Home renovations can often seem daunting, especially when on a tight budget.

But one savvy Kmart shopper has shown that a little creativity and a small investment can lead to stunning results.

Morwenna Croft has inspired many after sharing her lounge room transformation using a $10 item from the budget retailer.

Morwenna's lounge room was dominated by dark brick walls that made the space feel outdated and gloomy.

She stumbled upon Kmart's Decor & Furniture Paint - Chalk Finish White in search of a cost-effective solution to brighten her living area.

With a $10 price tag for a 500ml can, it was the perfect choice for her budget-friendly makeover.

Morwenna's room was transformed using a Kmart $10 white chalk paint. Credit: Facebook / Kmart

The transformation didn't happen overnight. Morwenna carefully planned her approach, drawing inspiration from the 'German schmear' technique she had seen on home renovation shows like 'Fixer Upper.'

‘Kmart white chalk paint was an easy, inexpensive solution to brighten my dark brick lounge room. The wall is bigger than what’s shown in the pics [so] I used two tins,’ she said. ‘Very happy with the result.’

The transformation didn't happen overnight. Morwenna carefully planned her approach, drawing inspiration from the 'German schmear' technique she had seen on home renovation shows like Fixer Upper.

‘I did a bit of research [and it] all seemed a bit daunting,’ she said.

‘Then I just had a brainwave that the Kmart chalk paint may suit. It’s thick, already had a chalky plaster-type look and feel.’

Before starting the project, she conducted a few test swatches on an inconspicuous outdoor brick wall. Once satisfied with the potential outcome, she embarked on revamping her lounge room walls.

‘Money’s a bit tight, my brown brick walls were depressing and needed an update. So I just went for it. It took a few days to do the two walls, but I stopped and started—it was about 10 hours [of work in] total,’ she added.

Morwenna's family, initially sceptical about the idea and saying it would look ‘horrible’, were quickly won over by the transformation.

‘They said, “I’m glad you didn’t listen to me, it looks amazing, like something out of a magazine,”’ Morwenna recalled.

For those inspired to try their hand at this DIY project, Morwenna shared some valuable tips.

Start by brushing the bricks thoroughly to remove any cobwebs, loose grout, or dirt.

Then, apply the paint directly from the tin without diluting it. She suggests using two different brushes—a thinner one for the grout lines and a wider one for the brick faces.

It's important to start with a light hand, as you can always add more paint, but removing excess can be challenging.

The key to achieving the shabby-chic style is to embrace imperfection.

Rough brushstrokes and intentional blobs of paint contribute to the rustic, plastered effect.

Morwenna's post quickly gained popularity among the Kmart community, with many expressing their admiration and eagerness to try the painting trick themselves.

‘It looks truly amazing,’ one person wrote. ‘Good job. Just love it!’

‘I love it, want to do ours now but I don’t think my husband would be up for it. I’m going to try and talk him into it,’ another said.

‘That looks so much better—plain paint doesn’t look good on brick, in my opinion, but that chalk paint looks great,’ a third added.

‘Looks fantastic! You have given me inspiration as we have a brick wall in the lounge room which is well past its use-by date,’ a fourth said.

Kmart offers white decor chalk paint in other colour options, such as sage, pink, and black, for those looking to personalise their space further.

Morwenna's lounge room makeover is a testament to the fact that you don't need to spend a fortune to refresh your home.

With a bit of elbow grease and a $10 can of chalk paint from Kmart, you, too, can transform your living space into a magazine-worthy retreat.

In a previous story, one woman shared her project online using several products from Kmart, including a $10 Decor and Furniture Paint–Chalk Finish Sage, to complete her mini-restoration. You can read more about her story here.

Key Takeaways

• A Kmart shopper transformed her dark brick lounge room walls with the store's $10 white chalk paint.
• The customer achieved the 'German schmear' look after seeing it on a renovation show and decided to use Kmart chalk paint for its plaster-like appearance.
• Despite initial scepticism from a family member, the result was praised and likened to something out of a magazine.
• The Kmart post garnered much attention and inspiration among other shoppers keen to try the painting technique on their brick walls.

Have you undertaken any budget-friendly home renovation projects lately? We'd love to hear about your experiences and see your before-and-after photos. Share your stories in the comments below!

 

[Jennylolo]

would have liked to see the whole wall. Dont think it does justice with such a small bit shown. Not a lot difference to lime wash. Been around forever.