Chalk Paint Challenge: Day One

So, I started painting my table today......
I can't tell you how many times I had to stop and check Pinterest for tips and tutorials, again and again! This chalk paint stuff is not as 'fool proof' as I thought, at least for me. Or maybe I shouldn't have assumed that it would be extremely easy.
I am painting an antique white table to an Old White color, easy right? not. The two white colors seem to be fighting with each other and I couldn't seem to completely cover the original paint. After about half an hour of freaking out, I figured that I would just apply a second coat afterwards, and that should take care of it. Well....it worked but then I was having trouble with streaking and dripping and because the paint dries so fast, my second coat was painted on with a half hardened-bristle brush.
*note to self: buy more than one paint brush!!!
I went ahead and finished the second coat and put my only paintbrush to soak.
I'm done for today, I need to pick up a few things from the Home Depot tonight and hopefully finish by the end of the weekend.
Right now, my table legs are painted and appear very 'chalky' but the streaks are less noticeable and I finally got the original paint color covered up. The clear wax should seal the paint and make it look less powdery (is that even a word?).  I'm still not 100% happy with this project but, hoping for better results tomorrow.

Tips from me:
~this paint is easier to use if you want a distressed look
~get good brushes and more than ONE
~be careful painting on a thick coat, dripped paint dries so fast and you'll have to chip it off or sand it down to fix it.
~it looks so much better after it dries
~the paint will chip and scratch very easily until you seal it with wax
~do more research than I did, before you start ;)

Adventures in Painting....

I do not like to paint.

Now repeat another 100 times and you may be a bit closer to understanding the depths that I will go to NOT paint anything, especially furniture.

I have had bad experiences with painting in the past. Don't get me wrong, I love a good paint job but, those paint swatches that you choose from are not so accurate once they are painted on the wall, and in the right lighting can be very scary!!! I’m still having nightmares from a purple bedroom I had growing up :(

Now with that being said, I have also painted furniture before. I had an old wood farmhouse table that (three kids later) was in dire need of a good re-staining or paint job. I decided that I would just paint it because re-staining it would be much harder, or so I thought.

Oh Em Gee!!! Was I wrong! I had only started sanding it to find that what seemed like such a great idea, was more work than I had anticipated (remember I had three little ones and NO time for this). So it was then that I stopped the sanding and just started painting (mistake# 1). When it was finished, I loved it!!! It's rich black color gave the entire room a whole new look. And I was so proud that we did this ourselves.

Forward less than two years ahead….that poor un-sanded, unsealed paint job was still beautiful over-all but started to look like a hot mess. It had been used for many dinners, crafts, and kids coloring & painting and was showing its use. For a long time I just threw a table cloth over it and tried to ignore the horrible scratched up, worn paint that was hiding underneath (obviously, from a bad paint job). 

After much controversy, we decided to get rid of it and replace it with a beautiful glass top large round elegantly carved table with leather seats (mistake #2). It was beautiful and had the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. I loved it…..as long as I spent every waking minute wiping off the glass! Table cloths became my purchase of choice once again.....ughhhh!

A new home and money saved to redecorate, I realized it was time to let go of the glass top once and for all and do this breakfast room right.

It was then that I remembered how much I loved my solid sturdy farmhouse table that suffered the bad, rushed paint job.

Well folks, I did decide to attempt this painting furniture thing again. I sold my glass top table (thank goodness) on craigslist and bought an old strong and sturdy farmhouse table and chairs that need some TLC in the painting area. I’m not sure if I am keeping the chairs but if I find ones I like, they will most likely have to be painted, too.

All I keep hearing about is this chalk paint stuff that is supposed to be fool proof and can be used on anything, including furniture. And there are many different versions of it. I am very nervous about messing this up again so I am taking my chances with the good stuff, the expensive Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White (possibly mistake # 3). I am hoping it is as easy as everyone says.

Wish me luck…I will keep you posted :)

Please follow my adventures in painting as I am sure it will be, if anything, a funny story.