When I stumbled on this humble (but very, very nice) ugly end table for $8.00, I snatched it up. I made sure the drawer worked well and the legs were tight. Both are important to me as I don't like "fixing" furniture - I only like slapping paint on it. This piece was as tight as brand new.
I took a before picture but it seems to have disappeared so you'll have to take my word that the table was ugly. Very ugly. It had a scarred and cracked finish in a nondescript wood color they were so fond of doing years ago.
I like the Shabby Chic look. It seems to give a piece a sense of history. My husband hates it. Oh well. The world is definitely divided between these polar opposites. Since the table was next to my side of the bed he just rolled his eyes and left the room.
I took the hardware off the table which is a HUGE step up for me. I used to just try and paint around a drawer pull or hinge because I was too impatient to remove them. Sooooo typical ADD!!
I quickly ran the palm sander over the top surfaces. My new palm sander, a gift from hubby, has a little dust bag attached. Approximate time: 5 minutes
Next I slapped on a coat of primer. Approximate time: 10 minutes
After a couple coats of Country White semi-gloss paint and applying two water slide decals of flowers, I headed outside with my cordless Dremel tool, another gift from my husband. Paint application approximate time investment: 20 minutes
I ran the Dremel Tool around the edges approximating natural wear. I don't over-do this step. I've seen some Shabby Chic pieces that look like they have a terminal case of the pox. Not cool IMHO. Approximate time: 5 minutes
Close up of decal (be sure and slap sealer on any decals you use)
Check out what my friend Jennifer did with a very, very cool $5.00 table
And don't miss this post from Wendy over at the Shabby Nest. More about the wonders of white paint!
11 comments:
great endtable!! I learned your technique from a friend, I have redone an OLD table that had linoleum glued to it, a 1930 desk, and used it to make a folded quilt rack out of broken pallets. Sand, paint, and not too much taken off in the end!
fraid I"m with your hubby...I wanna get some paint and touch up all those poor worn edges!!!
:-)
MM - I would NEVER allow the tiniest chip on my painted kitchen or bathroom cabinets. And my dining room set and buffet is all painted white with no shabby chic wear.
My husband almost had a cow when I said I was going to paint the 1950's set white. He said he, "couldn't see it." After it was done he loved it.
It just depends on what it is and whether it "calls" to me to be chippied up.
I have a sweet little curvy table in the living room (you can see the legs in the first night stand picture) that just screams to be painted and sanded. But first the bookshelves!!
Nice redo on the table!
Thanks Diann - I'm terminally lazy and have ADD so nothing can take too long or be too complicated...
Gorgeous! I love the lines of old furniture and your table is beautiful :o)
Loving this! Poof! You're a DIY Diva!
Cindy - I thought it was a pretty good buy for 8 bucks
Gina - Thanks, bow, curtsy!
Hi! Great job on the nightstand... and thanks for the shout out!
Wendy - You're welcome! I love your blog...
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