Best Chalk Paint Recipe Ever and Chair Makeover to Prove It!

OnBlissStreet
by OnBlissStreet
As much as I would love to be a part of the A.S. Chalk Paint revolution, I'm just too cheap and it's just too expensive. Plus, I'm a DIYer by heart and if I can make something myself, that is what I'll do before buying it. I've tried all of the recipe combinations out there and this by far is my favorite. I've played around with the ratios and this is a great combo.
For the new series up on my blog, Mom's Riverside Bedroom Makeover, she had an old cane chair that needed some love. As you can see, the finish, details and shape are all lovely, just the caning was destroyed.
So I whipped up a batch of my homemade chalk paint-


1-2 tbsp of unsanded grout mixed with a bit of water. I like to make it to be about yogurt consistency.


Then add 1-2 cups of latex paint.
On this chair, I gave it 1 coat using a synthetic paint brush- nothing fancy. Allowed it to dry then sanded it with 280-320 grit sandpaper with a light hand. You'll see how quickly it smooths out. Then I gave it a second coat and followed with another light sanding to smooth and distress in all the right places.


I finished it by sealing with with coats of clear DecoArt cream wax and gave it a nice buffing with a white t-shirt.
Now for the seat. I measured and cut to fit pieces of scrap 1 x 4 that I had laying around. Using a Kreg Jig, I drilled pocket holes to attach the wood to the chair.
Now, I'm not really one to go sewing things, but Mom is. So, if she doesn't like my remnant fabric and glue gunned cushion, she surely will make one herself. At least the chair is beautiful.
For more tips and tricks, and everything DIY home related, click on over to my blog and OnBlissStreet.com!
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  1 question
  • Mobile home update with cabinets that need help! Shiny veneer/ wood like.

    Think this mixture will work? Also what about a finish to help the color endure past all the opening and closings. I sure don’t want to do this twice!!

    Light grey walls with charcoal- ish wood flooring . White trim.

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  • Judy Gerardi Judy Gerardi on Jun 18, 2015
    Thank you so much and I'm off to the store. I'll keep you posted and try to send before and after photos.. I said try.
  • Shelly Moore Shelly Moore on Oct 24, 2020

    Tried the baking soda homemade chalk paint yesterday. Not too great. I just so happen to have a package of unsanded grout from doing the kitchen tiles. 😊 I will try this!

    • MiMi MiMi on Dec 17, 2020

      Hi, there are many videos saying to use baking soda or corn starch to make homemade chalk paint. But the truth is, those have drying agents in them which effect the paint,, calcium carbonate is great to use to make it. I haven’t tried this recipe but will try a lil batch, always love options 😃 Hope that helps,,

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