Chalk Finish Paint Recipe

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Roeshel

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.

2. Stir until completely smooth.

3. Mix with one cup latex paint and stir completely.

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.

Bathroom Makeover

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Roeshel

The other day I shared the before and after bathroom transformation. I’ve gone from sitting and staring all day long at our recently finished open pantry (makeover here) to wanting to sleep in my new peaceful bathroom. Since the bathroom had was a nightmare before, ANYTHING would look good after. This is what we got with this old farmhouse…

Before – yikes!

And this is the potential I saw. I’m in love with the soft peaceful ‘after’ results!

Paint: Those walls! Believe me, I did a good scrubbing but is there any better way to really clean up walls than applying a fresh coat of paint? Love this color! Valspar Pale Linen: Depending on light, sometimes it has a soothing blue tint, sometimes more of a gray/white tone but definitely a tranquil light blue color.

Vanity: The gorgeous Huntshire vanity with marble countertop and Talia faucet set from Virtu USA is the luxurious center of attention! Check out the beautiful detail and gorgeous espresso color.

Metallics: Mixing the silver finishes like the brushed nickel faucets, polished nickel sconces, polished nickel vanity knobs, satin nickel curtain rod add just the right amount of bling!

The vanity comes with beautiful antique gold hardware which I’ll re-use on another piece of furniture since I swapped them out for these beautiful polished nickel knobs.

Pottery Barn Bevel Mirror: Go big or go home! {Heavy! Molly bolts included.} The mirror’s beveled mirror frame is the perfect glamorous accessory reflecting light and the illusion of more space into this small bathroom.

Lighting: Drool-worthy. ::sigh:: Thanks to LampsPlus for the stunning lighting! {Hudson Valley Monroe polished nickel adjustable wall lights} These are just the icing on the cake, aren’t they? Definitely my most favorite fixture in my home!

Floor: I did this all by myself! Would you believe they’re vinyl tiles? Easy to install and grout (use grout for vinyl) gives it a look so similar to real marble but without the maintenance or cost and installed in just a few hours! Check back for the tutorial.

The tub and shower will get a makeover later this year. In the meantime, I “framed” the bathtub nook/shower curtain with curtains (difficult to photograph that side of the room!)…

Storage to the left of the bathtub/shower:

Built in storage cabinet to the right…

Floating shelves and baskets provide more storage options.

Because there is no such thing as too many photos:

For those of you asking about the button wall art, they’re about 10 years old and I can’t remember where I got them so I’m pretty sure they’re out of stock (it was probably somewhere like JoAnn’s) but here’s button wall art I spied on Amazon, if you love buttons:

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I’ve received a lot of questions about some of the accessories and fixtures shown above. Here’s a source list. Click the images for to be redirected.

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Still have a question? Let me know in the comment section and I’ll get right back to you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Don’t forget to swing by to enter to win the Virtu USA Dream Bathroom giveaway to get started on creating your dream bathroom makeover. Easy to enter, lots of prizes!

Ready for some more bathroom makeover inspiration? Check out these awesome blog friends for more:

Linking up to:

Bathroom Before and After

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Roeshel

Hello DIY friends! Let’s talk bathroom makeovers! Do you have an embarrassment of a bathroom? Outdated? Blah? Boring? Frightening? I know the feeling. Read on, my friend. You just may find yourself in a position to give your bathroom a serious facelift thanks to Virtu USA!

There are two bathrooms upstairs in our home. The master bathroom is the smaller of the two (remember, old farmhouse = bathrooms were not a part of the original house plans) and the bathroom I’m about to show you. One for my hubby (the master) and one for me (this one). I know you’re going to be envious that I have had this gem all to myself for a couple of years. Labeled the “girls’ bathroom”, welcome to my own little private oasis… Gag! Because no one sees the upstairs main bath except those who live here, it hasn’t been at the top of the DIY priority list in the 7 years since we moved in. It was functional and clean even if it was super ugly and outdated. Sort of a hurry up, shower, brush your teeth, throw on some makeup and get the heck out of this room! But a less desirable (to put it nicely) “before” makes for a magical “after”. This girl has a happy ending for sure!When the opportunity to work with Virtu USA came up, it was just the motivation I needed to finally FINALLY rip out the old cheap doorless vanity (will have a new life as storage in the barn). The old medicine cabinet with Hollywood dressing room lights (that’s what those lined up round bulbs remind me of) became a roadside treasure for someone who must have needed it. My heart didn’t break as we tossed the old peeling up vinyl and I think the bathroom cried tears of happiness when I painted those poor sad walls.Tiling the tub and shower surround will have to wait until later this year but that didn’t keep me from putting some blood, sweat, tears and lots of DIY and love into turning my bathroom into a beautiful new peaceful place just for me. There are a couple of things that really make this an OMGosh! reveal. You probably couldn’t help but notice that gorgeous 48 inch Huntshire vanity topped with beautiful Italian Carrara marble…and the Talia faucet…I was immediately drawn to what the Huntshire description calls “straight lines and strong features”. I love the square basin with the traditional beauty, not to mention the size and storage (drawers and doors have soft closing hinges and slides!)…a place for everything and a big bold statement that this bathroom is finally not only truly functional but stunning as well!

More photos:I know you’re drooling over that lighting too, right? They’re the Monroe Polished Nickel Adjustable Wall Lights from LampsPlus.

See something you like? Check out the source list with more details and pictures here.

Does your blah bathroom have you wanting to borrow your neighbors? Do you have a vision for creating a spa-like oasis? How would YOU like a chance to win a DREAM BATHROOM MAKEOVER? Head over to the Virtu USA Dream Bathroom Contest page for more details on how you can enter to win! Good luck!Ready for some more bathroom makeover inspiration? Check out these awesome blog friends for more:

*This post is sponsored by Virtu USA. As always, opinion, photos, and words are my own.

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Category Archives: Rooms

Chalk Finish Paint Recipe

Bathroom Makeover

Bathroom Before and After