The Chalk Paint Dresser Experiment

I am super excited to share this project with you.  I love this project because through it not turning out right and me trying to fix it I discovered a brand new technique. In my mind, through having to fix something that didn't come out right, this dresser became, at least to me, a work of art.  Also, for all you chalk paint lovers, I have some chalk paint hacks that you will love!

I love chalk paint, however, it can be very pricey.  It is actually really cheap and easy to make your own! You just have to make your paint chalky! Of course.

 I did a lot of reading on different ways to make Chalk Paint and went with the most popular.  For all you beautiful recipe followers I measured everything …just for you.  You know, if I wasn't posting this blog, I absolutely would have just thrown some water and plaster in my paint ;)

What you need:

- 2 Cups of Paint any kind or color but as non-glossy as possible.  No glossier then an eggshell finish.  Matte is preferred and cheaper. 

- 1/3 Cup of Plaster of Paris.  This can be found at any hardware store or in the craft section at Walmart.  I got a big box for around $5.

-2 TBS of Water

Give it all a good mix and you are ready to paint.

 (FYI the picture on the right is by my island not the dresser)

This dresser was given to us by a couple that wanted to get rid of some junk.  It came with the very old house that they were in the process of renovating.  It is solid wood but it was extremely, extremely beat up. This is the dresser that is in my 3 year old boys room.  

I got to work right away sanding.  This picture is right as I started sanding and will have to do as the before picture.  Yes, we are not going to talk about how I once again forgot to take a before picture.  We have had this dresser for a few years now so if I find one I will be sure to add it ;)

I would recommend removing the hardware before you sand, but I wanted to get the sanding done while the kids were sleeping so they would not be around the dust.  I did not have time to get the hardware off and then sand.  I then gave it a good wipe down and removed the hardware. 

I have often been asked how I get so much done with little ones.  The picture above to your left is a good answer.  This is me removing hardware and, yes, nursing at the same time.  Multitasking!  I know as moms we all have those moments where we feel like we should get a super mom badge J. This is my super mom moment. I felt pretty awesome. Got to embrace these feelings when you get them because they do not last long!

One of my concerns with this project was that the dresser would come out pink.  With the slate color I had painted his room I felt like the dresser screamed that it needed to be red but with mixing plaster into the red paint I was worried it would lighten to a pink.  Well it did…a bit.  It came out a great tone but a bit more mauve then I wanted.  This was for a boy’s room.  So after painting it I knew that I needed to do something to make sure it was in no way girly.  Below is a picture from right after painting while it was still drying. 

I had some Annie Sloan wax left from a previous project so I went ahead and began waxing to see if that would darken it.  It barely did anything.  I know Annie Sloan sells a dark wax, but I have never used it.  I also was not about to go to the store and drop $30 plus dollars on it.  I decided to start experimentingJ.  I put a little dark stain (Miniwax Polyshades Espresso)and some clear wax into a small tupperware and mixed it together.

Using an old rag, I rubbed down the whole dresser with the mixture.  Sorry recipe people. I just poured without measuring, however, I ended up doing three little batches where I just scooped and poured and it all came out just right.  Just drip a little stain in your wax. Don't over think it :)

 Next, I sanded down the hardware, wiped and then sprayed the hardware with my favorite 

Rust-oleum spray....of course as it is featured in most of my other blogs :)

To highlight each drawer I sanded all around the edges.

I love how the finished product came out!!!!

What I would do different:

*Mix your Chalk paint really well and do not wait a long time before you use.  Mine ended up having some plaster balls in it.  This didn't really end up being a problem.  It was just slightly annoying.

In Conclusion:

I am thrilled with how this project came out and what I learned that I can do with my wax!  I will be putting stain in my wax in the future and definitely recommend both making your own chalk paint and dark stain.

I encourage you to try something new and do not be scared to mess it up!  Do not give up if something that you are doing does not come out quite right.  You might just be about to discover a cool new technique!  Embrace your hurdles!

Thanks for reading!

Erica

O My Doorknobs

One of the first things that my very wonderful, practical husband wanted to do right as we got our new house was to change out the locks.  Makes sense. Of course, I am just focused on trying to make everything pretty. :)  So I went to the hardware store and picked out a new front door knob and side door knob.  He would have gone but knows too well that I wanted to pick out what they look like.  What a different pretty knobs make!

This is how all the doors looked before 

This is the store bought knob that inspired me to attack all the others. (and my sweet Adelaide who was trying to push the door open because her daddy had just left for the evening and she wanted to join him)

The next day, I did this.

I had to work quick so I wouldn't get in trouble!    ;)  I took all the door knobs and closet knobs and sanded them lightly.  I then applied a quick coat of primer.

I used the same primer and Rust-oleum Spray that I used in my previous posts for furniture hardware.  Have I mentioned how AMAZING this stuff is!  I comes in all different finishes and you can use it on so many things!

The trick with the Rust-oleum is finding a good position for whatever you are finishing where you can get all the sides, nothing that you spray will touch anything else,  and where it won't fall over.  This box worked pretty well.  

I set them all up, primed them (not pictured), waited about 20 minutes and then gave them a good spray down.  I have yet to be able to get away with one coat on something.  There is always a part missed.  So wait a little bit, turn them and then spray only the missed parts. Unless of course, that you are some super sprayer and do not miss any parts.  This is not me.  No matter how hard I try.

Seriously, this is the quickest, easiest, cheapest upgrade ever. It's kind of ridiculous.  This spray holds up too! None of the hardware or doorknobs that I have done with the Rust-oleum show any wear and tear.

 These knobs look so pretty.  They look just black in the picture but are definitely a sparkly metallic.

What I would do different:

When you shut doors that do not have knobs they are very, very hard to open.  I got locked out of a few rooms during this process. :) I, also, would not have my kids around while there were no knobs.   My three year old loves to shut doors!  Thank goodness, none of us got locked in any rooms!!!! Small miracle. Thank you God!  Luckily my husband was able to get all the doors open.

Paint the doors first!  I was in such a rush to get the knobs back on that I didn't get a chance to paint all the doors first.  Small problem.  Just had some paint to scrap off the knobs....ok, ok, still have some paint to scrap off the knobs :) I'll get to it.  I just have way more fun things to work on.

On a scale of 1-10 on how much I would recommend this project.  I say 10.  Cheap, easy, quick reward for little effort.

Good luck on all your projects!

Thanks for reading!

Erica

Armoire and Night Stand

These two pieces were my grandparents.  I love the idea of having furniture that was used by loved ones but do not love the idea so much of ugly furniture.  I know, so shallow.  I can't help it I am way to visual for my own good!!!  I am really bad at remembering to take a picture before I start a project.  I get way to excited to start!  I remembered after removing some hardware....and starting on one of the drawers of the night stand.

There was an old Culligan Coaster that had been glued to the top of this night stand.   My grandpa worked for Culligan Water.  My aunt speculates that he had been getting in trouble by my Grandma for not using a coaster and leaving a ring or marking it up from his cigars so he  glued a coaster on.  :) Sounds about right.



 

I started with the hardware. First, I removed it all and scratched it up with some sandpaper.  I then primed it (any primer will do). I then sprayed it down with the Rust-oleum metalic spray. I was planning to buy new hardware but then discovered this.   Sometimes it pays to be cheap!!


This stuff is AMAZING!  I am now using it all the time in our new house.  Doorknobs. Fixtures. Whatever.  More of that to come in my later blogs. 

Next step,  I lightly sanded the furniture.  Be sure to wash your furniture well!!! Especially the old stuff.  Primed with the same primer. No dry time needed because as soon as I was done priming where I started was dry.  Make sure to remove the drawers to avoid unnecessary sticking and headaches. Two coats paint and......



Finished Results!!

 My little guy was so proud of his mama :)   I love these pieces now!!! I hope to use them for years to come.  The great thing about refinishing furniture is that I know when styles change and these are suddenly so 2015 I can just refinish them again!!!!!!!! AMAZING!

What I would do different

As stated in my last blog...chalk paint.  Normal white paint worked fine but chalk paint is more pleasant to work with.

I would have scrubbed really hard when cleaning.   I did just a wipe down but should have cleaned it a bit more.  Only trouble this caused was needing a third coat in spots.  All needed two coats.

I can't even imagine loving furniture more then I love these pieces in my baby girls room.  She seems to like them too!!!