Hello Calypso Chalk Paint

by Tracy Andrusiak

1 Material

This sideboard was salvaged from my husbands grandparents old summer kitchen over 20 yrs ago. It had been sitting in there for atleast 20 yrs already abandoned after they had moved off the farm in to town. It was not in the greatest condition but I saw a diamond in the rough. It was the very first piece of furniture I had ever refinished. It does not go with our current decor anymore so I have been really wanting to update it.

Calypso Blue Sideboard

Because I am working with a old piece of furniture I prefer to work on them outside. I used a heat gun and metal scraper to remove the old finish on the flat surfaces. I have found this to work for me before I use a paint stripper. I sweep up the old finish shavings before using the furniture stripper.

I like to use Circa 1850, I have tried others but do not find they take off the old finish as well. I like to use a tarp underneath as I work to catch the shavings and old finish.

Original finish

Beautiful detailed trim

Stripped drawers

After all of the old finish has been removed I smoothed the flat surfaces with my handy electric palm sander. I used a sanding sponge on the curves and detailed trim. I forgot to take pictures of the rest of it stripped and sanded.

First coat of chalk paint

I used Rust-Oleum chalk paint in Calypso Blue for most of it and used Minwax Gel Stain in American Walnut for the top. I had previously painted the interior a matte brown paint when I had finished the piece originally. It was still in good shape so I left it since I will be lining the drawers anyways.

I ended up doing 2 coats of chalk paint and 3 coats of the gel stain on the top. This was first time I had ever used either products.

Once it was dry after 48 hrs I sanded down the chalk paint in areas to give it a distressed look. I used a dark grey paint I had to darken the sanded down areas to give it a aged patina. Wiping it away and sanding it down when it looked too dark once it dried.

After distressing

Gorgeous trim

I wiped it down with a damp cloth to pick up any of the dust particles before putting the Polyurethane topcoat on. The one I chose has a eggshell finish. I only did one coat.

I love how it turned out and wish it had not taken me so long to do it. I think it brings the pop of colour we needed! Now what else can I paint?

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2 of 3 comments

Cori Widen on Nov 09, 2016
This is absolutely gorgeous! And that color is awesome!

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William on Nov 09, 2016
Beautiful! Great color. Love that you left the top wood grain! Great job!

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