how to DIY Chalk Paint

Do you remember my Spring Fling, thrifting with MRL? I saw this table on my dry run, and it was still there a couple of weeks later on our Spring Fling day….so I went back to get it. It was $8.00. I forgot to tell you that the volunteer at the store said it was actually sold in December, but it was never picked up. So, it came home with me.

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She’s a monster, so I put her on my miniature furniture dollies. That made her easy to push around.

Because she had such a shiny surface, I decided to use DIY chalk paint. I mixed up a paste of plaster of paris . I don’t measure anything, but I added some water to the plaster and mixed it well. Tip: put your paint in a laundry jug, no rust, easy to shake, easy to pour.

You can see my exact measurements for diy chalky paint primer by clicking that link.

Then I added some oops black paint.

You can see how flat the paint is, and how well it adheres to the slick finish.

I took the small drawers out to make them easier to paint.

I did two quick coats of the DIY chalk paint. (ignore the total mess of the garage please)

I then brushed on two light coats of wipe-on poly. Although I have waxes, I prefer not to use them. I’ve never had good luck with them, and applying and buffing the wax really hurts my shoulder. You can see the bad news, can’t you? The top of this table had water damage that I didn’t notice until I painted it black. Had I used a lighter color, I don’t think it would have been as noticeable. We ladies LOVE wearing black because it makes us look good, not so much with this big ole gal.

But, her chunky legs look awesome, don’t you think?

Here’s a close-up of the “bubbled” top.

I have posted it on Craig’s List. If it doesn’t sell, I may part her out, or give her a new top.

I’ve been using the oops black paint a lot lately.

Do you remember this piano front that was dropped off to me while I was on vacation in San Diego last year? I really wanted to hang it on my big wall in the kitchen, but I don’t really know how I want to finish it. It’s been hanging out in the basement all winter waiting for me.

So, while I had the DIY chalk paint out working on a lot of other stuff, I painted it black…thinking that the wood tone color was blocking my vision. I liked it 100% better as soon as I got the first section painted. BUT—I still don’t know how I want to finish it off. My thoughts are running all over the place. I have considered putting mirrors on either side, or I suppose I could use fabric inserts? I think it would make a pretty awesome headboard, but I don’t need a headboard. After painting it, I also thought it might look great with a shelf, maybe across the top of it, or the bottom? Of course, hooks would be a great option as well, but I don’t need hooks. So, the first thing I need to decide is where I want it, or IF I want to keep it or rehome it. That would make my decisions easier for sure. If I were to keep it for the kitchen, I would add color to it. I’ve been dying to get some red in my kitchen.