Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity at home.

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A Tired, Worn and Scratched Coffee Table Gets a New Look

Hi, friends.

Last September I purchased a small coffee table for $5.  I had been bitten by the furniture painting bug and was scooping up forlorn pieces, like this one, left and right.

Chalk paint table makeover // Average But Inspired

And then I stacked those pieces in my garage.  And they sat there.  Through Chiberia and Polar Vortex 2013/2014, through the mess of my basement remodel (which turned our garage into a storage unit), and through all of the wonderful summer days that are just about over.

My husband threatened to throw them out if I didn’t do something with them.

NOOOOOOOOO!

Needless to say, I got to work and chose to start with my coffee table friend.  I took photos of the makeover along the way, but managed to lose or delete them somehow.  So I have no “work in progress” photos to show you – just before and afters.

But you probably don’t care about those photos anyway, do you?

So let’s cut to the chase and I will show you what this coffee table looks like now.

Chalk paint table makeover // Average But Inspired
A little happier, don’t you think?  
Chalk paint table makeover // Average But Inspired
I painted it with two coats of Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in “Primitive.”  This was my first time using store-bought chalk paint, and I have to say I really liked the convenience of it.  No mixing and no mess – it was super quick and easy to use, which I loved.
Once my paint dried, I gave the table a light sanding to distress the finish, and then I taped the top and painted a red grain sack stripe down the center to add some color and fun.  
Chalk paint table makeover // Average But Inspired
I finished it off with a coat of SC Johnson Paste Wax and called it a day.
Now I just need to find someone who wants to take it off of my hands before my husband does. . . .
– Bre
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Comments

  4. Bre,
    I just found your blog from Creative Spark Link Party. I love what you have done to create your up-cycled table. You have a new follower.
    Have a creative day,
    Karen Marie
    Dragonfly & Lily Pads

    Reply

    • Hi Karen Marie! Thank you SO much for your note and for following along! I just followed you back! Hope you have a great day. 🙂

  5. Love the originality. Just exactly what IS a “grain sack stripe?” I have a bench/coffee table that I want to bring to life and am willing to learn about anything new. Thanks, Bre

    Reply

    • Hi Annie! Well, I believe the grain sack stripe is the pattern that appeared on feed bags way back in the day. It’s characterized by a thick stripe in the middle and thin stripes on the outside. They’re great to replicate in painting because you just need a straight line and some painter’s tape! Perfect for a coffee table or bench. 🙂 In hindsight, I think this coffee table kind of looks like a surfboard since it’s rounded, but I think a grain sack stripe would be awesome on a bench or a rectangular coffee table! 🙂

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