Asked on Sep 23, 2014

What would you do with these end tables to update them with paint

Debra
by Debra
I want to paint these tables to update them as I will be selling them at a flea market, but I just am at a loss as to what to do with them. Is there anyone who paints furniture for resale that can help me with my dilemma. They just aren't talking to me if you know what I mean.
Side View
Front View
Cushman marker on underside
  27 answers
  • Royal Design Studio Royal Design Studio on Sep 23, 2014
    Hi @Debra! We have a lot of customers that paint these exact kinds of tables with our stencils. This is a recent stencil project using our Eastern Lattice Moroccan Stencil. Hope this helps!
    • Carla rayborn Carla rayborn on Sep 24, 2014
      I have a similar piece and this is such a great idea.....I love fleur de lis, would like to stencil but need some guidance, can you recommend the types of paint to use, my piece will eventually go onto covered patio but will be subjected to some blowing rain
  • Linda Weeks Linda Weeks on Sep 23, 2014
    Love the stencils! Buy some chalk paint, or mix your own, if you have any latex paint in a nice color. chalk paint would make these look great. Besides, these are very useful pieces, maybe someone just needs a nice clean end table! Go to town!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Sep 23, 2014
    Painting would not hurt these, but they would be pretty with a dark Old English oil rubdown and leave them as is. I still like this style because the lamp is always out of the way and sits a little taller so you can read beside it.
  • Frankie Laney Frankie Laney on Sep 23, 2014
    I'm usually pretty quick to recommend chalk paint, but I think these would do nicely if you do a light sanding then re-stain and poly. I like this style too.
  • PM PM on Sep 23, 2014
    I have something similar to this but the bottom piece isn't as long. I took the legs off and set it on top of a small square wooden box. This gave me more space to put stuff and brought it higher off the ground so I could reach it. it's in great shape so I didn't have to paint it. I'm happy with it.
    • Debra Debra on Sep 24, 2014
      @PM Hi, is it possible to see what you did to your tables? Mine are pretty heavy so to put on top of a box that opens would be a hassel to lift all the time, Maybe i don't understand what you did, so if I can see them that would help.
  • Z Z on Sep 23, 2014
    If you're reselling it, it's best to leave it as is, or refinish it with respect to it's original state. Cushman Furniture is very well made, it would be a shame to paint it, as it would lose value. This particular table is made of solid Maple. You might want to check out this link. Granted this is an asking price, but if you check the link after this, you can see what a small milking stool sold for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cushman-Step-End-Table-Colonial-Creations-Red-Maple-Wood-Two-Level-Lamp-Table-/191341474613?pt=US_Tables&hash=item2c8cd73335 Milking stool. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAG-ANTIQUE-CUSHMAN-COLONIAL-CREATIONS-FOOT-STOOL-MILKING-STOOL-9038-1950S-/181488506238?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item2a418ed57e
  • 117135 117135 on Sep 23, 2014
    I paint and resale furniture. I know right now in time, restoring furniture back to the wood is not selling in our shop. People are wanting painted pieces. I know the wood lovers do not want to hear that, but I said it. I would take the recommendation from Royal Design Studios to stencil it.
    • See 3 previous
    • Christine Willson Christine Willson on Sep 24, 2014
      I have had very good luck with chalk paint. Go to u tube and type it in u will be amazed.
  • Southern Couture Southern Couture on Sep 24, 2014
    Use chalk paint and go with colors that you will be using in your house where this will be sitting. Don't be afraid to be bold with the color choice if you always use neutrals.
  • Laurie Laurie on Sep 24, 2014
    Since you want to sell them you might consider staining the stencil with a darker stain instead of paint. Then it would fit any décor.
    • See 1 previous
    • Debra Debra on Sep 24, 2014
      Now to find the right stencil
  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Sep 24, 2014
    I would lightly sand, stain, wallpaper the sides and finish the whole thing with a sealer. Gives the piece a pop but keeps the clean lines.
  • Gno336171 Gno336171 on Sep 24, 2014
    If you're going to paint, I'd stay with black with gold underlay or trim.
  • Terry Kennedy Terry Kennedy on Sep 24, 2014
    I would use Chalk paint & distress the edges. The ivory color or one of the other neutrals would appeal to most. I also love the teal color available. You can google chalk paint to see how easy it is.
  • Andrea Andrea on Sep 24, 2014
    I actually have a table like this. When I put together my nursery I cleaned it up and then distressed it to give it a cuter look. I would go with a lighter color (like cream) and then distress it with dark walnut stain. Then advertise it as a nursery table. I have mine right beside the rocking chair in my nursery and it is great for my small lamp and a few bed time story books. Not to mention the nights I've spent rocking a colicky baby with a glass of water there beside me!
  • Bonnie Lee Spencer Bonnie Lee Spencer on Sep 24, 2014
    i think i would sand it, stain i8t a darker color
  • Sad540662 Sad540662 on Sep 24, 2014
    Use AnnieSloan chalk paint...no sanding necessary, just wipe off furniture piece, pick the colour off the chalk paint charts. Google her instructions..it's easy and fun. Use her wax as instructed...it will last forever.
  • Margaret Margaret on Sep 24, 2014
    those are beautiful old tables why spoil the beauty of the wood with paint, sand and oil them with tunge oil
  • Mona Banta Mona Banta on Sep 24, 2014
    Use home made chalk paint then use dark wax . I learn how on pintrest love it
  • Jamie Jamie on Sep 24, 2014
    I have one similar and I am going to build on top of it and make a wonderful jewelry armoire. I considered attaching a long mirror with maybe a side panel with hooks for scarfs and hats etc, and setting in in the entry. I still might..or look for another one. When I first got it felt like an odd piece to redo until my imagination got into gear.
  • Janet koons Janet koons on Sep 24, 2014
    Do yourself a favor and stay away from those you tube instructional videos for the most part. If you are going to invest in high quality chalk paint, go to your local dealer of chalk paints or milk paints and they either have classes and/or they will be happy to answer any and all questions. Some chalk paint stores even have videos on their websites. It's worth the time and money.
  • Janet koons Janet koons on Sep 24, 2014
    To answer your question, I find Annie Sloan is easiest for me to work with. I have a table like this that I am working on now. I'm doing a rather earthy tone paint and probably will use some gilding as trim, freehand. I am not an expert, but I do enjoy painting and creating as I go along, so I don't really know what I'm going to do until I get there. Enjoy! Would love to see your finished creation. My shop is called Tampa Tweaks.
  • ShirleyB ShirleyB on Sep 24, 2014
    Why does everyone want to distress things all of the time AND why PAINT everything? Stain on wood is so nice!
  • Kay cook Kay cook on Sep 25, 2014
    make your own chalk paint and deep wax it
  • Mona Banta Mona Banta on Sep 25, 2014
    Anne Sloan check paint is way to expensive when you can make your own. I turn a 10.00 garage item into 100.00 piece with 2.00 worth of paint and plaster of paris.
  • Barbara P Barbara P on Oct 10, 2014
    Now show us the after!!! I would love to see!! Thanks!
  • Lynn Lynn on Oct 11, 2014
    You have a great table there - the label stating where it was made is a plus for resale value. I would use chalk paint in a light color (ivory/cream) and maybe do a transer on the top or a pretty stencil.
  • Debra Debra on Oct 11, 2014
    thank you , if you did a transfer could you also tell me what kind you would do as these will probably go into someones living room. That is were I am getting lost, as to what type (picture if you will) to put on it. I know that it would need something other then just the paint. I appreciate your in put. Thank you
  • Gloria tulip Gloria tulip on Jan 06, 2015
    The label stating where it was manufactured will be a great selling point. I bought an old (I thought) knitting chair once and when my husband was unloading it for me, the first thing he saw was a label stating "made in Taiwan." I never have felt the same about the chair. Be sure to leave the label on. My chair is nice, sturdy, etc. but I like good ole American products. And furniture made in Vermont is great. As of yet, I have not used chalk paint, but intend to do so before too long. I just use paint, and a protective coat of poly.