When Annie Sloan created Chalk Paint in 1990, she never imagined that it would become the go-to decorative paint for anyone embarking on a do-it-yourself home project—which is exactly what it is today.
Trained in art school, Sloan says that the idea for the trademarked product was born after she struggled to find a flexible paint that could be used in multiple ways. “I wanted to be able to paint a piece of furniture or a wall and then wax it to create a beautiful effect,” she says. “I also wanted to be able to add water to the paint to create washes, or to use it thickly to create texture.”
Sloan’s invention is clever and diverse to say the least: The paints have no black pigment, which means you can mix colors together to create unmuddied tones, like you can with artist paints. Use the products to paint wood, metal, melamine, brick, and concrete. You can even dye fabric or paint glass with them.
While Chalk Paint DIYs have been shared among home improvement circles for years, there still are new projects to discover. More than two decades after founding Chalk Paint, Sloan has plenty of ideas on how to use it for a do-it-yourself job in ways that feel fresh and of the moment. Below you will find the seven paint ideas Sloan suggests.
Paint your floors and stairs
Why cover those floors or stairs with carpet when you can change them up with Chalk Paint instead?
With stairs Sloan recommends painting vertical or horizontal stripes across the top, going for a solid color throughout, or stenciling just the riser with an abstract pattern.
When it comes to your floors, try painting geometric tiles. A single color also works, but make it a bold one, especially in an entrance. “A bright shade is an easy way to add life to the first area of a home that people see,” Sloan says. Finish your floors and stairs with a glossy lacquer.
Spruce up kitchen cabinets
If your cabinets are showing signs of wear and tear, save yourself the hefty expense of investing in new ones and paint them instead. Sloan says that a Chalk Paint DIY can do the trick to give them a total refresh. If you’re seeking a traditional look, opt for a classic shade such as black, white, navy, or gray. For a more contemporary style, try green or yellow. You can lacquer your cabinets after the paint is dry, but Sloan loves a wax finish. “It’s more labor intensive to do wax, but the end result looks more professional and upscale,” she says.
Give yourself a new headboard
Plain-Jane headboards need not apply—make yours a showstopper with a Chalk Paint DIY job. Paint it a solid color and add a gilded gold finish. You can also use a stencil or channel your inner artist by giving freehand painting a try.
Pretty up wall moldings
Painted wall moldings, Sloan says, have depth, texture, and architectural detail. Go for neutral solid colors, and sand the raised areas once they’re dry. “Sanding your moldings brings in an element of grandness that’s reminiscent of what you find in an Italian palazzo,” she says.
Marble your tables
Transform a plain side or dining table into an art piece by painting it a solid color and then marbling it with Sloan’s frottage technique. First give the table a waxed finish. Then apply a layer or paint. While it’s still wet, pat the surface area of the table with a crumpled sheet of paper to create a marble effect. The last step, once the paint is dry, is a lacquer or wax finish.
Don’t exclude the bathrooms
Sloan always turns to Chalk Paint when she’s redesigning her bathrooms. Paint the outside of your tub with a solid color or pattern, and spruce up the backsplash and floor tiles. “Anything in the bathroom needs a lacquer finish, but keep in mind that you can’t paint in any area that gets wet, such as the inside of your sink or tub,” Sloan says.
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Liven up lamp bases
A lamp with a ceramic, wood, or metal base looks completely new with a fresh coat of paint, Sloan says. Add in stripes or dots for playful touches, and finish with wax or varnish. Suddenly, that outdated lamp is a conversation-starting decorative item.
