Painting Books with Chalk Paint


I love coffee table books. I love to look at them, to stack them, to tear pages out of them and frame them. I especially like to dig through piles of old books at thrift stores to see what treasures I can find.

However, some of the best books on the inside aren’t the best looking on the outside. Like this one I scored for $2.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

I loved the material inside and the awesome retro pictures (that are now back in style). I grabbed this one with an idea to frame some of the pictures.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

I also thought it would be a great book to try something to make it look a little snazzier – painting it!

I had just finished painting my shelf with Annie Sloan chalk paint in Simply White and was already dying to try another project with it.

So I painted my book with chalk paint. Two coats and it was done.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

The white was better but still kind of boring.

I decided to (finally) try this Frogtape chevron tape that I got at Haven last year.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Except I didn’t want just typical chevron; I wanted to mix it up a little. My mixing it up consisted of off centering the lines of tape with each other to give it less of a chevron look and more of a geometric look.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Then I used my gold craft paint and painted two coats over it.

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

I’m thrilled by how I turned this beige-y boring book into a shimmering showstopper. But, hey, if I don’t like it tomorrow I can always paint it again!

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diyI’m still playing around where it will end up in the house (probably multiple places) but right now it is glitzing up the media center (and cars!).

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diyPainting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diy

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diyAnyone else addicted to scavenging for thrift store coffee books? Or how about painting books? I think I’m hooked now!

Painting a Book with Chalk Paint | www.rappsodyinrooms.com #chalkpaint #painting #styling #diySharing this post here:


  • What a fun project Megan! I love your mixing it up chevron 😉ReplyCancel

    • Thanks so much Therese! I always love trying something just a little off – it’s more fun that way!ReplyCancel

  • What a great idea, adds such a pop of color under the red car…fun!
    Blessings,
    CindyReplyCancel

    • Thanks Cindy! It is a good blending of my husband and me. Gold = me. Cars = him!ReplyCancel

  • I never in a million years would have thought to do this. I’m going to send this to my friend who works at Estates Revisited to show off what you did with one of their items.ReplyCancel

    • Aw, thank you! That is so sweet Paula! It’s what happens when you set a paint can down in my house. Suddenly I start looking at things right beside it and think, “I can paint you too!” Ha!ReplyCancel