ALL DIY Projects

Simple Fireplace Upgrade {Annie Sloan Chalk Paint}

Design + Build

Crafty Projects

Business + Life

Holidays

The Weekender Series

As Seen on TV

Room Makeovers

All DIY Projects

Search...

blog Categories

hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

I am totally sold on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Up until last week, I had read that people fall in love with this paint after trying it out, but we don’t have stockist near us, and it never occurred to me to order some online. Then, our pal, Shaunna, opened up her shop and I knew it was time. (Yes, it was just that dramatic).Ā  Did you know that you can paint almost any surface with chalk paint (not chalkboard paint)Ā without prepping? No sanding, no stripping, nothing. And it adheres to everything because it’s magic. And awesome. And we’re a match made in DIY heaven if I ever saw one. Paint that eliminates all the hard work? Yes, please. I thought I’d give it a whirl on my marble fireplace surround, because I’m crazy like that.Ā  I did not like this marble one bit. It was sort of dirty-looking and leaned toward the peach color family. Yuk. Like I said, it was time for an upgrade.

I also took this time to try out the new Purdy paint brush I received in my haven swag bag. We love these thingsĀ so much!

I used the color Coco- it’s kind of brownish, and kind of grayish, if that’s possible. It’s crazy at how easily the paint goes on…even on a marble surface! Notice that we didn’t prime this marble at all!

I still need to buff and wax the paint so that it’s all sealed nicely, but I’m happy with the small, but noticeable change. I originally was planning on painting stripes, but for now, I’m digging the simplicity of the matte color. Doesn’t it look better? More serene and understated and classic.

I’ve been messing around with some of the ideas I learned from Layla about photo styling, and alas, I still have much to learn. šŸ™ But it’s stillĀ fun to try!
I brought a few of the pillows my mom made for the bench in my basement upstairs to our living room to add some color and a summertime feel. So fun!
Looks pretty darn nice with my target dollar bin mantel, if I do say so myself.
And now for the {very subtle} before and after shot of the fireplace upgrade:

I’m thrilled with the way the paint adhered to the marble and the coverage it gave. I can not WAIT to use Annie Sloan chalk paint on a few dining room projects I have in mind.

Have you guys tried chalk paint yet?
What are your thoughts about it?

Did you know East Coast Creative’s Most Popular Blog Project of all time is now for sale?!?

Get Ready to Break Up with Your Bedtime Routine!

Check out our online store!

Game of Love

The comments +

  1. Lori says:

    coco was my first color to use too! Love it. And the fireplace looks wonderful, Careful if you got the dark wax it really changes the color. I just used a plain minwax. Lori

  2. Christina says:

    Jess – I think it looks perfect!! I love the matte color…leaves the possibility of patterns and other colors wide open for your mantel.

  3. Susan says:

    Just wondering how the chalk paint will hold up to the heat from the fireplace? Looks wonderful!

    • You know, I’m not entirely sure, Susan. But, even though this is a working fireplace, we don’t really use it at all! (My hubs is wierd/paranoid about having a fire in the house. It might be as a result of one time when he lit a fire in the fireplace and forgot to open the flu. Smoke and flames poured into our living room. (no damage was done!) Yup, that’s probably it. šŸ™‚

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Jess

  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

  5. Marcella says:

    Looks great! How many coats did you use?

  6. Just one coat, so far! It covers really well. I did order another sample jar though, and will do one more coat before we wax it. It really didn’t take much though!

    Thanks for asking šŸ™‚

    Jess

  7. Lauren says:

    I just finished up dresser #2 using ASCP Pure White. I did 2 large dressers with one can and still have a teeny bit leftover. I. love. it. And, once I learned how to use the wax properly, that part is incredible! Now, I’m just waiting to use a sample I have on an end table makeover soon. That’s awesome that it works on marble. And, I agree that this transformation on your fireplace is great! Good photo styling šŸ™‚

  8. Lynn Guise says:

    It looks so nice, Jess! That paint must really be amazing. Do you think I could use it on that bureau I showed you?

  9. Kim says:

    Wow! That stuff works on marble?? It looks great! I’m wondering how you would remove it from marble (just in case you ever want that beautiful peach back)? I have some dark green marble topped tables & I’d LOVE to change that color but wonder how to remove it if it doesn’t look great over something like that.

  10. Valerie says:

    I love how it came out. I have ugly brass surrounding my fireplace. I wonder if it would cover that. I’ve been thinking about spray painting it oil rubbed bronze.

    • Sharon sullivan says:

      I’m going to try chalk paint on the brass ugly doors in my fireplace. I bet from everything else I’ve chalk painted it will work like a charm. I just did the brick with silver chalk paint. It looks amazing

  11. I am a fan of chalk paint for sure! I love the stuff. Your fireplace turned out fabulous and I am also trying to learn photoshop. I haven’t finished Layla’s course yet but I’m working on it šŸ™‚

  12. Yes I am in a love hate relationship with it. The finish is AMAZING, totally me style with the country, shabby, chalky finish perfect for a lot of my furniture projects. But the price is just a bit much especially when i can get the same look with other products. Time is money though. So it is a toss up! Here is my own review of this product, if your interest.
    http://littleyellowbarn.blogspot.com/2012/06/chalk-paint-hmmmmm.html

  13. Erin Spain says:

    Looks great! I still haven’t used chalk paint yet. I have a sample from Haven and I need to find the perfect thing to try it out on. I’m definitely intrigued by it!

    -Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

  14. Iuliana says:

    So, this has nothing to do with this painting projects (which is cool), but are my eyes playing an illusion on me, or is that a different ship on the right side of the mantle? All the decor looks the same in the before and after, except for the ship, right? Well, and the paint, and the basket, and the suitcase…

  15. janet says:

    I have offending green marble! I even emailed Annie months ago to see if I could use her paints on my marble fireplace and she replied definitely, just use wax after. I have just been apprehensive, until I found your blog! I have been searching for painted marble fireplaces!! Now to choose a color. Thanks for the little push. I love how yours turned out.

    • Katie says:

      Did you ever try this? I also have green marble to cover! I’m wondering how it will hold up with heat from the fireplace?

  16. Emily says:

    Thank you so much! I have this dresser that I repainted and couldn’t figure out how to cover the three ugly marble cut outs on top. I will be looking into chalk paint this week!

  17. Steve Devis says:

    Thank you for give vastly nice info. Your web page is cool.I am impressed by the information that you have on this web page. It shows how well you understand this topic. Bookmarked this page, will come back for further.
    Stone fireplaces

  18. Ariel says:

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! Thank you for this post. We have ugly tile from the late 90s around our fire place. This post just made my year. I have 2 questions do you think that this paint can be used on the ugly brass grill part of the fire place as well. We don’t ever turn it on for heat either so that wouldn’t be an issue. My second question is can this paint be used on floor tile? We can’t afford to rip it out and put anything new in, but I am thinking if it worked on the marble tile it should be able to work on the floor tile too??? Thanks again!

  19. Linda says:

    I totally love this and have been inspired to do something with our fireplace now!

    I also love the wall colour – can you tell me what make and colour it is?

    Looks fabtastic!

    Lxx

  20. Maria Delaney says:

    I am very interested in trying this. Two questions. 1. Can Martha Steward Glaze paint be used instead of Annie Sloan? 2 What kind of wax do you use? Thanks!

  21. Trisha says:

    Hi it looks great. I hate the fireplace in my house and want to paint it. Do you light your fire? Does the paint handle the heat ok?

  22. Trisha says:

    Hi it looks great.

    Does the paint resist the heat from the fireplace?

    Thank you

  23. shauna says:

    is it chalkboard paint that has to be used? I have an ugly green marble I am dying to cover on my fireplace! would love to do this over the weekend.

  24. […] their chalk paint…remember my awesome green pianoĀ and Jess’s simple but chicĀ fireplaceĀ upgrade? It’s so easy to work with; no sanding, no stripping, or primer, just paint with it […]

  25. casapinka says:

    In our bedroom we, also have offensive tile! I was just staring at it and wondering what to do. I’m sure it was on clearance at a local diy center when they redid the house….with 5 fireplaces, not a lot of thought went into it. But Annie is avail 30 min away….and I may just try it. Thanks for showing this – it’s prob. an old post but I really appreciate it! It looks lovely!!!! I get the feeling with peach. Not good. : )

  26. Diane says:

    I want to do something with my marble mantle. I’m a little apprehensive until I came across you website. I like the results. Still a little scared to make the change but will take the adventure. Do you have a color chart and small trail samples before I fully commit?

  27. Diane says:

    I love the look of chalk paint. I also have a marble mantle I absolutely hate. I was wondering do you apply the wax to wet or dry paint?

  28. Jayme says:

    I would suggest using a water-based poly on chalk paint if it is going to be near heat. In hot weather, wax gets sticky and tacky. I would assume the same thing might happen on a fireplace surround or mantle. Poly will work fine on chalk paint, but never put poly over chalk paint that has already been waxed. It will make the poly chip and peel. But just water-based poly over chalk paint will work fine.

  29. Stacy says:

    Thanks for the post – I know it’s old, but I am looking for courage and inspiration to paint some very ugly, worn, pink-and-green marble. Can you tell me whether the paint has held up over time, since it’s been a couple of years now?

  30. Annie says:

    I love it! Absolutely beautiful. You did a great job!

  31. Nadia says:

    Hi what colour is the chimney breast? Thanks!

  32. I have 3 dogs and a cat …. will they’re nails eventually chip the paint on the bottom part of the hearth?

  33. Suz says:

    Nice! Can’t wait to see it when you distress the mantle surround, and coco chalk paint & distress some furniture to “bring it all together”! Maybe some dark wax on the white wood, &/or coco might help? Love to see the mantle shelf when the temporary dollar pieces are trumped with thrift/flea finds:) Keep it up!

  34. Candace Zander says:

    Just wondering how the paint does when the fire place is in use? Does it get sticky or start to melt?
    Thanks

  35. Alicia says:

    We are buying a house and the fireplace has this awful ivory-yellow marble. I said I wanted to paint it and my hubby thought I was nuts. You can paint anything, right? Off to Pinterest where I found your blog. I’m just concerned about how well the paint will hold up. Have you had to touch up or redo yours at all?

  36. Misty says:

    I too love this paint but is it heat resistant? Iā€™m concerned about using it on my fireplace.

  37. […] to use primer if you use this paint and you can paint directly on tile. Ā At least that is what this blogger says. Ā My fireplace looks somewhat like hers so I’m hoping this is […]

  38. […] So what can I do that isn’t expensive and provides immediate gratification in the meantime? <google “paint ugly faux marble fireplace tile”> and viola! I found a blog from a woman who has the exact same offending fireplace I do and her fix! https://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2012/07/simple-fireplace-upgrade-annie-sloan.html […]

Leave a Reply to Kim Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Make a Kid's Mud Kitchen and Produce Stand

DIY PROJECT

Work From Home Corner Office Makeover

VIDEO MAKEOVER

Yard Game Ideas ASO Live! with Kelly + Ryan

DIY IDEAS ON TV

Today Show Nursery Makeover

MAKEOVER

Outdoor Living Space Makeover : Home Becomes

VIDEO MAKEOVER

Must Reads

Get updated on what we're working on

Follow along!