chalking it up!

So I honestly can't remember how I stumbled onto this stuff, but once I found it, I was hooked!!! I'm talking about chalk paint. No, not chalkboard paint where you can write and draw on....not even close to that....Chalk paint....for furniture!!! WHAAATTTT!!! - yep that's what I said too.

So chalk paint for furniture allows you to paint furniture without having to do much prep work. Now I've come across many different brands along the way, but I first started with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I instantly fell in love. So my first purchase was called french linen ( I mean how beautiful does that sound!) . So after much research on how this all works, it was quite simple! Just paint. There were of course a few pieces that needed some extra love and attention but for the most part.. just paint!!!

I found this pair of babies from a local neighbor who didn't need them anymore and turned them into this!  These are real solid wood pieces of furniture... they are heavy!!! and so my newest obsession began! 

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Ok, so its not always as easy as just painting all the time, but its fun and I absolutely love bringing them back to good use. I was able to refinish them and sell them! ( cha-ching!) It was so hard to let this one go!! and it went to a really good home. This color is a Serenity Blue from Rust-oleum I love just about every step of the way but my most favorite part is distressing it! I mean come on... all the heart eyes right there!! 

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I then follow up with a wax to seal the paint. I have only used Annie Sloan wax. Since these are items that are going to get a lot of use, they need protection. Of course, I come across those that I just cant bear to sell!! this is called English Yellow and this picture does not do it justice. During our vacation, I went antiquing and found these pulls for the drawers that I spray painted-  see I had plans, but crossed my fingers that they fit and worked well! - Success!! lol

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Sooo...This one needed A LOT of extra LOVE!!! I found it in my neighbor's bulk pick up pile (yep, I go dumpster diving) I mean look at that top.. it was in bad shape. I sanded it down to an even layer and stained it with a beautiful dark walnut stain, and used Rustoleum Linen White Chalk Paint for the base. Decoupaged some vintage Bible pages to the drawer front to give it more of a farmhouse look! 

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A local neighbor offered me this gorgeous Iron base wood dining table. I loved it as is, but in my case, I had to paint everything!!!- I used a dry brush technique because I didn't want to completely cover the base or dig too deep into the grooves. Gave the top a really good sand, stain and seal! It didn't last long either- It was sold within 2 days!!!

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I do sometimes buy furniture and when I saw these beautiful lines, I had to have them!!! I planned to do what I usually do with them, sand, stain, paint and wax... BUT... the top of these were not the usual that came off with sanding, nor could I just paint over it.. it didn't adhere.. So off I went to find ways to strip furniture and I went through different products, that DIDN'T WORK until I found this AMAZING product called CitriStrip. No bad odors, and comes off in like 20 minutes!!!! So the top wasn't stainable ( is that even a word?!?) and I didn't want the entire things white either... so I searched and searched (in my garage) lol and found chalk paint, but not the chalk paint I used in the other pieces... like Chalkboard paint that you can write and draw on!!!!.... should I? could I? why the heck not!!!! So I did, and ended up selling them within 1 week!!!!

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Well, that's it for now! I do have a few pieces in the garage still that I haven't been able to get to lately, but I'll update you when I get the chance. Stay tuned for more furniture refinishing item around the house and our shiplap wall!!! 

Cheers!
​Jasmine