Glam side table? I know that doesn’t sound like me, does it? Recently a few friends and I were invited to challenge ourselves to makeover a piece of furniture, but the kicker was, it had to be a metallic makeover! You know I love a challenge, but this was a tough one for me. Then I remembered I had this little thrift store beauty (not so much) that’s been sitting in my garage forever, just begging for a makeover.
I paid around $25 for it and I knew it would be perfect for this project. I also knew just where it would go… My bedroom!
Ooh glam, right?
By pure coincidence, all my products happened to be Martha Stewart. I purchased the leafing and bonding agent at Michaels.
I found the paint at Home Depot. The color is called Thundercloud. I sanded first and primed with a spray primer before painting:
That pic was with only one coat. It looked pretty great but I gave it two.
I really wanted to give this table a mirrored glass top, but it would have rested above the raised area on the top, so to get a similar feeling I added silver leafing. This was my first experience with leafing and it was actually pretty easy.
It is surprisingly durable too, but I would probably not use it on a high traffic piece.
The drawer front is busy, so I chose knobs that were more subtle.
Although this was completely out of my comfort zone, I am really loving the bit of bling that it brings to my bedroom.
I also love how deep the drawer is. It got a little prettier too…
I like to have a place beside my bed for my jewelry. This little plate was a perfect thrift store find. The locket was a sweet gift from my boys for Christmas. 🙂
I found a pair of these lamps at TJ Maxx a few years ago and I just I love the pattern. The owl was also a TJ Maxx find last year. He had been banished to the garage, but I’m glad I found him a home back inside where it’s warm.
I found the plant at Michaels just the other day. I think I’m desperate for some green! Spring may never get here, so I found some myself! I love the pop of green, and since it’s not real, I don’t have to worry about it stealing my O2 while I snooze! It looks pretty real though, right?
This was a fun departure from my norm. Thanks so much to Jen and Kathy for inviting us to participate in this fun venture! You can see everyone else’s Metallic Furniture Makeovers at the links below.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love your table Christy!! The silver leafing looks fabulous on the top. Love that! Your post sounds SO similar to mine, it’s funny! 😉 I stepped out of the box with this whole metallic thing too! Really looks great (and oh my gosh, that plant does look real!)
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Ha ha…as I read your post I was thinking the same thing! Our projects are quite a departure from what we normally do, but I love how they tuned out! It’s fun to push ourselves to think differently sometimes. 🙂
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
That is gorgeous!! I have a table that I wanted to add a mirrored effect to as well but I love the silver leafing. BEAUTIFUL!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jen! 🙂
Sheila says
What a wonderful table girl !!! Really like how you toned down the front with a more subtle knob. Made it just right. Really great inspiration. Saving this post for sure.
Sheila
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sheila! XO
Paula@SweetPea says
Beautiful!! I love, love the color you chose and the silver leafing on the top. Making the inside of the drawer pretty, too, is such a great thing to do when doing a makeover. I’m so inspired to do another furniture piece with metallics after seeing these projects.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I love a challenge and this one was definitely a challenge for me, but it’s fun to see what everyone came up with. 🙂
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Love Love Love your table Christy!! It looks amazing, and so high-end now! Thanks for joining us on this fun day- I had to step outside my comfort zone too. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks Jen, and thanks for inviting us to join again…I love group projects!
Shanna Gilbert says
This turned out so pretty! Such a great transformation from what it was before. I have never used leafing before but now I might have to try it out!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanna! This was my first leafing experience and it was actually pretty easy. I’d love to see what you could with it! 🙂
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
You did a fabulous job Christy!!! I love it!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Diane! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Meegan says
Absolutely gorgeous. I love the look and the feel of metallic. You certainly out did yourself. Thanks for sharing.
Pinned 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Meegan! This was a fun theme, once I decided on a project! 🙂
Jamala says
OH MY STARS!!! I love how you made-over the table..It really looks fantastic.. What color did you paint the front drawer? it looks white.. I applaud you on this makeover
Christy K. James says
Wow, Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Jamala! The drawer is white with silver rub-n-buff on the raised areas. XO
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says
Oh my gosh Christy. This is totally over the top!!! I love everything about it. The drawer front is awesome and love the metal leaf. So glad we did metallics this month!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Kathy! This was a fun theme, thanks so much for letting the rest of us in on your furniture party. I’m already looking to the next one! 🙂
Cindy Eikenberg says
Christy, all I can say is this is absolutely gorgeous and I want it! Seriously, I want it! I always wondered how hard it was to do the leafing – ok, I think this spring I’m going to try it, I really am. LOVE, love and pinned! 🙂 Happy Friday!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy!! I had never tried leaving before this table, and it was easier than I thought it would be. I hope you give it a go. Have a fantastic weekend! 🙂
tammy says
This came out just beautiful … I have been using these glazes for a while…I love them. You really really did a great job using them!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Tammy! 🙂
Terry says
You know you did really good with this ugly table that is now glamorous! I can see the legs cut off and new taller ones added as screw-in for a taller height that you need for your bed! Great look!
Christy K. James says
You read my mind, Terry! I was thinking I may be able to find 4″ legs with the same look to add to the bottom of these? Maybe…working on that. 🙂
Andi says
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! (I just smacked myself in the face so I would stop repeating myself.) That is amazing!! I’ve used Thundercloud as well and I love it! And I’m totally loving that leafing business on the top. Ima hafta check that out!
LOVE!!!!!!!
-andi
Christy K. James says
Awww thanks, Andi! I love this color too! I think I need to try this on another piece now.:) Have a great weekend! XOXO
Luisa says
Very, very pretty! Makes me want to sing the song Glamorous by Fergie! 😛
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Luisa! I know you are enjoying that sweet baby! 🙂
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
So gorgeous! I’ve never met a little metallic side table I didnt like, and this one is extra cute!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kelly! This is my first metallic furniture venture and I think I’m hooked! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Oh Christy I had to chuckle when I clicked the link at the Fabulously Creative Friday Party and discovered it was your project. I seem to always gravitate to your projects at the linky parties. Your makeovers are some of the best! Like this AWESOME table…stunning! Perfect application of silver leaf on the top and the Damask paper lining the drawer – gorgeous!
P.S. Love the new look of the blog!
Christy K. James says
LOL, That’s funny…I think we have very similar tastes! Thank you!! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Michele says
If mine turned out like yours, I would love to have it in my house! But I’m not fond of many projects with metallic, yours is the prettiest I’ve seen so far. Thanks for the inspiration, it’s beautiful!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Michele! I’m not a metallic furniture kinda gal either which made this a tough challenge, but I was surprised how much I liked it. Thanks for the sweet comment! XO
Krista @ the happy housie says
Oooooh metallic! How stunning is that, Christy?!?! WOW!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Krista!I know, Metallic is a new one for me!
Lindsay O. says
Fantastic! So girly AND practical with that deep drawer! (And FYI: the fake plant is super-cute and you don’t have to worry about killing it – but a real plant actually will increase the oxygen levels!)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lindsay!
Barbara Ann says
I just saw the Martha Stewart paint yesterday. I had my doubts. But this looks great. I will back I have a table that would take this paint treatment perfectly. Thanks for showing us your fine work.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Barbara Ann! This paint went on easily and covered beautifully!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
I love it Christy! Your color choices and the drawer pulls are perfect! So great ‘touring’ with you.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Therese! I love these “tours” ! 🙂
Ginnie says
What a gorgeous makeover! I absolutely love the silver leaf top:)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ginnie! Happy Birthday, I just dropped by your blog and joined your linky. 🙂
Ginnie says
Thank you so much for linking up, Christy:) Have a great week!
JaneEllen says
You made that table a star, so pretty, loved the whole process. What an incredible difference. Are you sure that’s same table you first showed us? Will have to look into the paint you bought, etc. The leafing is coming back into vogue I see, have seen other projects using it. Great job on your table, like how it looks now compared to before, ugh.
I bought couple tables last year I’m hoping to redo and sell. Been gathering ideas how I want to do them. Glad I didn’t pay $25 tho. Happy Spring days
Love that green plant you got at Michaels, looks real.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JaneEllen! I did pay a bit more for this than I normally would, but I liked the lines of it. It was pretty sad though! 🙂
JP says
Way to go Christy…great job! I love it , although I can’t see it working in my country home. Enjoy it’s beauty!
JP
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JP. This is a bit of a stretch for me too! I’m surprised at how much I like it 🙂
Linda Powell says
Hi Christy, I found your blog today with the link you left at Hello Little Home, you have done a great post showing us this fabulous makeover that you have achieved. Your new bedside table is perfectly at home in your bedroom, I love that you found some items in your garage and finally found a place in your home for them. Absolutely gorgeous, thanks for sharing 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Linda! So happy to have you stop by! 🙂
Emily says
What a transformation! Love this! Looks great!
We would love for you to come and link up with us at Your Designs This Time, Mondays 8:00am EST. htttp://www.elizabethjoandesigns.com
Emily says
I just saw almost the exact same end tables in the neighbors trash a week ago! I usually can visualize something to do with old furniture but I passed on them, I am totally kicking myself now! I’m just shared my dresser makeover and have been on the hunt for night stand inspiration. love love love the results!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Emily! I have kicked myself for passing on things too! A few months ago my neighbors had a red slip-covered Ikea sofa out for the bulk pickup and I just learned last week that replacement covers are only $50! The fabric was faded, but the bones were great…could’ve had a new white slipcovered sofa! Oh well…so glad you stopped by! 🙂
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Gorgeous. I love the silver, so beautiful. Great makeover. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Mart
ARod says
such a great job looks fabulous now
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, ARod! 🙂
Carmody says
So, so, so pretty. I love this transformation.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Carmody!
Michelle @ Elegance & Enchantment says
I absolutely love this! I’m so afraid of tackling DIY projects, especially furniture, but you don’t make it seem like it’s too hard. 🙂 Thanks for sharing such an awesome transformation!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Michelle! It’s not hard at all…find an old yard sale piece to practice on 🙂
Rhonda says
Proof that you can transform a plain ordinary table and turn it into fabulosity!! This is gorgeous! Looks like an expensive piece of furniture.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Rhonda! 🙂
Virginia says
Wow! That is a fantastic makeover. Your table is gorgeous! Pinning!
Christy K. James says
Thanks again, Virginia! 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Christy I’m glad you linked your gorgeous metallic table at the DIY Sunday Showcase Party. I’ve added it to our DIY Sunday Showcase Talent Board on Pinterest.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie 🙂
Cynthia@OrnamentalStyle says
I’m a first time visitor and it certainly won’t be my last. Love the info about the Martha Stewart paint because I’m looking to redo my first piece of furniture and had just looked at that paint this weekend. And then here you are with a beautiful makeover! It sounds like you did two coats of paint over the primer. Did you sand in between the coats of paint?
Christy K. James says
Hi Cynthia! I’m so glad you found me. 🙂 I did not sand between coats. The paint glided on so smoothly and I think the sheen in it makes it very forgiving. I really love it! Hope this is helpful, good luck with your piece! XO
Cynthia@OrnamentalStyle says
Thanks, Christy. No sanding between coats! Yay! It really is spectacular.
Christy K. James says
No problem! 🙂
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
SO stunning, Christy! I absolutely love it! The detailing on the front is beautiful and you picked the perfect paints! Great makeover!!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Abby! I can’t believe this has been sitting in my garage for almost a year! XO
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Hi Christy, I meant to send you a message before we went live to let you know your gorgeous Thrift Store Side Table is my favorite pick at this weeks DIY Sunday Showcase Party.
Christy K. James says
Oh YAY!! Thanks so much, Marie!! You made my night 🙂
Shanice says
This looks fantastic! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams on Fridays 😀 Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanice!
aynge says
WOW. Love it! Great job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Aynge!
Toodie says
WHAT a transformation! It’s absolutely beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Toodie! 🙂
Alyssa says
This is such a gorgeous makeover! I just wanted to let you know that I am linking to this post Simply Creative Living on 4/9 if you don’t mind.
Cindy Eikenberg says
Christy, thank you so, so much for bringing this beauty to Best of the Weekend!! Pinned again! 🙂 Hope you’re having a fabulous week, my friend!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cindy!
Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch says
Wow, this is a great transformation. So inspiring!! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend linky party last week. I’m featuring this post this weekend. Come join the fun again!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Nichi! What a nice surprise! 🙂
Brianna (@Casualtravelist) says
Christy, that is just gorgeous! I’d love to get your help for my design challenged bedroom.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Brianna! It was a fun makeover 🙂
CD Loken says
This is my first visit (passing through from Southern Hospitality), and I’m so glad I did! I love your glam table, as well as, your dresser and chair makeovers! You are so creative! Thanks for the inspiration! I’ll be back to check out more of your creative ideas, for sure!
Christy K. James says
Thanks! I’m glad you stopped by! 🙂
Sharon says
I looooove this makeover. It is beautiful. I love the color and I love the leafing on top and I love the way you painted the drawers…and added the liner to the inside of them. You knocked this challenge out of the ballpark!!
Christy K. James says
You’re so sweet, Sharon! Thank you 🙂
Maria says
This is SO great! Found it via pinterest. You make it look so easy! Where did you find that lining in the drawer? I love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maria! I found the liner on clearance at TJ Maxx last year. Wish I could find more!
Bridget from Refined Vintage says
I love how your table turned out. It has inspired me to refinish my pair of tables, I am wondering if the silver leaf can be done on leather? The tops of my tables have inlaid leather which is stained and this may be a great solution. How does the silver leaf hold up on the surface of bedside tables? I would be using mine as nightstands too.
Christy K. James says
I imagine it would do ok on the leather surface. I messed up in a spot and tried to use my nail to remove some of the silver leaf and it wouldn’t budge! It has held up very well. The only issue I have had is I put a cold drink on it without a coaster and it left a watermark, a ring in the silver leaf. I’m sure only I know it’s there, but I would be sure to a coaster. You can also paint the leather top. I used chalk paint on these tables…the top part was leather: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/step-table-makeover/ Hope this helps! XO
Bridget from Refined Vintage says
Thanks Christy,
It does help. Your tables that you painted turned out very nice too, my tables are very similar in color and leather, but the style is more like the one you used here, but the large drawer is simple, no ornate details. I had thought about just painting( with chalk paint) until I saw the silver leaf table top, I love the illusion of the Faux Mirror created with silver leaf, that is what appealed to me, I love a bit of sparkle. Thanks again XOXO
Christy K. James says
I love a bit of sparkle too! Good luck! 🙂
Leticia says
This came out so pretty! I just love it and the silver leaf…topped it off perfect! Thanks for sharing. Leticia
Christy K. James says
Thanks again! This was a fun makeover because anything would have been an improvement ha ha!
JoAnne says
I love this little table. I’m always hesitant to paint anything that has such nice carving on it but it works great!! I love your bed too!!! Thanks for the post!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JoAnne! A little secret just between you and me…that carved piece was plastic. Shh… don’t tell anyone. 😉
Courtney says
Gorgeous!! I’m in the process of trying this exact paint for the first time. Just curious if you used a roller or brush for the final finish. Thanks in advance! Love your end result!
Christy K. James says
Hi Courtney…I used a brush. This paint goes on like a dream. 🙂
Heather J says
I LOVE this! So glam!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! I recently decided to take this to my booth, and as I was carrying it to my car, the drawer slide right out onto my driveway and broke into several pieces! Luckily I was able to glue it back together and fix the dings! It sold quickly, but hopefully they won’t put too much pressure on that drawer lol!
Shelly says
I love this!! How did you come up with the idea of the silver leaf. I have a side table almost exactly like this one. I have been stumped what to do with it. I am totally going to copy you, Sorry. They say imitation is the best compliment!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shelly! Copy away ha ha! It has held up unusually well, but just be sure to use coasters as I have a ring on mine from a glass of water. 🙂
Shelly says
Thanks for the reply! I thought of a couple more questions. It looks like you distressed the drawer a little but I can’t tell for sure. Does that mean you used your chalk paint or did you something else? Lastly did you clear coat it with anything. Thanks
Christy K. James says
I used silver rub-n-buff on the drawers to accent the raised areas. You just rub it on where you want it. I actually spray painted the drawer first because it is plastic. That’s another reason I chose the rub-n-buff instead of sanding. There was no need to clear coat with the paints I used and the silver leaf won’t take a top coat. It will bead up if you try. I learned the hard way. 🙂
Ray says
Great project, I think my wife and I will try this on a pair of old end tables we have to use in our bedroom. One correction however, plants do not use up O2, they produce O2 and use up CO2. There are enough stupid people in this country that might believe this mistake and decide we should destroy all the plants so they don’t starve us of O2.
Christy K. James says
Glad you like this project, Ray! And you are correct that plants produce O2 and release CO2, however at night when photosynthesis is not taking place, the opposite is true. They do however produce much more O2 during the day than they consume at night however, so there really is no harm in having plants in your bedroom while you sleep.
Onyxstar says
Just found this make over and love the side table. I’m going to have to keep an eye open for something similar to do for our master bedroom.
Side note, live plants don’t use your O2. They take in CO2 and give off the O2 there by filtering and enriching the oxygen in the room.