Antique Coffee Table

Isn't it always fun to be given free furniture?  I was happy to get this one~

The top was so beat up, but it cleaned up nicely after it was stripped, sanded and stained.

I used Old White CP for the base.  The plan was to dry brush it on, but my brush happened to be a little wet, so I did sort of a wet/dry brushing application.  :)  I just kept my brush wet with a teeny bit of water and brushed on super small amounts of paint.  I probably only used  about a tablespoon of paint on the entire table.

I sealed the base with 2 coats of Minwax Paste Wax~

I haven't been using the Minwax wax lately, but I really loved how quickly it dries and is ready to be buffed.  The Annie wax seems to take much longer...but that's just me.  :)

The top of the table got 3 coats of Tung Oil~

Here's my freebie before picture~

Now it's all cute and ready for a new living room~

  

Thanks for checking in!  :)

Whitewashed Tables

It's been sooo long since I've posted!  I am hoping to go back to teaching next year, so I've been spending all my free moments working on application questions, preparing a new portfolio, and updating my resume.  Afer sitting out for eight years hanging out with my kids, my head is spinning with phrases like differentiated instruction, project-based learning and the six writing traits!  :)

Aaaanyways, we inherited these lovely hunter green tables several years ago from my parents.  They aren't really all that bad, but the green is just so... 90's, I guess.  They take me back to high school days.  :)

First I stripped the tops~

This is what I've been using lately~

I stained the tops, but they looked a little boring, so I mixed up a whitewash mixture from the same off white mistint I had painted onto the base.

For my whitewash mixture I just poured in a little paint and water.  I think the ratio should be somewhere in the 50/50 range, but I just guess.

I also like to add a small amount of clear glaze to the mix because it allows a little more time to work the paint in before it dries.

After the whitewash, I dry brushed the same paint over the top to give it a little more worn look.

When it dried, I sanded it with a really fine 320 grit sandpaper.

After painting the base, I just barely distressed some of the edges because I didn't want that hideous forest green color peeking out.  To give the appearance of distressing, I glazed with both RL Tobacco to darken the nooks and crannies and the Tea-Stained for an aged effect.

I sealed everything with Minwax Paste Wax~

I love using my wax brush~ it goes on so quickly and evenly!

I'm so glad I never have to see these in forest green again~

Coffee Table

Side Table~

Both together :)

Happy New Year!  :)

French Provencial Bedroom Set

When I found this set on Craigslist, the gentleman selling it said it was antique and solid wood.  Not so, my friends, not so.  It was vintage at best, and I'm not sure there was a solid piece of wood to be found.  The fronts of the drawers were actually made from plastic.  I figured this set would be a great test to see how well chalk paint really adhered to anything.  :)

I painted them in Provence CP, and used Old White as a trim color.  I lightly distressed and then waxed with clear and dark wax.  The chalk paint worked like a charm!

This is how they turned out~

Happy Holidays!!!

Aubusson Blue Desk

This desk was a piece from a huge french bedroom set I found a while back.  I did this one a different color from the others partly because I didn't know how anyone could squeeze that whole set into one bedroom and after painting four other pieces in Provence, I was ready for a change!

Check out that gold!!! :)

The desk and chair got 2 coats of Aubusson Blue CP. 

Hey, there, Zach's Lego Man! :)

I painted the little trim pieces in Old White.

Since this piece was not wood, and in fact, had plastic fronts on the drawers, I really tried my best to not distress too much.  It's one of my weaknessnes, though! :)

I applied the dark wax directly onto the paint. 

I usually let the wax dry about a day, then buff it.

I lined the drawers and covered that gold cushion on the chair with some fun, bright fabric. 

Aubusson is really dark, so this really livened things up!

Before~

After~

Happy Holidays!