Hello beautiful friends! Today, I’ve got a white painted drop leaf table for y’all. You know I love white painted furniture and it’s been a bit since I did an all white piece, but this one was so heavy looking that I knew I had to lighten it up!
This table was part of a large yard sale score I collected this spring and was priced at $25:
It has a bit of an empire feel to it. It was in great shape, but as I said before, really heavy looking.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
I got this makeover started with a good cleaning with White Lightning:
White Lightning is a degreaser and a deglosser, so gloves are recommended. It is not for everyday use but perfect for prepping for paint!
I mix one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water for each job. One jar will clean a ton of projects, and these terrycloth applicator pads are perfect for the job.
Even when I think a piece is pretty clean, I get this!
There you have it…a bucket of dirty water. Does it get anymore exciting than this??
Paint
When painting a drop leaf table, I always start with it upside down. Here is one coat of Cotton:
It’s never too late to prime with BOSS!
I ended up getting some tannins coming through in the parts where the original sealer was worn away:
It’s never too late to add a coat of BOSS though:
I added one coat and let it dry overnight. Allowing enough dry time is key!
BOSS is also available in a clear formula and a gray formula, and they are all water-based, so no smell and easy clean up! The Clear BOSS is what I use to seal in musty odors on the inside of dressers, etc.
Back to paint
I added another coat of paint the next day, and then flipped it over and painted the rest.
Sand & Seal
I actually sanded and sealed the underside of the leaves before flipping the whole thing over. Once the rest was painted and dry, I sanded and sealed that also using Clear Coat in Satin which I applied with the blue applicator sponge.
The After
Here is how this once very heavy piece looks now:
This table is now light and bright and no longer feels like its carrying the weight of the world on its shoulders.
The drawers
And how about those sweet drawers?
Y’all know I love to add stripes and it feels like its been a while!
I did that using Frogtape for delicate surfaces. You can use it when the paint is barely dry and I never have issues with it removing paint. The trick is to remove the tape right after applying your final coat of paint, while it is still wet:
This gray is the same softer gray I mixed up for this cute chair and this sofa table makeover, using Hurricane Gray and Cotton.
I sanded them smooth and then I dug through my favorite transfer set that has 26 mini transfers included:
And I found one that was perfect for the top drawer:
And for that knob on the bottom? Since it was not able to be removed, it was perfect for a knob transfer!
Yep, that is a thing! This pretty one is from the Parisienne knob transfer set:
I have several knob transfers in my shop HERE.
You apply them the same way you apply regular transfers…
They turn a boring wooden knob into a beautiful one full of cottage charm!
Here’s peek inside…
I painted the inside in the same soft gray custom mix and added another mini transfer from the Classic Vintage Labels set.
And although it won’t really be seen unless you’re laying on the floor, I painted the underside in stripes too!
That is one more project complete!
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Unfinished Wooden Horse Makeover
Updated Candlesticks
Voodoo Stain and Stencil Bench Makeover
Drawer Organizer Makeover
SHOP NEWS
I have some exciting shop news to share! Dixie Belle is releasing SIX BRAND NEW PAINT COLORS! These are all part of the new Cottage Collection for the chalk mineral paint line, and I should have them in my shop early next week!
Here’s a peek at all six!
I can’t say I’m not sad there isn’t a blue in there, but I’m still excited to play with these!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with this sewing notions table:
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE!! I could not leave the horse I just shared well enough alone and that has been given another makeover, so I am sharing that next HERE.
Skip to this Sewing table HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kasier says
Oh my goodness, it is so much better white!! I love the stripes and the surprise inside the drawer! I LOVE it!! I love the new Cottage Colors, they are all so beautiful! I think I have a piece of furniture that one of those colors will look good on that I have been wanting to paint, but I can’t seem to make a decision about what color I want. I will have to see if one of this collection will work for it!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! White is always a miracle worker lol! And yay…I’m excited to get my hands on these new colors as well! XOXO
Petra says
Aw that is such a cute little piece – so many uses 🙂 And yes, it had to be white!!!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! White fixes everything ha ha! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Well, missy, you spared no details on this one! Well done!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
CC says
A beautiful change! Wondering about why you didnt paint the supports – know you have GOOD 😉 reasons!! just wondering… Love how you say you keep your hoarding under control & how you show what is to come by sharing your ‘one more down pix’.
Christy says
Thank you, CC! That is an excellent question! When the support is closed, that side is painted, but I decided to not paint the other sides…no good reason lol other than I don’t mind the contrast. And yes…I can’t tell you how many yard sale and estate sale signs I’ve passed up lately, knowing I have plenty to work on at the moment, so it really helps! XOXO
Abbe Kemack says
Hi Christy🌞
I have a similar style drop leaf table(no drawer) and i have always been trepidatious about painting these old pieces. But, when you said, “it looks like the weight of the world had been lifted off of it” on your refinished piece, I was completely inspired!
Once I make my new move to a farm and settle in I will be starting a collection of Dixie Bell products for sure.
❤️🖖🏻
Christy says
Hi Abbe! I love that you are feeling inspired! Paint can do wonders! XOXO
Cecilia says
It’s interesting how details are overlooked until a piece is painted. I thought it only had one big drawer but nope, there’s two. This turned out so cute. I like the stripes on the underside too.
Ooo, some pretty new colors. Can’t wait to see which ones you will use. 😊
Cecilia
Christy says
I know, right? Sometimes it’s hard to see those details when everything is dark. Thank you, Cecilia! And I am so excited for some new colors to play with! XOXO
roe squire says
I love all of the details you have included. And I am very excited for the new paint colors!
Christy says
Thank you, Roe! I am too! XOXO
Janice Holt says
What a sweet table this is. Love the stripes and transfers. Just the right touches. Another great job as usual.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! It is very sweet now! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! You always do such a clean job and I love the stripes underneath the leaf. Is that a drawer on the top with the transfer? Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Yes, that is a drawer also…I just painted the inside gray. 🙂 XOXO
Sue says
What a great find! I love the result of your redesigned drop leaf. You are so talented with striped painting!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Sue! I do love some stripes ha ha! XOXO
Mary says
Oh my, Christy. What a difference. The table has so much personality now! A very sweet piece that will fly out of the shop. And love, love the extra detail of stripes on the underneath side too. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! I hope so! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is so adorable! And I love the new DB colors, but I’m like you…where’s the blue? Three greens and not one blue?!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Right? I was quite disappointed, but maybe they’re not done? We’ll see! XOXO
MrsSW says
Hi Christy,
I love the way you camouflaged that bulky drawer – made a big difference.
Sheila
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! Bulky is a great way to describe this whole piece! XOXO
Elise Howell says
I love your peek-a-boo touches: the underneath stripes and the bee inside the drawer. So clever. This little table is so stinkin’ cute! Loving your work as always. . . Elise in San Diego
Christy says
Thank you so much, Elise! Smaller pieces like this are really fun to work on, so I’m always excited when I find them! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
This reminds me of those old-school telephone tables! And I love what you did with the knobs and peek-a-boo drawer. Beautiful as always my friend. XOXO
Christy says
Ooh yes! Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
This is so adorable and works in tight spaces! Well done!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! Absolutely, the size makes it very versatile! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s super cute. I love everything about it.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lizzy! I would paint everything white if I could lol! XOXO
Michele M. says
That is absolutely ADORABLE now!!!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Michele! XOXO