Have you ever painted with chalk paint? If yes, then you’re my new BFF.
Joe and I recently moved into a house we had built in the modern farmhouse style—waving to you, Joanna Gaines—and now I find myself “hankering” (I love that word, it’s so good & Southern) to paint some of our furniture.
First, my parent’s king bed . . .
I love the bed but the brown finish just isn’t what I want for this house. So I’m channeling my inner Annie Sloan and am going to paint the bed a Graphite color, but with Jolie paint instead!
Ever heard of Jolie paint? Neither had I but it comes highly recommended by Pretty Distressed’s Christina Muscari so I’ve taken the plunge and am going to try it.
TRIVIA ALERT— See the mirrored piece of furniture in the background of the first pic above? That’s a chiffarofe and it was actually the very first piece of furniture Mom and Dad bought together after they married, which makes it even more special now that they’re both Home with Jesus.
The next item to be painted is a lighted etagere that was Mom’s. She actually had two of them, so my brother got one and I got the other.
I’m painting this piece in Annie Sloan’s Duck Egg Blue, which has long been a favorite color of mine.
These pieces of furniture (the etagere and bed) have been in storage for the last couple of years but I’ve cleaned them really well, am letting them dry, then will start painting—after I reach my daily word count goal, of course. Hey, incentives work for me, what can I say?!
I’ll be sure and post some “after” pics when I’m done. Hopefully in a couple of weeks. But in all seriousness, if you’ve chalk painted before and have any advice to give me, I’m all ears! This is my first chalk painting experience!
Finally, in the midst of this crazy pandemic and now in the painful shadow of last week’s killings and the subsequent rioting in cities across this nation, I find myself alternating between grief and mourning one minute, then anger and disgust in the next minute at the injustice of these killings. And at the injustice of the rioters looting and destroying and stealing. As a dear friend wrote yesterday, it’s “sad and scary and depressing. Come, Lord Jesus!”
I agree. Maranatha, indeed!
I’m so incredibly grateful, now more than ever, that God is in control, that all things hold together through Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is fully capable of leading us down the roads God chooses for us. Especially when they’re difficult roads we would never have chosen for ourselves or our friends and loved ones.
He is all powerful and sovereign. So we can rest in his peace, even though it may feel like the world is coming apart at the seams. He’s got you. And he’s got me!
Much love from my corner of Nashville,
Tamera
Have you seen this new video about the McGavock Cemetery at Carnton, the setting of my Carnton novels?
Tamera Alexander
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I love the furniture pieces and I have used chalk paint. I took pine end tables in that orange finish and painted the legs cream and stained the tops walnut. I took a gold framed mirror and painted it a mustard yellow that is in my hallway over the sofa table I did to match those end tables. Best wishes in your projects.
Your projects sound wonderful, Lucy, and you’ve given me an idea. I, too, have a gold gilded mirror and now I’m going to paint that. You’re helping to create a monster! 🙂
I love the furniture and can’t wait to see what the after photos look like! Best of luck.
I also love the video clips you have to go with your books. One day I hope I can visit those mansions and plantations!
Summer, thanks for sharing today! I hope you can visit these antebellum homes too. Their history, both the good and bad, hold lessons we dare not forget. I love writing real history and appreciate you taking these journeys with me.
I recently painted my golden oak bedroom set white. I love it! My office desk is next.
Yay for you, Lynn. I’d love to see the before and after. Maybe a future post? 😉
CONGRATS on another fabulous release today. I loves If I Were You and signed up for your webcast on Thursday. Looking forward to “seeing” you again!
Your furniture pieces are gorgeous. I’ve never heard of chalk paint and look forward to the finished product.
It is most definitely comforting to know God is in charge. Often it may be hard to see, but I truly think God gives us a warning from time to time to let us know we have forgotten him and to give us a chance to get back on track. One of my favorite scriptures is 2Chronicles 7:14-15. We need to keep praying and loving God. Thank you for always being a voice that does that.
I so agree, Betty, about our Heavenly Father using these times as warnings, as ways to draw us back closer to him. Just like he did the Israelites. I think that’s why I love reading the OT so much—it shows me how much God cares and loves his children. Yes, he disciplines. Yes, he allows us to experience the consequences of our sin and rebellion, but his motive is always love. Always, always, always. Thank YOU for sharing today and for being here in this community. Much love, friend.
Oh, lovely! I can’t wait to see how the etagere turns out! I have my mother-in-law’s and didn’t want to get rid of it, but it needs MUCH love and help. I’ve used chalk paint before, but that was back in the dark ages before you could just go buy it at the store. I added plaster of Paris to a favorite paint color, mixed it, and painted with it. Topped with a coat of furniture wax (no gloss). Low tech. Not sure you want to treat heirlooms the same way. It was easy and fun. But I imagine it’s much easier with what you can buy now. Best wishes! Look forward to seeing the finished pieces. 🙂
Gracious, Angie, I’m impressed! Plaster of Paris and all that mixing. You’re creative! Hopefully I’ll have the pieces finished in a couple of weeks and can share the “finished” pics—IF they’re worth sharing! : )
You go, “Joanna”! 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
LOL. Uh huh… YOU’RE the painting queen! I love what you do with all your garage sale pieces. Amazing!
Happy housewarming, Tammy! It’s so much fun to see pictures of your new house. I’m looking forward to “after” photos!
Thanks, Becky. We have a long way to go—moving during a pandemic has been challenging—but we’re getting there!
Belated thanks for sharing – and permission to laugh too.
Chalk or any other paint, if I took a paintbrush to the oak paneling in our house, it would be a criminal offence ! Reason ? Built around 1620’s, parts much older, it’s been listed. Heritage officers listed it just as we were signing contracts..
Instead, I enjoy reading about and admiring other people’s makeover projects – and wait… Years ago, they used to tell us Britain’s ruined abbeys, like Fountains in Yorkshire, were never decorated. Austere monastic orders, colours forbidden.. Then the chemists got to work on paint fragments. Those ‘ bare ruin’d choirs’ were limewashed white, painted brilliant colours..
Oh Esther, your oak paneling (and parts of your house) are that old? How cool. I bet you really enjoy living there, sans chalk paint and all! And yes, I’ve heard those stories too about “how abbeys weren’t decorated” only to find those gorgeous brilliant colors hidden beneath all that history. Crazy, isn’t it? Should teach us a little something about assuming things, huh? Thanks again for sharing!