I’ve been working on a much needed laundry room makeover (I know! What the heck! We just recently revealed an open pantry makeover and a sweet bathroom transformation). We’ve been busy! But you’re about to get a laundry room sneak peek! As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas team, I had the opportunity to whip up a batch of homemade chalk finish paint and the laundry pedestals I built just happened to be ready for a coat of paint.
Note: My laundry pedestals are an Ana-White plan and my first ever real DIY build. What a challenge to say the least! But I’m happy to say: I’m so glad it’s just done! It doesn’t look half bad! It’s functional! My new washer and dryer are at just the right height and I love the addition of a little storage space just underneath. Perfect fit for baskets, laundry baskets too!
Chalk-Finish Paint Recipe
You’ll need:
- Valspar Signature latex flat paint or latex paint with built-in primer
- Plastic paint bucket
- Stir sticks
- Plaster of Paris
- Plastic measuring cups (do not reuse for food)
- Water (use cool, not warm)
How to mix it up:
1. Mix 1/3 cup of plaster of Paris with 1/3 cup cold water in a plastic bucket.
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2. Stir until completely smooth.
3. Mix with one cup latex paint and stir completely.
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4. Paint!
* Makes enough chalk finish paint for one coat for a 6-drawer dresser. Should not be stored and reused. (Although I did cover and re-use without problem for touch ups after installing the washer and dryer.) For smaller projects, mix less using these proportions, mix more for larger projects. Nontoxic. To dispose, let dry completely in the container before disposing in trash.
What I think:
I have to say, I’m really impressed. I love how smooth it brushes on. I love the chalky-finish. Most of all, I LOVE that primer isn’t needed. I decided on black for the laundry pedestals…
{you’ll have to wait on the rest of the laundry room details but coming soon!}
and I then I moved on to painting over a hunter green console table…
and dry-brushed it onto the legs of my painted upholstered chairs.
- Easy to make!
- No primer!
- Great coverage!
- Pretty finish!
What do you think? I’d say it’s a success and will definitely be using this recipe again on other projects in the future!
More DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas, follow Lowe’s on Instagram, Pinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app!
*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this challenge. As always, all ideas and opinions are in my own words. The blog post above is what worked for me. Results may vary. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and to take the proper safety precautions.
Awesome! Everything looks great.
the laundry room is looking great. thanks for the recipe. I love the finish, especially on those chair legs!
Looks awesome, Roeshel–that pedestal is so cool! Pinned for my next house. 🙂
How many coats did you put on it? Was thinking of painting cabinets thanks 🙂
Hi Roo! It covered unfinished wood really really well! It does have a chalky finish. I used an eggshell latex. I think next time I’ll try a semi-gloss. Good luck!
can’t wait to try my hand at my own chalk paint! have spent a FORTUNE on Annie Sloan!!!
Wow, it is gorgeous. And a huge wtg gal….. built it yourself too! And I see you really went a tadge wild with the paint and I love it….. everything is so great that you painted. Now, can you please give me just a tiny bit of your huge house?
You did a beautiful job on the pedestals for your washer and dryer..I love it. Thank you so much for the Chalk Paint Recipe…that will save a lot of money and I love Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint but it is really expensive. Thanks to you I can have the look without the cost. Thanks again..love your blog!
Nice work, that mat black looks good, didn’t realize you needed to put additives in to achieve that style of finish. thanks for the tips.
Hi Roeshel, thank you for sharing this recipe. About to try it out on some bookshelves. I’m going to try it with some semi-gloss paint, we’ll see how that goes. And your laundry pedestal looks awesome, great job! 🙂
I loved it! This was such an easy paint to use and it seemed to dry incredibly fast, which is always good. Thanks again for sharing!
Beautiful Roeshel!!
Cool! Love your chalk paint recipe and it looks great!
I’ve been looking at items painted with paint chalk. I have never even touched something with it so I might try this to see if I like it. I have an empty home I’ll be moving to so I’ll have lots of opportunities to try out new things. Will keep you bookmarked to get more ideas. Thanks.
LOVE this redo! Any laundry room that looks like this is actually worthy of doing laundry in, even with a smile!
I love the matte black paint (and the rest of your house!!)! Did you need seal the paint? How well does it hold up?
Thanks.
Thanks, Chris! No, I didn’t seal it. Holding up perfectly (it’s been about 4 months).
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HI, Your Laundry room is just beautiful!! I was wondering about your pedestals… did you have to change them much to fit your particular washer and dryer? Does you remember the measurements you used? I am getting these same LG washer and dryer (I believe that’s what you have) later this week and I am going to make these, so I was just wondering. 🙂
Thanks!!
Thanks, Lauren! I did not alter Ana White’s plans at all. The only issue I had was this was my very first build so keeping it all “square” was what I struggled with. So – just be sure that you build it near perfectly square if it’s a tight squeeze in your space. The overall dimensions are a perfect fit for the washer and dryer. Good luck!
Thanks so much!!! I’m glad to know the pedestal dimensions work well! This will be one of our first projects to do like this, we are even going to do the chalk paint as well, so we’ll see how things go. Knowing you did it (and it came out amazing by the way), has helped to give me the confidence that we can do it too!!
~ Thanks again!
Did you attach the washer and dryer to the pedestal ? If so how did you do it?
Hi Lisa! no, they just sit on top. No attachment. Even with the vibration, ours are secure.
Do not try this with the new Valspar signature formula. The paint turns to a brick. It literally solidifies as you mix it
I just made some chalk paint using valspar latex paint and plaster of paris. It is real lumpy compared to using the regular valspar I am afraid I cannot use it now. My other batch was perfect, but this is NOT. I purchased them both about the same time a few wks ago. What can I do to make this work?
sorry, just saw the post from Kristin, wish I’d read it sooner. It’s true!