Furniture makeover using Magnolia Home Chalk paint.
Do you remember the thrift store nightstand I found for a few dollars earlier this year? I finally made it over. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do to it, but I knew I wanted it to be a little rustic since it was going to go in the guest room in my house that has a more masculine vibe.
If you don’t remember the post, here is the thrift store nightstand I bought. It had a thick, uneven layer of poly that was peeling on the back and top.
I like this table as a guest room nightstand because it has an open lower shelf for guests to put things they need, tablets, chargers, books, etc. which allows me to make the top pretty with a lamp and flowers. It also allows guests to see everything and not forget their stuff when they leave.
When at Target last week, I saw Magnolia Home Chalk Style Paint and wax on an end cap shelf. The paint has been on the market for about a year now, but new at Target.
Of course I was intrigued and took a look. After reading the labels, I decided to buy a quart along with a can of clear wax even with the high price tag to put it to the test to see how it compared with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and the DIY versions of chalk paint that I have used and posted about.
I wanted the table to coordinate with the white accents in the room and the APACHE ceiling fan from Hunter Fans.
I used the paint color, Shiplap. It is Joanna Gaines line of paint after all :-) and distressed the finish a lot to expose the brown wood underneath.
At the end of the tutorial you will see why I took most of the photos of the nightstand on my front porch and not in the guest room.
It was an easy makeover… here is how I did it.
Painting Furniture with Magnolia Home Chalk Style Paint
supplies needed:
- Magnolia Home Chalk Paint in the color – Shiplap
- Magnolia Home Clear Wax
- Paint brush
- 100 grit sandpaper
- Shop towels, rag, of lint-free soft t-shirt
1. Sand surface of wood with 100 grit sandpaper to rough it up a little. This will provide some tooth for the paint to adhere. You do not need to sand to the bare wood.
2. Clean surface with a damp rag and detergent to remove sanding grit and any grease or dirt from the surface. Let dry.
3. Apply one light coat of the chalk style paint and let dry. Add another coat and let dry.
4. If you want to distress your piece, use 100 grit sandpaper on a sanding block to remove some of the paint on the edges of the table and where, wear would naturally occur. For instance, around the drawer knobs and pulls.
5. Clean off sanding grit and then apply a light coat of the clear wax all over the surface. Let dry for about 15 minutes and then buff the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth. I like using Shop Towels to do this.
When I first began to apply the wax, I wasn’t sure I liked it since the label says to let it dry first, then buff to a soft shine. Once I buffed it though, I like the wax a lot, plus it had no smell what-so-ever.
Here is the table after one light coat of wax. I added another layer on the top for added protection.
As far as the chalk paint, itself. It is nice paint and goes on well, but it is a little pricey. It is the only thing I didn’t like, hence why I make my own using this DIY Chalk Paint recipe.
After I had the wax buffed to a subtle sheen, I placed the nightstand in it’s new home.
It looks perfect against the dark navy wall and bedding and just right for guests to place their stuff and charge their phones.
All looks nice and pretty in this corner of the room for a blog shot of a DIY project, right?
In my DIY decor blogger reality though… after taking this photo, I turned around and this is what the rest of the room looks like right now…
…hello all the contents of the game room that we are making over. As I type these words in my studioffice, I can hear Ed upstairs hammering a crowbar to remove the carpet tacking strips from the subfloor.
I will keep you posted on that makeover soon.
Have you tried the Magnolia Chalk Style Paint line yet? Do you like it and the color selection?
Mom in Mass says
Thank you for this post! I love your approachable blogging style! Real life! it’s what makes life fun! Do you think as a newbie I should attempt to make my own chalk paint or just buy it since it is my very first project?
Gin Lee says
wow great job, now the table looks nice and rustic looking.
Pickled Barrel says
I love how this turned out, super cute and rustic!
Lisa Ronan says
Ahh a set of Yaffa shelves:) Ours finally bit the bullet in the college years? Love the nightstand! Can’t wait to see the game room!
Chenden says
Hi Diane, I aggree it’s totally possible to turn an old shattered looking furniture into something clean as new. I also preffered chalk paints do to the flexibility as well as the smaller cost compared to other material
Steven L. Martinez says
Elegant bed room makeover, I loved the way it arrange and very nice to know that you shared your knowledge or ideas in this article. Thank you for the great thought!.
Julie Briones says
Love this tutorial, and really appreciate the review! I’m always on the look-out for a good chalk-paint wax. :-)
Denise says
What a sweet makeover Diane! I haven’t tried Magnolia paint yet, but I do love all their the colors! Pinned :)
HowtoBuildit says
This turned out so pretty! I love how you distressed it! I want to give this a go here soon!
Ellie says
Your table looks great. I just finished chalk painting a mahogany three tier end table. I put two coats of kiltz on it (so it doesn’t bleed) and two coats of Waverly white chalk paint (5.99 from Wal-Mart). An 8oz. bottle and I still have paint leftover. Who needs Annie’s expensive paint…lol For larger pieces I make my own chalk paint. Thanks Diane
MaryJean says
Diane, the paint looked really nice in the photo that you showed before distressing and waxing, but it better for that price, right? LOL Like you I make my own chalk paint, but it’s always nice to see how the name brands work. Anyway, I love the photo with the rest of the room. I thought I heard violins playing when you were photographing the table and then a shrieking stop of violins when you showed the other half of the room. Very nice post, it made me laugh and these days I am happy when something makes me laugh.
Lee Ann Eyre says
I’ve never used chalk paint…..if you choose not to do the distressed look, do you just seal it with the coordinating wax to protect the surface after 2 coats of paint are applied?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Lee Ann – You do not have to distress chalk paint. I have done a few pieces where I did not distress. I posted about one in this post: https://inmyownstyle.com/2015/03/modern-paint-finish-using-diy-chalk-paint.html
The process of adding the wax is the same no matter if you distress or not.
Mary says
The table make over looks great in the guest room. Why did you not use a white ceiling fan in this bedroom?
I am replacing my brdroom ceiling fan need assistance in deciding on white or another color.
Thanks, Mary
Diane Henkler says
Hi Mary –
I like white ceiling fans since they blend in better with a white ceiling and have them in every room, but for the guest room, just to be a little different, I decided since the bedding was more masculine to go with a wood tone industrial design fan.
Holly says
Love it!!
Anne says
Thanks Diane for telling it like it is and showing like it is! Love your table and the finished product. Thanks also for trying the paint out.
It’s great to get an honest opinion. And thanks for showing the rest of the room. You’re so down to earth and easy to follow!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Anne
karen says
hahaha keepin it real, girl!
The table is darling.
Linda O'Neill says
I’m in the midst of redoing my sewing/craft/guest room and I love seeing your “messy” side. I have stuff all over the place and thought it was just me being disorganized but it’s really just part of the process. I’m really intrigued with the chalk paint. I haven’t tried it but I think I’ll give it a try. All the furniture in our living room is brown. BORING!! I think chalk paint would liven things up a bit. Love all your posts. Very inspirational.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda –
If you want to try painting a piece of furniture with chalk paint, start with something small and flat, then go to something bigger with more details. This way you can get a feel for it and how to apply and buff the wax which is where many first time chalk painters get confused. If you have any questions about it, I have a series of posts on chalk paint where all the questions are answered, plus don’t hesitate to leave me any questions you may have. You can find the chalk paint post here: https://inmyownstyle.com/2012/08/testing-1-2-3-versions-of-chalk-paint.html
Linda O'Neill says
Thanks for the info. I’ll be sure to look it up when I’m ready for my next paint project. By the way, any ideas about painting brown rattan furniture?
Robin says
You made me laugh, loved the other side of the room. Very cute table. Thank you for reporting on the paint for us.
Kris says
I have to join in on how much the “reality check” was appreciated. One of the reasons I enjoy your blog so much! I have two nightstands I’m going to try this on.
LaFawne says
From what I understand, this is just Kilz chalk paint with the Magnolia name (and special colors). I am not going to pay more for a name without knowing the quality, so thanks for taking care of that for us! I am sticking with Annie Sloan and Wise Owl, personally but I love reading others reviews.
LOVE the “rest of the story” pic- made me LOL. You are one of my favorite bloggers for that very reason- there is nothing pretentious in what you do and post.
Keep on keeping on, please :)
Diane Henkler says
Thanks LaFawne – I will try to keep on doing what I do. :-)
Sophie says
Absolutely loved the side table makeover! I love taking a thrift store find and re-doing it–it hits all my buttons: renewing, reusing and relatively inexpensive!
And thank you for showing “reality” behind your beautiful pictures. It’s helpful to see no ones life is perfect!
Auntie Kaye says
Just wanted to echo the appreciation for keeping things real. The incessant drumbeat driving the search for perfection is best saved for life on Planet Perfect. Here on earth it is far healthier, mentally and physically, to create spaces and surroundings we enjoy at a price we can afford. I really enjoy this blog!
Cookie says
I absolutely love it.great job
chantal says
Nice work, very nice table. But I think I’ll stick to Annie Sloan’s paint. It’s expensive but it does the job so well, I figure why not use the original… LOL
Diane Henkler says
Hi Chantal – I agree with you that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is the best. It really is, but I do like to experiment with every paint that comes out to see how it stacks up against it. Annie’s wax is the best, too. It buffs to a sheen almost instantly. Happy painting!
chantal says
And you are absolutely right to experiment… on our behalf! Of course, if I saw any Magnolia farm product, I would be very curious too. And the colour Shiplap seems interesting. If that’s what it takes to get the Gaines’ shiplap look, I would go for it!
Stacy Grosso says
I prefer DIY chalk paint too because it does the job at a fraction of the cost of name brand chalk-type paints. Thanks for keeping it real with the wide shot of your guest room LOL
Diane Henkler says
Hi Stacy –
When I realized that I would not be able to get into the room very easily to take the photos of the table, I thought of not posting, but them realized, it would be OK to show real life in the post. Everything doesn’t always have to look perfect all the time. Life is messy a lot more often then neat and perfect :-)
[email protected] says
Love how the table turned out and can’t wait to see the game room makeover
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Julia – It is the perfect little table for the tight dark corner of the room.