My friend Rosemary dropped this one off at my house. As we headed to her car to unload it, she told me I didn't need to take it if I didn't like it. Are you kidding, I loved it! The drawers were a mess and needed to be rebuilt. But luckily I have a handy hubby to help with that. Otherwise it was in good condition. And you know how I love cottage style dressers! I was so excited that I had it sanded before I remembered to take a picture. I know you technically don't need to sand before chalk paint, but I think it just helps the paint to adhere better and gives a smoother finish.
The price of chalk paint makes me crazy and I know I'm not the only one. Recipes for homemade chalk paint are all over the blogs and I decided it was time I gave it a try. I bought a small bucket of Plaster of Paris at Michael's for just a few dollars with a coupon. Then I mixed it with some leftover white paint and a smidge of gray. I'm trying to finish up all my almost empty cans of paint before winter. I most closely followed the recipe at No Minimalist Here. Sherry's recipe calls for one part Plaster of Paris to two parts paint. It was a little thick and I added just a bit more paint and a few drops of water and stirred well.
And I'm thrilled with the result! Thanks Sherry!
Although I did sand, I did not need to prime.
And the paint went on nice and smooth. I thought it might be gritty, but it was perfect.
It distressed beautifully, although not quite as easily as with regular chalk paint. I just had to sand a little bit harder. I used two coats, the same as I would with chalk paint. I've heard people say they can get away with just one coat, but that has not been my experience.
I finished up with a coat of Minwax Finishing Wax as usual.
I think it would be difficult to tell the difference between two pieces painted with the homemade chalk paint and the real deal. As a matter of fact, my last project was a cottage style dresser in Provence chalk paint. Can you tell the difference? And you just can't get any more thrifty than this and the color choice is limited only by your imagination. This recipe is a keeper!
*** March 1, 2012 update - I have been making my own homemade chalk paint for several months now and I have an updated post with all the details. Be sure to check it out here!
Don't forget that we have a Cutting Edge Stencil Giveaway going on through November 20th! Have you entered yet?
And last, but not least, the girls at Elizabeth & Co. are hosting a Holiday Open House this coming weekend! We've been decking out our little house with all kinds of holiday goodness! I'll be back tomorrow with some preview photos and an announcement of some additional hours.
I'm linking to...
Knick of Time Tuesday
Domestically Speaking Power of Paint Party
Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Treasure Hunt Thursday
55 comments:
Love the cottage look of this. "If you don't want it"...funny that your friend thought that. I also love mixing up your own chalk paint. I am going to give this recipe a try. Will let you know how I make out.
beautiful! I will be trying some home made chalk paint for sure. I have unsanded grout, so that will be my first choice. (I've used it for chalk board paint)
thanks for sharing your honest opinion!!!
good luck on your open house! ya'll must be busy as little elves!
gail
it looks gorgeous and i love the color! i really need to try this- now that a friend and someone i love has tried it, i REALLY believe it!
I can't wait to try it! There is no way I'm spending that kind of money on paint...at least, not right now! Glad to hear you were pleased with it...
I've seen those recipes, too, and I meant to try them, also. Your go of it just makes me want to try it even more! I'm with you on the make-it-yourself bandwagon. Thanks for sharing such a lovely piece!
xoxo
Kathleen
I;m so going to try some homemade chalk paint...your dresser looks outstanding!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Sharon- What a nice looking dresser. And, I'm with you-I think I would like to try some of the homemade chalk paint when the stuff I have is gone. I have heard that it is a bit harder to give the time-worn look to it because it sands harder. You did a great job, though.
I wish I could visit your Holiday open house. Make sure you take lots of pictures for those of us that can't get there. xo Diana
Look at you going and making your own paint. Stop it right now Sharon - you are making the rest of us look lazy! You are ahmazing dear friend. Love the color, love the dresser, beautiful finish as always.
That is so cool, Sharon! Thanks for the tips! I hope you weekend sale is spectacular!
I love it!! I'm hoping to try some homemade chalk paint this Christmas break!! I love the gray you used and as usual, love the sweet cottage dresser!
I've got to try it! I've seen a couple of recipes, but this one looks like a keeper.
Love this, I might have to try it, I have not used chalk paint yet.
It looks beautiful! I'd like to try the plaster of paris option, but I have a LOT of grout to go through first!
the dresser turned out gorgeous and i will also be trying the plaster of paris receipe too!
I absolutely love how this turned out. I am definitely giving this chalk paint recipe a try.
I just found your blog from Tuesday's Tresures and am now a follower.
Great job! And I love the color!
I love how that came out!! Just gorgeous!
Great chalk paint 'make' and paint - looks just like the ASCP in your photos. I want to try that too.
- Joy
Oh, thank goodness you mentioned the tag sale. I was about to pull my hair out with anticipation!! My sister and I will be there again- this time with our Mom (and maybe some of my sister's kiddos), and my SON will even be with me this time! WE CANNOT WAIT!!
Sharon, Thanks for the mention and I am so glad you liked the DIY chalk paint. The dresser looks wonderful and I love the color. Best of luck with the Open House. If I lived close by I would be one of those peeping in the windows!
Hugs,
Sherry
Thanks for this post. I have been interested in Chalk Paint but thought it was too expensive. I will definitly try this now. Ginger
i'm gonna have to try the plaster of paris method. mine was a fail when i used the calcium carbonate.
cute piece!
Thanks for sharing! The dresser is fabulous! I plan to share this on my blog tomorrow! Check it out http://vintagerestyled.blogspot.com/
I'm going to have to try this, Sharon! I've seen a couple posts about using the calcium or grout, but wondered about the issue of grit. I trust your opinion of it and I love that you said you're not a total chalk paint convert--I'm not either! Don't get me wrong, I like it, but there are some projects where some good ol' paint-and-primer in one latex works just fine and I don't have to deal with the headache of waxing!
This looks fabulous. I have to dig through the garage but I might have some plaster of paris. The color is so pretty. Do you think you needed to sand first or would you not skip that step?
I really like your blog. I am your newest follower!! I am new to blogger, but am excited to share my New boutique that is coming soon with the latest trends on clothing at affordable prices. I also will be selling Mineral Makeup. I will be giving a lot of free giveaways here shortly for our grand opening! I hope you will stop by my blog and follow me back and like my facebook... And Look out for free giveaways on makeup and clothing :)
-B. Haven
bhavenboutique.blogspot.com
I have a TON of leftover paint samples to get rid of before the snow flies.....thanks for such a great idea.
I really like the look of this! Thanks for the recipe!! So can you add in any color to it? This is my first Share the Love Wednesday, and it's great! Kathi
I liked hearing about your first attempt at using a homemade recipe for the chalk paint. I might try it as well, I also saw Sherry's recipe! Your dresser looks great!
The thrill of making your own stuff and saving money never ends, does it? What a great job. Thanks for sharing, Thursday Keeper, Linky! Come visit when you can.
love the dresser and the finish looks wonderful! i'm not a total convert either, in fact i've only purchased 1 can of ascp in old white. it didn't stick to a desk i painted w/ it. the desk was that fake paper/laminate stuff (u know, real office-y crap from one of those office stores that u have to put together ur self) but still, i thought ascp said it will stick to anything!???!!! i even tried sanding the piece and then using the ascp and it still scraped right off w/ my pinky finger nail! but i do love the silky smooth finish the chalk paint gave after sanding. does the home made version "feel" as good? i also loved the ease of sanding and distressing (i tried it on other pieces and it stuck on ok).anyway, glad there's another way, because even if i could afford the ascp, i wouldn't pay that price, it's just ridiculous! thanks for the recipe and the inspiration!
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!
OOH! AND, I'm your newest follower! ;)
www.betweenuandme.com
What a nice piece of furniture - great post. I didn't know about chalk paint. I bet my mom would've loved that idea - she used to rescue and redo furniture. I'll have to tell her about it anyway. Enjoyed my visit. Thanks! Jenn
Wow! What a great piece! I am going to have to try this out now since I know you paint furniture all the time! Thanx for sharing and coming to the party!! Off to enter your giveaway!
I have been wanting to try chalk paint but not at their regular prices. This I can afford to try. I have the perfect project in mind for this.
Ruth
love this, if you say it works, I'll try it !! It seems a great recipe to use up some of the bits and pieces of the paint that never gets all used up. Thanks so much for daring to mix and try a new recipe !! Still lovin' this repurposed lifestyle :-))))
It came out great. I love the idea of using up the paint I have already. You've convinced me, I need to try this recipe. Stopping by from Catch as Catch can.
Love it. Love how it would good in any house. I would love to have a dresser like this. Im your newest follower. WOuld love a follow back.
http://sewcraftable.blogspot.com
Love it. Love how it would good in any house. I would love to have a dresser like this. Im your newest follower. WOuld love a follow back.
http://sewcraftable.blogspot.com
Wow! Great recipe and beautiful dresser! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, your recipe saved me the cost of re-financing my home to try chalk paint! ;)
Beautiful dresser and a gorgeous paint job! Why don't any of my friends pass on things like this to me? Thanks so much for linking up to The Creative Spark. I'll be featuring this tomorrow. Hope to see you again on Tuesday night!
Jenn :)
fantastic! i had no idea you could make your own chalk paint!! beautiful dresser!!
This dresser, with your own paint mix, looks just like the other beautiful pieces you have painted with chalk paint! I have tried this with the grout and the calcium carbonate with a little glaze medium added. From the looks of this, the Plaster of Paris is the way to go. Thank you :)
I'm so going to try this, I won't pay the price for the ASCP either I'd rather buy other things and with Christmas shopping now here it's just now out of the question!
Love the dresser and your paint just looks like the real paint if you ask me:) Love it!
This turned out very nice! I LOVE furniture with keyholes in it!!! Please feel free to link up to my Make Yourself Monday Blog Hop!
Jamie
For Love of Cupcakes
That looks fantastic! Great job!
This looks great --- I can't believe you did yourself! I use chalk paint all the time so I may just have to give it a try!
Blessings, Becky
The homemade chalk paint looks beautiful on this piece. I'm featuring your post on my Facebook page today.
In this week of Thanksgiving I especially want you to know how grateful I am to have you be a part of the creative spirit and camaraderie at Rook No. 17. Thank you for linking up to “A Little Birdie Told Me…”!
Yours,
Jenn
Awesome dresser & thanks for the recipe! I too use homemade chalk paint, but I use the recipe with unsanded grout. I have not seen this recipe before, and must give it a try! Thanks for sharing1
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Love the grey, fantastic makeover. Thanks for sharing!
wow.wow.wow!!! I love this paint AND the dresser!
I have a dresser that I've been going to paint for a couple weeks I've been putting off. I wanted to do the chalk paint but the price...and shipping...has turned me off. I am definitely saving this post for reference when I do paint it!
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica
Very beautiful! I have tried several times to make my own chalk paint and it didn't turn out. I've tried different amounts of plaster of paris, different temperature water etc. It either turns into a big clump of goo, or runny gritty awfulness... it never paints well, or sticks to anything. What am i doing wrong?!?!?!
Made my chalk paint. Another gorgeous piece you did.
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