How to Upcycle a Dictionary Stand with Chalk Paint
This dictionary stand has been in my house for at least the last six years….
Yes, most of the furniture is either black or a dark brown. No cherry in sight here. It was time to upcycle the dictionary Stand with chalk paint.
Of course he used enamel paint on his furniture. You know the old fashioned kind that is thick and gooey and drips all over the place. But I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce him to the joys of chalk paint.
I added 3 coats of paint and let it dry overnight. The next day I sanded it a bit… not too much, and used cream wax from DecoArt to seal the paint.
I’ve done all this before with my bed frame makeover and the blue beach table.
Of course my dad was still skeptical till he saw this…
That’s what I wanted to hear!!!
And he liked the distressing!
You may be wondering why I felt the need to show all this to dear old dad. I mean why can’t I leave him alone and give him some peace and quiet? Well, I am going to paint some larger pieces of furniture in the house the same way and I needed to ease him in slowly with this smaller piece. See there is a reason for my painting madness.
Have you ever tried to make your own chalk paint?
If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
Linking up to these Link Parties
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.
Oh yes, another convert. Well done Mary, it looks lovely and your dad must be super proud of his daughter. I wish I could have seen the look of love and admiration on his face. It really looks beautiful.
He had such a skeptical look the whole time that I was doing this. haha. But now that I am doing more pieces he is shell shocked.
Wow, what an improvement! And a lesson that we are never too old to learn something new , congrats on converting your Dad to a Chalk paint fan!
Yes I truly hope he stays converted. You know at that age they are a bit fussy.
Mary it is beautiful! I am happy that you are having so much fun with your dad, lol, I bet he is enjoying it a lot too and will soon paint with you! Can’t wait to see more!
Katrin he can be a stick in the mud as many are at that age but I think he is softening.
This just goes to show that you can teach an old painter new tricks! I am always nervous when I first start a new paint job because I am afraid I am ruining it. But the new paint job always brings old furniture to life.
Haha! Michele. I will not give up on him. Once I finish with the room he will see that it is much better with these lighter colors. And chalk paint is so easy you can’t mess up.
Mary: is there some You tube video that explains the use/mixing/protection of chalk paint? I have no clue! I have wanted to paint an old stereo cabinet that is pretty cool and I have used it for years in my foyer as a table. It is just dark walnut stained wood. I would love to paint it a nice “cranberry red” or something along that line of the color wheel. <3 What do you do to rep the wood? I have used furniture polish on it for care - for all the years since like maybe 1969 or so. <3 The unit still works but never is used = years ago I would put CHRISTmas records on it while we decorated the tree. <3 It you can enlighten me on the chalk paint I would so love it. The front of the stereo cabinet is like tapered on the front ends of the cabinet.....or corners cut at angle. In the middle of the cabinet there are two hangers with pulls that you would think might open the "fake doors". <3 And on either side of the middle "fake doors" where the speakers are....there is speaker cloth,etc and then a fancy like grille on top of the speaker cloth. Does this make sense. HAHA <3 If you can let me know on instructions I would love it....Sue
Mary…Another craft question. <3 ...I have a cagillon greeting cards for various occasions that amy husband and I exchanged over the 48+ years of married bliss. Love them. I have not wanted to toss them He went to HEAVEN 2007 after 2 1/2 yrs. of bone cancer. I was thinking to purchase an ottoman OR would have preferred to find an unfinished wooden box.LOL And then I thought I would like to decoupage these cards...torn to fit,etc like we did a lot of in the past years. I am diabetic....and I get my meds shipped from a main order express pharmacy and my diabetic meds come in a heavy duty styrofoam box - much better/thicker quality than a cheap ice chest from the local market,etc So what would I do...slightly rough up the outside of the box....and then using Mod-Podge just apply the torn card pieces to the box to completely cover it. Any suggestion you might give me would greatly be appreciated....I know it is hard not seeing the "foam box", etc but I am not savvy with any camera and putting on my computer to share. I AM SAVVY at Vintage [and other styles] of Spider Solitaire. LOL <3 Thanks for your superior craft ideas....Sue
Oh Mary it looks so updated!!! You did excellent job as always!!! I love also this dictionary stand! It is so unique!!!
PS Did you leave from Greece?
Christina I am in NY visiting my sons who live here. I’ll be back home soon, but for now I am helping them out with the house.
Although I am partial to cherry furniture the dictionary stand looks wonderfult. Good job and I am glad your Dad likes it.
Wood is nice but in this case, it was a two toned piece which did not sit well with me. I am trying to open up the dining room and make it brighter… more to come soon. 🙂
Man, I really need to get on the chalk paint band wagon. That looks so much better than before!
Kari it is so easy to make. You can’t go wrong. And if you are not happy with the results just sand it off. It is very forgiving.
Hi Mary it turned out beautiful the distressing is just right,glad your Dad likes the chalk paint.
Mary we will have to wait till I finish to get the final verdict. I am also adding some bookcases on the sides to turn it into a whole unit. More to come…
It turned out great. I think it looks so much better. I’m glad your dad liked it. 😉
We will have to wait and see what he says when I am finished with the whole room. 😉
It looks beautiful Mary, so smooth and perfectly distressed. I am sure your dad is so proud of you now after the first impression of “ruining” it. Sure he will help you with the next projects.
Pili I always you used to see you making DIY chalk paint and that is how I got this idea. Why spend all that money? I am so happy I tried this. It really came out smooth. We will see what he says when I finish the room.
Yay, another naysayer came to the other side! It looks so much better now and what an interesting piece of furniture. You are so much braver than I, Mary, because I’ve had the chalk paint recipe for over a year and haven’t attempted making it yet. It’s on my Must Do In 2017 List. Looking forward to seeing the other pieces you’ll be working on.
Marie I’m surprised you’ve never done DIY chalk paint. I use it in a pinch. But this turned out great. You can adjust the consistency and work it any way you want. Plus it is so cheap. 😉
You’re kidding! He actually liked it?? Thought it was smooth? Amazing. It didn’t take much to convince him, but it looks like you’re setting him up pretty good for more to come. Sounds like you are having fun painting. Cute shelf too. I think it’s an improvement.
He was convinced with this one but every time I show him another piece he balks. He is a tough cookie. We’ll see what happens when I show him more stuff.
Amazing! One can hardly recognise the old dictionary stand under that layer of new paint. It looks great, it really does (would look even better with a few boxes full of yarn 😉 )!
Seems you’re having a whale of a time in the US!
Marjan it would look great with all of your colorful yarn. All those pretty colors against the white.
Wow Mary! You are crafting even being in vacation! Your are like the perfect mother!
Katerina the blog stops for no one! Anyway I had a vacation during Christmas. I don’t want to get too lazy! 😉
Mary, I love what you did with the dictionary stand!! I’m glad your dad likes it too. That’s pretty exciting to have several pieces that you’ll be painting. I hope you post them to your blog so we can all see your lovely painted transformations. The bird carving is beautiful also.
Keri you know we live for the blog. Haha! Not he house really needed a refresher. It looks so old and dark in here.
That is a wonderful transformation! Love how the details pop now. My hubby didn’t like the idea of chalk paint at all until I made my own and painted some furniture in the guest room. He loved how it looked too and was converted. I find it really easy to work with and quite easy to make too.
I agree with you totally Tuula. It is such an easy transformation without breaking the bank. I am tempted to paint everything now.
Mary , the stand turned out absolutely beautiful . I’ve used chalk paint a few times too on small projects and loved how it turned out . Thanks for sharing . Hugs and blessings , Cindy
Cindy I am a big believer in the power of paint. And now I have hopefully converted dad too.
Ooooh, Mary!
I really love how the book stand turned out! It is really nice in white. Glad your dad had fun being there with you! <3
Happy painting,
Barb 🙂
Barb I have just begun. As I type this I have two pieces half finished and another one or two waiting to be done.
It looks so much better Mary! The spindle and the shelves do look like they are different colors, but not more you fixed that with your beautiful paint job. I’m glad your dad was happy with it. Love the wood tray, and I can’t wait to see what you are painting next.
Linda I am on a painting frenzy. I have to finish all the pieces before I leave and time is running out.
Oh, Mary. You make it look so easy. Love the quirky furniture piece and subtle distressing. Thanks so much for sharing.
Julie it really is easy. the paint glides on, the only drawback is that you have to put a few coats on the furniture. It is like you are building layers on it.