Rescuing a Coffee Table From the Trash (again!)
I'm talking about a lazy coffee table transformation about 6 months ago where I neglected to finish it with a top coat, leading to this...
...a peeling mess. Ugh! The kids were having a blast peeling all the grey paint off while watching tv, but the mama was getting sick and tired of little bits of peeled paint on the floor...not to mention the eyesore that this coffee table was quickly becoming!
I was ready to just haul the thing to the dump and be done with it.
Sometimes it's easy to feel that way about a piece of furniture...you've had it forever and are just over it. Or it was a hand-me-down (or in my case a road-side find) and you've never really loved it.
But...browsing Pinterest I stumbled upon this gorgeous farm table makeover by Kristen at Sophia's and I got inspired to paint my coffee table yet again, giving it a completely new look.
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I loved the moroccan petals stencil* that Kristen used on her table, and I fell in love with the continuous pattern, the color, everything! I got the stencil for myself (it comes in a book full of extra-large stencils* for home decor) and with the help of Little DIY, set out to transform the coffee table.
Sanding off all the peeling paint took some time, but I was determined to do this DIY properly this time around!
Once it was sanded and all that dust wiped off, I gave it a coat of turquoise chalk paint*. I brushed it on, leaving lots of black showing through because I knew it would save me from having to distress it, and it was an easy way to achieve the same look.
Plus, it was 90° out and I'm sweet so I knew I'd melt :)
I don't have any pictures of the stenciling process...it was so hot, my paint was literally drying on my plate. Plus the breeze had picked up and I needed both hands to hold the stencil down. And I had sweat running down my face and hair blowing in my eyes...I was a hot mess y'all!
I found the middle of the table and centered my stencil there to start. I followed the same process as I did when I stenciled these curtains, so if you're interested, you can read that post here.
If you're new to stenciling, you paint it once, lift the stencil and line it up, paint again, and on and on until it's complete. It definitely takes a while to accomplish when you're doing a large surface, and if I did it over again I would do it inside the house with the air conditioner blowing on my face! I used white chalk paint* for the stencil as well as the table edge and to highlight the curve on the legs.
And I was a smartie this time around and sealed the paint with a clear topcoat*! I like this wax by Americana Decor* because it's easy to apply with a brush; it's a thick liquid as opposed to the hard wax like Minwax* carries (although I love that product too...it's just a little harder to apply). Buffing it once the wax is dry brings out a beautiful sheen.
I really think the results speak for themselves. The table is gorgeous! It looks a bit old world with the black 'distressing' showing through in spots.
And the best part? I love my table again!
It brings a burst of much-needed color to our otherwise mainly neutral bonus room. I have to admit I'm very happy that I've saved it from the dump yet again!
Did you know this used to be a kitchen table? Mr DIY and I cut the legs down and repurposed it as an extra-large coffee table over 10 years ago! It's had a long and illustrious life!
And when I received my July issue of Country Living Magazine and saw the cover picture with the turquoise tiles that very closely resemble my coffee table, it was confirmation that I'd made the right choice!
If you are interested in stenciling but need more inspiration, check out these other budget stencil projects that I've completed in my home. Maybe you'll be inspired to try one of them!
from top:
(click on the links to be taken to each tutorial)
(click on the links to be taken to each tutorial)
chevron nightstand | stenciled wall
stenciled curtains | arrow art to cover electrical box
painted and stenciled chair | side table with stencil
dresser with labeled drawers | coffee bar cabinet
stenciled curtains | arrow art to cover electrical box
painted and stenciled chair | side table with stencil
dresser with labeled drawers | coffee bar cabinet
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
Looks great! I'm glad you rescued it! And I love the color! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, I'm glad I gave it another chance!
DeleteWhat a rehab! I love that you took a fail and made it so beautiful. I'd like to share this next weekend on our Weekend Features round up. Hope you're good with that!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so much Jenna! Sometimes you just need to be inspired! I'm honored to be featured on your round up!
DeleteI cannot believe that is the same table! Amazing!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/07/anything-blue-friday-week-89.html Hope to see you again at the little blue soiree. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathryn, honored to be featured!
DeleteCindy, I love what you did with this coffee table! Gorgeous color - fabulous stencil :)
ReplyDeleteThank Marie, I'm kinda in love with it myself :)
DeleteYou did a fabulous job on this table! Thank you for sharing at Friday's Furniture Fix! :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy!
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