Monday, April 28, 2014

Porter's Paint Chalk Emulsion and a Pretty Painted Sideboard

This weekend I bought my first can of the Australian company Porter's Paints new range Chalk Emulsion. I chose a beautiful soft white called Cornflour to paint this pretty sideboard.

Porter's paint chalk emulsion Lilyfield Life white french sideboard

Now chalk paint, as you know, doesn't usually require primer, either does this Chalk Emulsion but this sideboard was walnut burr and the varnish on it was extremely old and very unstable so I sanded most of it off and used two coats of Zinsser BIN to contain the bleed through. 

Here is the before and the primed stage.



I then needed two to three coats of the Porter's Chalk Emulsion in Cornflour for a nice opaque coverage. I chose the standard base rather than the clear base and it has more titanium in it so it requires less coats of paint.

Porter's paint chalk emulsion Lilyfield Life white french sideboard


Porter's paint chalk emulsion Lilyfield Life white french sideboard

The drawers are very lovely and inside is a sliding drawer insert that is lined with felt. The person who bought this sideboard is going to use it as a dresser in her bedroom and plans to put her makeup in the insert. Perfect also for jewellery. I am pretty sure this drawer has never been used as it is in spotless perfect condition.


While I was a bit sad to paint over the walnut burr I knew that no one would buy it like that as it is just not in fashion, but painted white I've had four offers to buy it already and it was actually sold to a regular client before I had started painting. I am sure there are timber purists who shudder then they see me painting pieces such as this but I think it's better to paint these old pieces and bring them back into use rather than them not being bought and ending up as landfill or sitting in a dusty auction house or shop.

I think it's so pretty now and so does my buyer so that's the main thing.

Porter's paint chalk emulsion Lilyfield Life white french sideboard

I can't wait to renovate our house and have a studio at home. The reality of photos shoots of my furniture usually means photographing the pieces in our bedroom, squeezed up against our bed!  We are currently progressing with plans for the house and are hoping to sign with a builder in the next month. it's a huge undertaking and quite stressful as it's so much money but I know it will make our lives much easier having a renovated house.

Porter's paint chalk emulsion Lilyfield Life white french sideboard

So my thoughts on the Porter's Paint Chalk Emulsion. It is a lovely paint but quite different to ASCP. It is way less chalky than ASCP but that does mean it's easier to wax.  It probably is more like my home made chalk paint as it still has a slight latex feel and also is smellier than ASCP.  It retails for $48 for one litre and $28 for half a litre and you can get it in the full beautiful colour range of Porter's Paints which is fabulous.  The paint is slightly more opaque than ASCP so you get better coverage. It gives a lovely silky finish but possibly slightly less velvety than the ASCP.

Now just remember that I've only painted this one piece with the Chalk Emulsion and I'm sure to refine my opinion as I use it more but it's worth a try if you are painting your furniture.  I will still be using ASCP as well but I'll definitely be adding Porter's Chalk Emulsion to my toolkit.

Have you tried it yet?

Do you love this sideboard as much as I do?

Fiona xx


Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed

22 comments:

  1. I have never heard of that paint, but your sideboard turned out beautifully! And I agree with your philosophy about painting furniture. If painting a piece gives it new life and a happy home, then that's a good thing!

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    1. Hi Sharon , Porter’s is an Australian company and I’m pretty sure you can’t get it in the States. Yes, it’s fine to be a purist but not when you are also trying to be commercial and also get things back into use again.
      Hope you have a great day
      Fiona x

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  2. oh my lord that is a beautiful piece of furniture!

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    1. Thanks Cassie, I just adore the shape of thus one. It was such a pleasure to paint.

      I loved following your big race on social media, hope you're not too sore and exhausted today!!

      Fiona x

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  3. It looks wonderful! I still have not tried chalk paint and will probably try to make my own at first, like you once suggested. As for a builder, try plum projects. I can recommend them as they did a very large extension for us. You can tell greg that paul and marianne recommended them! Xx

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    1. Thanks so much Marianne, we are quite down the track with another building company but nothing signed yet and it’s so hard to know if you are doing the right thing isn’t it. We did have a local builder who we know well all ready to build for us but he’s now moving away from Sydney for family reasons so it was back to square one.
      Thanks so the lovely comment and good luck with your painting
      Cheers Fiona

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  4. Oh wow, what a gorgeous piece. I love it and such fabulous detail. Amazing redo. I would love to have you link up to Inspire Me this afternoon. Party goes live at 3 PM. www.astrollthrulife.net Hope to see you there.

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    1. Thanks so Marty. I love your party and will definitely link up soon. Been crazy busy lately.
      Fiona x

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  5. It looks amazing Fiona! I'm sure there are wood purists round too, but I agree no one would buy it as is, and it's stunning now.

    Interesting to hear about the emulsion. I'd seen an ad for it and was wondering what it would be like.

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    1. hi Catherine, thanks re the sideboard. - have you used the paint yet? hope all is well xx

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  6. hi, I am about to paint my first piece of furniture (fingers crossed) after you painted the piece with the chalk emulsion, what is the next step? do you apply a wax or a clear sealer? thank you

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    1. hi FoxyRoxy, you wax (or sand and wax) or you can also use a clear sealer. have fun with it!

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  7. It looks great in white! Love all the curves. www.minnesotajunker.blogspot.com

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  8. Really lovely result. I will have to check out this line of paint. Probably no one in Alabama carries it!

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  9. I've just ordered my first tin as well!!!! Can't wait

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  10. It's exciting to watch an old tired piece come to life again :)

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    1. Sadly I wrote an entire post on Porters chalk emulsion and it didn't post :(

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com