The shabby chic style of interior design relies on fashionable, feminine items that show signs of distress and wear – a strategically-induced vintage atmosphere. This look has become much more approachable thanks to Chalk Paint.
Trademarked by Annie Sloan, this paint induces a chalk-like appearance that is easily distressed, helping provide an aged, vintage look without effort. Since then, many companies have designed their own variations of this paint.
But what can you do with chalk paint? Improve your furniture, of course! Check the following ideas to inspire you on the possibilities available within your reach.
1. Mid-Century Modern Chairs by Annie Sloan herself
When it comes to uses for the Chalk Paint, no one is better to provide advice than Annie Sloan.
In her tutorial, she explains how to recreate the Mid-Century Modern style on a set of average chairs with nothing but Chalk Paint, fabric, and painter’s tape. Take a look!
2. Bring New Life to an Antique Sideboard
There are multiple ways to distress an antique sideboard, and the simplest one is with pure white chalk paint.
Follow this tutorial’s journey and enjoy the contrast between the shabby chic white-and blue redecoration of the furniture, and the use of Java Gel on the top of the sideboard for a slick finish.
3. Paint Your Old Piano a Lovely Pastel Shade
Traditional wooden pianos are grand and stunning to look at, but softening their appearance to a gentler shade is a redecoration option you have to try!
It may require multiple layers of paint, but the final result will be a delicate, pastel shade that will soften the decorative style of your room.
4. Give Your Nightstand a Shabby Chic Touch
One of the best parts of the shabby chic style is how it braces imperfections – your use of paint and decoration does not have to be flawless to be beautiful.
While simple to follow, this tutorial explains the importance of prepping the nightstand and selecting the right tools – take a look!
5. Create a Gorgeous Pastel Pink Ombre Dresser
You’re ready to revamp your furniture and purchased your preferred chalk paint color. However, if you happen to have an extra can of white paint, give the ombré aesthetic a chance.
It’s almost virtually effortless, and the final result looks so elaborate, it’d be an Instagram favorite within minutes!
6. Use Wax and Chalk Paint to give Your Old Chest a Modern-retro Look
White chalk paint, indeed, gives that timeless, elegant aesthetic that many of us seek, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with bold colors.
Take a look at this old chest – with a bright shade of blue, wax, and some work, it turned into a modern-retro, shabby chic masterpiece.
7. Use Chalk Paint over Stained Wood
This might not be a popular choice – stained wood is a long-time favorite, and considered something of great beauty. Regardless, sometimes this beautiful style does not match our decor, so it’s time for a makeover.
It turns out you can use chalk paint over stain, without any problem – and the results are lovely!
8. Prepare an Old Dresser for a Complete Chalk Paint Makeover
We all talk about doing furniture makeovers with chalk paint, but we know it’s not as simple as sitting down and starting painting. This requires a process, the right tools, and an understanding of how the equipment works.
This tutorial takes care of that and explains, step by step, how to turn an old dresser into a masterpiece.
9. Use Chalk Paint and a Beautiful Stencil to Design a Brand-new Table
Do you have an old table, damaged and waiting to be thrown away? Instead of taking a trip to the garbage disposal, give it a second life and transform it from scratch into a brand new item.
All you need is time, dedication, chalk paint, a stencil, and this tutorial.
10. Make a Perfectly Imperfect Dresser with White Paint
It may not seem like that, but even the imperfect aesthetic of the shabby chic style requires time, effort, and a precise method!
At The Happy Housie, you will see a step by step guide on the tasks required to transform an old dresser into an effortlessly beautiful piece of furniture.
11. Transform Old Velvet Chairs with Chalk Paint
Did you know that Chalk Paint is ideal for painting velvet? Transforming your upholstery does not have to be complicated labor if you know how to do it, and thankfully, this tutorial explains the basics.
Paint, brushes, water, and sandpaper are all you need, take a look!
12. Give a Stool a Rustic, Feminine Touch with Chalk Paint
Old, worn-down items don’t look perfect – their damage makes them seem aged and spoiled instead of the fashionable type of shabby chic we seek.
However, odds are that a coat of chalk paint solves that!
For example, this stool – after painting it, the tutorial instructs you to use a palm sander to distress it strategically!
13. Make Your Own Chalk Paint at Home within Minutes
We’ve been talking nonstop about Annie Sloan’s paint, but did you know you can make your own version at home?
According to Elevate Everyday, you only need flat paint and plaster of Paris to create chalk paint at home – and you can see the results of that beautiful mix in a charming, vintage highchair!
14. Learn how to Layer Chalk Paint on Furniture
All you need to restore an old piece of furniture is to paint it – but using layering techniques elevates the final result from average to truly outstanding.
Add depth and dimension to your work by following the step by step guide explained in this tutorial, and enjoy the professional finish of your homemade masterpiece.
15. Give Your Furniture the Classy “Smoky Pearl” Finish
And talking about unique finishes to outstanding painting work – have you considered applying the “smoky pearl” technique on your chalk paint project?
If you haven’t, you should. The key to this pearlescent, unique touch is Maison Blanche’s Black Lime Wax – take a look to check the process!
16. Transform Your Kitchen Table with Chalk Paint and Wood Stain
Some projects are fast and straightforward – this is not one of them.
However, if you seek to restore an old table from scratch, this is the tutorial for you. It includes a pictured guide on how to remove the previous stain, the procedure for the entire staining process, and the eventual chalk paint finish.
17. Customize a Vintage Clock with Chalk Paint
Vintage clocks are beautiful jewels that transcend fashion statements. However, if you want to give yours a shabby chic style, don’t hesitate to use chalk paint.
Tifforelie uploads a tutorial that explains how to use chalk paint, clear soft wax and dark soft wax to create a rustic, distressed look that will attract all stares.
18. Sail the Seven Seas with this Nautical-themed Bed
If you happen to have kids at home, you know thematic bedrooms are a long-time favorite – it feels as if they were stepping inside a fairytale.
You can use chalk paint to turn your child’s bed into a tough-looking, nautical-themed daydream – the distressed look only adds to the rough charm of the seas!
19. Recreate a Weathered Wood Appearance with Chalk Paint
Few things represent the charm of a farmhouse as clearly as the weathered wood look – it is the very essence of the rustic appeal of cottages and other rural locations.
Thankfully, you can imitate this appearance with some chalk paint, colored wax, and a lot of enthusiasm! Take a look at the tutorial for detailed instructions.
20. Learn How to Paint a Cozy Chair to Give it a Romantic French Look
As we’ve seen before, painting chairs with chalk paint is a walk in the park – all you require to make it work is the paint color you prefer, sandpaper to get rid of the uncomfortable paint texture, and wax to seal your work.
The final texture of your chair will be leather-like, and the finish will be classy and long-lasting.