Formal to Farmhouse Cozy

Leap of Faith
by Leap of Faith
1 Material
$40
12 Hours
Medium

Remember when high gloss formal furniture was popular? Times have changes. Many people prefer more cozy, farmhouse home decor. A friend asked if I would paint a coffee table her parents gave her to give it that cozy vibe.

She sent me this inspiration photo to give me an idea of what she wanted.

There were scratches on the top and a few dents and dings to repair.

After cleaning the table with Dixie Belle White Lightning, I applied Bondo in the deeper dents and skimmed over the scratches on the top. Once the Bondo dried, I sanded the areas with my orbital sander using a 220 grit sanding pad.

Since the surface was glossy, I used Dixie Belle Slick Stick as a primer giving the table 2 coats. This product gives the paint something to adhere to. After the table was completely dry, I very lightly sanded the table to make sure I had a smooth surface.

Now it was time to paint! I used Dixie Belle paint in the colors Cotton and Manatee Gray.

Both the top and bottom got 3 coats of paint for full coverage. I lightly sanded the piece after each coat of paint with a 220 grit sanding sponge to ensure a smooth surface.

I loved the combination of colors but the top needed a little something. I watered down some of the Cotton paint and using a damp chip brush I lightly drug the brush across the top. I wiped my brush on the side of my container each time to make sure the brush wasn't too wet and used long strokes in a side to side motion.

Next, it was time to distress using 220 grit sand paper I scuffed up around the edge of the top and raised areas of the base.

The final step was sealing the paint. For this, I used Dixie Belle Clear Top Coat in Satin and Gator Hide. I started by brushing on 2 coats of Clear Coat allowing 2 hours between each coat and very lightly sanding in between coats with a 220 grit sanding sponge. The Clear Coat begins to dry rather quickly so I applied it in sections. I began by brushing on it over about a fourth of the table using a paintbrush I dampened with water first. Then I used a damp sponge brush to smooth away brush strokes. I continued this process working in fourths until the remainder of the table top was covered.

Next, I applied 2 coats of Gator Hide on the table top using the same method and very lightly sanded between each coat. Gator Hide is Dixie Belle's toughest sealer and it's water repellant which is perfect for table tops.


I'm so happy this coffee table is getting a second chance.

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  3 questions
  • Stephanie Stephanie on Apr 11, 2020

    Gorgeous! Just what I want to try with Grandpa's old magazine stand. I'm new at this and confused about your saying, "Clear Coat over about a fourth of the table using a paintbrush I dampened with water first. Then I used a damp sponge brush to smooth away brush strokes." Did you push the clear coat over the remaining 3/4 with the wet brush? Was the Clear Coat placed in the middle of the table to do this step?

  • Tina Tina on Apr 11, 2020

    What other paint would you recommend? I'm not a fan of chalk paint..Thank you..

  • Pam Pam on Apr 12, 2020

    Is Dixie Belle a chalk paint?

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  • Gracky Gracky on Apr 14, 2020

    It made me think of an idea

  • Jeannd Jeannd on Apr 21, 2020

    I have a coffee table almost exactly like the one you redid. So glad I could see how to upgrade that table. We have had it for almost 40 years! I decided to try your idea and painted the legs a soft gray and the top a charcoal. Love it! Thanks for the inspiration

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