Dark wooden furniture can be a quite a challenge. At best it is seen as dated and old-fashion. But what do you do if you have a few antiques or keepsake pieces that you just don’t want to get rid of?
According to chalk paint specialist Angelo Miller, there is very rarely a scenario where restoring old furniture with chalk paint won’t work.
And while chalk painting has been around for decades, it continues to grow in popularity adds Miller as more local companies like Fired Earth and Creative Paints supply the product locally. “Chalk paint is a very specific taste.” In each of these featured jobs Miller says the looks were chosen to suit their current environment and his clients were either looking for something rustic or to refresh an antique.
“It’s a long-standing décor design, definitely not a trend,” adds Miller who says he can’t really box the type of clientele that likes this kind of restoration. “I’ve done jobs for somebody who is 22 right up until clients aged 62, so it’s not restrictive and allows you play around with a lot of different ideas and styles,” he says.
“To start I usually distribute a colour chart. My clients are then able to play around with the different options depending on where the piece is going to be settled.”
Miller says most of his clients choose the chalk paint option because of the effect that it leaves. “You can do effects such as distressing and whitewashing, which makes chalk paint very versatile. It gives my customers more options than your basic paint like enamel or PVAs.”
Its popularity comes down to it being a “quick but durable restoration that very often does not require priming", he adds.
He does caution that priming is crucial with the lighter colours though, and would not recommend chalk paint for every day, high-traffic pieces or for furniture to be placed in bathrooms for example. But adds that a good sealant would be effective to ensure durability.
“Chalk paint is more of an aesthetic, something for the eye. If you are wanting to restore something that is going to be used on a daily basis, then I wouldn’t really suggest chalk paint. But like I said, you can always do a sealant on the chalk paint to restrict chipping. But ultimately, there has yet to be a situation I’ve come across where chalk paint doesn’t work.”
When it comes to breathing new life into your old furniture Miller suggests really knowing your style and the look you want to achieve.
“Always consider how you can play around with your current environment, keeping in mind that chalk paints come in nice pastel colours, as well as very shocking colours. Depending on your personal taste and requirements, it will influence the final effect you want to create.”
“I found that most of my clients want to go for neutral colours, the creams, whites and greys. Some clients really want something out there in their lounge or dining areas and chose a colour that pops. It is very dependent on individual taste.”
And when it comes to a price range for chalk painting, he says it depends on the effort that needs to go into restoring the wood.
“White will always be more costly, as we normally need to treat the wood and primer it to prevent wood oils from bleeding through and cause yellowing.
Chalk painting pedestals could cost anywhere from R1 800, while dressing tables or chairs and a dining table could cost about R3 500 per job – with an average job taking anywhere between two to four days, depending.
“Quotes are job specific but this is the price range you can expect to pay for a quality chalk paint and restoration,” says Miller.
If you’re thinking about doing a DIY, Miller has the following advice:
- Your prep is crucial. Tape up everything that is metal. Also tape-up or remove handles. Clean the pieces first with something like benzene.
- Use a good primer when using white chalk paint. Old woods carry wax and wood oils that will yellow through the light colours. I’ve found quicksand primer to be the best.
- After you’ve done your chalk paint, lightly sand the piece before adding the sealant. You can seal with anything from Annie Sloan waxes. I myself use liquid sealants – there are three variations - matt, glossy or satin sealant.
Miller who has been chalk painting for more than five years says restoring old furniture is his daily passion, with his business a personal journey of restoration from a life of addiction. He learned his skills while attending a rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal, with his business Restored Quarters in Cape Town now growing.
"I myself am a restored quarters."
To get in touch for a quote Whatsapp him on 0797376018 or visit Facebook.com/RestoredQ/.
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