Disclosure: Any post may contain links to my shop or affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission from any purchase you make. All opinions about products I use are my own. Read the full disclosure and Privacy Policy HERE.
This Spring I decided to add coral to my homes color palette, so when I wanted to update my little dish cabinet in my dining area, coral seemed like the fun choice. Though definitely fun, it was a little scary to add such a bold color, but now that I’ve gone bold, I would never go back!
I bought this cabinet over three years ago. It was a very inexpensive, put-together-yourself cabinet and I viewed it as a place holder for a beautiful $1200 dish cabinet that I wanted. Finally I decided to make my temporary cabinet into something I loved even more than the expensive one.
My friend had just refinished a few pieces in her house with homemade chalk paint, so she gave me the courage to try homemade chalk paint. Well, she actually took me to the store and told me what supplies to buy – so she did more than give me courage! My box of plaster of paris is so big, I better think of some more projects after this!
Homemade Chalk Paint “Recipe”
The ratio of paint (regular flat paint) to water to plaster of paris is 3:2:1, or in other words –
- 1 cup paint
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup plaster of paris powder
Mix the water and powder together first. I mixed in a disposable container with a lid so that I could save it in between coats and then throw it away at the end of the project. Once the water and powder are mixed well together, mix in the paint.
The consistency is awesome!!
This was the cabinet before I did anything.
I put down plastic right in the dining room so I didn’t have to move the cabinet very far.
I wiped down the cabinet, mixed the paint, and then just started painting. I gave everything a few coats. The consistency is like butter!
I let it dry overnight and then I gave it a light sanding. The sanding was for a shabby chic effect. I focused on scuffing the corners and places the cabinet would wear naturally over years.
Next I wanted to add wrapping paper to the back of the cabinet. I found a pretty white/silver damask wrapping paper. I used the same polyurethane I used to seal the cabinet, to attach the wrapping paper. I “painted” the pack of the cabinet with the lowest sheen of polyurethane that I could find, then smoothed on the wrapping paper that was cut to fit. Then I painted more polyurethane on top of the wrapping paper.
After that, I painted polyurethane on the entire cabinet – anywhere I had painted with chalk paint. I chose polyurethane instead of wax so that I could just do it once.
When the poly coat had dried, I added some fun new knobs/ pulls (you call those different things depending where you live!).
I just love love love how the cabinet turned out. It changed the entire feel of the room!
Come back tomorrow because I’m going to show you the dining room all put together, with special new-to-me family heirloom dishes in the cabinet!!
From my home to yours,
Mary
Love it!
Thank you!
Love this! I have a chair I want to rehab. Thanks for giving me the courage to try homemade chalk paint – and coral! Question: Do you need to do anything to prep the piece you’re painting? Sanding? Stripping?
That is the beauty of chalk paint – no prep!! I just wiped down the furniture to get dust off, though I’m not positive that was even necessary. 🙂
Great idea for garage sale finds that are not the right color (old, sturdy furniture)…love that no pre-sanding is required…thanks for the “recipe”…
You’re welcome!
Beautiful, Mary!!
Thank you!!
SO pretty! I love it! What kind of paint did you use? Like, regular wall paint or acrylic craft paint? Thanks for your inspiration!
It was regular wall paint. And thank you!
Was the wall paint water based or oil based?
water, definitely water
Thank you! I want to try it very soon on a cabinet I need to update! Your instructions make it seem very easy!
It is very easy!! Go for it!
Wow, you make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
You’re welcome! It took me a while, but it wasn’t difficult.
Why chalkboard paint instead of regular paint?
Chalk Paint is different than chalkboard paint. The reason I chose chalk paint is that it doesn’t require any prep work to the surface like sanding or stripping. It also has a unique feel, doesn’t show every brush stroke and distresses really well.
I’m so glad you clarified in the above question that chalk paint and chalkboard paint are different. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why you would want to make the cabinet a surface to draw on with chalk!! Lol. It’s beautiful!
Ha!! I’m glad the clarification helped. 🙂
Heidi, that was my exact thought, too. I didn’t know there was a difference. I did a horrible job of painting my cabinets when I got them, so this seems like it might be a great idea for repainting them. When I get the decluttering, cleaning, and organizing done, I might just take on that project. Thanks, Mary!
You’re welcome! And you might be surprised what you’re in the mood for after you finish decluttering and organizing!!
Quick questions…what kind of brush did you use? what paint finish and what kind of poly? sorry to be nosey, but I’m making a walmart run soon and want to add supplies to my list. ☺
Amanda – I bought the Purdy brushes at Home Depot. I got the store brand (cheapest) in the flat finish. The poly is just the standard satin finish Minwax polyurethane. I think you can see it in one of the pictures. It is the golden colored container. Excited for you!!!
What color did u use?
I’m pretty sure it was Sherwin Williams coral, which is their color of the year. You can have any brand of paint color-match to it.
Hi Mary,
So sorry if this is a silly question: so, I am new to refinishing furniture, and I wanted to ask how you got the worn look on the edges. Is that from a light sanding in those areas? If so, which grit do you recommend? Thank you for your time and for the inspiration:)
It is from sanding in the lightest grit available. 🙂
Mary-I made my chalk paint and it is so thin and watery! I measured everything. Anything I can do to fix it or do I just toss it and start over?
Hmmm … you followed the directions exactly, not substituting anything?? If so, I’d try to use a bit on something like a box and see how it dries. Maybe it will thicken a little as you go?