Color My World Challenge – Paint

I’m back today with the results for the paint challenge.

If you’ve been following this series than you know that a bunch of diy design bloggers were rounded up and challenged to use a new color (one they haven’t really used much before) in their home.  I chose the color grey.  Last week I showed you how I brought in grey in home decor and today I’m showing you how I challenged myself to use grey paint.

First I mixed up my own version of chalk paint.  I mixed a little black paint with some white paint I already had on hand and then added in a little plaster of paris.

The plaster of paris gives the paint a nice chalky finish, eliminates the need to prime, and distresses nicely.

I painted three small decorative pieces to use in my entry foyer.

This wooden plaque that was stashed in my craft closet…….

this decorative piece I picked up at Home Goods a few weeks ago……..

and this faux-piary I already had, all got dressed in grey.

Clearly, you can see how junk mail can come in handy sometimes.  😉

I distressed the wooden plaque just a little.

I did not poly over the top because that would have darkened the finish.  When it was dry I marked the holes where I wanted to add on this Anthropologie hook I picked up back in December.

 Then I nailed this plaque to the wall where the hook would cover the nails.

I screwed the hook into place with screws long enough to go through both the plaque and the wall.  Then I  used a little rub n buff on the screw heads so they would blend in nicely.

For the decorative plaque of glass knobs I used a small craft brush and highlighted the texture.  Then I hung it up like this.

I managed to hit a stud on one side, so I didn’t bother with anchors.  I did use a few command strips in the middle just for a little extra support (though they probably weren’t needed).

I’m totally putting this little corner of my closet-less entry foyer to work.

These hooks will be so helpful when guests come over.  No more coats and scarves hanging all over the banister.  I love using every inch of our home.

I fell in love with this vase at Marshalls a couple weeks ago – $6.99!

The faux-piary is sitting on the table on the other side of the room tying the grey in without being overly matchy (yes, that’s a word).

This has been such a fun challenge to tackle!  I really want to give a big thank you to  Suzy and Jessamie for including me in this challenge they dreamed up as it has really pushed me to get some things done around my home that I’ve been putting off for way too long!

My next foyer project will be to paint and recover this little guy.

Be sure to check out how all the other bloggers used their challenge color in paint.