Dated Side Tables

by Marj MRC Creations

2 Materials

Here are a couple of cute side tables we have at our cottage. They were given to us and hold no real value, other than they fit in a tight space. I thought I'd jazz them up a bit. Total cost was maybe a couple of dollars in paint and glue, if that!

These tables were cute, but I really didn't want the orange/brown wood colour anymore.

I used spray primer by Rustoleum as a first coat, to give the dark brown some coverage. Spray paint is great because you can get at all the details and small parts of an item.

I applied two coats of a homemade cream chalk paint, then sanded lightly here and there to distress and give it an aged look. I then waxed them with one coat of beeswax.

My homemade chalk paint recipe can be found online. Here is one link to check out: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/make-your-own-chalk-style-paint

I then found some old calendar prints at the back of a closet and used those to decoupage the top of the tables. I used Modpodge (or you can use a water/white glue mixture) to apply them, covering them with three coats. Let each coat dry before adding another. I glazed them a bit with a diluted (with water) dark brown chalk paint, wiping off what I didn't want. Then decoupaged another couple of light coats.

I had these tables at each end of our couch for a while, but they are on the flimsy side, toppling easily. With two small dogs running around and me not wanting to waste a glass of good wine, I decided to put the tables in a small bedroom. :)