Chalk Paint Recipe

Why do I use chalk paint?

The reason is simple. Chalk paint does not require prep, sanding or priming of wood furniture. There are some pieces you will find that will still require a bit of sanding. For instance, a piece that had stickers put on it back in the 70's or an item that has previously been painted. Aside from that you shouldn't need to sand or prime most pieces when using chalk paint.

Why do I mix my own?

1. It is SO much cheaper than the pre-mixed stuff
2. The color choices are endless 
3. I can mix up the amount I need at the time of each project
4. It tends to take less coats of paint compared to using a latex based paint

This being said, I do love me some chalk paint, but I also love using plain ol' latex paint. This, however, requires that you must first prime the item you will be painting. I tend to use this technique when painting an item that will not be distressed simply for the fact that it tends to hold up a bit longer than chalk paint. Over time a bit of wear and tear on a piece that has been chalk painted and distress only adds character. This is not the case on a piece that has been painted a solid coat of paint. Any scratch will stand out a mile away and is nearly impossible to fix once it is there. 

Just as any painted piece, neither technique are indestrustable, but primed and latex paint seems to outlast chalk paint. A chalk paint piece that is maintained will still last a very long time. I often suggest that anyone who owns a chalk piece finished with Minwax should continue to apply a coat of minwax every few months. Just like wood furniture, it needs to be cleaned and protected from time to time. Simply wax on, wax off. 

Before beginning any project I suggest that you determine which paint will work best for the project at hand. If chalk paint is the answer please feel free to use the recipe that I use.

Chalk Paint

1/3 cup Plaster of Paris

1/3 cup Water (room temp)

1 cup Latex Paint 

Mix the plaster of Paris and water in a container. I recommend using a quart size all purpose mixing container which can be found in the paint supply department of your local home improvement store. Make sure to purchase a lid for the container as chalk paint tends to thicken if left exposed and will do so fairly quickly.

Once completely mixed, you can add the latex paint in your choice of color. You will notice that the paint will end slightly thicker than it started. This is exactly the consistency you want!

** I do not recommend that you store and reuse chalk paint. If you begin a piece, make sure that you have enough time to complete it within a few days. 

Simply Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty

ˌserənˈdipədē/

noun

• The effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something truly wonderful, especially while looking for something totally unrelated. 
• The act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it.
• The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

synonyms:

(happy) chance, (happy) accident, blessing, fluke

The word serendipity has always had a deep meaning to me. I believe in fate. I believe things do happen for a reason. Whether these things happen by coincidence, perfect timing, or just plain luck, I believe that if you are open to the possibilities that it is possible for serendipitous moments in your life. 

I would find myself stumbling upon pieces of furniture by luck and sometimes by pure accident. Pieces that were once exquisite, that were no longer deemed beautiful or wanted. Each piece held a story and at one time or another meant something to someone. I found myself feeling sorry for these pieces. I wondered where they had come from and who they had belonged to. Oh the stories I bet they could tell if only they speak! I, unlike so many others, could still see the beauty in these pieces. I could see them as they had been many years ago, but more importantly I could see what they could be with a little love and a lot of elbow grease. I truly believe that I stumble up each piece by fate and not by luck or accident.

I began painting and repairing old furniture simply because I enjoyed taking something that was once worthy and making it spectacular again. The process of painting is relaxing to me. Perhaps this love for paint was passed on to me by my late Grandfather. He loved to paint. You name it, he painted it. Houses, furniture, walls and even garage floors. As a child, I remember finding it a bit strange that he seemed to paint the garage floor of every home he lived in but as an adult I now understand. Painting is a release. It soothes and heals. I find that I lose myself in the moment while I paint. All stresses and troubles of the day seems slowly to float out of mind with each stroke of the brush.

I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I complete a project. I put down the brush after the finishing touch, take a step back, and fully admire the finished design. It is almost as if you can see the newly reclaimed piece glowing with gratitude. The satisfaction I feel with each completed project is immense. My hope for each piece is that someone will now view it as worthy and beautiful again. May those who serendipitously cross paths with these new items treasure them as much as I do. 

Please join me on my adventures via this blog as I take what was discarded or broken and make it new again. I will do my best to provide a step by step detailed process per piece. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask and I will do my best to answer!

- Sarah Pasley at Simply Serendipity