Sunday, October 30, 2011

Homemade Chalk Paint...

I love homemade anything...
food, cleaners, skin products, & paint?
Yes.. I love making my own chalk paint. 
{Not to be confused with chalkboard paint.}
& you can make chalk paint too...
It's very simple & very affordable... bonus!
There are a few recipes on how to make chalk paint
but here is the one that I use & love...



You can find all of these items at Lowe's.
I found the un-sanded grout in the tile section for about 5 dollars.
You can also experiment with your grout to paint ratio
as well to get the consistency that you like.
Here is my most recent piece that I used 
chalk paint on....


Before:



After:


This dresser was a pice of work to say the least.
From the top of the dresser falling apart
& there being about four layers of paint on it.
I had my work cut out for me. 
After sanding the dresser down, I used wood
glue to repair the chipping pieces.
After the wood glue, I used wood filler to fill 
in all the dips & divots in the wood.


The client wanted the desk solid white with out
any distressing. The chalk paint has such 
good coverage that it made it an easier task
to cover this antique beauty.


Benefits of Chalk Paint:
-You do not need to sand the piece of furniture before painting
-No primer needed
- A little goes a VERY long way because it's so thick
-Easy to distress 
-Dries very quickly & dries with a very nice chalky finish


Now you are probably wondering If I have ever used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint & the answer is that I have not.
Don't get me wrong, I really do want to try it sometime,
I just have not got around to ordering it & no
one in my area sells it. I will be buying it & giving you 
a review on it sometime soon!


I think in every blog post I talk about the 
cute 'legs' of the piece of furniture, but seriously...
look at them. & little wheels.. love them!


The client chose crystal knobs for the top two drawers 
& opted to keep the other wooden knobs...
I love her decision & think the crystal knobs look perfect!


Have you made chalk paint before or used Annie Sloan Chalk paint?
I happen to love it & I will show you more projects of me using 
chalk paint in different ways.
Good luck with your Chalk Paint adventures!!
If you have a chalk paint project go link it up on 
Liz Marie Blog Facebook page, I would love to see them.
O, & you know that little reindeer? more on that little guy soon!
I hope you are having a fabulous Halloween weekend...
I have been having such a good weekend & the Mr. has the 
day off tomorrow, so we get a three day weekend together..
I love long weekends with my best friend.
Talk to you soon!
xx Liz Marie

94 comments:

  1. Grout? Grout? I keep seeing ingredients I don't recognize...but I recognize grout! I am so excited...now I feel I can actually try this! Thanks so much for making me feel like I might be able to achieve some of the amazing results I have seen in bloggy world!

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  2. so glad you shared this.. i have been looking for a chalk paint recipe on pinterest.. I I use this for a kids chalk board?

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  3. I can't wait to give this a try!

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  4. Thank you for sharing your recipe for chalk paint. I'll be picking up some grout tomorrow.

    gertie

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  5. Looks great! I want to try painting our old nightstands. I've seen recipes using plaster of Paris too--does that give you chalkboard paint?

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  6. I have found this recipe to make chalk board paint:

    3 teaspoons acrylic paint [colour of choice]
    1 1/2 teaspoons glazing medium [water based]
    1/2 teaspoon powder tile grout [Not Sanded]

    I have never tried making chalk board paint, but maybe I will soon! Hope this helps!!

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  7. I have been doing this using Plaster Of Paris. Works great! I haven't tried the grout yet, but I suppose it gives the same consistency.

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  8. That sounds easy enough, especially since my day job is tile sales, I have easy access to grout! What did you use to finish the piece? Did you use a wax?

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  9. You are so lucky to get a 3 day weekend with your hubby. Mine's on overnight shift right now, & I had to go to Traverse City for work for the weekend, so I haven't seen him since Friday morning & I wont see him again 'till tomorrow night (he has tomorrow off!) I get excited to see him for a few hours haha! We only get a full day off together about once a month lately.

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  10. That's wonderful! I love the versatility of being able to pick any color imaginable.
    Do you know could this be used on a veneer or laminate without having to sand/prime, too?
    Also, I love the tiny legs, too!

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  11. Thank you everyone! I am sorry I did not include my finish in the post.. I used my trusty minwax poly water based to finish this dresser.

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  12. Hey Aly! Yes, that's the beauty of this paint.. it sticks to any surface, but with me wanting to be careful & not trusting it haha I always do a little light sanding.. even if it's just a brush over with a sanding block. I hope this helps!

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing this. i have been seeing Annie Sloan's chalk-paint everywhere in the blogsphere but, like you, I would have to order and have it shipped to me which sort of makes it a bit out of my price range right now. But grout and paint I can do! who'd have thought? now I just need to see if I can get this minwax stuff around here!

    love your blog and all your projects, keep sharing!

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  14. Hi Liz! LOVE your blog- thanks for sharing this- you have made my day! I have been waiting for Chalk Paint to be made available by a dealer in Canada forever...and this solves all my problems! Thanks so much!!! :)

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  15. Liz I just noticed you used Exterior latex, is that important or can you use interior? Also i have found Minwax but there seem to be several! Which do you recommend? There is one called wipe=on poly that is water based? Thank you xx

    Melissa... I share your frustration...everything I see in all the tutorials is always so hard to get hold of here in Canada! I live in a remote township in northern Ontario 400+ KM from any decent shops making things even more difficult!

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  16. Hi Rona! I just sent you an email, I hope you got it! It does not matter the brand.. it's just a water based polyurethane. You can use it in any method {spray, brush on..} It's all preference. That one sounds right! I hope this helps.

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  17. Love this. Such a creative idea.
    Sarah
    www.budgetfriendlydecorating.com

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  18. Can this be used on walls? Or only little items? Thanks!

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  19. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!I LOVE IT!

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  20. how cute! i love the tutorial and the dresser - the casters give it the perfect amount of charm!

    also, i have to say i am jealous of your furniture finds! do you have any tips for snagging great pieces?

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  21. Thank you for the chalk paint recipe! I only just ordered some AS last week...but am glad to know how you make yours and will definitely make a note of it. Your dresser turned out lovely!! Thanks again!

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  22. p.s. I grouted a tile floor today!! It's a tan colored grout though. ;)

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  23. Such a neat idea! I would have never thought to use any of those items to make chalk paint! The dresser looks amazing. I agree with you that the crystal knobs are amazing!

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  24. Wow, thanks for all the great information. Do you just use white grout????

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  25. Its beautiful!! I found a recipe for homemade chalk paint on pinterest this last week & was wondering if it would work! Thanks for the information!

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  26. Hi and happy Tuesday. I’m one of your newest followers from Blog it forward Tuesday. I paid it forward by tweeting your post chalk paint recipe. Can't wait to give this a try myself. Hope that you come by for a visit and a follow http://mavesfaves.blogspot.com/

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  27. wow!! I didn't realize making chalk paint was soo easy!! I will definitely have to attempt this!! Thanks for sharing and you furniture turned out amazing!!

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  28. Thanks for sharing, this piece looks great!

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  29. I've been seeing allot of post on blog land about making chalk paint, its pretty much the same thing to make chalkboard paint, but I'm definitely going to try it as I love making my own colors and even though I want to try her paint its really expensive. Your dresser came out beautiful!

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  30. So easy! Who would've thunk it?! I need to try this bc I don't want to pay the price for the Annie Sloans.

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  31. It turned out great! Thanks for sharing bc like others have said I wanted to try it but didn't want to dish out that cash for Annie Sloans! Where did you find that braided rug? Love it.

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  32. Thank you for sharing! Found your blog post from the inspired by you party. It turned out beautiful!
    Sally
    loveofhomes.blogspot.com

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  33. It's beautiful! And I have just GOT to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    Tania

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  34. This piece turned out great! I've never made a chalk paint, but I use ASCP and it is A.MAZ.ING. My hubby kept laughing at me because I kept getting him the first time I used it saying, "Look at this! This stuff is crazy!!! Just look babe!" Lol. I still use other products, but I definitely use it for particular pieces. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  35. The dresser looks beautiful. I have used AS chalk paint and I love it. I am definitely going to try your recipe and see how it compares. I'd love if it works as well because the only drawback to the AS chalk paint is the steep price. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.

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  36. so awesome! I need to make this. the dresser turned out beautifully!

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  37. Do you find the chalky finish rubs off on anything you set on top? love the look!

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  38. Hi! Thank you for sharing and for dedicating yourself to this beautiful blog. I have a little situation and i would really appreciate your help.

    The furniture pieces im trying to restore are not authentic wood. They're made of plywood and pressboard. I wish I could upgrade to better stuff but right now I can't. Do you think chalk paint would be better for this type of situation? Do you have any special secrets on painting these types of furniture?

    Thanks!

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  39. Oh my goodness I completely adore you and your blog can we please please be best friends?! Ohhh this is AMAZING!!!!! :o)
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

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  40. This is great, I don't think you can even buy chalk paint in Australia, but now I can make my own!

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  41. This is great! Thank you so much for sharing how to make it! I'm going to Lowe's today! I would love for you to link up to “It’s a Party” going on right now!
    www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

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  42. Very nice! Chic and charming :)

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  43. And here I thought chalk paint was going to put me in the poor house! This is fantastic- thank you for sharing!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

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  44. As always, Liz Marie, great before/after and tut for homemade chalk paint, I'll have to give it a shot. Thanks the the recipe!~

    Visiting from Miss Mustard Seed's Linky Party,
    Smiles and thanks for sharing,
    ~Suzanne in NW Illinois

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  45. I love chalk paint! Thanks for sharing! xo Jami

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  46. This turned out just great! What a great tip to use for chalk paint! Thanks for sharing:) Carrie

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  47. I have been looking for a way of aking my own chalk paint, and now I have found it!!! I use Annie Sloan paint, but it is expensive. How do you tint the colour?

    Amanda

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  48. I can't wait to try this! Does this paint keep at all? I've seen this recipe and also one using Plaster of Paris... but it would seem like either the grout or plaster would make the paint turn into a solid rock after a short while? Does it? Or does it stay liquid because there's so little grout in it? Also, did you try any of the other recipes or just go with this one?

    Thanks so much! Love your blog!

    ~Angela~

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  49. I use ASCP all the time. Worth the price because it goes forever and ever. The whole purpose that the chalk paint was created for was to replicate a time worn aged finish that European antiques get over years of time. The wax creates the most gorgeous patina. It completely changes the look of the paint and makes it adhere to the piece you are working on.
    ASCP also dries very fast because there is no latex in it. A project can be finished in less than a day.

    I haven't tried making my own, but have heard from others that it comes out very gritty and has to be sanded. ASCP can be sanded, but does not have to be. There is no grit. I have also heard the stored homemade kind can smell rank later. No smell with ASCP.

    Your piece is very pretty though. Found your blog post on my sidebar from Blogher.

    thanks

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  50. I will so have to try this! Love how yours turned out! Thanks for sharing how!

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  51. I love it when can you bring it by, giggle Big Hugs ♥

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  52. Soooooo pretty! And no priming? Score!

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  53. What a cool idea! I love the chalk paint finish. This is going on my list of things to try!

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  54. Perhaps you can help. We tried this recipe twice. The first time was kind of clumpy (had some tiny but hard lumps) and the second time it was a giant, clumpy mess and when we applied it to the chair (after we decided we couldn't stir it anymore because both of us had done it until each arm was tired) it came out streaky. We had to apply 3 coats and still have to do more tomorrow. There are still streaks and we can still see the wood of the chair under the 3 coats. And that second time we only used 1/2 the amount of grout hoping it wouldn't be as clumpy as the first time. Any ideas why this could be? Have you had this problem or is it smooth when you do it?

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  55. Awesome! I had no idea! I wonder what it is that makes you not need primer? The grout obviously, but it must be the slightly gritty texture? Crazy! Can't wait to try this!!

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  56. Love it! I also love that cute rug and the gold deer! Great Job! I haven't tried chalk paint yet but I've been dying too! I'll have to try yours.

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  57. I LOVE this! I would love if you would share this at the Crazy Cute link party happening at Between U & Me right now! I've got a totally awesome giveaway this week, too!
    www.betweenuandme.com

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  58. I love the transformation. The dresser looks wonderful. I haven't tried using chalk paint before. I will have to give it a try.

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  59. This is genius! I have been hearing about chalk paint for a while now. So now that I know how to make it, I am totally going to have it give it a try! I am so happy you shared this @ Show & Share, thank you!

    Ps--I am going to be featuring this tomorrow. :)

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  60. I've used this recipe many times over the last couple of years to make chalk board paint, but have not used it as actual paint.
    your dresser looks great!
    gail

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  61. you are awesome. i love love love your blog, can't believe i didn't find it sooner! the chalk paint is the best.

    this gives me hope for an old rickety dresser i have in my garage. it's the UGLIEST thing, oh my gosh! it is screaming and crying for some white paint and glass knobs.

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  62. I love this. I have yet to use (or make) chalk paint...but I definitely have a few projects to try it on!

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  63. Neat idea! I would have never thought to use any of those stuffs to make paint! The dresser looks amazing. I agree with you that the crystal makes amazing!

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  64. Lovely. I just transformed a thrift store dresser, (seen here at: http://simplybeautifulnow.blogspot.com/) and would love to have used your chalk paint formula.

    Will try for my next project. Thanks for sharing!

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  65. Absolutely gorgeous piece!

    I have also used this recipe to make chalkboard paint and it works very well!

    @Aly - I was also concerned about clumpiness (as many comments to the chalkboard paint recipe I found mentioned it); to solve this my hubby and I simply gradually added the unsanded tile grout to the paint, mixing very well in between each small addition. And the result... NO clumps at all! :D Hope that helps!

    Take care,
    Christina
    designingbynumbers.blogspot.com

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  66. I have a little dresser that is waiting for a paint makeover. It's currently sponged painted in a color that I think is supposed to represent 80's yellowed oak. I had to come over and check this one out. Do you know how well it will hold up?

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  67. it looks beautiful and sweet! i have got to try that!

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  68. I am so going to try this! I work at a flooring store - grout is plentiful, and free for leftovers! I really didn't know that it was so easy to make chalk paint. It is so hard to get chalk paint where i live, in fact impossible. Shipping was the only option...until now. Thank You :)

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  69. This is really so awesome! I have only heard of chalk paint and never tried it. I think I'm going to have to give it a go now. I wanted to ask you since the paint is so thick, can you see brush strokes easier or not? Thanks you for sharing this tutorial at Taking A Timeout Thursday! Hope to see you again this week :)

    --Trish@Mom On Timeout
    http://www.MomOnTimeout.com

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  70. Wow! Thanks for the info, and your piece came out great!
    Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

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  71. Fascinating. That actually *is* the recipe for chalkboard paint, according to Martha Stewart and several other bloggers, including me. Now I'm not clear on the point of chalk paint, but that's nothing new :)

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  72. It is beautiful!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  73. Thanks for the chalk paint recipe. The dresser looks great!

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  74. Hi Blog BFF I just wanted to let you know that this is amazing....!!! I am just getting used to getting excited and super excited by each one of your posts! So I for sure had to feature this over at my place tonight!!! Thank you so much for the amazing tutorial!!!
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

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  75. In the picture showing the grout and paint, the paint is exterior. Does it matter? Just wondering. Hope to try this soon. So glad there are some recipes for chalk paint to try. I knew it couldn't be rocket science!

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  76. Looks great! Did you have any problems with lumps in the mixture? I tried making my own chalk paint to make colored chalk boards, but had issues with lumps.

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  77. I'm currently experimenting with baking soda, but will try the unsanded grout too. Lovely job on this dresser - the crystal knobs add just the right amount of glamour :)

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  78. I've heard good things about chalk paint. I will be featuring this tonight at somedaycrafts.blgospot.com.

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  79. Great! Thanks! Visit me at http://raisingdieter.blogspot.com/ for a giveaway

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  80. Thanks for the recipe, the dresser is gorgeous. Love the knobs.

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  81. Thanks for sharing your tips!

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  82. I'm so glad you were a fan favorite on The Shabby Nest because I saw your link on one of the link parties, planned to go back and click through, got distracted and then couldn't find you again!

    I have a new (old) dresser I picked up on craigslist with the same super cute little legs and wheels. I think I'll try your chalk paint recipe when I refinish.

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  83. I love your blog - so pretty! Just found it via pinterest and became a follower. I will have to try your chalk paint recipe! I have used the Annie Sloan Chalk paint and it's wonderful, but expensive!

    ~ Rachael

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  84. Can I ask what top coat did you use with your DIY chalk paint?

    I pinned this idea!

    adiamondinthestuff@hotmail.com

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  85. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU -- I had a set of chairs for my kitchen table that were ready to be painted at exactly the same time I read this. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do because while I wanted the ASCP look, I couldn't afford it. I bought the grout, and painted my first coat last night. It is the most unique painting experience I have ever had. The look of the paint, once mixed, totally belies how it behaves. LOVE IT!!! I will have to do probably 3 coats to get where I want to be - but am putting the 2nd coat on tonight so maybe not.... we'll see. I can tell that there are a lot of projects I will be using this on for sure.....
    And I am glad I came back today to read the comments - I was confused about a finish/top coat ---- now I get it - plain old poly.....
    Quick question - has anyone had luck with CP on laminate?? (IE - fake wood bookshelf that I would like to jazz up a bit.)

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  86. Bought some chalk paint at Scott's in Atlanta this past week. Wish I had seen this...looks great!

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  87. Gorgeous! Now I just need a "well-loved" antique to try this on....I feel a trip to the thrift store coming on!

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  88. I have to say I tried this technique and it didn't work out for me. The first 15 or 20 minutes, it was okay, but the paint began getting thicker and thicker until it was like painting with marshmallow creme. When I tried to thin it, it became very lumpy. Used unsanded grout and Valspar interior matte paint. Wish I had a more favorable experience to report.

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  89. Thank you for this. Your work is beautiful. A question: doesn't grout come in different colors? Do you try to match the grout to the color of the paint? Thanks again!

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  90. Hi, I live in Australia where we don't have Chalk Paint. I tried your recipe with some flat white ceiling paint and powdered Grout. It left a gritty texture when dry, however I still LOVED IT! I am never going back to normal paint. It only took one coat to cover, then a sand with a fine sandpaper got off all the gritty bits. It looks amazing. Love the way it thickens the paint. I found layering it on very thickly and leaving it to completely dry over night worked best. Thanks again for sharing!

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  91. Hi, would it work with plster also? Thanks

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  92. Hi, would it work with plaster also? Thanks

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  93. You are amazing! Thank you. I used your formula to paint the inside of a re-purposed armoire. Yes, the paint got thick, so I added a bit of water, and that seemed to work. Then I got to thinking how dull the inside of my china cabinet looked, all that dark wood, you know. So I got a sample jar of Behr paint, added the grout, and magic!!!! It makes my whole room pop and my china looks even more gorgeous.

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