Chalk paint help

[mumof1littlebun]

I would like to paint some dark brown furniture we have but am really not sure what colour would go with our dark brown leather sofas. Grey seems to be an good option as I think white will look to stark but will grey and brown look strange together?!

I think grey and brown will look a bit odd.

What about orange?

To be honest though, I wouldn't bother using chalk paint. I'd just go for normal paint. I've painted loads of bits of furniture and chalk paint just doesn't look as good.

Sorry I should have said, I’d like to keep it neutral so we can add colour with pictures, accessories etc. I thought chalk paint was supposed to be one coat, hard wearing. Is normal furniture paint just as good then?

I wouldn't paint the furniture unless it is cheap junk shop type stuff. Brown furniture is on trend. Chalk paint is not to my taste.

It’s just looks so dark and old fashioned so thought painting it and changing the handles might update it a bit. We don’t have a big budget but hoping painting the walls and changing curtains will help!

I’d use something like Clunch by Farrow and Ball - I started with chalk paint on our bedside tables but didn’t like the effect and went over them in F&B - much nicer.
You could get a couple of small test pots and see what you think

Ah I see. I'd probably go for a cream-y colour then.

It is one-coat and fairly hard wearing but the finish just never seems good enough. I can't really put my finger on it. I also find it very difficult to put on an even coat of wax (necessary for protection) which, again, makes the finish look a bit crappy.

I just use normal matt (or eggshell or whatever) emulsion paint. I'm sure there are lots of reasons why you shouldn't but it's always worked absolutely fine for me.

And Neptune also do nice neutral paint shades.
I agree that dark brown tables with a brown sofa sound a bit dreary. I’d go for it!

I'd also go for a cream colour and it can look fab, the beauty of chalk paint is you don't need to use a primer or sand. The first coat looks shit, the second always just evens out and looks great.

Just use a matt clear varnish on top instead of wax when it's done.

I'd also say a pale sage green can work well with brown,

If you do decide on chalk paint water down the second coat a bit and you will get a smoother finish.