Recently, I shared with you a child’s desk that I painted to match baby girl’s furniture painted with CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk paint. When I decided to paint it, I could not remember what version white I had bought. That in combination with having to wait for it to ship to me, left me trying to figure out a different solution.
What I came up with, after searching the internet of course, was a possible solution using things that I had on hand. (Looking for the recipe? Check here.)
First, I had to determine if I had a white that I would be able to match to baby girl’s furniture. I used a couple of sample cans I had. (FYI, Benjamin Moore’s sample cans are a bit larger than the pots you find at Home Depot and Lowes.) After painting samples of the two whites I had, I compared an area that did not have antiquing wax. Lucky me, it worked-I had a matching color!
Here is how I made my paint:
3 Tablespoons Cornstarch in a container with a two cup volume marked on the same container. Mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until smooth. Pour paint into your container until it reaches your mark. Mix well.
I was concerned about this mix, because the thing I love about chalk paint is skipping the primer stage and the person who created the recipe seemed to sand everything prior to using it. I wanted to AVOID this step. So, I just jumped in. I found that it didn’t adhere as well as chalk paint, but it also didn’t come peeling off like the Miss Mustard’s Seed paint without a bonding agent. I could take my fingernail and scratch paint off. But, I think I could have done that with a freshly painted CeCe’s too.
Once the desk was painted, I did notice that the paint had a sheen to it, something chalk paint does not have until waxed. It didn’t have that soft, chalky feel. I have to say, that is probably my biggest gripe. But, appearance wise, it is hard to see the difference between the furniture pieces.
After waxing with clear wax, then antiquing wax, I got pretty darn close! I don’t think anyone would know that they were not finished at the same time. So, that probably equals success, right?!
I’m just thrilled that it is done and it matched well all for the cost of a sample can. I love this little desk and think it fits so well into her room. Now, to just find a little chair for it! I will most likely give this
DIY chalk paint another try. Have you tried making your own version of chalk paint?