When in doubt as to furniture color vs wall paint and/or lighting, I would paint a sample board of each color under consideration. Then, you can easily move the boards around in your room and get a good visual on how the colors absorb light or take on tones from your wall paint. Live with them for a few days. One choice is likely to grab your attention.

Here's another look at some colors that may help. One side is just paint and the other has a dark wax added. Will you be adding the dark wax?

Yes I am finding I keep going to that look with wax. I just worry it will appear dirty against the white curtains, white accents? I'll have to do a test run. Then the wax color I should get is dark?

I like the dark wax but some feel that wax or glaze give a dirty appearance. Here's a better visual between the two whites. Looking at these I like the pure white with wax. My vote would be the French linen as I like the contrast of the darker headboard. It's much darker so if you want to keep it soft stick with the white.

Edgecomb gray is quite a warm gray, I think it will look great with Old White. Have you used chalk paint and wax before? My experience is that the dark wax is very controllable, you can add just a tiny bit at a time until you have the look you want. I would go for it. Of course testing is the best insurance, but you have very little to lose. A headboard is a small enough project that it is easily and quickly re-done if you don't like it.

Thanks Wendy! This is my first chalk paint challenge. Old white it is!! So I can go to any chalk paint store and they all carry these colors? There is a cute little store on my corner I will be visiting this morning.

I am assuming I should do the dressers the same?

Does Old White have yellow undertones? I see pictures where it looks like it does and others that don't.

Skip the kitschy chalk paint and use real paint over primer.

Yes it does. I think 50/50 would be better. I went to the store and checked it out.

By the way Sophie, I agree chalk paint can look kitschy, but I skipped the heavy distressing which I think may be the kitsch factor. What I like about it is that it covers incredibly easily with one or 2 coats and minimal if any prep work (sanding stripping etc.). I had sticky stuff from strapping tape on my piece and the chalk paint covered like a dream. Also, I really like the wax finish. I used a combo of dark and clear wax, and the finish is beautiful, very soft with a subtle sheen. Not chalky at all.

I agree with you Wendy. I used to paint with "real paint" until I found chalk paint. I think people think it has a chalky or distressed look. It's all how you paint the piece. You can do a solid paint job with no distressing and polyurethane on top. You would never know it was chalk paint.

Ladies, thanks for all your help. Please tell me you think chalk painting my prices will really look good in my bedroom. Starting to panic a little especially about the headboard. Still trying to see if the headboard will work in the room.

Think I'm answering my own questions. The headboard is too big in front of the window so will not be keeping it. I will still consider chalk painting the dressers. Dissapointed. Will look into a different headboard.

Good call. That headboard is way overscale for that location. Might as well not have a window there.

I started the chalk paint process today. I haven't added the glaze yet. Happy so far:)

have you fine sanded the finish yet?? take a 220 to it and smooth it off gently. run your hand over it. feel smooth? good.

I need to sand it after the two coats of paint?

oh yes. I've painted over 100 pieces and always sand the final finish. You want buttery smooth? do a very fine sanding. trust me. Are you waxing after your glaze?

this is my latest. chalk paint w/a clear wax.

click on the pic and you can almost see how smooth. I did sanding between each coat. use a sanding sponge, it's easier. go very easy if you don't want distressing. If you take off too much, just paint it again. apply your wax lightly and buff smooth.

Hmmm I'll look for that!

I was having trouble with the coverage on this piece. First time doing it and I found the coverage wasn't great on the top. It was dragging the paint it seemed. The sides of the piece did the same. I don't think it will look badly as it seems you can't do a bad job with this. I may tho do one more coat on top before I do clear and then wax.

Your work is beautiful!!!!

was it solid wood? on your second coat, it's always a good idea to thin the paint or your brush w/a little water.

I have a blog with lots of pics and how to's, should you ever have a question. http://makemeprettyagain.blogspot.com

Your piece is looking good tho!

When I used the AS chalk paint on some dressers I had, it had started to get really thick when it was going on and I put a little bit of water in it to thin it and then it went on like a dream! Good luck!

Would it make sense to do a third coat on the top?

i don't know what the top looks like. give it a fine sanding. do you like it all solid or a little bit of distressing on the edges? If, after sanding, you find some bare or thin spots, then you can give it another coat. it won't hurt. just thin your paint if it's dragging.

I don't see the point of using chalk paint if you aren't planning to distress it. Chalk paint is pretty expensive too.

stephE, it's easy to use and there is practically no prep. Painting with an enamel paint is a lot more difficult, so I assume that' why some people use the chalk paint. And you can make your own for about 6 bucks.

Is the powder just as good as Annie Sloan's expensive mix? Call me weird, but I rather enjoy prep and I take my time getting it perfect before ever holding a brush. Zinsser BIN is about as tough as you can get, and will help any paint adhere. I use Advance paint.

so do I. Advance is my fave. I also love sanding. I'm weird too, I guess. I've made my own cp with behr sample paint and the plaster of paris. yes it's good, but I think you may have to do a bit more prepwork than the ASCP. I've painted w/everything you can think of.

At the time I did this one, they didn't have a good black chalk paint so I made my own. I did have to do a lot of prep on this one tho to make sure and get off all of the original glossy finish.

NIce work. Okay, I won't write chalk paint off. Thanks for the examples.

Bethh, so I should sand before I touch up the streaking areas?

Chalk paint done on piece one and ready for dark wax. Hoping to get the right effect -- Any advice would be appreciated. Would the second picture look good on this piece?

Also what can I add to the room to bring in some warmth. Seeing this painting brightened up the room but need some warmth.

Loving it so far!!!

Colleen, be careful w/the dark wax. If you use it alone it will permanently alter the color of the white. Put on a layer of clear wax first, then do your dark wax (although I think the 2nd dresser above just looks 'dirty'. There is an art to applying dark wax and glaze.

your dresser looks good although I would distress the paint off of the hardware. I would stick w/the clear wax and maybe get a little rub and buff in one of the metallics and just lightly hit the raised molding on the drawers. If you don't like it, just apply wax over it and rub it off. Or you could just do the dark wax on the inner portion of those drawers and on some of the corners and edging (clear wax 1st!)

As for sanding, it never hurts. A 220 sanding sponge makes easy work of it. Just go lightly to knock off the rough spots. run your hand over it. Is it smooth? then when you apply your wax and buff, it will be smooth and have a slight shine to it.

Just saw your pic. Did you clear wax first?? If you wanted that shade, why didn't you just use Linen or CoCo (ASCP) ?

Is that buffed out already?? Looks a little heavy. Use clear wax to take some of it off and buff well when dry.

@beth H,what's that gold paint you applied for the black and white dresser?

Mona,,, I taped off the surrounding parts and used Martha Stewarts gold metallic paint (Modern Masters is very similar). I used a small artist brush and did two coats by hand . You could also use Rustoleum metallic spray paint as a base coat and then just do one coat. I actually did it both ways and both were extremely time consuming!

If you would like to see the entire process (the tri-color process takes forever!) click on the link:

http://makemeprettyagain.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-new-frenchie-in-black-and-gold.html

I did use clear wax first. Does it look ok? I thought it was looking good

So if I did a little more last night. The center doors were very challenging. Should I go lighter?

My preference would be a little lighter but it looks great! You did a wonderful job and it's very consistent. If you love it, keep it!

Oh thank you sooo much @bethH! I'm struggling with a DIY project myself and really appreciate your helpful responde.

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Help...is there a way to tone the color down a bit? Before I tackle the other pieces in the room, I want to see if there is a way to lighten this color. Big tackle but I'm not feeling it. Maybe too yellow?

Beth H. How did you finish the top of the dresser? What type of finish did you use?

Nelida, which one? I posted a few.