Homemade Chalk Paint and a Table Makeover…

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Okay…you asked for it and we heard you loud and clear. You have emailed us, left messages and comments wanting to know our go-to chalk paint and how to use it. So this is for all of you 🙂

Our chalk paint is a DIY homemade recipe. We concocted this recipe a few years ago when Jennifer lived in her first home in North Carolina. Name brand chalk paints were all the rage but, we wanted to use different colors of paint and we were on a limited budget. I contacted my brother, Glenn to ask his expert advise because – A) He owns his own contracting business and B) I trust him. I explained our painting projects and asked for his expertise. Glenn recommended mixing Plaster of Paris in latex paint. After a bit of trial and error this is what we came up with:

Chalk Paint Recipe:

  • 3 Parts latex paint
  • 1 Part Plaster of Paris
  • Water – used in small amounts

Plaster of Paris is sold in practically every hardware store and is approximately $6.00 and lasts a VERY long time.

We have painted countless pieces of furniture for our own homes as well as for friends and clients using this recipe.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.I love this method because I can mix paints from leftover projects. For this table makeover I measured the ingredients using a small Dixie cup 🙂

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.I only added 2 tablespoons of water to create a “paste” and mixed it until very smooth in a Mason jar.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.I then added the paint to the plaster of Paris mixture, blending well.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.

Why use this chalk paint?

  • Odorless, except for paint smell
  • Dries in 15-20 minutes
  • You can save leftover paint for at least three weeks – just remix thoroughly

A great thing about mixing this in a Mason jar is:

  • Great for shaking and mixing
  • Wonderful way to save and store the leftover paint

This is the table that I wanted to makeover. I know some of you may like this table just the way it was. I however, did not. I have had this table for over 15 years. It is not real wood and it is too ornate for my taste now. I’m not sure what it is made out of 🙂

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.

This paint gave great coverage with just one coat and was completely dry in just 20 minutes!

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.When the table was completely dry, I used paste wax all over the table top and drawers and just a little on the legs. I used a brush applying in a crosshatch pattern, repeating the process with dark wax. By applying clear wax first, it makes the dark wax application easier and very forgiving if you make a mistake and apply too much dark wax.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.Dark wax application…

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.You can apply as little or as much dark wax as you like.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.I made a mistake and removed the drawer pulls. I should have just left them on and painted over them. Yes – you can use chalk paint over furniture hardware!! I painted them separately.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint. Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.Now, I love this table – it looks live a vintage piece of furniture.

Give chalk paint a try – or contact us and we will show you how 🙂

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe using Plaster of Paris, water and latex paint.

 

10 Comments

  1. i had no idea that you could make this paint at home. The OTC stuff is so expensive! Thanks for sharing your mixture – definitely will give this a try.

  2. 2 Bees in a Pod says:

    Hey Jeff!
    So glad we could help you out! Let us know how your project turns out.

    Vicki and Jennifer
    2 Bees in a Pod

  3. Patty Brinkman says:

    Couldn’t imagine why you were painting that black table, I loved it. Seeing the result I understand, you have vision that I don’t have. It is a gorgeous color and
    is perfect right where it is, but I could see it in a little beach cottage as well.

    1. 2 Bees in a Pod says:

      Thanks Patty!!

      We appreciate your support. I definitely love the paint color and transformation! The table was otherwise getting dusty in the basement. It’s small enough that I move it around the house as my mood shifts 🙂

      Again, thanks for following along!

  4. I really needed this! Getting ready to start painting a lot of projects. i am making my own chalk paint. Can’t afford to buy premade. I know you said to use Latex, but can you be more specific on what exact paint you had the best luck with. I will be doing my kitchen cabinets, so I want them to be right!

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