An easy chalk paint DIY to transform inexpensive faux or real pumpkins into the perfect fall decor for your home. All you need is paint, pumpkins, and a few minutes to complete.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”
-Emily Bronte
Fall Decor From Cheap To Chic
I can completely agree with Emily Bronte on this one! Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It’s literally a breath of fresh air for those of us who live in Florida. Even if temps only dip into the 70’s, it’s blissful none the less. Like most of the seasons, much of my decor is neutral, a little natural, and on a budget. That also means I typically need to buy cheap and transform it into farmhouse chic. Insert chalk paint!
Before and After Chalk Paint Pumpkins
So as you can see from the ‘Before’ picture, my pumpkins were a little yellow. They weren’t horrible, but against my other decor, they needed a little brightening up. That’s the beauty with chalk paint is that you can choose any color pumpkin and repaint it to the exact color you want with full coverage. So think outside the box- check out dollar stores, thrift stores, clearance sections and even damaged pumpkins with scratches or discolorations. Don’t choose based on color, think size and shape.
Two Ways To Chalk Paint: Wet Or Dry Brush
Chalk Paint Tip: If you are new to chalk paint you should know that it’s a super versatile paint and there are two main ways to use it: with a wet or dry brush. I’ll try to cover the pros and cons of each to help you with your Chalk Paint projects. In the picture above, the small pumpkin was painted with a dry brush and the larger a wet brush.
Dry Brush: Using the dry brush technique- aka just dipping it in paint alone will result in less coats and a thicker, more matte look with more brush strokes visible. This is great when you are going for a more rustic look and don’t mind brush strokes showing through. Also, less drying time as the paint without water mixed in dries faster.
Wet Brush: Using the wet brush technique can mean either keeping your brush wet in between dipping it in the chalk paint OR you can mix water directly into your paint making it thinner. This is a good option when painting fabric (yes you can paint fabric! I’ve even painted leather with it) or another surface that will require a few coats and you’re wanting fewer brush strokes visible.
What I Did: Wet Brush Technique
For my pumpkins I liked the wet brush technique best. Since my original pumpkins were only yellow (as opposed to a darker, stronger color) I was fine with letting the old color show through a bit to give it a more natural, two-toned look. I just barely dipped the tip of my brush into the water and then into the paint.
There you have it. An easy and inexpensive DIY project to take any pumpkins and make them fit your fall color scheme. I’ve painted metal, wood, and even leather with chalk paint and I’ve never been disappointed. Give it a try!
And if you’re still searching for a few more decor pieces (fall pillows, wooden baskets, throws, etc..) check out my last post Farmhouse Fall Decor Under $35 .
