Hello, lovelies! I have a two-toned painted side table that is part of my latest yard sale haul to share with you today!
It was early in the day while yard saling when I came across this table, and I was feeling a bit desperate for furniture, so for $5, I nabbed this already painted table:
You really can’t go wrong spending $5 for a table, but I try to avoid already painted pieces.
Especially already painted pieces that were not prepped properly…
I was able to scratch the paint right off with my fingernail. This means that this layer of paint needs to be removed for this makeover.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love!
Sand
My preferred method of removing existing paint on furniture is sanding. PLEASE don’t make me scrape that nasty goo off using paint removers. (More on that next week!)
I used my Ryobi rotary sander starting with 100 grit sandpaper and finishing with 220 grit sandpaper.
I did the flat surfaces and skipped the spindles…
And I feel just fine about taking a shortcut there lol. (Take note of the plain drawer front for later!)
Clean
I vacuumed all the sanding dust up with my shopvac and then cleaned well with White Lightning:
Be sure to swap out your water for clean water and wipe down once more to remove any residue.
Paint
I was then ready for paint!
This table had a very cottage inspired look to it, so I decided to pull out one of my favorite cottage-y colors, Savannah Mist:
Doesn’t this remind you of a little beach cottage??
Sand
I did not want to distress, so after two coats of paint, I gave this table a light sanding with one of these sanding sponges to smooth out the surface beautifully.
Voodoo Gel stain for the top
After sanding to reveal the oak beneath that terrible paint job on the top, I hated to paint right over it, and I wanted to keep it light, so I got out my White Magic Voodoo gel stain:
An applicator pad is great for applying stain in nice, even coats:
I would normally use a wood conditioner to prep the wood for taking the stain as evenly as possible, but I skipped that step this time and it did great!
I applied three coats, one right after the other.
Voodoo gel stain is water based for easy application and clean up, and it dries super fast with no harsh fumes.
It’s available in eight colors in all:
Seal
Once I had the stain as light as I wanted and it was dry, I sealed the entire table with Clear Coat in the satin finish using a blue applicator sponge:
Two-Toned Painted Side Table Reveal
This little table looks quite different now!
Perfect for that little beach cottage, right?
I must have been subconsciously channeling my Furniture Fixer Upper Friends for this makeover. In looking back, my friend, Natalie from A Ray of Sunlight, did a similar finish to her table HERE. And my friend, Kathy from Petticoat JUNKtion, shared a little table in a similar blue HERE.
It must be the summer vibe that has us drawn to these cool hues!
How about that pretty applique on the drawer?? This was made from the Thorton Medallion Mould.
I used Amazing Casting Resin to create this decorative piece…
I painted and sealed it before attaching it to the drawer…
I also drilled a hole in it for the knob before attaching it to the drawer front with E6000 Glue.
The Drawer
Of course I had to pretty up the drawer too! I chose this Ming Vase Decoupage Paper from Belles and Whistles:
To apply that, I used Redesign’s Decoupage Gel, applying it with a 2″ Foam n Dandy brush:
Then I applied the paper and used my transfer tool (works better for decoupage!) to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles:
Then, I applied another coat of Decoupage Gel to seal:
As you can see I did paint the drawer first. A base of white paint beneath your decoupage paper will show the colors the best.
While I love black painted pieces, I think it was too heavy on this little charmer. I’m loving the light, airy feel of it now!
And the top was just perfect with this blue!
While it’s not patriotic for America’s birthday, at least I got some blue in there!
Before I go, this gorgeous paper that I used on this table I kept for my living room…
is back in stock in my shop HERE!
And another piece done!
See what you’ve missed so far below:
$5 Yard Sale Suitcase Makeover
I hope my friends in the USA have a safe and happy Independence Day today, and I’ll be back next with this vintage bookcase:
This one was a beast lol!
UPDATE: See the trouble it gave me and the rewarding after HERE!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Christine says
Agree, the cuter, the lighter!! Love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Christine! XOXO
Cecilia says
Happy July 4th! Oh yes, that table looks so much better now. The black was too much for it. Love the softness of it now. Beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I agree! Have a wonderful holiday! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh that is so beautiful now! That wood grain in the top is so pretty. I love it with the white magic on it! What a soft and pretty blue that is, and I adore glass knobs! What a beauty, and all for $5.00 and your elbow grease!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I wasn’t sure about it when I bought it but I’m glad I did now! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I think you did great for $5, Christy! Of course, the terrible finish isn’t really apparent on this side of the computer screen ???? Looking at the drawer photo, I thought it was a bonus that it had the original factory finish, letting you get right to the decoupage. But no, you had to add that, too. Worth the effort, the table is so sweet now and I know it’s not going to stay in the shop long.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! It did need some extra prep, but the small size made that quick work, thankfully. Hoping for a quick sale! XOXO
Janice Holt says
The two-tone is so pretty and the paper in the drawer is beautiful. It looks like toile to me and toile is my favorite fabric of all. Turned out so well but you always do such a great job.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janice! It is toile, and it’s a favorite of mine too…so classic! XOXO
Lynette Foster says
I don’t have good luck with the blue applicator sponge. It comes out foamy and I can’t seem to get an even coat of sealer. Help please
Christy says
Hi Lynette! I’m sorry to hear that. I cut my sponge on either side to make it flat on either side and easier to hold. I pour my clear coat into a small bowl. Then I dip my sponge and wipe most of it off into the side of the bowl before applying in long even strokes. It sounds like you may have too much sealer on your sponge? Good luck! XOXO
Michele M. says
It is beautiful, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! XOXO
Cyndi says
This turned out SO pretty! I love the colors…very beachy. And that medallion and the drawer paper are perfect touches on this. Love it.
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I’m so glad you like it!! XOXO
Addie says
Happy 4th!!!!
Lovely improvement….as usual……BUT! Addie can’t just leave it at that!!!!
I am going to have to take you to task for that Savanna Mist jar top! icky!!!
It just takes a minute or two to clean the rim, young lady! Makes it a LOT easier to open too. xoxo…ad
Christy says
Happy 4th!! Thank you, Addie! Ha ha that’s not the worst of it…I am terrible with my jars! XOXO
Lizzy says
Another great transformation. So pretty! Love the colors.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lizzy! XOXO
Cheryl B Acampora says
WOW! that table looks so much better. The applique is just what it needed and the lining is to die for! Happy 4th to u and yours!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! It was fun to redo! Happy 4th to you as well! XOXO
Susan Ross Hill says
HI Christy,
What an amazing change! I want to make sure I was reading correctly. You did NOT sand the spindles, right? You just painted right over them and the paint adhered well?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! I did not sand the spindles. With chalk paint, you do not need to sand your surface first. I only sanded the other areas because the original black paint on those main areas was not adhered well to begin with. It appeared to be a latex paint which would require sanding and a primer first. Unless she used black primer, there was none that I could see as I was sanding as it is usually white. That is why it did not adhere well. Chalk paint does not require sanding or primer in most cases. I left it as is on the spindles because the paint was intact and I didn’t feel it was worth the effort since those areas probably wouldn’t experience much wear. XOXO
Petra says
This piece looks AMAZING! I would SO buy this for my living room if I didn’t live in Australia haha! Love the toile paper too. Have a great weekend ????
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! I wish you lived closer lol! Have a great week! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
So lovely! Wish you could re-do all of my furniture!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rose! I could probably earn a great living traveling and redoing furniture lol! XOXO
Becky says
BeaUtiful!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! XOXO
p says
Yes ! You could run an incredible traveling refinishing business !
An RV all decked out with a built in shop. Ohhhh….
Crazy right ? But think of the places you’d see. 🙂
This dark dreary little table looks so fresh now. Definitely beachy.
I love the effect of the Gel stain wash. So soft and natural.
Are you aware of a product / color to get a light taupe color wash…? I’ve got a pine cabinet and want to avaid the yellow / orange coming through…. but still show the natural grain.
Christy says
How fun would that be?? And thank you! You could try the Au Naturel VooDoo gel stain for your cabinet, or try watering down some taupe paint and doing a wash? XOXO