Once upon a time this girl got married. And she lived with her husband in her little starter home sans children. She decided that she needed to fill said home with purchases just like everyone else seemed to be doing, and just couldn’t wait. {See older version of girl kicking younger version eleven years later} But no one could tell her otherwise. She did work her (misery-inducing) eight to five, for a reason, didn’t she? So she purchased this dining room set, before she really knew what she wanted.
Lucky for her, it turned out to be a classic set, but she was over the dark, pressed-particle-board matchy-ness circa 2000, mass-box-store-vomited-in-her-house look (it may look nice, but that’s what it is, friends) and decided to take matters into her own hands.
Only she was terrified.
Then she got over herself and decided if she could do (fill in the blank with a million other fear-tackling specimens (See: giving birth, teaching her children) she could paint that blasted table. Duh.
So she did and they lived happily ever after. The end.
Just kidding.
A few of you guys wrote me after this post (see: our last minute freak session of throwing a school room together – which I’m not absolutely in love with because it’s actually functional) and wanted the deats on that table. So I thought I would share them here.
I was a little late jumping on the Chalk Paint bandwagon, and realized that maybe I hadn’t given it a fair shot the first time around. Kind of like home schooling. The symbolism isn’t lost on me. Whenever the masses say something is great, there’s something in me that wants to run the other way holding a cross and hissing at people who want me to jump on aforementioned bandwagon. It’s just who I am. Call me a weirdo.
But I was dying to paint this table, didn’t trust latex, and I was feeling lazy. I didn’t want to take on an entirely different layer of primer only to have it get all weird on me. So I decided to give it a whirl. Maybe the masses are right for a reason, and if I’m doing this right, I need to try it with the good stuff.
I decided on Paris Grey, and wanted to mix it with dark, and light wax. It was a little bit of an aerobic workout, and I didn’t take many photos of the process (hate me) but here’s what I did. I am in no way an expert, but thought I could share from my experiences:
1. No primer: {That’s the beauty of CP} I wiped down the table, and gave it a good first coat of Paris Grey.
2. When that was dry (I waited 12 hours) I went back with a little more paint, and with each stroke, I watered it down. Dip the brush in paint, dip it in water, smooth it out. Make it even. This is my favorite part about CP. No sanding, No priming. Tada!
3. When that was dry, I went back with a sander, and lightly distressed some edges. I didn’t want a super distressed look, so I did some very subtle sanding.
4. After wiping the grit away, I went back with a (cut up) t-shirt, and in sections (And this is important to keep it in your control) I wiped on a bit of the dark wax. I kept the clear wax nearby to help tone down the darkness, because the clear wax works as an eraser, and as you buff, you can take some of it off until you reach your desired finish. Just wipe on, rigorously wipe off, and keep working with it.
5. Stand back {after freaking out because your fingernail scraped a part of it off as you were waxing -Here’s the key to chalk paint: wait for it to cure. This takes a month (or longer – I am not a magical rep expert} And admire your handiwork.
You can see some up close above : wax and subtle distressing and the crayon covered top when the kids hopped on it. I didn’t wait for it to cure because I needed the table, and didn’t care, I was so distracted by school stuff. We have a few subtle scratches because I’m a rebel like that. But I guess that’s the beauty of chalk paint. I can touch it up easily later, buff it out some more (see: cardio) and it’s like we have a brand new table.
See how it has a blue tone now? Totally unintentional but I’m cool with the wax.
TADA! I hope this helped your questions guys. If I can tackle this table and it not be a complete fail, I guess anyone can! What’s your latest chalk paint achievement, or are you a little slow to jump on the bandwagon like I was? How do you feel about all the hoopla?
Have an inspired day!
Layla K says
Love this. I’ve been meaning to try chalk paint! š
Kara says
I just painted my dining room table with chalk paint this weekend (Country Grey). It still needs some work (I might paint 2 of the chairs a bright color). But it is sooooo much better than before (dark, ugly, traditional, and scratched up). I distressed mine as well, so now the scratches and marks look purposeful š I have a whole list of things in mind to use chalk paint on! Including whitewashing my natural stone fireplace, which terrifies me kind of like the table terrified you. But, it has pink/green toned stones in it, and it’s totally 1970s and ugly, so I don’t think I could make it any worse!
ashley @ the handmade home says
OOOO I can’t wait to see! ;} You should share. ;}
V@Sproutshouse says
It looks great!!! I have just experimented with AS paint too and now have 3 or 4 more pieces of furniture lined up to paint!!
Denise says
What is the purpose of waxing the table after painting? Can you just paint with the chalk board paint and be done??
ashley @ the handmade home says
Denise – the paint is very chalky. The wax (clear or another color) helps seal it in + protect it.
Denise says
Just wanted to make sure that waxing would still allow you to use the table as a chalkboard.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Denise – this is not chalk board paint. It is chalk paint. Two totally different things. I know its kinda confusing – I was for a very long time and I get that the paint is chalky and jazz, but the name always threw me off, too. If you want your table to be chalk board paint, then just paint it with chalk BOARD paint. I didn’t see the board part because I’m exhausted. sorry about that. If you want a different texture to work with that is water soluble, then Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint is your best bet for a non-primer, easy-to-use (but still a lot of work) kinda paint. You can not use that surface as a chalkboard. I hope that helps – sorry for the confusion! ;}
Lindsey says
Looks great! I love that you do what you feel and don’t buy things just like everyone else! Okay now about this chalk paint….I have never used it. I always assumed that it was just for using as a literal chalk board. Is it much more durable? I have a kitchen table I painted last year and I am not 100% happy with the results. I will repaint the top again in a couple of years, I don’t like the combo of primer and paint I used. It also is really beat up and I need something more durable.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Lindsey! If you wait for it to cure, it is very durable. I did not wait for ours to cure, and while there are a few scratches already, it doesn’t freak me out that much about touching it up, because unlike latex, it can be blended in with the scratches and no one can see. Does that make sense? I hope it helps!
Pamelotta says
I’ve painted several pieces of mine and other people’s furniture and love it every time! The only thing I haven’t tried is Annie Sloan. I started with a cheap recipe I found and it’s worked so well I haven’t been able to make myself splurge on the good stuff. But I bet if I got my hands on some, I’d fall in love with it! Your table looks amazing, by the way!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Um, yeah. This stuff is PRICEY. But I was glad we did it for such a piece like this. ;}
April @ illistyle says
Omg. It’s like reading my own diary. I bought an espresso colored set 10 years ago that I never truly loved and chalk painted it a few weeks ago…. and then never blogged about it. Lol.
Laura says
This looks really good! Good for you, I bet you were waxing and waxing! It is tedious and this is a huge table! It looks great!
Laura
House envy
Wendy says
Great job, Ashley! Your table turned out really lovely and I enjoyed the “suspense” in your recap. I don’t know which is more fun–looking at your projects or reading the story behind them. I would have been slightly terrified to paint over that table, too, for fear of looking like the town fool (lol) if it didn’t work out so well. Your table looks fabulous and perfectly distressed and is a nice match for the blue-striped fabric on the chairs. š
Hillary @ The Friendly Home says
Psst…I think makeover might be spelled wrong in the first photo? Please delete me after you see this comment! I don’t want to be the proofreader, but I hope someone would do the same for me. š
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you Hillary. This is what happens when I try to do too much. I guess it happens to everyone. I feel like a total airhead right now. Thanks. ;}
Hillary @ The Friendly Home says
Yeah, you’re totally not alone! And definitely not an airhead.
Michelle says
Ashley your table looks amazing. I love chalk paint and how it can transform a piece of furniture. I turned a dumpster rescued old door into a headboard two old metal tables that were going to be garage sale items into bedside tables. I love how they turned out. I just recently found a huge dresser at our Re-Store and painted it using American Paint in Dollar Bill and it is beautiful. Waxing is a must. I was like you and didn’t let my items cure before putting them back in the rooms. It’s really no biggie like you said because touch-up is rather easy. It took me a long time before I tried Chalk paint but I’m enjoying how my pieces are turning out. Now if I could just get my husband on board with painting our dinning room table…
Holly Newell says
I love Chalk paint, I painted a table I bought at an auction for $35 and now it is our kitchen table. The finish has survived all that our four children can dish out. My daughter Emerson (3) says “hi” to yours and really likes the skirt she is wearing in your banner. š I think these two might be kindred spirits – one day they may rule the world together. Thank you for a marvelous blog – I always enjoy it.
Becki says
Ok, (kindred spirit) now I am interested…
Ali Chen says
Thanks for this information. I’m on take 2 of my dining room table. The first time after I painted and waxed and thought I was finished, the paint kept scratching right off the table. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong, but I’m going to try again. Perhaps I didn’t wait long enough before applying the wax. Perhaps I didn’t apply enough wax or maybe it was too much? Or I didn’t buff it properly? I don’t know… but I’ll give it another try… your article has given me hope.
Tina says
Hi!
I read this when you originally posted it but re-read it today because I have decided to take the plunge and paint my dark stained dining room table, too. I am so excited to start this project! I love the way yours turned out. I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year and it was either buy a new table or paint the one we already have. I’ve done a lot of looking and have not found a table that I love yet, so this, I feel, is a perfect solution. I read a lot of blogs and yours is my favorite. I love your style and just your whole aesthetic. So, thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
emma says
hi, love this sooo much! i have a wooden sideboard type thing that my dad gave me when i moved out. It is a beautiful, very heavy, solid piece of furniture but i have grown to hate the very dark colour. Dad died in 2005 so i cant bear to part with it for obvious reasons. I’m really scared to paint it (he used to go mad about people painting over “proper wood” lol) but i want a piece of furniture that i treasure and love. Your blog has given the kick up the butt i needed to just do it!
i’m also now eyeing up the dark dining table for a transformation :o) but i’m worried about the paint rubbing off on clothes etc. We use the table every day and i have 3 young kids. Does the wax stop the paint from coming off or do i need to use something else? any advise would be very much appreciated.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Emma!
I guess it depends on what you use the table for, but we have still had it rub off a little in places. The kids are also using ours hard core with school though… binders and notebooks and pencils, crayons… it’s getting about as much use as a table can get. I will simply sand it down and touch it up after a little while… but for me it was still worth it. I’m not sure there is a solution that is completely foolproof when you paint something… but we have been happy with the outcome. I hope that helps! ;}
Jennifer says
So I don’t have to sand the old lacquer off the table first?? I am wanting to try this on a table and chairs I found on craigslist but I am a bit worried. I am also wondering how durable the top will be for lots of family…we use our table breakfast, lunch, and dinner and for school work! What’s the best way for the most durable top?… Completely new at this other than just staining and using lacquer on a side table.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Jennifer! I am so sorry – I am just now seeing this comment for some reason. I think it all depends on the table. The idea with chalk paint is that you don’t have to, but you have to let it cure for at least 30 days. with my experience, I would say sanding is always best if it’s super glossy. I hope that helps!
rachael says
Hi, thanks for your info. I just chalk painted my dining table Paris gray also. A few Questions:
1. Does it harden up over time?
2. How much wax is too much?
3. Have you had problems with hot plates leaving a ring?
4. What about spilling oil based things on the table?
Rachael
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Rachael! Yes, you need to let your paint cure for a while before you use your table {some recommend up to 30 days} I did not wait that long because I’m impatient, and now ours is scratched, but I figured I would just re-paint… so there’s that. ;} I think too much wax is too much when it feels super greasy. Just a little at a time, wipe on and wipe off. It’s an aerobic workout, but keep wiping until it doesn’t feel super greasy anymore. I haven’t really noticed hot plates leaving a ring, but I don’t want to guarantee that because every one’s plates and tables are different. I have no idea about the oil based things… I just wipe whatever spills on it off! I am not sure it’s an exact science. Hope that helps!
hannah says
Your table looks beautiful. I made my own chalk paint and sealed with a soft wax and every single thing my kids eat on that table stains it. I need help from you chalk paint pros. Do I need to seal it with polyurethene? I wipe it up right away with soap and water as recommended on the Annie Sloan website, but even applesauce leaves its mark. Thank you .
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hannah – my apologies for just now seeing this comment. Somehow it was lost in the shuffle. Did you ever find a resolution for it? I haven’t noticed much of a mark kind of problem as far as stains. Did you buff the wax completely off? It sounds like a wax problem, because the wax buffed should be all you need. It’s an aerobic workout, but that should help {???} Sorry I’m probably not much help but I hope you found a resolution! That’s frustrating – we already need to go back and do another coat on the top of ours since the kids were using it for school. š Good luck!
cathyann bellio says
Hi. Love I!! Did u use polyurethane after painting your table w/the white chalk paint? I’m trying to do the same. thanks, Cat
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! We just used the wax to finish it off. I hope that helps!