Dudes and dudettes, I finally tried chalk paint. Many of you asked if I’d used Annie Sloan chalk paint, so here’s my experience. First, how we used it:
John and I brainstormed options for the table we trimmed down and two thrift-store chairs we found in West Virginia (they were $8 each). We considered several color combinations, including:
- red chairs with a white table
- red table with white chairs
- navy table with red chairs
- navy table with white chairs
- one red chair, one navy chair, and a red table
We eventually decided on wood chairs with red backs and a white table. It was John’s idea, though a reader later suggested the same thing — a funny jinx moment.
We thought adding a table and chairs would be useful, and as soon as we brought them into the room, they got used right away.
I even loved how Clara’s pajamas fit into the room’s palette. #crazyfabriclady
After confirming the table and chairs were a good addition, we focused on painting the chair backs bright red. At first I thought about buying a small pot of red paint, sanding and priming, but then I remembered a sample of Annie Sloan chalk paint we’d received at a conference in the color “Emperor’s Silk.” I decided to give it a try since chalk paint is marketed as requiring no prep—no sanding or priming.
Update: Chalk paint is not the same as chalkboard paint. Chalk paint is a flat, chalky type of paint similar to milk or clay paint.
I brought the chairs into the sunroom and wiped them with a liquid deglosser to remove any grease or residue—thrift-store pieces can be unpredictable. Then I opened the red paint and started on the backs. Each coat took about ten minutes per chair.
I used a short-handled angled brush for more control and free-handed the edges, keeping them clean. If you worry about a shaky hand, you can tape the edges first. The chalk paint is fairly thick and has great coverage; it took two coats to achieve full coverage. I let the chairs dry in the sunroom with the slider open for ventilation since the paint has a noticeable odor.
However, there’s an important step after painting: sealing. After a few days of drying the chairs felt chalky and left a white line when I ran my finger across the finish. That’s because Annie Sloan paint requires waxing after it dries to seal and protect the surface and to add sheen. I didn’t realize this ahead of time.
Fortunately a friend who had used Annie Sloan paint offered a small amount of her wax so I didn’t have to buy a full tin. I applied a thin coat of wax with a sock; you don’t want to apply it too thickly or it may remain tacky and take longer to cure.
That’s my main critique: chalk paint promises no sanding or priming before painting, but it does require a finishing product afterward, usually wax, which is an additional step and extra cost unless you already have some. Still, the chairs didn’t crack or peel, and I liked the result. I’m not convinced it’s much easier than deglossing, priming, and painting with regular paint, but it’s a viable alternative and might be worth it for certain projects.
Overall: I liked chalk paint, but it didn’t change my life. I respect the enthusiasts who love it, and it may grow on me with more use. For now, we love our red-backed chairs.
One more chair pic, just for kicks:
The table itself was stained and peeling underneath, so we sanded it down and gave it a quick primer and paint job.
We followed up with sanding, priming, and paint. We used Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White in a semi-gloss Advance formula for durability—this paint has held up well on our office cabinets.
We’re still deciding whether to place the table against the wall under the window or pull it out onto the rug, so we’re living with both layouts to see what works best.
This playroom/big-girl room is starting to come together. We’re probably about 35% done, with a lot left to do, but it’s already transformed from chaotic storage to a space where we can hang out.
What are you painting? Have you ever painted just the top or back of a piece? Did you freehand or tape it? Have you tried chalk paint, and did it impress you or leave you lukewarm like me?