Chalk paint

Chalk paint is a matt, water-based paint you can use on an old chest of drawers, a chair, a picture frame or a flower pot to give it a vintage look. On this page you'll find Kreul Chalky chalk paints in 150 ml jars, and four of the shades also come in a 500 ml size. The paint covers with a creamy finish, dries quickly, is lightfast and, once dry, stands up to water, weather and saliva. You apply it with a brush or roller to wood, metal, glass, ceramics, terracotta, stone and plastic.

What can you use chalk paint for?

You'll most often use chalk paint to revamp smaller furniture in shabby chic style: a bedside table, a shelf, a chair or a wooden chest. It also adheres to paper, cardboard, polystyrene, concrete, clay and air-hardening modelling compound, so you can paint candle holders, gift boxes or terracotta decorations with it too. It holds on glass and ceramics but isn't scratch-resistant, so use it on decorative vases and glasses rather than on things you use often. Kreul also recommends it as a base for decoupage and photo transfer.

How do you get a vintage look with chalk paint?

First clean the surface and let it dry. Paint it in a darker shade and, once that has dried, add a lighter coat. Then lightly sand the edges and raised details with sandpaper: the colour underneath shows through and the piece looks naturally worn. Chalk paint also works well for stencilling and for a crackle effect, which gives the surface a finely cracked look.

Which shade and size should you choose?

The light shades Snow White, White Cotton, Cream Cashmere and Sweet Vanilla look clean and airy, while the pastels Ice Mint, Mademoiselle Rosé and Vintage Blue are soft and playful. The dark shades Sir Petrol, Volcanic Gray, Velvet Olive or Marsala Rouge stand out on contrasting pieces and work well as a base coat that you later sand back. A 150 ml jar is enough for small items or for testing a shade; for a chest of drawers or a table, go for 500 ml, which comes in Snow White, White Cotton, Cream Cashmere and Volcanic Gray.

If you're looking for paint you can write on with chalk, take a look at our chalkboard paints. Craft paints with a pearlescent, diamond or other effect are among our all-purpose craft paints.