I was definitely craving some fresh color on this one!
She looks like Spring, don't you think?
I found this china cabinet at a local thrift store. I was so excited because I'm running out of furniture! It's getting harder to find good pieces and prices are going through the roof, but that's a post for another day. It was a Friday and they were planning to rearrange the entire store over the weekend. Some of the heaviest pieces were marked way down in hopes of selling them before they had to move them. I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time!
I've been wanting to paint a piece in a color similar to Duck Egg Blue. I was actually tempted to buy chalk paint again, but fortunately I was shopping with Megan and she reminded me that I can make my own Duck Egg Blue. Of course she was right! So I took my chalk paint sample chart to Home Depot and picked the closest shade in the Behr paint and primer in one. I have had really good luck with this paint and it is very reasonably priced. The color is Lotus Leaf.
It's been a few months now since I first starting making my own chalk paint. Recipes are all over the blogs and there are all sorts of variations. I've been experimenting and I think I've settled on a recipe that consistently works well for me. My basic recipe is ... three parts paint to one part dissolved Plaster of Paris.
You do not have to measure precisely and here's an easy way to do it. Mark four equal lines on a clear plastic container. Add Plaster of Paris to reach the very first line. Then add warm water, about a tablespoon at a time, until the Plaster of Paris is nice and smooth. Keep stirring - you don't want any lumps or grit. With the Plaster of Paris dissolved, you'll be a bit above the first line, but not by much. Once the Plaster of Paris is completely dissolved, fill to the top line with paint and again stir well. *Again, your goal is an approximate ratio of three parts paint to one part dissolved Plaster of Paris. Super easy!
*** Be sure to dissolve the Plaster of Paris before adding the paint or you'll end up with grit. And different brands of paint are thicker than others, so just adjust as needed. Add more water or more paint until you have a consistency that feels right to you. And just like regular chalk paint, the homemade version will thicken as it sits. Give it a stir a few times throughout the painting process. Have fun and experiment!
And since it's still too cold to paint outside or even in the garage, I'm living dangerously and painting in my sunroom. It's nice and warm and the light is fabulous!
Yup, I'm a wild child I tell you!
And here she is all done and not a spill in sight.
Well, maybe there were a few little splatters, shhh!
And no matter what kind of paint I'm using, I still like to go over the entire piece with a sanding sponge. It's a good opportunity to give your piece a once over before you start painting and you just end up with a smoother finish. And to finish up, a coat of wax adds a nice luster.
I also love the way chalk paint adheres to hardware - a huge plus in my book!
I painted the inside white with an oops paint. There are shelves too of course, but I didn't want to put them in for photos and have to take them back out again for moving. This baby is sooo heavy and I didn't want to risk scratching the inside.
I am so thrilled with the way this china cabinet turned out! She would look so fresh and pretty in a dining room, kitchen or even a bathroom. And can't you just picture her in a little girl's room filled with books and stuffed animals ~ so sweet!
*And many of you noticed that I removed that little line of gold trim from the inside of the glass doors. It came off easily with a little razor blade paint scraper from the paint department!
Okay, that's three posts in one day! I don't know what got into me today!
And don't forget to check out all the great links this week at our Be Inspired Link Party! Hope you'll join us every Tuesday!
I'm linking to...
My entry into504 Main’s Tickled Pink partysponsored by Appliances OnlineBosch Washing Machines
