We needed a new mattress. So, headed to Nebraska Furniture Mart to test a few out. While there, my husband spotted a bed filled with drawers underneath and he had to have it.
Now, he is NOT a shopper. We almost ended our marriage once at that same furniture store over a recliner. It is now and forever known as the Crying Chair. Long story, but basically, he hates to shop. He walks in, glances about, buys stuff, and leaves as fast as he can.
He prefers letting me make choices 99% of the time.
When shopping for a mattress, though, he had to go along and approve the fit. and we discussed that it had been a good life together, and if Nebraska Furniture Store succeeded in ending our marriage like it tried to do before, we knew that we'd at least had almost 30 years of happiness together.
Bravely, we decided that we could face the challenge. It was a quick trip for a mattress, right?
Then, he spotted this bed. When he does shop, and sees something he likes, he never hesitates, or looks around. He likes it, he buys it. And when he saw this bed filled with storage options, he thought it would streamline our lives.
I thought it was DARK. And too new. But figured, hey, it's his house too. I wasn't going to let the Crying Chair incident repeat itself. We bought the bed.
I repainted it within minutes of its arrival to our home. And found these great handles (at Hobby Lobby) to replace the heavy ones that came with the drawers.
Everyone raves about chalk paint, so I thought I'd give it a try. Hobby Lobby now carries this brand, it is $8 for a little bitty jar, but I made multiple trips with a 40% off coupon to get enough to tackle the job.
I'd heard that you don't have to prime, it covers well, uses very little paint, and is easy to sand through to see the previous layers of paint.
Hmmm....
Well, yes, I was able to paint without priming. (But a coat of primer and a coat of paint is an equal amount of work as two coats of chalk paint, and cheaper)
But- the coverage was not good. I had to go buy more paint. It took much more than I had planned.
And- I took a lot of care, layering colors, thinking I could sand through them for a varied look. Nope, when I sanded, I hit wood. You could not see the layers of colors underneath. I had to dry brush the colors over the white to get the look I wanted, after doing all those layers, and sanding.
Also, chalk paint simply must be sealed. You either wax it or use a sealer like Polycrylic. And I don't think everyone realizes that wax is not permanent. Just like on floors, it wears off, you need to re-wax. So, I chose the Polycrylic top coat (water based).
If I'd used a bonding primer, painted it gloss white, and drybrushed acrylic craft paint over that, it would have cost much less, I wouldn't have to seal it, and it wouldn't have taken as long.
For the exact same look. Oh well, I'd been wanting to give chalk paint a try. I won't be spending that much on paint again. And I like the bed now, so all is well. Lesson learned, and it still looks pretty.
My Handsome Husband also made another purchase that day. After buying the oak bed, and walking out, he saw this velvet bench and said it would be ideal for the dogs to be able to use to get up and down with.
I think I might just have to take him shopping more often, whether he enjoys it or not. He is pretty good at it! I love the new bed and bench, (after they got lightened up).
I'll show you details of the rest of the room next time. We had to come up with a plan for bedside tables, because what we already had blocked the drawers on the new bed.
The room is just GORGEOUS Karla!!! I love it all...the paint (even though it was a pain) the hues down to the velvet bench. Just beautiful ~ Hope you are staying cozy and warm sweet friend! xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Edmonson | January 28, 2015 at 07:25 AM
The room is stunning Karla. I much prefer to make my own chalk paint to customize the color and amount. I have had really good success. I wonder if it was the brand that did not produce the results you wanted. It turned out amazing, I love all the storage too!
Posted by: Sandy | January 28, 2015 at 08:07 AM
Ive made some chalk paint once too, it was a bit lumpy for me, so I need to get the formula right if I do it again. Because to buy it already made is way too expensive.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 28, 2015 at 09:12 AM
Thank, Dawn! Im still hoping to use your idea about the lace panels too. Love that idea!
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 28, 2015 at 09:14 AM
I haven't tried chalk paint and I appreciate your assessment of it. I did try milk paint and hated it. You can't control how, if, when or how much it will chip. The bed looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Gigi Harlan | January 28, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Thanks, Gigi. I feel like I got a good adhesion, so the chalk paint worked okay. What I dont find worth it, is the price for the end result which is exactly like primer and regular paint. Cheaper, same amount of work, still no sanding. Although Sandy Babb had a good idea with making her own chalk paint, if you can keep the cost down and it covers in one coat, that could be a big plus. Skipping the primer. But for my experience, I cant say Ill do it again.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 28, 2015 at 10:37 AM
So, Sandy, how do you topcoat yours? And does it cover well in one coat?
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 28, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Oh, I am laughing! The end result looks lovely and that storage will be very useful. But, oh my, that was one ugly brown bed. I can say that cause I used to have an even bigger monstrosity as a waterbed frame. We ditched it when we moved since it was too big to fit in the new house. And almost ending your marriage over a recliner? You stick to your guns, girl! I haven't had THAT argument yet. Good to hear chalk paint is not as essential as we are led to believe. :) Hugs. Charlotte
Posted by: Charlotte | January 28, 2015 at 12:30 PM
Thanks for the tip that Hobby Lobby chalk paint is not worth the effort.
I always thought I would make my own on my next small project.
Love the bed , love the dogs, love the bench LOL you did a good job as always
Posted by: Curtains In My Tree | January 28, 2015 at 02:18 PM
Im simply shocked at the price of any of the chalk paints, at least at Hobby Lobby, you can get a 40% off coupon! It might be fine on sale for small boxes or frames, but I wont use it on furniture again.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 28, 2015 at 06:24 PM
You shouldve seen the chair, Charlotte. It looked like an albino, Barney the dinosaur!
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 29, 2015 at 11:12 AM
I love the look you gave your new bed, and will be referencing your painting tips. I must say, you are a brave girl to paint a new bed! That said, I'm going to use your post as proof that it is perfectly ok to paint a new bed - I'll tell my husband, Karla did it.
Posted by: Pallas | January 29, 2015 at 08:35 PM
The best reason to paint a brand new piece is to get rid of that yucky, brand new look! I prefer old stuff. And fake the look when I have to!
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 30, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Well, the bed looks great, Karla and I love the new look. Very good info on the chalk paint. I haven't used it either -- have a jar to paint a desk at the cottage but that won't see actualization till summer. Now I'm wondering if 1) I bought enough (while traveling -- match that baby); 2) if it will really be worth the effort. Well, I have to do something with it and will probably give it a try. Look for a comment sometime next summer saying "remember your chalk paint post? Well, you were right...!"
Posted by: jeanie | January 31, 2015 at 10:02 AM
So many people swear by chalk paint, Im surprised that I disliked it. Let me know what you think when you try it, Jeannie!
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 31, 2015 at 10:29 AM
The bedroom looks awesome! The bed is really cool like this! Great job! I love it! Thumbs up!
Posted by: storagefalconwood | March 24, 2015 at 10:32 AM
I love how you lightened up the wood! It looks so great and really makes the bedroom a serene environment.
Michelle H.
www.betterbedsolutions.com
Posted by: Michelle Henry | September 08, 2016 at 11:30 AM