4 Men 1 Lady

a lifestyle blog about the persuit of bringing beauty to a house full of men.

Chalk paint 1st timer + $100 gift card giveaway.

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If you’ve been around the DIY blog block then you definitely know there’s a buzz about chalk paints.
Frankly, I haven’t been hugely intrigued after having read all sorts of posts about the paints.
Then I was sponsored to fly out to Memphis last month by ACE Hardware and attend an Amy Howard paint and finishes workshop.
(Hard day at the office right?)
When I actually saw how Amy used her paint on the pieces in her own home I was sold.

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Photo by Cassie Bustamante of Primitive and Proper.

(Amy actually diy’ed that black and white art piece using her chalk-based paint).

I had always associated chalk paints with more farmhouse-rustic styles but Amy’s house was swanky and modern-chic. My perception changed and I was game.

I recently scored this science lab table from a school.

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 You’ll never believe how much I paid.

$4.00 !!!!!

You may look at it and think I over-paid.  It’s an understatement to say it was in bad shape.
The legs were wobbly, it had been painted with this awful black paint (and very poorly at that) and in true teenage fashion the top had been engraved with all sorts of obscenities.

Before's

My plan was to use Amy Howard’s One-Step Paint which requires no prep or sanding.  Unfortunately, I had to sand the heck out of the top to remove the mess of engravings.  I thought the entire table was wood painted black but as I started sanding I discovered the wood top had actually been covered by some kind of rubber-plastic veneer and there was no chance of getting it off.

 In addition to wood, Amy claims that her One-Step paint can be used on melamine, ceramic, iron, plastic, resin, veneer, glass and fabric.  It can even be used on laytex or oil paint.  No sanding or priming necessary.  ON WHAT PLANET DO YOU NOT HAVE TO PRIME A PIECE FIRST…ESPECIALLY ON A VENEER? I had a hard time wrapping my head around all that.  I was nervous about painting over the rubbery veneer with no primer but I figured the table was only $4.00 so if I ruined it, oh well.

Paint

To my surprise, it went on without any issues and adhered perfectly.

PicMonkey Collage

I put two coats on the whole table, letting it dry 30-40 minutes between coats.
For the legs and base I chose “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and for the top I used “Chelsea Square” (love those names).

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I next put on a layer of Clear Wax.  This step isn’t necessary but will seal the paint and give it a nice finish.
I started by loading my brush with wax.
Next, I off-loaded my brush on to a piece of cardboard just to make sure I wasn’t putting too much on at one time with my first swipe.
Then I swiped my brush on to the surface of my table making sure to bend my wrist every which way…up, down, left, right. That assures the wax is being applied evenly.

Applying wax

Ready for the result?

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I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting the paint to turn out as well as it did.

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I love the result and am looking for my next piece of furniture to makeover using her paint.

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Hooks: Pottery Barn
Radio: Dot and Bo
Lamp: Ikea
Globe: Vintage
Stool: Industry West
Clock: Alice Lane
Code Flag Print: Empressionista

Want to learn more about Amy Howard at Home products?  She will teaching a free online workshop with ACE Hardware today!

Online-Workshop

Click here to register.

I’m also hosting a giveaway for $100. to ACE Hardware so you can get started on your own makeover using Amy Howard’s paints and products!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure statement

before and after

Comments

  2. I’m definitely intrigued. I have a card catalog I’ve been considering painting and might try this!

  3. I’ve been hanging on to an old dining room table that I would like to move into my workspace…but it’s so ugly and dated! Like you, I thought chalk paint was a little too farmhouse rustic for our home, but I’m thinking I could fix that table up with chalk paint and like it after seeing your tutorial.

  8. Your $4 School Table looks amazing and think you did a good job with this Chalk Paint. I have an old dresser that this paint would look amazing on and I would love to try it out!!

  10. It looks amazing! I love that you were able to give it such a clean and modern makeover with the One Step paint – the workshop totally blew my mind with the whole chalk-based paint doesn’t equal chippy and rustic realization! That color combo is fantastic!

  11. We’re in the middle of renovating a mid-century ranch, and there’s a built-in that could use a face lift. This stuff might be perfect for that!

  15. I love it! I need to redo my great-grandma’s old chest of drawers. I may have just found the route to take!

  20. I just discovered Amy Howard paint at Ace yesterday! I want to paint a maple desk I just thrifter for my daughter. Maybe in tick tick for a fun pop of color?!? What I really like about Amy Howard’s paint is that she offers a smaller size unlike the other chalk paint brands. Love your desk! Can’t beat that price either.

  21. I have an old desk from my childhood that I would like to try this paint on and put in my grandson’s room for him to use now.

  23. I would love to try the paint on ur round dining table that we use in our sunroom for schoolwork.

  28. This looks fantastic! Makes me want to redo the desk in our office! Off to find a cheap table to repaint!

  29. I cannot believe that wasn’t sanded or primed! Let us know how well it holds up, please!

  31. I have been intrigued by chalk paint but haven’t wanted to pull the trigger. We are moving into our first house next week and I might try this on some of the hand me down furniture we are getting.

  34. I have an antique desk I’d like to try the paint on … and the gray color would be a perfect choice!

  37. I have a mission style side table I found for $10 and I want to have a little fun with it.

  40. I have a small dresser in storage that really needs a makeover. I would love to paint it and be able to use in my guest bedroom 🙂

  41. I purchased a drum table off craigslist and have been meaning to chalk paint it. If all goes well, the piano will be next. 🙂

  42. Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful giveaway. I am DYING to try Amy’s chalk paint! I have two vintage bedroom sets that are in bad need of a redo. They have missing chunks of veneer, multiple scratches, stains, etc. but they were free. With a price like that how can I not accept the challenge? 😉

  43. I have an old side table that was my grandparents. I would love to update this with a new look and try the chalk paint. Thanks for the encouragement! You make it look so easy!.

  45. I have a secretary desk that I picked up at a yard sale for $10. The “antiqued” finish has to go!

  51. I have a small stool that I would like to try the chalk paint on. Thanks for the chance to win!

  55. I would love to redo my two bedroom dressers that I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve had since I was a little girl!

  56. Oh I have an old wooden corner hutch in my kitchen that I would love to use the Amy Howard’s paints on! Yours turned out so beautiful!

  58. I had a friend do it on her kitchen cabinets. If its truly that easy I would love to give it a try on my cabinets or an ugly dresser that’s dying for a makeover.

  72. We have an old wooden park-style bench that we keep in our backyard. I would like to put it on the front porch, but it needs some TLC. This would be great for that.

  73. I’ve always had similar thoughts when it came to chalk paint- too farm house-y. I’d love to try and use this on a few chairs I have stripped and ready to paint!

  74. Uh. Wow! When I saw “Chalk Paint” I was worried you had succumbed to the Dark Side and I was going to have to end my reading of your blog! 😉 Ya scared me, Lady!

    Love what you did with the table!

    I have 2 children’s rocking chair that I could try it on, its been spray painted so you can guess how that is holding up.

  79. We have an Ikea dining room table, sofa table and television stand in the color black-brown. I now want lighter color furniture and it would be cheaper to change the color than to replace them. I don’t anything about sanding or painting furniture etc. So this product seems perfect for me.

  85. I have a chair in my craft room that is in desperate need of a makeover. Come to think of it, I also have a vanity table that could use some help. And the dresser turned kitchen island that’s calling for a bit of help. Oh, dear, was I only supposed to choose ONE item? I’ll need a bit more time to prioritize…

  91. My Dad has a French Provincial desk in his garage that is just the right size for my house, but the current white and gold color combo needs to go!

  93. You styled the desk and wall area so perfectly. The desk came out awesome, I think it’s better than ann slogans paints. Hopefully it’s not as $. Either way, your whole desk area is just perfect. Great job

  95. I would love to use it on an old dresser given to us by my mother. I have been wanting to make it look nicer for my son’s room.

    Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

  97. I have a few frames and a mirror that I would love to use this on!! Beautiful job on your table!

  98. I have a dresser for my son waiting to be redone, I think this gift card might give me the motivation to get it done! 🙂

  100. My project list is ling, but I think I’d start with am end table and then my TV stand. Thank you!

  101. I just bought a new unfinished wood sewing/craft table that I need to either paint or seal. This would be perfect for it!

  102. I really like the two tone look you did there. I wasn’t sure about the first After photo, but seeing it in the room it really works well. I have an old rescued wood bench that might look nice with a similar treatment in my entryway.

  103. Wow!!! What a transformation!!! Because of you, I knew it would be a great job but that table is totally transformed. I have a lot of furniture pieces I am looking to transform with paint (saving me big time!!! lol). I could list all of the areas in which these pieces but not take up too much time, I will say there is a piece or pieces in EVERY ROOM in our home that could use some restoring!!!! Again, wonderful job.

  105. I have an end table that has seen much better days! I love the lines and all, but the finish is peeling off…so much for a good pottery barn table!

  109. Impressive finish! I saw a mid-century modern arm chair today in an antiques mall that looked beyond my skill set to refinish, but perhaps a painted finish like this is doable.

  115. This paint looks amazing! I need to cover up a wall ruined by chalk paint, this looks like just the paint to do it!

  120. I wonder if it would work well on this Ikea side table I’ve fallen out of love with (really just the dark finish)…definitely worth trying with a gift card!

  122. I bought an amazing dresser at Goodwill the other day, it’s great other than needing a cosmetic update. I would definitely use the paint on it.

  132. That table turned out so nice! …And not having to prime…wow!! I’d love to try this paint on my chairs.

  133. Love the finished project. I too have the painted furniture bug. I’m not constantly looking for the next project I can paint and add to my eclectic home design. Thanks for sharing an inspirational tutorial and the Amy Howard process.

  136. I’ve never tried chalk paint as I had the same perception about it as you. Thank your for expanding my horizons! I would love to try it on an inherited desk.

  140. As soon as I heard about this paint online, I ran (literally) to our new local Ace!!! They are a small Ace and don’t carry it at the store, but I ADORE this paint and want to start with my favorite dresser. So many beautiful colors!!!! *hearts*

  143. I’ve actually used homemade chalk paint on two small accent tables in my house. I’m ready to tackle something more substantial. I want to do the mirror in my bedroom now! And, really by bed, too!! #feelingbrave

  147. I have an antique secretary desk that’s in dire need of a makeover, this would be perfect!

  150. Oh – this is SO you and SO cool!! I love furnishings that do not have their value ranked the almighty dollar but rather in their ability to make a space look great! How much better does it get than a $4 Desk/Table ?!?!

    I have a pair of bookcases purchased ‘unfinished’ many years ago to put in my son’s nursery – to create a library nook with mini bean bag chairs and an alphabet rug. Theses bookshelves have been many colors over the years and are in great condition – and perfect for me to have some fun with this great idea.

    Thanks for yet another way to turn something old into something new!

    xoxoxo

  152. I have a great old dresser with mirror and different drawers that I think would look great as a “princess” dresser for my granddaughters.

  156. I absolutely love your find! that’s exactly what I need to find for my daughter! a desk/table to re-finish! great job!

  157. I have an end table that I picked up at a rummage sale for $5 and I would love to transform that into some great with chalk paint

It is nice to meet you!

Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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