Another French/Gustavian Paint Project

CK
by CK
2 Materials
These sturdy little end tables and their matching coffee table counterparts are a dime a dozen around where we live. They also look rather dated to many people's aesthetic. Mind you, if you like them "as is", keep them that way. :-)
Anyway, I acquired this little gem at a yard sale. But the other day when I had several people wanting to buy my coffee table/bench I'd painted, (there's a HomeTalk link to that one w/a tutorial below) one of the buyers asked "Do you have any more pieces of furniture to sell?" "Well, yes I do!" I replied.
She was excited about this table...but not so much its dated look. So I said "If you buy it, I'll custom paint it for you." "Really?", she squealed! So she took out her cell phone to show me her furniture, I pulled out one of my monstrous professional paint samples books, she picked a color and then I had to get to work!
There aren't a lot of details on a piece like this but they can transform into a reasonable French/Gustavian finish, which is what she was interested in because of the other piece I was selling (again, see the link below).
This is the finished piece. :-D She picked a medium taupe color and asked for a soft white dry brush finish. We used the same handle on the little drawer but I softened it with a little paint. It was a shiny brass before.
So now what? Well, that lovely young lady has asked me if I'll do more custom painting for her on pieces she'll find on our local online classifieds, and yard sales. Exciting for me and my creative juices; exiting for her to have custom affordable pieces in her new apartment.
This might not be your style. That's OK.....Where there's paint, there's a new look available just for you! :-)
I try to do only minimal distressing in areas where a piece might naturally get distressed with use. She liked that very much!
A hint of distressing on the legs....right where they might get more use over time.
A little more obvious dry brushing on the top.
The handle looks so pretty now with a little painting of its own.
And here's the French/Gustavian table for one last look. :-)


If you have any questions, feel free to inquire.
Suggested materials:
  • DIY chalk paint (plaster of Paris/water/latex paint)
  • Drybrushing (tinted latex primer) Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3
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