Chalk Painted Typewriter Makeover
Happpppppy Spray Paint Saturday!! Kidding. I just made that up. But it’s kinda catchy, right? And it’s actually perfect because today I have a fun little project that involves spray paint and an old typewriter I recently found at one of my favorite thrift stores. This typewriter wasn’t a very interesting find, in fact it was kinda ugly. But it was $30 and I thought maybe it could be something fun. So I brought it home, put it in my decor storage closet and that’s where it’s been for a while now. Well I was digging around in that closet the other day when I found the typewriter, so I brought it out and decided to do a little spray paint experiment with it. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but I actually love the way it turned out so I thought it would be fun to share this project with you guys today. Okie dokie, let’s start with the before photo:
Kinda blah, right? I feel like I’ve seen a million typewriters like this over the years and I think it’s from the 1950’s. The tan and green combo just wasn’t doing it for me, so I grabbed my chalky spray paint and got to work.
For this project I used the Rust-Oleum chalked matte spray paint in the color Charcoal. I really wanted it to have a matte finish, so this was a great option. I did two heavy coats and it went on super easily, which I was kind of surprised at because the typewriter is such a slick surface! Here’s how it looks now:
SPRAY PAINT FOR THE WIN! You guys, I really LOVE how this turned out. I honestly never would have used the typewriter in my decor with the tan and green color, so this was a really easy way to make it a little more my style. This dark gray color is great because it’s timeless and can go with so many different things, but it would also be fun to do a pop of color like minty green or even pink for a girls’ room.
It’s been a while since I did a good ol’ fashioned spray painting project and this one was really fun. And I seem to have a growing obsession with typewriters lately. I don’t know why, I just think they are really cool and make interesting decor. And I kinda want to start collecting them (remember that really old one I shared last year?). I just wish I had more room for them! Anyway, I still haven’t figured out where I’m going to put this typewriter, but for now I’m loving it here on my card catalog. It makes a fun centerpiece–the kids especially love playing with it.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hopefully this gives you an idea for any ugly typewriters you might have sitting around! Just don’t paint the really old ones, ok?!
More posts like this you might want to wander over to:
Chalk Painted Vintage Metal Cubby
DIY Painted Pots with Vintage French Labels
DIY Coat Rack With Vintage Tin
The Comments
Vicky Morris
Did you tape off any areas so they wouldn’t get painted or just spray painted entire typewriter?
Corinne
I got an underwood typewriter for 5 bucks from a guy that had a tag on it and actually honored the price. I thought that was awesome! Yours looks so cute!
Lori
What a great find!! Looks great! I think I would take a little steel wool and chip some of the paint around the edges of the keys for a worn look to keep with the vintage feel. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel Copeland
This is SUPER cute! What a great idea!!
Suzi
It looks so good Sarah! It’s amazing what can be done with a little paint! Happy Saturday! ❤️
Sarah
> SuziIsn’t it amazing what a little spray paint can do?!
Melissa Filson
How cute!! I love how this turned out! I’ve seen several cute typewriters lately but I don’t really have anywhere that I think I could use one. Maybe I can figure something out 😉😉
Sarah
> Melissa Filsonyeah they’re kinda big and bulky, so it is hard to find a good spot for them. Still not sure where I’ll put this one!
Angela Servello
Morning sweetie,
Love it, great idea. I am now on the hunt for typewriters, thank you very much. Have a blessed day. 🙏
Sarah
> Angela Servellothank you so much Angela, hope you can find one!! xo
Carol Holtorf
Typewriter looks great. I didn’t know you could get chalk paint in a spray.
Sarah
> Carol Holtorfyes!! It’s so convenient.
Leigh
Hi love how it came out! Looks so great love the color❤️ Love your table too. Sent you a message asking about your eyelashes. So long and beautiful. Your make up is so soft and beautiful. Have a great day!
Sarah
> LeighHI Leigh! I’ve been using Latisee lately on my lashes. I can’t believe how well it works!
Jan
Looks great!
Sarah
> Janthank you Jan!
Leigh
Hi love how it came out! Looks so great love the color❤️ Love your table too.
Sarah
> Leighthank you Leigh!
Becky A Johnson
Spray paint is our friend! Lol. It really turned out cute! Fun diy! Thanks Sarah! Becky🌷🌷🌷😄💗
Velma
Hey that Typewriter is Neat Great Job.!!!!
Sarah
> Velmathank you Velma!
Leo
I feel like I just watched someone paint a Snapchat puppy dog filter on the Mona Lisa. Perhaps I’m being a little dramatic, but you destroyed a classic piece of American craftsmanship for a vulgar centerpiece. I know. Why would anyone ride a bike when we have cars? If you’d left it intact your kids could have experienced the Zen like nature writing with a percussive instrument. They don’t make manual typewriters anymore and that is one less that future generations will have access to.
Sarah
> LeoOh for heavens sake Leo, that’s a little dramatic! They’ll still have access to it–it just won’t be gray and green! Sorry to offend you, but there are bigger things to worry about in life.
Debbie
I gotta say I got a little excited when I saw the “Spray Paint Saturday”. No joke!!! Lol! Love typewriters and LOVE what you did with that one!!!
Sarah
> Debbieaw thank you so much Debbie!! It was a fun little project.