Chalk Painted Drop Leaf Table Makeover

This painted drop leaf table makeover is a true trash to treasure gem! You won’t believe the before and after.

Several weeks ago my kids and I were driving when I spotted a table in the alley behind our church.  Like the dedicated furniture hoarder that I am, I immediately threw the car into reverse and backed into the alley to check it out. 

It was an old drop leaf table that hadn’t sold at the church’s annual rummage sale, and it had been put out (along with a lot of other random stuff), just waiting for me to come along and scoop it up!  

Divine furniture intervention?  I think so.

I struggled to get it into the hatch and sort of got it to fit.  Being unable to close the hatch door, I enlisted the help of my children, and pleaded with them to hold onto the table so it wouldn’t fall out as I drove us the four blocks home. 

They told me I am crazy, and I told them I’m giving them memories to laugh about someday when they’re grown.

Having already dealt with my children’s judgment, I next had to face the laughter of my husband and his friend, who had no faith in my ability to tighten the table’s legs and make it pretty again.  I got to work and showed them.

Supplies Used for This Painted Drop Leaf Table Makeover

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• Spray shellac
• ArtMinds Chalk Paint in Smoked Pearl
• Fat Paint paint in Parchment (a similar is ArtMinds Chalk Paint in Porcelain)
• Electric sander and sandpaper (120 grit)
• Paint brushes
• Clear wax
• Wax brush
• Bone inlay stencil
• Stencil brush

Drop Leaf Table Makeover How-To

With a little prep work and lots of paint, this drop leaf table got a new lease on life.

Table Makeover Prep Work

Because this drop leaf table had been out in the rain, I sanded it down and sprayed it with two coats of Zinsser Shellac. 

Shellac is a very smelly but very amazing tool.  It seals the wood so that any stains, tannins, or damage on the wood does not bleed through to the paint.

Painting the Table Top

Then I painted the table top with two coats of ArtMinds chalk paint in Smoked Pearl.  I’ve used this paint a couple of times now (like on my Mirror Makeover) and I like it and its low price!

Painting the Table Legs

Once the top was finished, I painted the table base and legs with FAT Paint in Parchment. 

I had this color left over from the Console Table Makeover I did last year and was happy to put it to good use because it’s great paint with great coverage!  

Adding a Bone Inlay Stencil Detail to the Table Top

I decided to add a stencil detail to the table top because, for better or worse, I have a hard time leaving things “plain.” 

I used a bone inlay stencil (the one I used is no longer sold, but this bone inlay stencil is similar), and carefully dabbed on the same color paint used on the table legs (Parchment by FAT Paint Co.).  

Finishing the Drop Leaf Table

Once the paint was totally dry, I used a fine grit sandpaper to lightly distress the legs and edges of the table top. 

Then I used the same fine grit sandpaper on my sander to lightly distress the table top and to remove some of the paint left by the stencil.  I was going for a somewhat aged look, but not overly beat up. 

Then I sealed it with a coat of clear wax and buffed to a subtle sheen.

The Finished Drop Leaf Table Makeover

How do you think my painted drop leaf table turned out?

Not too bad for an alley find, right?  

I think the stencil was a good touch; not too much detail and just enough to make this table have a little more personality.  

Plus, how fun is it that you can adjust the levers underneath the table and make it larger when you need it?  

I think this little alley cat is giving my other alley table makeover a run for it’s money! 

If you agree, I’d love for you to pin this post to Pinterest to share the inspiration (thank you)!  

What’s the best thing you have found in an alley or on the side of the road?  Let me know in the comments!