Dudes and dudettes, I finally tried chalk paint. And yes, I just broke out dudettes. Gutsy move for 2013, eh? Anyway, many of you guys have asked if I’ve given Annie Sloane chalk paint a go, and now that I have, here are the details. First of all, here’s how we used it:
John and I brainstormed a few possibilities for the table that we cut down and the two thrift store chairs that we found in West Virginia (they were $8 each) for a while. Here are a few alternatives that we tossed out there:
- red chairs with a white table
- red table with white chairs
- navy table with red chairs
- navy table with white chairs
- one red chair, one navy chair, and a red table
And then we finally landed on something that we thought was interesting enough to make us pull the trigger: wood chairs with red backs and a white table. Of course it was John’s idea (as he is the brains of this operation), although a reader later suggested exactly the same thing, which was a pretty funny “jinx!” moment.
We had a hunch that adding a table and chairs would be something that we’d get some good use out of in there. Sure enough, the day we dragged them into the room to test our theory, this happened.
And this:
And I realized that I even loved Clara’s pj’s layered into the room’s palette. #crazyfabriclady
So after establishing that the table and chairs were a good addition to the room, it was just about getting those chair-backs painted bright red. Our first instinct was to run to the hardware store and grab a $4 test pot of red paint, and get to work sanding and priming. But then I remembered that we had a little sample pot of Annie Sloane chalk paint (everyone at last year’s Haven conference got a bag with a few little pamphlets and samples, one of which was this guy in “Emperor’s Silk”). So I decided to give it a try. I mean I’ve heard it’s really convenient since you don’t have to prep the surface at all (no sanding, no priming, etc).
Update: Chalk paint, although it sounds similar, isn’t the same thing as chalkboard paint (chalk paint is just a flat chalky type of paint, sort of like milk paint or clay paint).
So I brought the chairs out into the sunroom, wiped them down with a liquid deglosser just to be sure they weren’t coated with something weird like oil (you never know with thrift store stuff) and cracked open the red paint. Then I got down to painting the backs of each chair, which took about ten minutes each for each coat.
I used a short handled angled brush (more control) and free-handed things, being careful around the edges to keep them nice and clean (for those who are worried about shaky hands, you can tape off the edges if you’d like). It went on pretty thick even though I did my best not to pile it on (it’s pretty viscous stuff) so there was great coverage and it only took two coats to be completely done. Then I let them dry in the sunroom for a while (it was kinda smelly, so I wouldn’t recommend doing it anywhere that’s not closed off and ventilated – I had the slider wide open in the sunroom while I painted).
But here’s the rub. While chalk paint doesn’t call for any prep before you paint, there’s a step after you paint. I didn’t even realize this going into it, but after a few days of letting them dry in the sunroom I went in to check on them and they felt really dry and chalky. I dragged my finger across the back of one and it actually made a white line (yes, that probably means I left skin cells on the chair, which skeeves me to no end, but the point is that the freshly painted chairs were crazy chalky and dry – not sealed and ready to use at all).
That’s when I learned that Annie Sloane paint gets sealed after the paint dries by applying a coat of Annie Sloane wax over the painted area to seal it and gloss it up for everyday use. Duh. $herdog was not even in on that little fact. The good news is that a friend of mine named Lori (who happens to be Clara’s school friend’s momma) had used Annie Sloane paint and wax on some bookcases in her daughter’s room, so she offered me a few dabs of her wax so I didn’t have to buy a whole tin for two tiny chair backs. Literally, I only needed two dabs, and I used a sock to apply a nice thin coat of wax. Tip: you don’t want to go super thick with the wax or it can have a hard time curing and may stay tacky over time.
It wasn’t really hard or anything, but the thing I still sort of think about is this: if the whole selling point to chalk paint is that there’s no sanding or primer needed, but you have to apply another product afterwards (and buy that as well, unless you have a crafty friend with leftovers) isn’t it sort of the same difference?
I definitely recommend giving it a try if it beckons you, and it didn’t crack and peel or make me hate it or anything, but I’m not convinced that it’s much harder to degloss, prime, and paint (which is what I would have done) instead of deglossing, chalk painting, and waxing. Does that make sense? So my very very honest review is this: I liked chalk paint, but it didn’t change my life. That being said I know there are super crazy chalk paint lovers out there and I totally respect that. Who knows, maybe I’ll use it again and that’s when it’ll change my life. Haha. Ya never know…
In the meantime, there’s one thing I can’t deny. We love our red-backed chairs and we cannot lie.
One more chair pic, just for kicks:
Oh and as for the table, it was stained…
… and peeling down below.
So we gave him a quick sanding…
… followed by a quick primer + paint job. As for the paint specifics, we used semi gloss Benjamin Moore Decorators White in their Advance paint, which is extra durable (we used it on the cabinets in our office when we painted them over a year and a half ago and they’re still taking a licking and ticking like crazy).
As for the placement of the table, we go back and forth between putting it against the wall under the window and pulling it out onto the rug. So we’re living with it both ways to see what ends up being the most functional. We’ll report back as we trial and error our way to a decision. Ha!
This little playroom/big girl room is starting to shape up, right? I mean, we’re only about 35% there, so there’s a ton left on the agenda, but it’s definitely an awesome change to see this room go from Crazy Chaotic Storage Explosion to a room that we can actually all hang out in. Hootie hoo.
What are you guys painting? Have you ever painted just the top or the back of something? Did you eye it or tape it off? Have you tried chalk paint? Did it sweep you off your feet? Does it take a few tries for it to really make you swoon? Or are you a stodgy old traditionalist like me who doesn’t mind primer before instead of waxing after?
Geri says
Looks amazing. Well done guys! But one question that I need answered stat is….what is that nail polish colour you’ve got going on there? Sherdog the nails are gleamin’ and I’m a likin’! Brand, colour???
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! It’s by Zoya. I think it’s called Maura!
xo,
s
Rachael says
I guess not then!
Amy says
I wasn’t sure I liked the curtains at first, but now they make sense!
Jenny B. says
You’re totally right about the chalk paint. I started painting our kitchen cabinets with it, and decided to throw in the towel (literally) after waxing one section. So. Much. Work… I thought my arm was going to fall off. So, yes. You can paint with no prep, but you will be making up for it with the wax at the end. I think the big appeal with the chalk paint (and other commentors may have already said this) is that it distresses really well. So, if you’re going to distress a piece, then it definitely has advantages over other paints. But, if you’re just going for a solid color, then it’s not necessarily any better, and may even be more work since I think waxing is harder than sanding.
Pam the Goatherd says
Painting just the backs of the chairs was a truly brilliant idea!
I’m very definitely a prime, paint, poly traditionalist – much easier than waxing in my opinion!
Diana says
This is really ironic because we are in the middle of our first chalk-paint project now! We are actually doing ALL of our kitchen cabinets in chalk paint (which is expensive, but worth it). Our choice of chalk paint is not for the time-saving, but because it apparently will adhere to ANYTHING well. We live in a manufactured home where our cabinets are not real wood, but laminate. You can literally pull the “wood” finish of the cabinets off like paper. Regular paint (the kind you sand and prime with) would run off of it and be streaky, so it would look cheap and poorly done. My aunt, who is a decorator, swears by Annie Sloane Chalk paint, and highly recommended it for painting a surface like ours. The fact that it is low in chemicals also was a big seller since we are doing the whole kitchen and even though we are doing it while the kiddos are asleep, it is taking us several days.
The chairs and room look great!
Tiffany T. says
Totes almost cried I couldn’t make it out to FLOR tonight. I had to work :( I’ll bet Katie B. was there too..I hope yall had a blast though!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw sorry to miss you Tiffany!
xo,
s
Amanda says
When you brainstormed things, you landed with many possibilities. I really like John’s idea. It looks great. Loved the color combinations, suited very well… Now the room seems to be in perfect shape.
Ter'e Crow Lindsay says
Ah shoot……..I am new here to your blog. Am totally hooked. Love your book and your whole family is simply charming me!
You guys are like a breath of fresh air!
What a GOOD FEELING blog.
Thx.
JoAnne says
Did you know your book made it on IKEA’s FAMILY live Facebook page via apartment therapy? An apartment they feature has your book front and center on the coffee table.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-ikea-lack-to-faux-gator-coffee-table-domesticitie-183693
Enjoy!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! That’s awesome!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
How far under the curve on the back of the chair did you paint? Can’t tell in pictures (so they look perfect), but I was wondering if there was a good definitive point to stop and it not look wonky.
YoungHouseLove says
I just went as far as was visible without being under the chair :)
xo,
s
carol jane says
Hey Ladies. ASCP is supposed to be used in layers. Like duck egg blue under old world white. than you should lightly sand your furniture piece to let the under color show through a bit. It really is meant to be used on more intricate pieces of furniture. Like old hutches, tables, with lots of antique details on it. ASCP is meant to give a very french, and old world look to your furniture. Not for a modern look at all. While your chairs look awesome, chalk paint was not necessary for that project. Ladies, go to AnnieSloan.com to learn more about the paint.
Lezlie Butts says
I am an avid chalk-painter. Your chairs look great, but ideally I think chalk paint looks best on imperfect / carved surfaces rather than smooth. That’s why no sanding and priming is ideal. Also, if you don’t like the way it looks, you can just shlep another coat of chalk paint right over it, wax and all. I think it saves lots of time. While it may not have been awesome for those chairs, it would be awesome, for example, on your old sideboard if you had chosen to re-paint it.
Molly says
Just saw this in Family Fun magazine and thought you would love it-Woodland twilights LED nightlights- http://www.streamlinenyc.com/detail.php?product_sub_cat_id=363&product_cat_id=3&product_id=2037
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, so cute!
xo
s
Rachel says
ha ha, just wait till you want to paint a piece of waxed furniture, then you will literally fall in love with Annie Sloan! Removing wax is quite the worst, messiest, smelliest, most toxic job in the world of painting furniture. Then chalk paint really comes into its own as you can just slap it right on top of the wax.
Jennifer says
So.. is Clara sleeping in the big girl room yet?!?
-Jennifer
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, she still loves sleeping in her crib, but playing in her big girl room :)
xo
s
ali thompson says
ah, i love the back side of the chairs painted like that. looks fantastic!
Hillary @ The Friendly Home says
Maybe a hundred other readers have already said this, but for me the benefit of chalk paint is in how it distresses, not in the number of steps required. I’ve only used CeCe Caldwell’s chalk paint and my favorite thing about it is how I can use a damp sponge (instead of a sanding block) to distress. It’s easier on the undercoat, I have more control, and no dust! But for this project? Meh. Regular VOC-free paint would be fine. I love how your chairs (Clara’s chairs?) turned out!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips from all the chalk paint experts out there!
xo
s
SM says
Red back chairs are almost as good as red bottom heels (rap song reference to Christian Louboutins) :)
Mel Holt says
Love the chairs and table! Quick question about the table…did you seal the top to prevent peeling or chipping? I sanded, primed and painted a bookshelf with the same Benjamin Moore paint that you used, but I can’t place anything on the shelves without the paint pulling away when I lift the object. Any suggestions? Love your blog!!!
YoungHouseLove says
We used Advance paint by Ben Moore (made for cabinets and not meant to be sealed or polyed) which is also what we used in our kitchen and our office without anything on top. They take a beating! It’s awesome. The key is thin thin coats so they cure up really hard and nothing makes dents or pulls away (and to use primer to bond it).
xo
s
Stephanie says
I love chalk paint!!!!! If you don’t have to prime for me I’m in. I don’t even really clean the pieces properly. It is the best for picture frames and you really don’t have to wax if you don’t want to. Especially if you are putting the piece outside – no wax needed. Our local Annie Sloan provider even color matched a teal for me for some awesome thrift store lamps. You can literally paint anything with it. Okay, I guess I’ve been converted : )
Christy says
Welcome to Atlanta, y’all! I had no idea til now. Just moved in to a 1959 ranch that we did a small addition on here and man, wish you guys could come over and give us some ideas! You’d have a field day! So much to do, but it’s exciting! But honestly, we have a 5 month old and I can’t imagine how y’all find the time to do all of this stuff with a little one. By the time I get him down (by 8) I’m ready for bed, too! Ha!
I have my grandmothers antique china closet that has some very ornate molding. It’s already been painted over the original finish several years ago (but was not done well) I’m wondering if the chalk paint would be a good solution to stripping the whole thing? Or do you think since it was already painted over once it would still need to be sanded or stripped? I’ve looked into having it professionally done but its so $$$$. Don’t want to risk it since it was my Grandmothers….but not sure where to start. Any posts or suggestions to try?
PS-definitely make time to check out the west side while you are here….where Jonathan Adler is there are soooo many cool shops and restaurants. Room and Board is a dream to walk through but so are all the small specialty shops. Have fun in the A!
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t know about how to go about painting over something that has already been painted with chalk paint. Anyone know? Maybe just test it on a spot and as long as it grips you’re good to go? Good luck!
xo
s
Stephanie says
So I am one of those crazy chalk paint lovers who you talk about :) I use it a lot on up-cycled furniture. It can be used on any surface, and by any, I mean any surface. Plastic, metal, wood, anything… but yes you have to wax it afterwards. But it’s best used for when you want to sand something to make it more shabby chic, “vintage chippy”, if that makes sense. The wax helps for that reason, to deepen color of the paint, to smooth out the surface so it’s silky soft, after you sand the edges for that worn in look. It also doesn’t take any elbow grease. The paint was made to be sanded right back off. It does seem crazy to have all the supplies on hand if your not planning on sanding it up a little.
The room is really looking so cute. Isn’t it fun? I love how a room just comes together one step at a time… letting it evolve. Thanks for all of your secrets and tips for the rest of us to be inspired by!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Ohhhhh I love love love it! I would have never thought of that!!!
Vonda says
I’ve not tried the AS chalk paint — it pains me to think about paying that much for a quart of paint – but FREE would be worth it.
I’m painting a credenza for my husband’s office; painting it RED and totally forgot until AFTER the 1st coat to run the deglosser over it. UGH. Tonight will be coat number 4. Yippee!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw good luck Vonda! You can do it!
xo
s
Elizabeth @SouthernColor says
Clara’s room is coming together so prefectly! We recently tested out Chalk Paint on a dresser (from Goodwill) and we’re not 100% sold on it. I agree that there were as many steps as normal paint, but Chalk Paint just costs 3 times as much?! It was so great meeting you last night in Atlanta! Thanks for signing my book :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so nice to meet you Elizabeth!
xo
s
Heather says
There are 2 shops that I frequent here in Spokane that use ASCP. They totally advertise it as chalk paint and draw on all the pieces that they paint up with ASCP. So funny! She’s been using it as a chalkboard surface on dressers- and writes cutsie stuff like “His” and “Hers” on the drawers. So apparently you can use it as a chalkboard surface???? if you don’t wax it- but it’s probably not meant to be that way. I make my own chalkboard paint with grout powder and latex paint- SO easy. Maybe ASCP is similar to homemade chalk paint because clay and grout mix have got to be similar haha! ASCP is SO spendy so I’ve beer bought it. Sorry- totally rambling and completely forgot the most important part!! LOVE. LOVE.LOVE.THIS.ROOM!!!!!
Heather says
Haha- correction – I don’t buy with beer, usually :).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Kelley Hively says
I’ve done lots of furniture painting projects using latex, oil, and chalk paint (on different projects, of course!). I’ve found that my chalk painted pieces hold up much longer without chipping. And that’s saying a lot In a house with two teenage boys!
YoungHouseLove says
Good to hear!
xo
s
Lindsey says
I just started sanding the frame and molding of one of three huge windows in the basement of a split entry rambler that I am remodeling. Once I started I couldn’t believe how many levels and corners the frames had and how I could have never noticed before! I’m sure applying wax in corners is also a challenge, but a paint product that doesn’t require sanding sounds rather appealing amidst all my present sanding. I’ll probably still end up sticking to the traditional sand, prime, paint route, but an alternative to sanding has its attractions. Thanks!
Ellen says
I have used chalk paint on many pieces of furniture in different settings. I have used it on both pieces I have distressed, as well as those without distressing. I love the matte look when finished. I find that I can paint with 2 coats and wax a medium size piece, in about 6 hours. If I start in the morning, it can be used by the evening! There is another manufacturer of chalk paint, CeCe Caldwell, who has a much broader color palette. Chalk paint takes some practice, especially the waxing, but I am one of those totally enamored users!!
Teresa says
My friend used ASCP on a cabinet she was putting in her new laundry room since she wanted to go with the distressed look. She used the red and it looks great. She did thin the paint a little when she used it. My daughter and I are going to try it on a TV stand in her room. It is laminate and I am curious to see if the chalk paint works as well as I have read it does on laminate. If so, some of these old laminate bookcases may get a coat.
By the way, my non-crafty daughter is the one who told me about you. She said you wrote things on your blog in a way that she thought she could do them. She requested your book for Christmas and now I am following along, too.
Mary says
I’ve used ASCP on a few pieces and I have to agree with you about the waxing. I also had a bit of trouble waxing a very cute desk that I did in the emperor’s silk. It looked very cloudy/streaky. I’ve been wanting to try to use the spray clear mini wax, but haven’t had the guts to do so yet for fear of ruining what I just painted. If the spray wax works well over the ASCP, THEN I would be an ASCP GROUPIE! Clara’s room is really looking fantastic!
Christina @ Floridays Mom says
I painted just the front drawers of Colin’s dresser when redoing his big boy room, rather the whole dresser and I’m in love with the way it turned out. Sometimes a little splash of paint is all you need. Love the way the chairs turned out, the red is darling, I’ve yet to use ASCP..I’m dying to be part of the in-crowd.
Kim says
This is Kim from Austin (spoke with y’all at the book signing and sent y’all a few places to eat while in town). I LUHVE my chalk paint. I have a table with 2 chairs that were really showing some wear and tear, but were still really sturdy. Being the cheapo that I am, I decided to invest in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint instead of buying new or gently loved stuff. I love how my table and chairs turned out. But must add, if a piece is going to used quite a bit (like a table and chairs), put at least 3 to 4 good coats of wax on them (I only did 2 really light coats). My dog thinks she is a person and puts her paws on the table and has scratched some of the paint off. I also painted the arms and legs of 4 upholstered chairs, then spray painted the upholstery with Simply Spray Upholstery spray paint. I think these chairs look better now than before. They were hand me downs from my mom and she told me the same thing!!! I have one more huge project to do with the chalk paint, just need to get the guts up to start it. Sorry for the long post, I tend to be an over sharer, too! Have a great weekend.
Shar says
Started using the AS Chalk Paint this last year, there are some awesome videos on youtube and from Annie Sloan herself and a Mom who paints in her garage using the stuff, you can learn more about the techniques, using the paint, etc from these. I dont think its an ideal paint if your just trying to paint a solid color. Its when your going with something to expose wear, imperfections, characters, carvings, etc in the wood, or if your apply a heavy coat, buffing with the dark wax really brings out the color on a deeper level. I just did an end table with Emperors Silk using the Dark Wax, really looks great on the red! The paint is very forgiving when doing large pieces that are meant to have a rustic or worn charm to them, you dont have to worry about painting like with other paints and brush strokes, you can apply thin or thick coats, or water it down, or wipe it after you apply it, but thats so you can see some wood grain, etc. I love it for well loved, weathered pieces, that need new life again! Im working on a China Cabinet right now using the paint, cant wait to see it finished! Try the paint on something you find that has a rough surface, some cool wood grain, and something with some cool carvings or detail work on the surface. Then go for some dark wax also! And did you know you can paint a leather sofa with the stuff, and then apply the wax? Have seen it done twice now!
Shar says
PS Above to mary who said her wax looked streaky, make sure you are using cheese cloth or no lint cloth that is clean when buffing, its like waxing a car, think of it that way, when you buff it off. AND if you use the clear wax, it works like an eraser on the dark if you arent happy or want to take some off.
Donna white says
Chairs look great….but a stencil on the back of them would add even more interest and jazz them up another layer….as well as the table top! Just sayin ;-)
Amber S. says
I live in WV and I was wondering if you would be willing to share the name of the thrift store you found the chairs at if not, understand. So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
I wish we remembered! It’s just someplace we drove by on the way back to VA from West Virginia where we fixed up John’s grandma’s bathroom. It was a very small thrift store off of the main highway.
xo
s
Michele (Stiltskin Studios) says
chairs turned out so stinkin’ cute. How clever. Chalk paint…love it. Wax…pain in the butt most of the time (but I do love the result).
You actually can use any type of sealant over chalk paint,but my favorite way to seal a piece like your chairs is to burnish the finish with a high grit sandpaper (600) or 0000 steel wool. It buffs out to a gorgeous, glossy finish and is durable enough for anything that won’t get a ton of handling (wouldn’t use it for a tabletop, for example!) I know the respective manufacturers recommend you follow their protocol but we break the “rules” all the time and it pretty much always works out well. If you want a less rustic finish (read: no brushstrokes) you can thin the paint, as well.
Have fun, and I hope you give it another whirl. It really is great stuff!
Keep rockin’ your complete awesomeness :0)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips from you varsity chalk painters out there!
xo
s
Marian says
Chalk paint is killer when used to transform a really ugly piece of furniture into a pretty, aged piece. And while I agree that if you do it right, it’s no less work than a regular clean-prime-paint process, I love the feel of furniture that’s been chalk painted, waxed and sanded. It’s silky once it cures. And you can get a really groovy, fire stitch pattern if you lay the paint grain right and use two contrasting colors.
Vanessa says
I’ve just started using ASCP and love it. I haven’t experimented too much with techniques, but I use it even when I’m not distressing. I redid a tv cabinet and it was soooo fast. Did one coat, started the second when the first was done (so, immediately), and got up early before work to wax it the next day. If I’d been sanding and priming and painting, it would have been a project that lasted a few days – chalk paint made it go really quickly. And a little definitely goes a long way.
Kelly says
Chalk paint I believe really excels on antique pieces with detail, bumps and bruises. If you choose to distress those areas the paint removes easily and gives the peice a more naturally aged look. The wax will really give the areas more depth and dimension. The paint is meant to go on thick to give the peiece a textured, hand-painted look. You can thin in out if you want a smoother look or think it would be easier to work with. Also there is a dark wax you can use along with the clear wax to really give a piece a different look or to further accentuate details. Also, you can control the sheen by how much you buff the wax, anywhere from matte to gloss. From my experience you have to use ASCP products quite a bit, on many different types of peieces to really understand its many possibities. Just thought I’d pass this info along since it took me some time to understand the paint after using latex. I love the two-toned look on your chairs!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks to all the pros dropping in with info! So interesting!
xo
s
Kelly says
Have you painted anything that a baby might put his mouth on (like wooden toys or a crib)? What kind of paint do you recommend for something like that? My husband built a barrier around our fireplace and I’m wondering what type of paint would be best, just in case my toddler decides to chew on it. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I’d recommend no-VOC paint like Mythic with a non-toxic sealer like Safecoat Acrylacq (which you can get at greendepot.com).
xo
s
Marcy says
I just recently started my first chalk paint project, too! I wound up purchasing the CeCe Caldwell’s brand, and I love it because it had NO odor at all! I am pregnant and have two little ones, and felt totally comfortable painting with it inside our house. I am working on a set of chairs and loved not having to sand at all (just wiped them down really well and got started). I did water the paint down quite a bit for the first coat so it applied pretty quickly and without brush strokes. I only watered the paint down slightly for the second coat. I haven’t done the wax coat yet, but I’ve read that it can be one of the most durable topcoats for furniture that’s heavily used if it’s applied properly. We’ll see if it can hold up to my busy kiddos or not!
Megan W. says
SAND YOUR CHALK PAINTED ITEMS…after you paint them. I am telling you that is the KEY to this fantabulous stuff. Trust me, one sample pod of paint will cover a whole chair. Its thick, so water it down and it will go further. Then the best part, take a EXTRA FINE Sanding sponge block and sand your piece. Yes, its dusty…but, a couple swipes and then your piece feels like BUTTA. It has the look of a fine factory finish. I don’t even wax, but if you want to save $$, just grab a can of MiniWax Paste Finishing Wax. I recommend giving it a second try, actually saves you time with a nicer result. Problem is: You can’t stop touching it once you sand it…he he
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds gorgeous!
xo
s
Lil says
Hoping you read comments on old posts…how far did that little tester go? I have a twin headboard/footboard that I think I’m going to use the chalk paint on (found the pretties teal color – Florence). I know a quart is going to be WAY too much, but I’m doubting I can squeak a headboard/footboard out of one test pot…and then by the time you buy two test pots, you’ve almost paid for a quart. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
YoungHouseLove says
We just used it for this project but I’d say that 90% is still left. It went really far! I’ve heard you can water it down so I bet you could do a headboard and foot board with one tester or even two (which should still be cheaper than a quart, right?). Good luck!
xo
s
Daphne says
Cece Caldwell’s is all natural and nontoxic, no voc’s….and supposedly doesn’t smell like ascp does..I haven’t used either but have bought and not gotten to my cece Caldwell’s projects yet. Went with that brand because my crafty friend swears by it and is able to use with her small children since it’ safer. I do agree it is more for the shabby chic distressed look, but I plan on doing a dining table with it sans distressing.
Marcia Kaniosky says
Love your site!! I painted a coffee table white with the chalk paint( using it out of curiosity for the first time because it’s often in the antique stores). My question is this: Do you have to do this waxing step? I waxed the top only and it was pretty quick and easy. Meanwhile I had a pretty white chair in need of paint. I dusted it off; slapped the chalk paint on and it looks great. No waxing. Thank you for your great website. You guys are a precious family!!
YoungHouseLove says
I think you’re supposed to wax or seal it somehow but I’m not sure!
xo
s
Cheryl says
Advance paint from Benjy Moore and Chalk paint are both awesome products. Chalk paint is easier to use for sanding off, dry brushing, or a striated look that I love. I don’t necessarily use it for sanding off or layering for shanty chic.
Chalk paint allows me to experiment with texture.
Advance gives a super smooth, hard finish. Easy to catch the drips as they happen if you have the patience to sit and watch the paint dry.
For DIY chalk paint, my local paint dealer reminded me that most paints on the market are acrylic or acrylic blends. Latex is preferred for this purpose.