Hi! Hope you're thinking about your shabby chic project for enrichment this month. I sure am-just thinking about deadlines makes me anxious. Let's talk about how to get from just thinking about this amazing project and actually getting it done.
1. Start searching for a possible project.
When I'm in the mood to transform a piece of furniture, I wander through the rooms in my house. I always have a few pieces that I'd either like to improve a little or just replace. I like to check the garage and storage, just in case there's something I've forgotten about. Garage sales and DI are also my favorite places to find my latest project. I never spend too much, because I like to feel free to create and change and not feel pressured.
2. When you find "it"
Your furniture project can be imperfect! Today I scored a great little table with all kinds of fantastic potential. I mention potential because to me, this is all that a great project requires. I look for interesting lines, great hardware, and usefulness to me in my home. I often overlook missing parts (like a drawer or hardware) and imperfections like dents and mended breaks. I regularly overlook tacky finishes, colors, and cheap wood. Sometimes I've even overlooked sturdiness. While this would be unacceptable in a bed or dresser, it's ok to me if a little side table leans a little. It's only going against a wall and I love it! Because I see potential in so many pieces, I like to make a rule for myself: I have to see it working in 3 different places in my house. If I can imagine it being that useful, it's a keeper.
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| $4 at Indian Hills garage sale today. |
3. Choose a color & mix paint.
When I'm imagining where to put it, I can see what colors to choose. For this project, I'm suggesting traditional pastel shabby chic colors. You can find these on pinterest, google, at Porter's, and even Walmart has started a line! Now I don't buy the actual Annie Sloan chalk paint. There are lots of recipes on the internet, and I like to make mine with tole paint and plaster of paris. There is lots of debate about which is best, but this is what I'm using. It's easy, cheap to change my mind, and non toxic. Oh and it washes out really well, which is great because I always spill.
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| Painted a couple of coats of leftover blue chalk paint. |
Please feel free to experiment and do what you like! I like to look at the chalk paint projects on pinterest, go to Porter's and look at their chalk paint displays, and then pick out identical tole paints at Walmart for 50 cents a bottle, remembering to get white so I can tone down the shade if I need to. I have spent almost $75 on one project, and $5 on another, and frankly, I like the cheaper one better! I will have the plaster of paris available at the enrichment activity for you to use, and it won't cost more than $1/ person, most likely.
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| $75 or $5 project? Guess! |
I like to use cheap rollers from the dollar store to apply paint, and sponge top brushes that I can throw away when I'm done. Bring whatever you prefer, even a nice paintbrush will work. The chalk paint is super forgiving, probably because it's applied in so many layers. Also bring an old container for your paint mix. I like to be able to throw away the whole mess when I'm done. Also helpful is a jar with a lid to store your leftover paint. I use canning jars.
We'll cover more details later. Have fun finding your project:)
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