Home,
Design Dining and Diapers, Practically Functional, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, Classy Clutter

 

 

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  • Re-finished Chairs, DIY Chalk PaintRe-finished Chairs, DIY Chalk Paint
  • Piano Bench RefinishPiano Bench Refinish
  • How to Paint a PianoHow to Paint a Piano
  • Barn Wood SignBarn Wood Sign

Comments

  1. Melanie says

    June 18, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks so much Laura! We are thrilled to be featured!

  2. Melanie says

    June 18, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Thank you Jennifer!

  3. Melanie says

    June 18, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you Stacy! We love the colors too!

  4. Melanie says

    June 18, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Thanks so much T’onna!

  5. Laura says

    June 18, 2014 at 3:36 am

    I love this table. The table itself is so unique and I love the colors you chose! Thank you for linking up to The Creative Exchange. I am featuring your project this week. xo, Laura

  6. Jennifer Dawn says

    June 18, 2014 at 3:09 am

    What a fun table! Such a transformation!

  7. Stacy Risenmay says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    I absolutely love this! The colors are perfect 🙂 I pinned!

  8. T'onna Peters (Navy Wifey Peters) says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:15 am

    Wow! I love the way you painted this table! The colors look great! I’m pinning it!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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