Any ideas on how to refurbish this little side table??

Question

I purchased this worn out little table that has side pockets for magazines at a sale. I am thinking about sanding it down enough to possibly repaint it but am stumped on what color to paint it...and what kind of paint to use. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Houligirl · Answer

Hi Blu, If you are definitely set on painting it you could use chalk paint (not to be confused with chalkboard paint). There are a few on the market and if you are near a Michael's you can get it there.  The chalk paint will adhere to the piece with no sanding necessary, although I would give it a light sanding to smooth imperfections. Great coverage, dries quickly and many color options.

Rose · Answer

Chalk paint, however, it's pricey! $29.00 per quart that's without sales tax.

Patti · Answer

The chalk paint @ Michael's is about $9 for 8 oz. but they often have a 50% off coupon you can use on it. As for color, I prefer an off-white but it's really a matter of taste. Good luck and have fun.

CK · Answer

What color? Well, it certainly depends on the rest of your decor in the room you plan to use it. I could suggest purple and you'd say 'Ick!' Or you may love the suggestion :-) Give us a little more info about your style likes and I'm sure you'll get tons of suggestions.

I redid two end tables using a technique that makes them look like old French furniture...but that may not be your slant. There are tons of colors out there and the one that fits you best, is the right one :-)

The top looks rather worn. If you can't get it smooth (if you want that look) then chalk paint (DIY versions abound on google search or here on HT) will help cover that. You don't have to distress chalk paint as you usually see ;-)

Another idea--- I did this for a client. I spray painted the entire end table. The top was too worn to get a smooth finish so I attached self-stick floor tiles that looked like marble. She loved it and it's very easy to clean and very durable.

Anne fenske · Answer

I know this piece looks yuk, but we did one like this and it turned out fabulous. We did it with stains. We sanded it down and used liquid varnish remover and you wouldn't believe the beautiful piece of furniture it turned out to be. It's a time piece. It depends on what you're going to use it for.

Tandy Johnson Bobo · Answer

To me that little table is begging to be painted in a two-tone color. Is this for you or are you selling it? If you are keeping it, go with what makes you the happy, but if you are selling it, I wouldn't go shabby chic with it - it's too cool of a retro table. Besides, shabby chic is starting to move aside for just a chic look. Gold and bronze is really starting to come back in so I would work that in some way- even if it is to modge podge something to the top surface that has gold in it then paint the rest a solid color. The veneer on the surface looks like it is starting to warp so modge podge might be the way to go there. Or if you're really feeling crazy, I would take some gold craft paint (less than $1 at Walmart) and a small paint brush and fill in all the those cute lines in gold. If I were to buy this completed, I would like to see it in cream with a brown stain and then gold accents. If do want to go the chalk paint route, just make your own. It's very inexpensive (make it for $3) I left a link below on how I make it. Instead of buying plaster of paris, you could substitute it with baking soda and craft paint. I used homemade chalk paint made from craft paint on my sewing table that I posted here on hometalk- Sewing Table Turned Planter. Good luck. You should post it when you're done. I'd love to see what you do with it! Homemade chalk paint recipe... http://www.thegiftofthrifting.com/diy-chalk-paint-recipe/

Anne fenske · Answer

I agree with Tandy, black spindles would look nice and gold design on the magazine rack , or down the wings ( leaf and vines maybe) . Show a pic when done.

Houligirl · Answer

I also agree with Tandy. Black and gold or white and gold are always beautiful. You can also go with one color and use a gold paint pen to outline details. Godd luck and let us know how it turns out.

Ramona Lundrigan Sturge · Answer

minwax gel stain ..pick a color you like and redo with the gel stain..so simple to use and no need to sand or strip

Debra R · Answer

I would strip it and stain it with a dark stain. You'll want to keep it when you finish!

Patti Heaton · Answer

Dark furniture is trending right now. I'd use a midnight blue with a touch of gold craft paint on the horizontal lines.

Nancy · Answer

You should consider miss mustard seed milk paint. I think 2 colors would be nice and let it chip. You can see examples on her web site.

Bernadette Johnsen · Answer

I ha e 2 of the same tables, just sanded down  lightly and painted a black/gray color. They look great!

Linda Pillon Crawford · Answer

I have the exact table.....it was black, I used American Paint Company chalk paint, in Dolar Bill, a lovely soft green, polycrylic for the protectant.  It's gorgeous now!   No need to strip it if using chalk or mineral paint.   I did use two colours, white mixed with some of the green for the bottom shelf, and inside those ends.

Cineida · Answer

Everything depends of your home decor. As you notice Linda have gray colored carpet so she match the color of the table. Which looks beautiful.

EllieH · Answer

I recommend chalk paint also. Thanks Linda for sharing your wonderful project. I repainted an old little brown pedestal side table in a 'limon yellow' (can't remember the exact name on the Annie Sloan paint can), then finished with dark wax (charcoal) to end up with a CITRON colour (deep mustard with a hint of lime). I chose that colour to coordinate with other decor, so you'll need to decide where exactly you want to put it and then coordinate with the rest of your decor in that room. Wood tones are trending much lighter (think greyed driftwood) than the espresso (brown-black) that we've been seeing for the last 10 years. Think of flower garden accent colours - any colour that makes you happy would be a fun choice you'll enjoy for years to come.

Blu99 · Answer

Thanks so all of you for your wonderful hints, advice and choices. Gives me a lot to think about and am excited to start the project as soon the weather is a little less humid. WINTER? LOL

Francine Cianflone · Answer

Have a look into 'cottage paint' http://cottagepaint.com/ all kinds of neat effects are possible and a great choice of colours :) This type of paint is made especially for furniture restoring , Have fun !! :)

Beth Robinson Gasparini · Answer

Turn it into a bench seat and paint it a color that blends with your room then put a bright fabric on the top with some foam cushion. You could even put some gold or silver accents on the paint.

Thej · Answer

What a cute looking table! Great find.

Nana in Texas · Answer

I LOVE this piece and have just the place for it beside my recliner! I have recently found the chalk-paint brand called Shabby Paints. Search for their website and also follow their FB page for lots of tips and pictures of what others have done. Of all the brands out there, Shabby Paints have no VOC's that cause asthma and other health problems, and are so easy to use. I'm not a dealer, just think they are a great, Made in the USA, product. Their website is shabbypaints.com.

Maggie Huffman · Answer

Seems to have a deco look, which I love...I would go with a metallic paint or mirrored effect or combination of both. It's a treasure!!!

Martha May · Answer

Depends where you want to use it. Casual, French provincial or shabby chic? These 3 are very similar. French Prov. a bit more dressy but still not so formal. So.. sand it well to take lacquer off. brush and wipe it clean with metho spirits. give it another brush. Then you can paint it with lime wash (which you can colour (soft) ) then finish as FP. Shab Chic or Casual. For the top I think after paint get a nice summery print. Lavender, Poppies or a picture of something you like and the cost now comes by getting a piece of glass. Shatter proof to sit on the top. Get the corner rounded. OR no picture but kitchen splash back coloured glass to sit on the top.(corners rounded) if you want clear a tray cover or rectangular crochet or a large place mat I too think it is in deco genre so think about a deco design for the top. Great little find and goog luck with your project..( :->)

Saban Suzanne · Answer

It would look great white washed.  I had a fire place frame I wanted to use once but no time to fuss.  I found a bottle of pine stain and mixed it in a can of white latex paint.  Did not really rhink it would work but 10/years later and it is still fine.

Nad1536561 · Answer

no matter what you decide to do cleaning is the first and most important step.  Home Depot or Lowes has a variety of cleaners but I like the TSP.  If you choose chalk paint or milk paint you can eliminate the sanding step, which I love.  I would still lightly sand with one on those sponge sanding blocks and then clean all the dust.  It is a great little table and hope you post the after pic!

Charlie · Answer

I would match it to the existing colours you have in the room your going to use it. Or make it a contrasting colour to go with what you already have. I depending on those colours if you want it to pop I would suggest a primary colour, or if you want to tone down your other colours more of a pastel or white. Or you could always refinish with a stain that you really like.
Let us know what you do, with a picture.

Karen Kautz · Answer

It is an older furniture piece from back in the 50's or older. I would put a wood stain of a color of your choice. I, myself; prefer a lighter wood color.

Blu99 · Answer

Thanks so all of you with the great comments, advice and suggestions!!!!!!!!!!

Blu99 · Answer

Well I finally got the table done..........I used Shabby Paints Worn White and then gave it two coats of wax before adding Golden Oak stain. In the grooves I painted Gold Leaf. I'm not super thrilled with the results but for my first attempt I guess it will have to do

Blu99 · Answer

Thanks so much Patti! But boy it wasn't what I really wanted but at least it does look better than the way it looked originally when I purchased!

Any ideas on how to refurbish this little side table??

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