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
- Sandpaper
- Paint brushes
- Clear wax
- Wax brush
- Stencil
- Stencil brush
Drop Leaf Table Makeover How-To
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.
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!
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!
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 this stencil and carefully dabbed on the same color paint used on the table legs (Parchment by FAT Paint Co.).
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.
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!
-Bre
Laura Harrie says
Wow, what a great makeover on your alley table find! Great job!
Bre says
Thank you, Laura! Super lucky find!!
Janina says
Just beautiful….so calm and serene
Bre says
Hi, Janina – thanks so very much!
Jody says
You find the best items. That table is just too cute. When I get to Austin my new husband is in for a treat. Ha ha.
Bre says
Hi, Jody – thank you!! I do have a little bit of luck with the alley finds, LOL!!! And maybe give him a little bit of a warning first – LOL! 🙂
Julie Eggert says
When we visited last weekend I saw this table in the basement. I have to agree it was nicely repaired and very pretty with its makeover. I have to disclose I’m her mother-in-law but I also believe she is creative AND very talented with her “Average But Inspired” designs.
julie eggert
Bre says
Aw, thanks, Julie!! I’m glad you liked the table. I’m happy to report I sold it yesterday so it’s outta the basement now – yay!
Marlly says
Beautiful! I just bought a drop leaf table but I think the top is laminate…. I’m trying to do my research and make this old table beautiful! What brand of wax do you use? Any other tips you may have for this beginner?
Bre says
Hi, Marlly! Awesome! Chalk paint will definitely work on laminate; I’ve used it many times before! I would suggest sanding the top first and also spraying with Zinsser Shellac, which will help the paint adhere much better! Then for sealing, I personally LOVE SC Johnson Paste Wax, which you can find in the floor care aisle at Home Depot. It’s only like $9 but it works amazingly well and is very scratch resistant. It smells really bad though so you’d want to apply it outside. If this table you’re painting is a high-use table, you might consider sealing with a tough coat or polyacrylic instead, as those types of finishes tend to protect the table better than a wax. The table in my foyer is sealed entirely with SC Johnson Paste Wax and is very high use and has held up incredibly for the last five years, so you don’t have to use a poly if you don’t want to. Wax is easier to apply and more forgiving, in my opinion, which makes it great for a beginner project. Good luck!!!