Hello amazing friends! I’m here today sharing the best way to paint unfinished wood furniture. I’m also teaming up with my Furniture Fixer Upper gal pals, so be sure to look for five more awesome makeovers from my friends at the bottom.
My Dad used to make these wood tables back in the day when he, my Mom, and I did several craft markets each year:
My Mom would paint scenes on them and they sold like hotcakes.
They had a few leftover, and I painted one a couple of years ago and shared it HERE.
My Mom has been sick for most of November and thank goodness she is on the mend now, but it’s going to be a while before she’s back to her old energetic go go go self. So I decided to surprise my parents this past weekend by decorating their house for Christmas for them while they were out of town. It was so fun to play with all her decorations! She was so surprised and so grateful as I knew she would be.
(You can see the surprise makeover I did on some of my parents’ furniture while they were out of town a couple of years ago HERE!)
Anyway, when I was rootin around in their storage room, I came across three more of these unfinished tables. My Mom keeps telling me to take them so I finally did.
I thought this was a great chance to share how I paint unfinished pieces just in case someone out there has never tackled one before.
First, let’s see how this one turned out, shall we?
Cute, right?
I’m really in Christmas mode at the moment and I wanted to paint this red so badly, but I was afraid it would just sit in my booth. Then I remembered I had this pretty green from Country Chic Paint called Happy Hour!
This is a beautiful soft green and has kind of a coastal vibe to it.
Now let’s back up a bit and see how I got to this point. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I use.
How to Paint Unfinished Wood Furniture
Sand
Always start unfinished wood projects with a good sanding. I use 220 grit sandpaper that I buy in sheets and cut into fours. Then I can easily wrap the sandpaper around an old foam sanding block:
As you can see I also filled in a few nail gun holes and imperfections using this wood filler.
Then I used my shop vac to vacuum all the dust, and a soft cloth to wipe it down once more.
Prime
Next, I busted out my primer. I’ve been really spoiled by chalk paint in that there is rarely a need to prime, but raw wood can really soak up the paint, so primer will save on paint.
I used this brand HERE that was left over from painting my kitchen cabinets.
One coat is plenty, and then it’s time for paint.
Paint
This table only needed one coat of paint since I was going for a coastal feel and didn’t mind if some of the white primer showed through…
But I wasn’t done here…I decided to add something fun to the top!
It may feel like Winter outside, but I snuck in some coastal! “What happens at the beach…stays at the beach.” I thought this could be cute for a beach rental, and there are several of those around here.
To add the graphics, I first created them in Photoshop Elements. You could also use Word or Pic Monkey. (I used Bickham Script font and Felix Titling font.) Then I opened my graphic in my Silhouette Cameo software and created a stencil out of contact paper:
If you make a lot of signs, you might want to add a Silhouette Cameo to your Christmas wishlist! I also used my favorite Frog Tape to create a border.
I painted everything in with acrylic craft paint, brushing away from the edges as much as possible.
Then I peeled off the contact paper and tape as soon as I added the second coat.
I gave everything a fine sanding with 220 grit sand paper as soon as the graphic was dry.
Seal
Then I sealed with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin.
I dressed up the drawer with a few stripes and a pretty glass knob:
The inside got primed and painted as well…
It was fun to deck it out for the Holidays!
My first wrapped presents of the year…
Ok that should be singular: present, since one of them is fake ha ha.
I hope you enjoyed this simple redo. I don’t use green too often, but it was fun to play it up with some of my Christmas decor!
There are five more furniture flips for you to see! Follow the links below the image to see the afters. I can’t wait to check them out myself!
Want even more painted furniture inspiration? Visit all of my Furniture Fixer Upper makeovers in one place HERE!
I’ll be back on Tuesday sharing some of my Christmas decor! Have an awesome weekend! 🙂
UPDATE: Check out Christmas in our kitchen HERE now!
XOXO,
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Petra says
Love that shade of blue – it looks so sweet, and I like your styling with the little Christmas tree in the bucket 😀 It’s 35 degrees celcius here in sunny Queensland – always far too hot at Christmas time – very hard for us to feel “Christmas’y” and eat a hot meal but Aussies seem to struggle through with the traditions!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! I have pictures of myself st four years old in my bikini in front of our Christmas tree when we lived on the NW cape of Australia when I was a kid. I think I would miss cold Christmases as an adult though. Hang in there ha ha! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
That turned out beautiful. I wish I had a table that size, I could fit that one in somewhere. It will sell quickly I am sure. You even wrap gifs beautifully!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! This table is a great size. And funny I’ve always loved wrapping gifts! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
You are an awesome daughter. Plus, your table makeover rocks! So beautiful, Christy.
Christy says
Thanks, Larissa! I love being able to surprise my Mom like that! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
How incredibly thoughtful and sweet of you, Christy, to decorate your mom & dad’s house! I hope your mom feels 100% better quickly.
Great to get those beautiful tables! This one turned out so sweet! It really is such a soft green. With that fun graphic, it will go quickly in your booth.
Say, what settings do you use to cut contact paper? I realize my results may vary, yet I would appreciate a starting point. 🙂
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I appreciate the well-wishes for my Mom. It’s been hard to see her down, and this was just the pick-me-up she needed. And I thought this graphic was fun for this table! I use the same settings as you would for vinyl. XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
You are a sweet daughter, friend and an inspiring artist. Thank you for the cutting tips as well!
xoxo
Christy says
Thank you for always being so encouraging!! XOXOXO
Susan Cox says
That little table is a real cutie, and I like the soft green. I hope you keep one of your dad’s tables–that’s a family heirloom in the making ;-). (Best wishes to your mom and hope she’s feeling well again very soon.)
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! My Dad made all kinds of things, and I did keep a few favorite pieces. Thank you for the well-wishes for my Mom! XOXO
Lisa Cain says
That is so cute and I have that paint too and have not used it. I have a table JUST WAITING for it, so thanks for the inspiration!!!
Christy says
Oh yay, Lisa! Sounds like a great project for this weekend LOL. Thank you! XOXO
Marie says
What a sweet daughter you are! Judging by your decorating talents in your own home, I bet your parent’s place looks amazing. Love love the coastal sentiment on the top of this table. The color is so pretty too. I’m a big fan of Country Chic Paint because they are a Canadian company and I’ve met the owners! I’ve asked Santa again this year for a silhouette (my 3rd year of begging) and if it isn’t under the tree Christmas morning, he and I are going to have some very strong words! lol
Christy says
Aww thanks, Marie! It’s been hard to see my mom down because she is always on the go, so it was fun to be able to do this for her. How cool that you’ve met the owners of country chic paint! They sent me a ton of products when they first started out, then reached out again a few weeks ago. I rarely turn down free paint! Crossing my fingers for ya that Santa gets it right this year! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
I am so in love with the color of this table and the way it turned out. It’s simply beautiful. Glad to hear your Mom’s feeling better. By the way, where did you get the beautiful wrapping paper?
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! This color of paint really is beautiful. I found this paper at Hobby Lobby in a couple of years ago. XOXO
Lizzy Leff says
Great work! Beautiful color. The stripes are the perfect touch.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! XOXO
kandice kullmann says
this is so pretty! I love the coastal vibe (especially since the cold wind is howling outside lol)
Christy says
Thanks, Kandice! I’m always up for coastal! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Love it! So perfect for my boyfriends beachhouse. You always make such wonderful things!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! I thought this would be perfect in the Beachhouse! XOXO
Denise says
Ah, now I know where you get all that talent! Beautiful makeover Christy. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! My parents were always crafting something! XOXO
Karen Moore says
So cute! Love the color and the graphics.
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! XO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Christy, this turned out so super cute! And I’m impressed that your dad used to make these tables! It’s so funny that our projects are similar in style – and I considered adding words to the top of mine, ha! XO
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! My dad had a huge workshop. He made lamps, tables, wall shelves, night tables… You name it! If my mom could draw it, my dad could build it. They made a great team! And yes, we were in sync this week! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Leticia Beam says
Looks fabulous! Thanks for the great info and sharing! Leticia
Christy says
Thank you so much, Leticia! XOXO
Julie Briones says
Love that green color! And the quote on the top is super cute! 😉
Christy says
I really love this soft green too! Thanks, my friend! XOXO
P W Henry says
This table looks like a perfect DIY project. Do you have plans available?
Christy says
I’m sorry, unfortunately I do not. My dad stopped making these about 10 years ago.
Kathy Owen says
What a great piece. Your makeovers are always designer worthy. Love the beach saying. I think stripes are your signature!
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! I appreciate that so much! You know I love me some stripes! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Minty fresh! That would be a great entry table, with the little drawer. What a talented family (and what a good daughter, to take on the decorating for them).
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! This would make a perfect entry table! And I has a blast decorating for my parents with all their cute stuff! XOXO
Mari says
Your christmas page link takes me to a blank oage?
Christy says
So sorry about that, Mari! The link is good and is working now. Thank you! XO
kotatsu says
In a perfect world, every furniture piece I paint would have a dark brown stain to start
Christy says
Oh for sure lol! XO