Join the Chalk Paint Trend
If you’re not sure what chalk paint is, it’s what gives distressed, antique, or slightly-battered furniture that air of sophistication. Also known as milk paint, it’s quick-drying, long-lasting, and an ideal medium (even if it’s your first home project!). Here’s how you can get in on the trend.
Deborah Newton-Hair, the DIY design genius behind the Facebook group the Texas Craft Maven, says chalk paint is quick-drying, long-lasting, and an ideal medium for crafters of all experience levels. So what’s the idea chalk paint project?
“Let’s say you’ve got grandma’s old table that’s kind of been beat up. It’s ugly, but you don’t want to throw it away; it’s got a lot of nicks and dents in it,” Newton-Hair says. “Chalk paint will give it new life. It’s self-leveling, so it will fill in some of those scratches and dents you might not want. You won’t have to sand or prep the furniture in any way.”
Chalk paint has bold coverage and will even cover pieces that are swathed in polyurethane or made of shiny, metal, and even glass. It’s fast-drying, has superior binding qualities, leaves no smell, is easy to clean up, and can be sanded with a wet cloth. Less mess!
“It’s quick, so gratifying, and it’ll make a painter out of anybody,” Newton-Hair says. “It’s your grandma’s paint; it looks like it already has a history to it.”
Happy chalk painting!
- Make your own: Simply mix 2 cups of paint with 4 tablespoons Plaster of Paris and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Buy: If you prefer to purchase your paint, start off with Miss Mustardseed or CeCe Caldwell.
For more help around the house, check out these four ways to use reclaimed wood.
© 2014 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
