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

A Crib Makeover!

A wonderful co-worker bought this crib for me when I was expecting my first.  It was a not real wood, Wal-Mart one.  The crib was the one essential we were not gifted.  Anyway, this crib sure served its purpose with my son; however, he beat it up!  Little wild thing that he is.  The whole side had scraps all along from where he chewed it up. Yes, chewed it!  Some babies do that evidently! I noticed he had been chewing a bit too late and he probably ate more fake wood then he should of.  Live and learn, right?  So here is the crib.  In true Ericaness I forgot to take a picture before I disassembled the crib. I was too excited!!!

 

 I finally decided to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I was hesitant because pins I have seen often look way too distressed for me.  I like the distressed look, I do, but some pieces seem to be trying too hard :).   After lots of research, I decided to give it a go.  I realized the versatility and that I can distress it if I want.  I really loved the mat finish.  Also, I learned I didn't have to sand! Umm sold.  You cannot get this paint on Amazon or in most stores.  Annie Sloan likes to sell in small local shops.  You can order from them or find a shop on her site http://www.anniesloan.com/  

I walked into my local store with an idea in my head.  I was going to paint the room a light gray, have a white crib to match the furniture and have purple accents with a chandelier.  I go into the store and right away see a piece done in a light tealish color (Duck Egg Blue) up against a gray wall.  It was all over.  White was suddenly way too boring.  With the prices of Annie Sloan (around $30 for a small can of paint and another $30 for wax) I was not about to leave that store with boring white.  Annie Sloan has very few colors but the wonderful thing is that her colors are absolutely gorgeous! If you are not so good at picking out colors then you can pretty much rest assure that if you just pick one of her colors that makes you smile then your good to go. (Well there is a yellowish color that I am not too keen on but yellow and I don't always get along) Fitting it with your room or decor is another story...but your piece will look great!

I got to work sanding and then washing the crib.  I only sanded the parts of the crib that had chew marks with my new favorite little toy.  A Black and Decker Mouse Sander.  Cleaning wipes such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (or any kind you like) work great and are super easy.  I did not have any on hand so I used a little dish soap and water.  I used two tubs.  One to wash and one for rinsing.

I love my new toy!  Felt all powerful with my little sander ;)

 I did not buy the fancy brushes.  I am sure they are wonderful but I had spent enough!  I started painting and this stuff covers incredibly.  The paint hardly has a smell to it.  Once it was painted, I sealed it with the Annie Sloan clear wax.  Just rub it all over your piece with a tightly woven piece of cotton.  I used old burp cloths. Of course, you can buy the official stuff for waxing that Annie sells but we all have old T-shirts, underwear whatever. The wax stinks!  It is strong! If you are doing this inside make sure that your room is very well ventilated and do not do this with children running around. 

  Here is the finished project.
 

 I love, love, love this crib.  I still have to get a chandelier and the other girly touches in here but I love this space.  I told my husband I might need to make this my room :) He wasn't OK with that. 

I got the pretty lacy curtains from IKEA.  Nice and long and so beautiful.  Here they are! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20112011/  They are cheap too!!!!!Sorry for the random curtain rant :)

What I would do different-  

I would be to be in a better ventilated area with the waxing.  Pretty sure I got a little high....but hey at least my kids weren't around!

Also I would be more thorough with the wax.  It looks like I missed a couple spots.  Not a big deal and I will go back and touch up.  The only problem is it takes a good 30 plus hours to seal once you wax. Annie says that you can use the furniture right away but the wax isn't fully ready for 30 days.  Yes days.  It seems ready after an hour. With it being a crib I would wait before putting baby girl back in.  

I might have considered making my own Chalk Paint and just matching the color but in all honesty it was not only easier to just buy Annie Sloan. I also really like to support little local shops so I am happy to once in a while pay a little more to do so. I will make Chalk Paint when I do my sons dresser so stay tuned for that experiment.

I might....might distress this a little.  I can't decide!!!!! For now I am happy and really if I do distress this and hate it then it would be easy enough to do a quick coat over it to bring it back to this.

Thanks for reading!

Erica