Have you heard of or tried chalk paint yet? It’s become increasingly popular over the past few years. I recently discovered it and love the results! It’s particularly effective on items that have grooves, texture and curly-ques.

I bought this plaster mirror at Goodwill for $2.99 a few years ago. It isn’t marked, but looks like it was made in Italy. It was sitting on a shelf until I could come up with a unique finish.

Chalk paint to the rescue! It comes in a limited number of colors, but it’s easy to apply and dries quickly. For this mirror project, I used a dark gray for the base, creamy white for the top-coat and finished with clear.

Using a sponge brush, I painted on a thin layer of gray. I worked in small sections so I could wipe off the excess before it dried.

The beauty of chalk paint is when you start wiping off the paint the under colors are revealed. You can layer as many colors, or coats as you like. If you remove too much, go back and add more. You really can’t make a mistake!

I wanted to make sure some of the original gold showed through.

The second coat was the creamy white. I used the dry-brush technique. Dip the brush in the paint then dab off the excess on paper towel. Rub a light coat on the gray in small sections and gently wipe off with a damp cloth.

Finish with the wax following the directions on the container. After it’s completely dry, buff with a clean, soft cloth.

The final result has the look of a frame from the Renaissance! I think it would be perfect in a powder room paired with graphic, modern wallpaper. I love contrast in interior design.