Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Chalk Paint

My friend and I were browsing trash in the village this morning and found a dresser set out curbside.

It really looked in bad shape.

I think though that those are sometimes the best because then you can try out new things and not worry so much if you mess it up.

I love the chalk paint look but can't afford it and I have seen several who have tried home made mixtures so I decided to give it a go.

I crushed up two sticks of chalk with a hammer and poured it into a $1 can of "Oops" paint. {really not sure how it ended up oops paint, since it appears to be a plain white but oook}

One coat and done! But that wasn't enough, I wanted more!

I bought some Martha Stewart tint-able antiquing glaze for $3 with a coupon and at first was just going to do a dark glaze...

Then I remembered all of the gorgeous turquoise I have seen on sooo many blogs and not been brave enough to try.

So I added a couple of drops of turquoise craft paint to the glaze and then distressed once all of the paint was dry.

I think I love it. 

Not bad for a free dresser!

Posted by The Vintage Farmhouse at 11:35 AM

47 comments:

  1. KarenOctober 12, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    It looks beautiful, people throw away some beautiful pieces of furniture. Lucky for us huh? I'm going to try the home made chalk paint recipe too. I really cant afford to pay what they're asking for it.

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  2.  VivOctober 12, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    This is great! Love that you made your own paint. How has it held up?

    Hope you don't mind I've linked to this post from my blog (top right under 'LOVE'). Viv xx

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  3. Sissie's Shabby CottageOctober 12, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    What a great idea using crushed chalk to create chalk paint. I've heard of using sandless grout too and I'm thinking of trying it.

    Your dresser turned out beautiful. Love it.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  4. Maureen WyattOctober 12, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    The dresser is so pretty now! I made chalk paint with a recipe from No Minimalist Here - 1/3 plaster paris to 2/3 latex paint and it worked great!

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  5. mariondee-designsOctober 12, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    wow, I love the transformation and the colours you picked! take care, Maryann

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  6. PeggyOctober 12, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    It looks awesome - I LOVE the colours!

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  7. ShabbyESPOctober 12, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    What a beautiful job!!!
    One mans trash to one womans treasure!!!

    Suzann ~xoxo~

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  8. Ruby JeanOctober 12, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Okay... YOU SERIOUSLY find the BEST stuff.... :) Oh I can't wait to be settled so I can start decorating again...living out of boxes is becoming VERY old... Beautiful job and I can't wait to try my hand at this new RAGE.... Chalk Paint..

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  9. A Shabby Moment in TimeOctober 12, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Bravo! That's amazing! You really added charm and value to that dresser. Are you keeping it?
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  10. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Wow....the dresser turned out GREAT! Love it....and love tghat you made your own chalk paint....I'll have to try it, as I cant afford the real stuff either!

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  11. Debra@CommonGroundOctober 12, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    It looks wonderful, great job. I haven't tried the chalk paint either, although, I do want to try one of the Make it yourself recipes! xoxo

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  12. Cassie BustamanteOctober 12, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    it turned out beautifully! love the colors!

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  13. Inspired by youOctober 12, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    You find the most amazing pieces. It turned out lovely! I was going to try to make a homemade batch. I've bought ASCP but don't like how limited you are on colors.

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  14. Pam KesslerOctober 12, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    You did a great job. Love the handmade chalk paint idea.

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  15. micheleOctober 12, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    i love this dresser and the hardware!

    michele

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  16. RhettDidntGiveADamnOctober 12, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    It's gorgeous and go you! for diy-ing your own chalk paint. I knew it could be done. ;)

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  17. Patricia @ 9th and DenverOctober 12, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Pretty!

    Great job on the DIY chalk paint,too!

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  18. Robin's Nesting PlaceOctober 12, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    That turned out great! I can't believe it was in someone's garbage!
    I saw the Chalk Paint post on No Minimalist Here and was interested in trying it out. I've bought the unsanded grout now I just need to decide what to paint. With all of my research on this homemade chalk paint you are the first I've seen to actually crush chalk!
    Did you use flat paint? Also did you wax it or did the glaze take care of that part?

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  19. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    It looks freakin' fantastic!

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  20. Shabby chic SandyOctober 13, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Not bad? It is awesome! Who doesn't need another dresser anyway?! I have never heard of actually breaking up chalk into the paint--but I guess it makes sense!

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  21. Sandi~A Cottage MuseOctober 13, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Wow...what a Cinderella moment for this piece ~ looks beautiful Nicki!

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  22. UnknownOctober 13, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Great find Nikki

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  23. Passionate for WhiteOctober 13, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    I just yesterday bought my first can of chalk paint and nearly fainted at the price ($36.95 for quart!). Thanks for the tip on making your own. The dresser looks awesome!

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  24. Tasha AndersonOctober 13, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    I KNOW I love it and am dying to make my own CP. Thanks for the inspiration!
    XOXO,
    Tasha

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  25. Restoration House InteriorsOctober 13, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    wow...so what's the total there??? ridiculous transformation for a ridiculous price! Absolutely lovely!

    Kennesha
    www.restorationhouseinteriors.blogspot.com
    (found you on Laurie Anna Vintage Home Party)

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  26. High Street CottageOctober 13, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I really need to get on the ball with this chalk paint. I've still not tried it and I love the effects.
    Wonderful job, tami

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  27. Amy KinserOctober 13, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    It's beautiful! I love how your mind works...beauty on a budget.

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  28. A Vintage VineOctober 13, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    This is a beautiful piece! Great job!

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  29. Shanon at Vintage Sparkle ChicOctober 13, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Gorgeous! I love how it turned out!

    ~Shanon

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  30. Korrie@RedHenHomeOctober 14, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    Not bad?? It's gorgeous! Good for you for rescuing it!

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  31. 6th GradeOctober 14, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    and i'm paying $37 a can? glad to have found you via chic on a shoestring.

    love, love the dresser!

    amy

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  32. AnonymousOctober 14, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Wow! One would never know this came from the trash! Great find! You did a wonderful job! Thanks for Sharing!
    Stephanie @ Ladywiththeredrocker.wordpress.com

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  33. KahliOctober 14, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Not bad at all for a free dresser! You did a great job! I love it. I'm going to have to start making my own chalk paint. It covered really well :)

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  34. urbanmingoOctober 16, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    Such a great find and it looks amazing now!!

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  35. Jennifer GrenkoOctober 16, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Wow! You are brave. I broke down and bought the chalk paint but I think when it's gone I will try your method instead. The piece turned out very pretty!

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  36. Megan GunyanOctober 16, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Wow, not bad at all! Did the chalk make the whole paint "chalk?" I think this turned out wonderful. Will you keep it? Where will it live?

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  37. Gayle Page-RobakOctober 19, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Your dresser turned out great! What a terrific find. I shopped and shopped could not find chalk paint except the green and black for blackboards...wrote down what you did. Also googled a recipe from Martha Stewart so will have a go on something small soon. I have joined your followers list and invite you to join my followers list; as well,I hope you will grab a blog button. Hugs, Gayle
    http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com

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  38. Joy@aVintageGreenOctober 22, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Wow. First post I've read where real bboard chalk was crushed to make chalk paint. I am totally impressed. I would like to put a link to this post on my future post about 'all the ways of chalk paint'. Hope you don't mind.
    - Joy

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  39. Joy@aVintageGreenOctober 22, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    ps I am following you and putting a link on my blog roll as well so I don't miss any of your posts.
    - Joy

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  40. GinaOctober 22, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Well I believe that I love it too! Thanks for sharing the homemade chalk paint. I have been wanting some, but...budget does not allow right now! And, yes I am going to try this out tommorw!

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  41. Restyled VintageOctober 23, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    Wow, that is stunning, LOVE the blue! I have to try some amke your own chalk paint too, I live in Australia and the postage is far too expensive to even order some test pots.

    xx Karen

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  42. ChrisOctober 23, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Hi Nikki, you did a wonderful job with the dresser. I wish I could find discarded items like that on the side of the road. No-one throws anything like that away where I live, they usually sell them, LOL I found and am now following you through My Romantic Home and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris

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  43. UnknownMarch 7, 2012 at 3:43 AM

    Wow! I found some old doors on the side of the road last week but they were too tall for our house. Hope I find a great dresser someday! Thankfully, my husband is great about pulling over to the side of the road and helping me load the car! Love the colors you picked for the dress. Beautiful.

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  44. vintage green bluff farm girlJune 9, 2012 at 4:48 AM

    Your very lucky to find anyone that throws those things away, in our area with the craze of Farm Chicks, nothing is thrown out, but rather sold at ridiculous prices, even garage sales are keeping up with it. Love the chalk board paint recipe.

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  45. Sweet MelanieSeptember 25, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    Oh My GOSH Nicki....It's gorgeous! I haven't heard of the chalk being broken up in the paint nor the drops of craft paint added to the glaze! Now I must try that!!! I just love your home, it's so light and fluffy and I see that you have a blue bedroom...I do to and I love yours too!

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  46. SueNovember 8, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    Love your end result, Nikki!! The color is perfect and you did it all so frugally. Perfection !
    :-) Sue

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  47. DecorpediaDecember 6, 2013 at 6:15 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous. You really know how to put a beautiful ideas, thanks for sharing it with us, my blog at Curtain designs

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