"Red Hot Martini" Phone Table Gets a Red Hot Makeover
by
Traci Heimer
5 Materials
$30
10 Hours
Medium
So over a year ago I scored some furniture from someone who was cleaning out the storage space above their garage. Among those pieces was this phone table from the 1960's ( I think). I decided it was time to give it an update after sitting in my own storage for the past year. It is a lightweight piece and you could see the circle marks in the stain from the last person that had stained it. And although this was used at one time to sit down and talk on the phone, there is no way an adult can fit and sit on this comfortably. Reuse, repurpose, redesign. Old Hollywood glam it is.
Here is the products used for this project: Pixie Dust Paint Additive, Valspar Posh Red paint, Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stain in Lici Thunderbird, Minwax Wipe-On Poly, and Modern Masters Metallic Black Pearl paint.
I first removed the old fabric off the seat and the back. Then cleaned it up with dish soap and water. I had to do some gluing as well. Then I made a chalk paint by mixing Pixie Dust Paint Additive and Valspar Posh Red in an old sour cream container according to the package directions. I like to reuse 8 oz containers for mixing small batches of chalk paint. I applied 3 to 4 layers of the chalk paint.
Next, I applied a layer of the Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stain in Lici Thunderbird using a chip brush over the paint. Then I added a layer of Minwax Wipe-On Poly using an old t-shirt to seal. This is where I decided to experiment. I mixed the Sparkling Stain with the Wipe-On Poly in a cup which created these little color beads because the Sparkling Stain is water based and the poly is oil based. I then dipped my rag into the color beads and applied the poly which was now tinted red.
The result is a gorgeous, shimmery, metallic red.
I added a new cushion to the seat and recovered in a leopard print fabric. I also wrapped the back with the fabric by stapling along the side edges. Then I added some bling here and there.
If you're lucky enough to have a large walk-in closet I imagine this being used to display your favorite dress or maybe that dress you had to buy for that one event that you'll never wear again. Or it could be used to display your favorite jewelry, shoes, or handbags.
But I like this idea too. Use it as a minibar in a corner of the dining room. The glasses fit perfectly inside. I also painted the inside with what I had on hand-Modern Masters Metallic in Black Pearl.
I even put some bling on the side too.
Before and After.
Now I realize this may not be the look for everyone, but I love it! It has that old Hollywood Glam-think Sophia Loren-look. It's red, hot, and who doesn't like a good martini.
Sidenotes: Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stains are currently not available, but will be available 1st part of the year. (I'm hoping). Also, you must use an oil based sealer over Unicorn SPiT to prevent reactivating the pigments.
Thanks for reading and you can find me on facebook, pinterest, and instagram @angelrockstudio.
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2 comments
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great update - love the red!
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What a fantastic technique!
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