Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Karla's Chalk Paint Projects

Today I have a few chalk paint projects from Karla to share. If you know anything about Karla, then you know she is a totally neutral, earth-tone loving girl. And her go-to color is always green. Karla pretty much paints everything green. "It may not be very exciting, but it is a safe color." As Karla say, "Green is my color!" So when it came time to give chalk paint a try, Karla started with a can of Olive. Her order came right away, but she waited for the perfect starter piece.






This cute little dresser originally belonged to Karla's grandmother, who lived to be 101 and a half years old! Karla's father had been using the dresser up until recently, when he decided that he needed to upgrade to a nice tall "manly" dresser with deep drawers. Karla offered to find and paint a piece for him, but he said he didn't want anything "painted" and would prefer to buy something "new" from a furniture store. And when Karla told him she'd take the old dresser, he didn't understand why she would want "that old thing". Needless to say, we all got a big chuckle from Karla's dad!







The piece was actually in great shape, just "brown and blah". Karla thought the glossy top made it a perfect candidate for chalk paint.




She gave it two coats of Olive, distressed and then glazed with Minwax Express Walnut (the one in the tube).






Karla kept the original hardware, but updated it up with a little oil rubbed bronze from Krylon.








Now it's cute and updated! I wonder what Karla's grandmother would think?




Next up was a classic 1970's entertainment cabinet that came from The Mission Store. Before chalk paint, Karla says she would have passed on anything this shiny.





According to Karla, it was sooo shiny you could see your reflection in the finish. It was blinding on a sunny day in her driveway!





But seriously, this is a nifty little cabinet with a shelf inside and ventilation holes in the bottom.




This cabinet got the same distressing and glazing as the dresser.








And Karla added a cute new knob too.







Karla has a great eye for just the right amount of distressing.





What a great little cabinet! I could see so many ways to use it. And yes, it is functional and totally neutral, just the way Karla likes it!






With just a bit of Olive paint left in her can, Karla decided to spruce up this really cool mail sorter.






The cubbies are fabulous, but would have been a nightmare to paint.







So Karla just sanded the cubbies for a nice distressed look and gave the outside one coat of Olive for a great two-toned look. Just think of the organization possibilities!





So there you have it, one can of Olive chalk paint and three great little projects. Done and done, as Karla likes to say! And what does Karla think of chalk paint? First of all, she really liked the Olive color - totally neutral. She thought it was definitely a splurge. The biggest draw for Karla was the ability to skip the sanding and priming steps and that the paint sticks directly to shiny surfaces. Since finishing her first can of chalk paint, she has passed on several shiny pieces of furniture. She also thought the paint was thick and a bit hard to spread. Although she is happy with her projects, she is relatively unimpressed with the chalk paint. For now, Karla is sticking with other paint and primer in one products. She can still skip the priming step without the high cost of the chalk paint. You should also know that Karla loves using a roller to paint and that gives her furniture a bit of a texture that totally changes the finished look of the chalk paint.



There are four of us painting furniture here at Elizabeth & Co. And there is a range of different opinions on the chalk paint. Susan loves it and is using it on everything. I think the finish is unique and it is great option for certain applications. I will continue to use it, along with lots of other products. Karla thinks there are better options. And Roxane is interested in trying it, but taking a wait and see approach. She thinks you can achieve a similiar look with less expensive products.



Bottom line, I think you should experiment and give new products and techniques a try. It's such fun to play! See what combinations work for you. And it might be different for different pieces. Sometimes you will look at a piece and instantly know exactly what it needs. Other times, you need to give it a little time. But in the end, it will be uniquely yours!



I'm linking to...



The Shabby Nest Furniture Feature Fridays





Beyond The Picket Fence

A Glimpse InsideSomewhat Simple

Photobucket


Photobucket



HOG


Just a Girl




22 comments:

Lee Anne said...

Fabulous tutorial :-) Aptly describes how we all make progress in this wonderful world.

NanaDiana said...

Love those pieces...especially the bureau from her grampa! Love te olive color too! It is interesting to hear all the different "takes" on using chalk paint! I have some but have yet to try it. xo Diana

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Love how all three of the pieces turned out! I do appreciate all of your input on chalk paint... its so popular but I've been hesitant to try it because of how expensive it is!

~Chris

PS really like the olive color :)

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Great post with great advice. I'm not much of a painter...my first love is fabric. But there are a few pieces in my house that really need an update. I just may try the chalk paint...thanks!

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

What a neat story of Karla's grandma and grandpa - and 101, oh wow! I really appreciate giving your honest feedback(s) on this product. I haven't been able to muster the courage to splurge on it, yet :)

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

I love the little cabinet! I'm so glad you've shared all your experiences with the CP~ it's very helpful! :)

Colleen said...

The main reason I love chalk paint so much is due to the fact I don't have to sand beforehand. But I also agree it's not for everything. I'm so glad you picked the olive color to try. It's nice seeing a different color! Great job!

Our Hopeful Home said...

Love the green, I've been using this color lately. I have a similar dresser I need to get my courage up to try....you should stop on over and join my Club G.W. with Charm Bracelet Diva Party going on now!

xoxo
Kathleen
ps thanks for the chalk paint review!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i think the olive was perfect for that dresser! it looks wonderful!

The Coleman's said...

Oh so informative! I am new to this DIY stuff, and recently bought a piece to paint. I have been considering chalk paint since I hear it's all the rave... but my question is: what are some specific paint brands, colors, sheens, etc. that Karla has used and liked while doing the distressing technique in the past?

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Love the painted pieces! Thanks for sharing the different views of chalk paint!

Twice Nice said...

How fun to see someone using the olive color! They turned out beautifully, and I think that vintage cabinet is just too cute.
Deb

Jilly said...

It is perfect colour in every tables. Olive colour is fabulous colour among all colours and it is one of the best colour of new generation kids.
online clothing store

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

All the pieces turned out wonderful and I especially love the mail sorter. The olive color is beautiful.
xo,
Sherry

Mary Ann Pickett said...

I am NOW inspired...I have a couple pieces in my garage that need paint--yours were TRANSFORMED. I think I will just try the chalk paint once to "give it a whirl."

Chef in Training said...

they all turned out wonderful! I am impressed! I found your blog through a link party and LOVE it! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

Coloradolady said...

I think I love the paint! I wish I had that old mail sorter...wonderful post!! Happy VTT!

Debbiedoos said...

Olive is a great color and that is a great looking piece.

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

All three pieces turned out fabulously! Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party.

Noble Vintage said...

Great projects! I love seeing three different pieces in the same color. Once again, I appreciate the honesty and opinions of so many experienced painters on chalk paint. Good to know when I finally get to try some! Thanks for sharing at Transformations and Treasures!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love the olive color, and I'm so glad you posted this....I'm just getting ready to order some chalk paint (isn't everyone?) but wasn't sure what color to try....

Tammy said...

I am so happy to see he Olive color. I am a more neutral kind of gal too!
I love the way that mail sorter turned out! Thanks for sharing her opinion too!