Gray Table Redo: $3 DIY Chalk Paint

Easy, and quick! My fav kind of DIY project. And it only cost $3! So here is what you do:

Get a paint sample from your fav home improvement store. Mine is from Lowe's , the Olympic One brand for $2.98. I chose the Flagstone color, bonus it matches the Popcorn Bar I featured last week!!
Cut the paint to 50% by adding one part paint to one part Gesso. I emptied this whole paint sample into a Gladware container, and then filled the empty sample bottle with gesso so I got a 1 to 1 ratio.

Paint on two coats and let dry. Then sand to distress with fine grit sandpaper.

Close up of the distressing. then I waxed it with soft paste furniture wax.

It really makes this corner look bigger and brighter, and it's amazing what a lighter color will do!! Thank you for visiting today!

Before and After Niche Makeover With Gray Paint: The Popcorn Bar

The before shot shows how we used this area as a pet food storage/ bookcase / display area.

Now it is a useful Popcorn/ Movie Bar! I used Olympic One paint from Lowe's in Flagstone (insert I am so excited that this paint really did cover that dark red in just ONE COAT face!!!), and Martha Stewart Metallic Paint from Home Depot in Polished Silver. It is definitely a cleaner and brighter space now. So here's the details:

These are my vintage cameras from a trip to the antique store this summer with my kids, Mom, and sister! Great memories! The map in the background came out of the back of my Target planner that I finished using for 2013. Hello free artwork!

These are Martha Stewart Chalk Board Labels from Office Depot.

I made these labels by printing a Word document, then stamping the circle with a Papertrey Ink stamp and Hero Arts Soft Granite ink. The font is Futura Italic. I punched out around the stamped image with a coordinating size circle punch, and adhered them with my handy Scotch ATG gun.

After brainstorming about how to make this area more useful, I realized I could make a DIY chalkboard sign for listing movies we Need to watch and return, and also list the movies we want to order next. Now we have a place to write it down besides our phones,  and the basket on the above shelf holds the Netflix Movies we need to watch first. The frame is from Michael's and 10"x13" was on sale half off, so six bucks!! Whoo hoo!

Here is a final look back at the transformation. Me, the kids, and hubs all love it, and it will be useful for the daughter's high school class, and the son's college buddies. Thank you for checking out my redo!!

I am linking up to the "Link Party Palooza" at Tater Tots and Jello, one of my fav DIY, creative, and decorating blogs!! Go check out their awesomeness!

Linking up at Domestically Speaking, Remodelaholic, Six Sisters Stuff, Chic on a Shoestring, DIYShowoff , Mommy on Demand