DIY Chalk Paint? Yippee!

As I was persuing the blogosphere last week, I stumbled upon a life-changing post by Sherry at "No Minilmalist Here" about DIY Chalk Paint! Ok, life-changing may be a bit over-the-top, but definitely money-saving! I am a huge fan of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint because of the amazing finish it gives AND the fact that I can be lazy save precious time by skipping the prep step on most furniture. The bummer about the paint is that it costs about $35/quart plus shipping, since I don't have a local stockist in KC--so I end up paying about $50/quart. Yikes! Eats into my profit on furniture sales just a tad. Now, enter Sherry with her  recipe for creating chalk paint using 2/3 latex paint and 1/3 plaster of paris--sheer brilliance! I decided to whip up my own batch on Friday using some leftover turquoise Sherwin Williams paint and $2.99 plaster of paris from Hobby Lobby. I have to say I am SOLD! Not only did I not need to do any prep work on this little side table, but the paint dried quickly, sanded fabulously and took a coat of wax like a dream. (Cue the choir of angels...)

You must check out Sherry's blog "No Minimalist Here"--I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!

Before: your standard side table with a laminate top purchased at Savers

After: with a bit of distressing and some clear and dark wax



I was a busy bee this past weekend and have several more "Before and Afters" to share this week. Here are some sneaks at the befores:

Hope your week is off to a great start!