Tag: Stain

#10 Oak end table

Transformation cost: $37.39

I was a chalk paint virgin, I admit it! I know, any self-respecting person who’s been DIYing (that is a verb, right?) as long as I have should have used chalk paint a gazillion times by now but, what can I say?,
I guess I’m just late to the party. Anyway, with this piece it was time to venture into chalk paint territory. It was quite a departure for me; I pride myself in being a meticulous painter, and I can lay off like the best of them. After watching numerous Annie Sloan tutorial videos I went to work. Applying chalk paint was like going back to preschool; with a cylindrical brush I slapped it on in every direction, stabbing at it to get into all the nooks and crannies, being careful not to apply too much or to have any drips or runs. After the first coat it looked like the paint and the table had got into a brawl but after the second coat a lovely, flat, uniform finish was achieved. Waxing over the paint is the finishing touch to give it protection and a more dimensional look. I’m very happy with how this piece turned out, I will definitely be using chalk paint again!

I began by stripping the finish off the top of the piece to expose the lovely wood grain. It came off so nicely!

Next I color washed the top of the piece with a 1:2 mix of chalk paint:water. I brushed the wash on then removed excess with a rag until I got the depth of color I was looking for.

I then applied 2 coats of chalk paint to the rest of the piece.
At this point I decided I didn’t like how the color washed top looked against the base so I changed tack.

To finish the piece I went over the top with 2 coats of MinWax PolyShades Honey in a satin finish, I applied a coat of clear wax followed by a coat of white wax to the body of the piece, and I installed a new drawer pull.

#3 Upholstered bench/coffee table

Transformation cost: $50.06

“What gorgeous legs!” was my thought when I saw these at the end of a neighbor’s driveway on trash day. The wood grain was so beautiful I knew I couldn’t bear for these to get tossed in a dump truck.

I began by cutting a piece of fiberboard to fit the shape of the base. I attached 8 pieces of 3/8″ square dowel that would keep it snugly in position.

I covered the fiberboard with 2.5″ thick foam followed by batting followed by my chosen upholstery fabric.

I debated with myself whether or not to paint the legs but, in the end, I chose a Minwax stain & polyurethane (PolyShades Honey in a satin finish) so as not to conceal the beautiful grain. I cleaned and lightly sanded to prepare the legs for 2 coats.

The finished color is a beautiful rich brown. All that was left was to secure the upholstered top using 4 L-brackets.

  • Looking fabulous in a neighbor’s living room.