Dresser Makeover: How to Blend Chalk Paint

Antique Dresser Makeover: How to Blend Chalk Paint

1. Prep Your Piece – Clean, Sand, Prime

   – I used Mineral Spirits to thoroughly clean any residue off of the dresser.
   – I then used Wood Putty to fill all of the chips, dents, and holes – and there were a lot! Once filled, I used 150 grit sandpaper to sand down the excess filler. I used 220 grit on my final pass.
   – Depending on your piece, you might need to prime. I chose not to.

2. Paint Base Color

   I painted two coats of Dixie Belle Manatee Gray for the main color on the dresser in the areas that DON’T need to be blended.
   
   As you’re painting, keep a misting bottle handle to spray the paint if it starts to dry and drag on the brush. This is especially helpful when doing a large surface area, like the top, and you need to paint all the way across without stopping on the final pass.

3. Leave Open Space for Second Color to be Blended

   In the area you want to blend {in my case, the drawer fronts}, paint a one coat of your base color, leaving an open area for the color you want to blend.
   – If you want the second color to be the prominent color, leave a large space.
   – If you want it to be subtle, like I did, leave a smaller area.
   
   

4. Add Your Second Color

   This gets a bit ugly but trust in the process!
   
   Before it dries completely, but not when is glistening wet, add your second color. I used Annie Sloan Chicago Grey for my second color. Overlap the two colors slightly.
   
   If both colors are glistening wet, you might find that they mix more than they blend. If the first color is dry, you can’t blend no matter how much mist you apply. Personally, I found that if the first paint is slightly wet and the second wet, blending is the easiest.
   

5. Blend the Two Colors

   Use a misting bottle to lightly spray the area. Use a clean brush to begin blending your two colors together.
   
   If you blend outward, you’ll move the Chicago Grey outward creating a larger, light area. If you move your brush inward, you’ll move the Manatee Gray in creating a smaller light area. Continue moving the paint back and forth until the edges are blended. This is NOT the final look.

6. Repeat Steps 2-5 for a Second Coat

   This time around, you’ll see that the blending starts to look a bit smoother and now that you’ve had some practice on Round 1, you’ll have a better idea what way to move your brush. If you have too much of one color, you can always add more of the other. There is no science to this – it’s an art!
   
   Repeat Steps 2-5 as many times as necessary until you’re happy with the look.

7. Paint the White Details

   Tape off any areas you don’t want to paint white. I used Annie Sloan Antique White and a small artist brush to highlight certain details of the dresser.

8. Wax

   I used Annie Sloan Clear Wax to seal the entire piece. Once dry, I added the hardware back onto the drawers.