Comments on: Chalk It Up

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:16:33 +0000

Yup, we did all four walls and actually the vines didn’t reach up to the light switch so it didn’t matter. Oh and if it was in the way we would have just ignored it just like you’re doing. Hope it helps!

xo,
s

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:11:59 +0000

Did you do all four walls? Did you have a light switch to work around? Did you treat it like it wasn’t there? I’m trying this in our breakfast nook, but we have a dimmer switch and a phone jack. I’m just ignoring them but I wonder if it’s going to end up looking weird with a big white rectangle in the middle of one of the trees.

By: Elle

Elle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:37:18 +0000

Thanks for the quick response, Sherry! I’ll be sure to check back in with pics of the look of shock/sheer terror/excitement? on my hubby’s face when I re-do our master bedroom while he’s at work!

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:17:26 +0000

Hey Elle,

The dining room wall was already painted that color for a while, so the first step is definitely to paint your room the desired background color and let it dry for at least a few days. Then use chalk to draw your pattern on the wall and either paint over your chalk lines (with a thin paint brush in a contrasting color) to “lock in” the pattern with paint (or spray seal the chalk with fixative instead). Hope it helps!

xo,
s

By: Elle S.

Elle S. — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:23:50 +0000

OMG, how did I miss this?! I love, love love it! However, I am a little confused about the process of doing the chalk over paint – you paint first, then do the chalk design, then paint over it? Sorry, I’m just getting over the flu, so I’m a little…slow today. Great job!

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:28:58 +0000

Hey CJM,

We just peeked under the top of the pedestal table and saw that it had bolts that held the top of the table to the base (which could easily be removed). Then we got a larger piece of wood to create the top and just screwed it onto the base, using the same bolts that had secured the other top to hold the new one in place. Hope it helps! As for how we painted the table, we didn’t sand it and actually just used oil-based primer followed by a few thin and even coats of latex paint and a few more super thin coats of poly. Here’s that tutorial for ya: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/02/how-to-paint-furniture/

xo,
s

By: cjm

cjm — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:20:03 +0000

Okay, I’m a few months late, but I just saw this post now and am amazed! But I have several really dumb questions: how did you know that you could remove the top of your pedestal table (or did you buy it “topless” {ha ha})? And how did you get the new tops to stay on? Also, did you sand the table before you painted it each time?

I never would have thought of painting a chandelier–it looks spectacular in white. You guys come up with such simple yet amazing solutions to things, it just blows my mind! :) Thank you!

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:19:58 +0000

Hey Antonette,

Yup, we sprayed the chain as well for a super easy makeover (and we actually did update an old brass and brown ceiling fan with the same technique so we know it can be done!). Hope it helps…

xo,
s

By: Antonette

Antonette — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:39:08 +0000

I love the idea of painting the old chandelier. It looks brand new! I have a question though- did you paint the chain too, or just buy a white one? Also, do you think the same technique would work on ceiling fans?

Thanks for sharing!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:20:42 +0000

I finished spray painting my same exact light fixture last week. My friend’s mom reads my blog and thought the “new” chandelier was actually new. It’s amazing what some paint and the new round bulbs did. We actually kind of like the light now and don’t plan on buying the expensive one I had originally wanted. Thanks for all the tips on how to paint it and which bulbs you used, they were a huge help!