Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity at home.

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A Side Table Makeover

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I could not believe my good luck when I found this beat up (but beautiful nonetheless) side table in the alley several weeks ago.  Granted, it was covered in dust, spider webs, and had spider egg sacks (PUKE) all over the bottom, but it was a great find!  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

Even my husband was impressed with my little alley find, which never happens!  The top had beautiful veneer detailing that was in really bad shape, but I’m sure this table was a prized possession at one point. Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

I had really been wanting to do a furniture makeover with a dramatic blue paint, and I thought I’d give it a try with this table.  If you saw my post on Instagram recently, you know that was a bad move.  The blue was totally wrong for this type of table, and the gold wax that I used to try and enhance the details was gaudy on this piece.  Major DIY fail!Instagram Post

I waited for the disappointment of my poor paint color choice to pass, and thought about what would be better for an intricate table like this.  As much as I LOVE using color on my furniture projects (like on this dresser and on this chair), I decided that simple black paint was the way to go for this project.  So I got out my favorite black chalky paint and re-painted the entire table – again.  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

The black was definitely the right choice!  But because the top was very damaged (and sanding couldn’t make it entirely smooth again), I needed a way to mask the surface imperfections.  I decided that I needed to decoupage this gorgeous paper onto the top!  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

Now THIS is the right look for my alley table!  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

I am so glad I re-painted it after my blue disaster.  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

I am a seriously impatient person, so having to re-do all of the work I’d already done was a struggle, but it was worth it.  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

It took a lot of touching up to hide all of the blue paint spots that kept peeking out in various crevices of the table, but I think I finally got them all!

Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

Because the bottom part of this table is SO intricate, I knew that brushing on a poly or wax topcoat would be tricky and that I’d be sure to miss some spots, so I used this spray on wax instead.  (You can read my full opinion on this product right here!)  I think the spray wax worked great on this piece because it covered all of those nooks and crannies that would have been difficult to protect otherwise.  Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

My husband’s trying to convince me to keep this piece, but I think I’m going to sell it.  I already have so much painted furniture in this house . . . I’m not sure I should add another to the mix!  It’s becoming overkill, I think.Gorgeous! This side table was found in an alley and given a beautiful makeover with chalky paint and a patterned paper on the tabletop. See all the "before" and "afters" in this post.

So what are your thoughts on this side table makeover?  Do you like how it turned out?

Bre

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Comments

  1. So beautiful, Bre! I am in love with that decoupaged top! Such a a pretty pattern. And I had no idea there was such a thing a spray wax. Definitely need to look into it.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Sarah! Yeah – I am not 100% in love with the spray wax at all, but it is convenient, especially for intricate pieces like this one. 🙂

  2. So pretty. I loved the blue color but the black does it and the top is great also. Not all furniture wants to be white! Keep it. Sell something else.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Jody! Aaaaah, yeah I think you might be right . . . I’m going to keep it around for a while until I decide where I can put it! 🙂

    • Thanks, Cecilia! I know – that blue was NOT right for this table! I know I will find something else that the color will be right for. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice note!

  5. What an great find. The black was definitely the way to go, I wouldn’t be able to part with this piece, it’s amazing!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, Trish! 🙂 Yeah . . . I am thinking I might keep it now. I am emotionally connected – ha! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice note!

  7. The table is truly beautiful with its intricate details! What a true trash to treasure redo. I think I would have trouble letting it go, just saying.

    Reply

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