Hello beautiful friends! I’m back today with this sewing machine table that I picked up at a yard sale two Summers ago for $20:
It didn’t come with the paint splatter…that was me.
The gentleman who sold me the table insisted on loading it into my car for me. As he was loading it, he mentioned that he hoped I wasn’t planning to slap paint on it as he had restored it himself. Ummm…of course not. I fibbed.
And as I mentioned when I shared my new End of Summer Thrift Store Haul, that is the reason I still haven’t touched it two years later!
Well, today’s the day, but I kept it super simple. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of wood this was, but the red undertones had me thinking it might be cherry.
Cherry+advanced age= bleed-through, so I wasn’t going to take any chances and applied a coat of white BOSS to block any potential bleed-through:
I allowed that to dry overnight. You don’t want to rush this part. BOSS works best when you give it plenty of dry time.
I followed up the next day with a coat of Dixie Belle’s Fluff:
I normally would do two coats, but it looked so great over the white BOSS after only one coat that I stopped there! I like to describe Fluff as a more vintage white, and because it has a little pigment in it, it has amazing coverage!
When the paint was dry, I lightly sanded all over using 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge, hitting the edges and any raised areas a little more to distress.
I finished it off by sealing with Gator Hide using the blue sponge applicator to apply it:
I gave the body one coat and the top two coats, no sanding in between. You don’t want to overwork the Gator Hide. Try to resist going over the same area multiple times as it dries quickly.
You can see how I apply sealers with a sponge in this video:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on YouTube HERE. (Subscribe to me over there and you’ll be notified when I share new videos!)
This table really was lovely before, but I do slap paint on everything so here ya go:
Sewing machine tables are a great height to use as bedside tables, especially if you have one of those ridiculously thick mattresses. I’m planning to put this beside Jack’s bed. He had a very large desk in his room that didn’t leave room for a bedside table, but after he left for college, we moved it to Brennan’s room. He loves to draw, and because we are starting the new school year off virtually, he will need it for schoolwork.
That is the reason I chose Gator Hide over the Clear Coat in satin to seal this table, because of the abuse Jack might put it through when he’s home!
I didn’t do anything special with the inside. This one has a rounded piece in the bottom of the sewing machine cavity…
So technically, you could store a few things in there or use it as a secret cubby. I just gave it a good wipe down.
I liked the existing hardware so I chose to keep it. It got two coats of Fluff:
I used my nail to scratch off some paint in random places and sealed it with a light coat of Gator Hide also.
The leg details are pretty with a bit of distressing…
And that’s the super simple makeover of this sewing machine table that I have been holding onto for two years!
Here’s another sewing machine table I made over last year that you may remember:
You can see what I did with that one HERE!
That’s piece number three complete!
If you missed the lamps, I shared them both HERE.
Meet me and my friends back here on Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday! I’ll be sharing what I did with this dresser:
UPDATE: No need to come back! See how this treasured family piece was brought back to life HERE now!
Have a fantastic weekend, and if anyone decides to make some sweater pumpkins after seeing Tuesday’s post, I’d love to see!!
XOXO,
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Petra says
Lovely job 😀 Haha the amount of times I’ve not told a seller that I’m going to paint their beautiful timber piece!!! If it sits still long enough in my house it gets painted – white mainly 😀
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! Ha ha yes! Honestly, if you’re selling it a yard sale, it can’t be that special to you, right?? We will paint it all! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
I Love it!! I always think that white is best, it gets my heart all a flutter every time you do white! I love the handles on it, they are so pretty, even with paint on them. I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful dresser on Tuesday, It is going to be a beauty I am sure of that!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! White is my favorite for sure as you well know! It just does wonders! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Michelle says
I really love this makeover!! Simple, but gorgeous! Your styling, of course, is always a big part of it. Love the whole vignette! Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Michelle! I appreciate that so much! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Love the new sewing table makeover! Just the right touch and the distressing really shows off the legs!. I am sure Jack will love having this in his room when he comes home from college! I looked at the one you did last year – I love what you did with with the drawer and the color is striking!
Can’t wait to see what magic you do with that interesting dresser!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! Yes, Jack will be glad to have this for sure. The one I did last year was fun to do…I love playing with color, but it took forever to sell! XOXO
CHERYL says
That looks awesome…I have this exact same table with the sewing machine inside. One of the legs is loose or wobbly..What would you do and use to make it firm again.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Hmm…I’m not sure how to help you with the wobbly leg. Mine doesn’t have any bolts underneath that can be tightened. Does yours? XOXO
Rebecca - NC says
Great idea to use as a nightstand!! You always do such a beautiful job.😃
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rebecca! XOXO
Rosie says
So pretty! You would not know it was a sewing machine.
Have a great weekend Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Rosie! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Vickie says
I’m coming from Illinois & my sister from VA & meeting at OBX in Buxton next week. We’re bringing stuff to make sweater pumpkins, while we’re there!!😊
Christy says
Oh how fun!!! I love it! I hope you’ll share them when you do…have a blast!! XOXO
Toby Peplow says
Beautiful as always Christie!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Toby! XOXO
p says
Darn. I was hoping for something other than white.
Christy says
Aside from my smalls posts, my last eight makeovers have had color, so I was ready for some simple white! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hey Christy! It’s a sweet little table.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! XOXO
Cynthia says
You so inspire me. I redid an old sewing stand years ago and I think that I have used it in several rooms in my house.
Cynthia
Christy says
Aww thank you, Cynthia! They are so versatile! XOXO
M says
But you lied to him, after you let him load it for you. You just should not have purchased it. To him it was special, to you just something to sell
Christy says
He was selling it at a yard sale for $20, so it couldn’t have been that special, and I waited TWO years to paint it because I felt so bad. XOXO
Donna says
I like how this turned out to. The white paint just does wonders! Can’t wait to see Tuesday’s post. I would like to try making the fabric pumpkins but not sure if I will get to it. I do have some orange pumpkin buckets that the kids used for trick or treating so I plan to paint those up in white, gold and a blue for my fall decor.
Christy says
Thank you, Donna! White paint is like magic for sure! The pumpkins are pretty quick to make, but the painted buckets will be super cute too! Have fun! XOXO
Denise - salvagedinspirations.com says
Classic, clean and beautiful my friend. And I love your styling, as always! Pinned 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, my dear friend!! XOXO
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
OMG!!! I am swooning over the sewing cabinet. It looks fabulous. I need that in my cottage home!!! I have been caught up in a few of those fibs about painting something I have scored from another person too! This is such a great piece. Love it. Happy Thursday. xoxo Kris
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kris!! What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right? And they are selling it at a yard sale lol! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Julie Ritter says
I know some people don’t like the fact that we “slap” paint on furniture, but it’s usually because there are no other options, and very often it looks so much better than it did before. I love great wood as much as the next person, but many times there is too much damage.
I love the way it turned out !! thanks for sharing the tips
Christy says
Thank you, Julie! I agree…sometimes you have no choice. This was in lovely condition, but it looked like a sewing machine table from the 60’s. I think paint helps disguise it and update it! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Kathy W F says
Darling oh so darling. It will make a great side table. I also love your “thrifting videos”. So entertaining. Keep it up. I reserve Tuesdays and Thursdays as my extra coffee and relaxing to watch day.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kathy! And I’m so glad you enjoy the videos! Nancy and I were just talking about making another, even with our masks lol. Thank you for following along with me! XOXO
Virginia says
So sad to see beautiful wood ruined by paint.
Christy says
Hi Virginia! This was lovely before, but if I were to sell this in my booth, unfortunately, it would never sell. These cabinets are a dime a dozen. At least painted, it is different from all the rest, you know? XOXO
Deb Garst says
I’m with Virginia on this one.
Mary Ellen says
Love it! You did the right thing painting it. I’ve often wondered about the white flowers with the beautiful greenery we so often see in your after photos. Are they real or faux? If faux, would you mind sharing where you bought them?
Christy says
Thank you, Mary Ellen! The flowers are mostly…fake ha ha! But aren’t they good fakes? There are two different stems in today’s flowers and I found both at Micheals on end of season clearance. I always check them out when things go to 70% off at the end of each season. Now would be a great time to check out what is left from summer! The plain greenery is great because I can add that to just about any flowers for extra “fluff”. I have also found flowers at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn fabrics. Have a great weekend! XOXO
Addie says
Liar~liar!!!! I hope that man reads your blog!!!! And you have sleepless nights!!!! I remember once I bought a beautiful 1950’s evening gown at a garage sale. The lady said she was so excited that someone would be wearing it again….as it was her favorite. She told me it will look lovely on me and it reminded her of herself. She asked if I was just keeping it or would I wear it. I told her, “I WILL be wearing it!!!”…….
However…little did she know…..I ripped it up and smeared it with “blood” for a Halloween costume!!!….I did have some guilt but after a few tequila shots all was forgotten!!!! Great party!!!
Addie xoxo
Christy says
Bahahaha! I nearly spit out my drink reading this ha ha!! You win! You win! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
This came out so pretty! I love Dixie Belle products.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I’m so pleased to hear you love Dixie Belle products! I love them too!! XOXO
Jane Nelson says
I kid you not, I just bought the EXACT same sewing machine table (complete with machine!) yesterday afternoon. I’m going to use it as a bedside table in my guest/sewing room. I was just coming to your blog to search for sewing table makeovers. What a coincidence! Thanks for the tutorial! 🙂
Christy says
Oh how funny is that?? Well now you know what it looks like painted ha ha! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
It looks so nice! I like that color much better.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose!! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO
Dana says
Very lovely. I scored a sewing machine table, similar, for $5 off FB and can’t wait to re-do it. Just have other projects to finish first, there never seems to be enough time with a 16 month old running around wanting to “help” lol. I’m always curious about taping, did you tape off anything? I worry painting the top, paint would get between the top and bottom and be seen when open.
Thanks,
Dana
Christy says
Thank you, Dana! Five dollars is a steal of a deal! I did not tape anything off but when the paint was dry enough to open it up, I just used my fingernail to scrape all around the edge, so the inside is still the wood. And props to you still staying creative with a little one it tow…I remember those days well lol! XOXO
Karen J Thompson says
I love it! And I also love the way you stage your pieces all the time – I especially love the clock in this one – was that a thrift find? Everything I see in stores say something french or London style – I like this simple one! LOVE all your work!
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! I try to take my time with that part, so I really appreciate that! The clock was an awesome HomeGoods find and one of the first things I bought to decorate our new home three years ago. I knew I wasn’t leaving the store without it! XOXO
Becky says
I love it! It’s classy and simple. …Simple things are best! 😊 Right?
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! Sometimes simple is the way to go! XOXO
Lisa says
Love it Christy! I bought a table just like it for $5.00 at a garage sale about 15 years ago. It was beautiful wood and in pristine condition. I didn’t paint it for about 10 years because it was so pretty. Finally painted it white and I love it. Complete new look😊 I watched your video on using a topcoat with the sponge applicator. If you want to add the second coat, do you sand between coats? Also does your topcoat have a strong odor? I use Minwax poly but it has an odor. Can’t wait for my products I ordered from you as I’m anxious to paint a chest👍 Thanks Christy….
Christy says
Thank you, Lisa! I am always hesitant to touch pretty wood, but I just love the look of painted furniture. I’m sure yours is lovely now! I do not sand in between coats of sealer and Dixie Belle’s sealers have no odor to them at all! Happy painting! XOXO
Elizabeth Marchak says
Hi Christy, I totally support you repainting this piece. It is just beautiful! We’ve all refinished pieces we don’t want anyone to change, but that’s just not practical, and it’s a bit selfish, especially if we sell it or give it away. Your little fib was the appropriate reaction to someone making an inappropriate request. It you had walked away from it, he may have given/sold it to the next person w/o conditions or it may have ended up in the trash. I have been sewing for 60 years. I can tell you that piece is no longer practical for its original intended purpose unless it has the original machine, and then it would be of very limited utility. Perhaps that’s why the machine was removed and it was refinished. If he did it, why can’t you? Honor its history by making it useful in a new age! Besides, there is something magical about a light-colored paint, especially white. BTW, I love your little wheeled stool. That makes so much sense and saves your knees.
Christy says
Thank you so much for this, Elizabeth! Very well said! My little fib was only to put him at ease, no harm done! And yes, that stool is the best $5 thrift store find ever…it is fantastic for painting! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Betsy says
I was so excited to see your painting of the silver tray. I have one exactly like it and it has been sitting in my storage room because it is tarnished and I haven’t wanted to use it. It was my grandmother’s and so didn’t want to give it away. But now I see I can paint it and actually use it!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Christy says
Oh yes, perfect! Now you can continue to enjoy it. And those pretty details paint up so pretty! XOXO