Hello beautiful friends and welcome to Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday, my favorite! It is always fun for me when I get to team up with my friends who are also sharing trashy makeovers!! Be sure to keep an eye out for their projects at the bottom!
Today, I am back to my Mother’s Day Haul sharing what I did with this antique serpentine night table:
This poor baby looks like it had lost its drawer front at one time and then the drawer front had suffered some pretty deep damage in the years after. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
So, was I able to salvage it?
Not a chance. The edges were too thin and crispy and no amount of Wood Filler or Bondo could save this drawer front.
So I ditched the drawer runners also…
It turns out that the original drawer bottom would be perfect to line the bottom of the cubby instead:
Filling the Holes
I started on the night table by filling as many holes and gouges as I could using Dixie Belle’s Mud in brown:
It apparently once had a door to the bottom cubby as well as these hinges indicate:
I removed those and filled those areas also. I allowed those areas to dry completely and then sanded with my rotary sander using 220 grit sandpaper. I sanded the top enough to smooth out many of the scratches that could not be filled:
There were two holes across the back edge that look like they might have held a decorative trim piece across the back. They did not completely fill on the first go since they were quite deep, so I added a little more Mud and let them dry.
They were nice and smooth after sanding the second time:
Ready for Paint
Once I had the entire piece prepped, cleaned and ready to go, I started painting!
I chose Dixie Belle’s Caviar for this piece for a couple of reasons.
First, I knew the black would hide any imperfections, and I figured it would look better inside both cubbies if they were dark. I waited to add the bottom to that top cubby until after I was finished painting and sealing to make it easier to paint. I gave it two coats.
Sand smooth
I sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge, hitting the edges a bit harder here and there.
Sealing
I vacuumed up all the sanding dust with my shop vac and sealed with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin using their blue sponge.
You can sometimes see ghost like marks when touching the surface of black pieces after sealing.
However, you can eliminate that by adding just a couple drops of paint to the Clear Coat:
It really works!
I would reccomend doing that with any of the darker hues.
I attached the new bottom (the old drawer bottom) to that top cubby with some wood glue:
THe end result
Here’s how this little lady turned out:
She may have lost most of her original defining characteristics, but she still has charm and lots of life left to live!
The interior of that top cubby was a bit primitive, so painting it in black gave it a more sleek appearance.
This is a bedside table, but it is tall and small enough that it would work great in the corner of a bathroom for a little extra storage.
That gold mirror hangs in our dining room and was a $10 thrift store find.
I love the combination of black and gold.
This egg basket was a thrift store score as well. It’s perfect for holding spare TP…
I love how the original wood peeking through the black looks…
I rolled up hand towels here, but that cubby is a great place to store a few books or an iPad…
This one got a very simple makeover, but it totally works for this piece!
Don’t forget, there are four more fantastic makeovers to give you your makeover fix today!
Join me back here next time to see what became of this little thrift store find:
See y’all then!
UDATE! Check out how this cutie looks now HERE!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Addie says
Now that is a good save!!! I love it for the bathroom. I spotted that egg basket before I read your words on it. I use one that way too!!! I guess all that TP in that basket would sell for more then the re-do table!!!
I really love how that table came out.
God Bless!!! xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Addie! And ha ha…yes, you can get a pretty penny for TP these days lol, and who knew it could be so decorative? 😀 XOXO
Robin Stephens says
**LOVE** the black! Looks stunning filled with the white accessories. So classic and stately sophisticated. Another masterpiece, Christy! Go you!
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! Black really saved this one! XOXO
Peggy Egan says
One of your best saves yet! I would snatch that up in a heartbeat in your booth.
Christy says
Aww thank you!! XOXO
Mary Kasier says
AMAZING!! What a transformation! I love the black, and I am a white furniture kind of gal. It is absolutely stunning now. You are so creative and amazing when it comes to figuring out solutions for problems that arise when you are refinishing a piece of furniture. I love the tip about the black paint in the sealer, and I will remember that so if I redo a piece black I will try it also! Great job once again you have totally transformed something that would have ended up in a landfill!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I am definitely a white furniture kind of gal also, but I do love the sophistication that black adds. I have had fun with this group so far, figuring out how to revive these pieces! Have a wonderful day! XOXO
Julie says
Fabulous!
Christy says
Thank you, Julie! XOXO
Kelly Howard says
You saved this sweet little piece with style and grace! As always, it looks lovely and will serve a fine purpose now!
Christy says
Thank you, Kelly! I’m so happy to have been able to give it a second chance! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Such an awesome save! Black is the hot ticket this month. Haha. And yes, ghosting in black is real. Good tip!
Christy says
Thank you, Larissa!! That tip really works! XOXO
Denise Cox says
I like it!!! While I have become a fan of lighter colors in the past several years, this catches my fancy. As much as anything, I like the simplicity/functionality of it!! And to boot, I adore that egg basket!! Perfect!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! I too love a classic white piece any day, but something about a sleek black makeover that catches my fancy too! I am definitely keeping the egg basket lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Wow what a difference. It has so many uses and love it as a bathroom table. Great job as always.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice!! XOXO
Mary King says
It turned out great Christie! I like the black for this piece. It was easily overlooked for years and now says Look at Me! SO happy to see this :)!! Mary King
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! I’m so glad you like it!! XOXO
Anne Whitney says
Love this! I paint things black as opposed to lighter colours all the time. Now I know why. It hides a lot of imperfections. Thanks for that “ enlightenment”.
Christy says
Thank you, Anne! It is great for hiding blemishes! XOXO
Christina says
Christy, you blew me away with this one. This piece went from sad to regal with your loving care. Seriously lovely.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Christina! I’m so glad you like it! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
You have brought that bed side table back to life! Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! XOXO
Frances says
Great job!! Love it.
Christy says
Thank you, Frances! XOXO
Toby Peplow says
Perfect! I love it! And keep those tips coming! They are very helpful!
Christy says
Thank you, Toby! I sure will! XOXO
Carly Dwyer says
Beautiful. It is so elegant and as always your work is beautiful. I do have one question for you. You say that the small cubby at the top is perfect for an Ipad etc., do you put a small hole in the back for electric? I have a similar night stand with a clock radio and hated the cord in the front. Took awhile but finally drilled a hole for the plug to go through the back, it’s not perfect but it worked.
I love your stuff.and every Tuesday and Thursday you brighten my day. Thank you so much.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carly! Yep, I would just drill a hole either in the back or in the bottom for the cord. XOXO
Jackie says
LOOOOVE it! Great tip about mixing paint with sealer! Thank you! ❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie!! It really works! XOXO
Mary Smart says
Christy you have done it again. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Mary! XOXO
Gail says
Boy, that was a big challenge! That cabinet looked pretty rough but you sure did a great makeover on it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Gail! XOXO
susan says
Very classy! Thanks for the tip on the sealer!
I’ve noticed that also.
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! That trick worked great! XOXO
Ionara Rodgers says
Beautiful!!
Christy says
Thank you, Lonara! XOXO
Joni says
First, this looks gorgeous! Second, I’m so glad I read everything! I used caviar to paint 2 kitchen doors and sealed with DB satin after seeing caviar on one of your makeovers. They look beautiful but I have had constant ghost marks from touching them. I also have a redone dresser I bought years ago that can’t be dry dusted for that same reason. I am going to reseal both doors and maybe even the dresser with paint mixed in to see if that helps. Thank you so much for sharing that tip, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Joni! I’m so glad I shared that tip! It worked great! XOXO
Linda says
Wow. It came out great. I love the bathroom idea. Thank you for sharing your creativity!! ❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Linda!! XOXO
Dianne Noffke says
Christy, this must give you immense pleasure to make this sad piece look so beautiful. Love the Caviar color and the piece. I really look forward to your posts and get some great ideas from you. So happy I found your blog years ago.
On another note, is the mahogany headboard and footboard with the round ball design a queen?
Christy says
Thank you, Dianne! I love bringing these pieces back to life! I’m so glad you found me too! And the headboard looks like a full size. Enjoy the rest of your week! XOXO
Rosie says
Love the colour, nicely done!!
Christy says
Thank you, Rosie! XOXO
Sue H Mellette says
Another amazing transformation! I love the black look and the light sanding showing the original finish. Making it a cubby for storage was a great idea. Your wire basket also sets off the look! Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! I too love when the wood shows through a black painted piece. And yes…the basket worked perfectly to stage this piece! XOXO
Carol says
I really like this makeover, Christy. Using the bottom of the drawer for a shelf is genius. I too have just finished a black project – 4 chairs. I really like adding paint to the sealer idea. I coated mine with hemp oil and that really helped too. Love the way you saved this piece!
Christy says
Thank you, Carol! Black is always so sleek. I bet the hemp oil worked great too! XOXO
Mary Ann Sutter says
Outstanding transformation. It never ceases to amaze me what you are able to accomplish with a piece that most folks would just throw out! Having worked as an environmentalist my entire life, I recognize the important example you and your group are providing to others to reuse and recycle in its highest form! You go girl!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Mary Ann! I am enjoying the challenge Of these pieces! XOXO
Nancy K. says
That little nightstand looks so happy to have been saved! She did not want to go to the landfill or on a bonfire. Just look at her. She’s as pleased as punch with herself. Thank you for rescuing her from a sad ending. xo
Christy says
She is ready to live again for sure! It was a treat bringing this one back to life! XOXO
Catherine Cave says
You are a miracle worker! It’s gorgeous now!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Catherine! XOXO
Becky says
Beautiful! It’s so sleek and sophisticated looking now! I love the little bit of wood showing through: no panic over the first scratch! 😊
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! And yes… the little bit of distressing makes the finish a bit more forgiving for sure! XOXO
Phyllis says
As always, I love what you have done with this piece. When you paint a piece black, do you prime? Is there any tendency of bleeding as there is with white paint?
Christy says
Thank you, Phyllis! No primer needed with black. It is a great solution for those bleeders that I always insist on painting white lol! XOXO
Marian says
Christy,
What a great save! I just love that little lady. She is dressed up and ready to live a new life. You breathed new life into an object that was destined for the junk pile. You always amaze me 🙂
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Marian! Thank you! I loved seeing this one come back to life! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I love it. Caviar is such a pretty black. I’m definitely going to have to keep the too coat tip in the back of my mind. You never go wrong. You always know what is going to work. Great job and I would have kept it also.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! That tip worked great, and yes…Caviar is a perfect black! I’m always tickled when something works out! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Man I would have loved to see that table back in its prime, but you really did it justice with all the love you gave it. Most would’ve never given it a chance. Beautiful work Christy! xo
Christy says
Girl, me too!! It was gorgeous, I’m sure! Thank you, my friend!! XOXO
Mary says
Wow! This took my breath away when I scrolled down to see the finished piece –what a difference Christy! Thank you for sharing the process with us…so glad you eliminated the drawer and used the bottom of it to create a perfect shelf! Ditto to all the wonderful comments you received above…I agree with them all! 🙂
Christy says
Aww yay! Thank you so much, Mary! The bottom of that drawer worked perfectly for the base of that cubby! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love your little lady!! She turned out beautiful. Black for the win!! 🙂 xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy! She is ready for a whole new life now! XOXO
Marie-Interior Frugalista says
You and Larissa were on the same wave length with black makeovers. Well now, you certainly redeemed this night table. Looks so classy painted black and thanks for the great clear coat tip!
Christy says
I know, right? That is funny! Hers turned out fantastic! Thank you, Marie…and yes, that tip works great!! XOXO
Maia says
Love, love, LOVE that caviar on this piece. You always do such beautiful transformations!
Christy says
Thank you, Maia! I appreciate that so much! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Hi Christy, I just painted a table top navy blue and want to try your trick with the sealer. Does adding the dark color to the sealer change the color any? I painted the legs of one other little table in coffee bean and hated the dark. But I am just partial to light colors and of course any shade of aqua!! Love what you did with this sad castaway; very classy!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! If you were to add a little paint to your sealer, you would use the navy blue paint, so it would be still the same color. I am always partial to the lighter colors too and white compliments any color! I too love aqua! XOXO
Megan says
I love what you did with this piece! Beautiful!! I am getting ready to paint a desk black and came to your sight to get some advice as this will be my first time painting furniture in that color. You didn’t disappoint! Thank you so much for the helpful tips. I will be sure to add some black paint to the sealer. 🙂
Christy says
Thanks so much, Megan! If you enjoyed this one, stay tuned for tomorrow’s makeover!! XOXO