Chalk paint seems to be THE thing right now. I hope to try it soon, but until I do, I decided to try and make my own. Since I haven’t used the real thing, I have nothing to compare it to, but I can share my thoughts on using the homemade version.
Here’s the recipe I used. Basically you just add calcium carbonate or Plaster of Paris to paint.
I made mine with Plaster of Paris that I bought at Lowe’s for about 6 bucks.
Our huge clock needed a makeover for the room’s new color. Here’s the before, in the gold family room.
Here’s the after, in the palladian blue family room. I still need to add the numbers.
I mixed about 3 parts paint to 1 part Plaster of Paris and stirred it up like a crazy woman. It was smooth and dried fast, really fast. It took 2 coats, but I didn’t sand or use primer, basically I just slapped on the paint. When it was dry, it was very matte and chalky looking. Then I rubbed on a little Johnson’s paste wax for furniture. I let that dry and came back with craft paint for a little distressing. I tried to scratch some off to see if it flaked easily and it didn’t. It seemed hard.
So there you have it, my take on homemade chalk paint. If you google it, you’ll find some people have had success and others haven’t. Me, I’m not sure. I’m not turning cartwheels, but it’s ok.
I’m feeling like I have too many projects going on at once. After painting the kitchen and family room, installing, painting and caulking the board and batten, I painted all the trim in both rooms. We primed the powder room to cover the bright green and black harlequin pattern, and painted the ceiling. I’ll be putting up beadboard wallpaper and painting in there soon.
I finally decided on fabric to reupholster the chairs and ottoman. The fabric I planned on using in the family room and kitchen isn’t making me happy anymore, so I feel like I’m decorating backwards. It’s easier if you pick out fabric first and base your choices on that. It’s working out though, because I’m sticking with neutrals and adding color in small doses.
Talk about working backwards, now my husband wants to paint the ceiling.
And I’ve got a stenciled wall project started.
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Thank you! I appreciate you coming by so much!
Debbie (((xx)))
Well, I think it looks great in the picture!
I love it! Beautiful color on the walls and the board and batten turned out great! Can't wait to see the chairs and ottoman. Ugh, I do not like painting ceilings, good luck!
xoxo
You have more projects going than anyone I know! Wow. Hope that you get a break soon. I had no idea one could make her own chalk paint…very interesting and money saving when it works.
I love the Paladian blue on the walls. It looks very nice with the crisp white of the board and batten.
Awesome! This is my next project
Thanks for the tips, soooo glad you don't have to sand or prime with the home made variety either.
I tried this with the Plaster of Paris, too, Debbie. I was really pleased with the way it turned out and I used Heirloom White. It came out just like the ASCP Old White, which I have used. I used mine on the tray portion of my terrarium makeover. I was very happy with the outcome and would definitely try mixing mine again with another color.
Yeah- but, Debbie, what are you doing in all your spare time?;>) I have to tell you …I’m not 100% sold on chalk paint yet. That was an ambitious project to paint a whole room with it. I hope it holds up well for you. I have not tried the homemade stuff yet-but have used up most of the ASCP I have. Happy St. Paddy’s Day! xo Diana
I only painted the large clock with homemade chalk paint not the whole room
Happy St Pat’s day to you too!
Did you find that the finish was rough… I just painted my bathroom cabinets and they feel super rough… I’m wondering if I rub wax on them if that will help?? I do love the softness of the color and it painted on nicely I’m just not sure about the roughness of the finish…