Hi friends! I’m so glad you stopped by today because I am so excited to show what I’ve been working on! I bought this square coffee table last summer at my favorite thrift store for $10. Their prices on furniture are unbelievably low, but if you want a shirt, it’s $4.99! Crazy!
I bought this for the shape and had every intention of turning it into a tufted ottoman. Well, I got to thinking that a beautiful tufted ottoman would not be very three-year-old-friendly, so I started thinking about what else I could do with it and that was the end of it…until now.
I recently had the opportunity to try out a new paint line from Country Chic Paint, a chalk and mineral based paint:
I immediately thought of this coffee table. It took me about a week and a small miracle to dig it out of the furniture pyramid in my garage!
And here she is transformed…
Tada! I took the pattern from a vintage tile I found online. I used blockposters.com to blow up my image into the size I needed, laid it face down, and penciled across the back of the image to transfer it. Check out this table for more details on enlarging images. This post shares how I transfer my images.
The Country Chic paint line requires a light sanding on glossy surfaces, which took me all of 10 minutes. I just sanded lightly enough to dull the finish. Then I started with a coat of Liquorice, followed by two coats of Vanilla Frosting. I love the creamy color and it blends right in with other pieces I have like my sewing cabinet:
Country Chic recommends two hours between coats. I allowed the final coat of paint to dry overnight before transferring my image. Then I got to work painting…you can see some of the transfer markings here:
I used acrylic paint to paint in the design. It took about six hours, but I enjoyed doing it. It’s very therapeutic to immerse yourself in a project like this.
I trimmed out the edge in Country Chic’s Licorice and gave it a coat of clear wax:
You can wet-distress within one to two hours, but since I was adding a design, I missed that window. I used 220 grit sand paper and a sanding block to distress it a bit.
I sanded the top lightly also, but chose not to distress it further, I’ll leave that up to my three-year old. 🙂
It fits right in with all the black and white elements in my home, like my mantel:
And my DIY Oversized Mirror:
It’s hard to tell this is the same table!
Not too shabby for $10!
My three-year old and his arsenal of plastic toys will be the real test for this paint. So far, so good!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along! 
Gorgeous makeover as usual! I LOVE the scrolly pattern…so beautiful.
Are you snowed in yet? 😉 We just started getting the flakes falling over here! I have a bunch of painting planned so I’m ok with being “snowed in” for a day or so!
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy!! We have about an inch on the ground right now. I was feeling a bit of cabin fever already today with the impending forcast. My youngest is sick, so I couldn’t go anywhere! Guess I’ll have to paint something too 🙂 Stay safe! XO
Love it, Christy! I also agree that painting is very therapeutic and kids do the best distressing! Can’t wait to see what you do next. Dee 🙂
Yes! Both are so true! I’m so glad you like it, Dee! Hope you are staying warm 🙂 XO
Gorgeous table, what a find for $10. I love the detail work on the top, really nice job.
Thanks, Sarah! It really was a great deal 🙂
I LOVE how it turned out, Christy! So, so beautiful! And the detail work is amazing! You are seriously talented, my friend!
~Abby =)
Aww thanks, Abby! I can’t wait to see how your piece turns out! Stay warm! XO 🙂
Stunning table transformation–it’s just gorgeous!
Aww, thanks for the sweet comment, Athena!
Wow! You know how to multiple $10 ten-fold! Beautiful design and so creative.
Sue
Thanks so much, Sue! XO
I LOVE what you did with this Christy! It looks like what it was always meant to be! You have a wonderful talent for bringing out hidden beauty in pieces 🙂
p.s. I’m sharing some plain white pieces soon and asking for ideas so I hope you are able and willing to give me your opinions 😉
Thanks, Cindy! This is not the direction I was originally heading, but I like where it ended up! I’ll keep an eye out for your white pieces. 🙂
Awesome paint job!! and you got it for a mere $10?? Wish I lived near a store like that. Our GW wouldn’t even have a price that low on furniture like that…
This store always prices their furniture super cheap! I’ve seen armoires for $25! But the clothes aren’t cheap at all…strange! I think they just like to keep furniture moving since it takes up so much room. Hope you’re keeping warm 🙂
Hi Christy,
The table is beautiful, I love it! But aren’t you concerned that a hot plate or hot cup of coffee set on this would melt/damage your wax coating? I would have put a coat or two of polyurethane on top to protect it!
That’s an excellent point, Lynne. Luckily we don’t drink coffee and we have a large island right behind the couch, so we eat there. Otherwise, poly would have been the way to go 🙂
Oh goodness-love, love, love this! Great work!!!
Thanks so much, Shona! XO
Another stunning makeover Christy – I love the pattern you found from the tile, so pretty! I hear ya when you talk about getting lost for hours when painting image transfers – it’s like meditation to me.
Thanks Marie! And yes, painting those details really is like meditation! 🙂
I, too, find it hard to believe it is the same table. The “before” table actually has a similar finish to my much loved chou leg coffee table in my front room, LOL! I have thought about painting it, but only because a few years ago Traditional Home magazine featured a white lacquered chou table on its cover. In reality, I wouldn’t have the patience to attempt to lacquer anything, even a toothpick. What a steady hand and patience you must have to paint in the transferred stencil lines. Yikes!
Thanks, Jan! I have a hard time painting some pieces I’ve had for a long time too. Finding pieces like this at thrift stores, especially for so cheap, make it easier to have fun with 🙂
$10.00? That is amazing? I love the detail on top- it’s gorgeous!! 🙂
Thanks, Mandy! It was a great deal! Have a fantastic day!! 🙂
This is gorgeous!!! … and for only 10$ you have now a precious piece in your living room!
Thanks, Christina! I think we’ll enjoy this for a long time to come 🙂
It looks fantastic! I love the details on top– so pretty! I’m visiting from the Inspire Me Please link party 🙂
-Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
Thanks so much, Bonnie! XO
It looks gorgeous Christy. I struggled with that 1-2 hour window too… I think because we are used to a different process. Your distressing still looks perfect though (and as you say, there will be more ‘distressing’ to come!).
Thanks! I don’t usually wet-distress, but I would like to have tried it here. Maybe next time! And yes, my little man will put this table to the test! Have a fantastic weekend! XO
What an amazing makeover, Christy! I cannot believe that table was $10 – wow!! Thank you so much for sharing at our Best Of The Weekend party and I am pinning to our party board now. Have a great weekend! xo
Thanks, Claire! XO
Wow this is just so pretty! I would never have the patience for all that detail, but it’s just so beautiful! Black and white stuff always looks so sharp!
Thanks, Abby! I love the contrast of black and white too 🙂
Beautiful! It never ceases to amaze me what paint (and you) can do to furniture!!!
-andi
Totally fits the room!! Good choice! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase!!
Shelly
minettesmaze.blogspot.com
You did a great job on your coffee table makeover.
Thanks, Patricia 🙂
Christy,
This transformation is AMAZING, dear one!!!
I adore how this coffee table blends nicely with your gorgeous home decor.
I know I wouldn’t have the talent or the patience to stay with your stunning technique…but I’m sure I’d purchase this at a local shop!!!
Visiting from A Stroll Thru Life!
Fondly,
Pat
Thanks so much for the very sweet comment, Pat! I am enjoying it in there, almost as much as my three year who can spread his toys out all over it! Good thing it’s sealed well 🙂 Have a great day!
This turned out soo great! What a transformation! Thanks for linking up to our ” Hit Me With Your Best Shot Link Party!”
Beautiful table! Wonderful work on the stenciling!
I hear you on digging it out, sometimes that is the worst part of the project!
Carolyn
http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/
Yes!! I have other things out “there”…you know that vast pile of the unknown lol…that I need to dig out. Thanks for the sweet words, Carolyn! 🙂
Christy, I cannot believe I missed this and thank goodness you shared this at Best of the Weekend! Every single time I think one of your projects is my all-time favorite, you come up with a new one that just blows me away. I totally love this table SO much – just gorgeous! Pinned and shared! I really need to drive down to see you one weekend and have you help me make one for me! 🙂 Have a fabulous Thursday!
Thanks, Cindy!! Wouldn’t that be so fun if we could meetup?! You’re probably not too far! 🙂
Christy,
HI! I really appreciate you linking up to the Curb Alert! Saturday Trash Day Link Party last Friday. I would love for you to join us again this weekend and link up any Trash to Treasure projects you would like to share. Hope to see you soon! http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/2014/02/curb-alert-trash-day-link-party-2.html
Tami @ Curb Alert!
Christy, this is fabulous! I’d love it if you’d share this at my month-long blog party Every Room In The House. This month we’re partying in the Living Room/Family Room. Come join us! Here’s the link: http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/02/every-room-in-house-party-2.html#comment-form
Thanks, Nancy! Just linked up 🙂
Oops, here’s a better link, Christy: http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/02/every-room-in-house-party-2.html
I do hope you’ll join the fun. ~ Nancy
The table is gorgeous! I can’t get over how beautiful it looks now. I am learning so much from your website. Thank you for sharing your talents and style with us.
Thanks you so much, Norma! I’m glad to hear you are enjoying my site!! XO