Monday, October 11, 2010

End table Re-fab

Here is my latest rehab project. I picked this little end table up at the local Salvation Army for a few bucks. The drawer was missing and the paint job had seen better days.
I loved her lines and size, so I over looked the fact she was empty inside.
As I began my sanding, I discovered the green/gold color was some kind of treatment over white paint.
She has lots of gouges and scratches (and plenty of dirt too).
I sanded to the bare wood in some places and only till the shine was gone in others. I was trying to get rid of the chippy layer. I would learn this was a mistake when I went to spray paint.
Why is it a mistake? The paint takes differently to raw wood vs. painted wood. I was pretty ticked at myself b/c I have done enough furniture to know you either sand it all off, or at least evenly on the whole piece.
Here is an up close shot of how rough the edges were. It was not in great shape. I guess that is why I got lazy. I figured I didn't want to put a few hours worth of stripping and sanding into a $5.00 end table.
First coat of spray paint is on. (Of course, i used Krylon Blue Ocean-my favorite color ever!)
It was very uneven. Raw wood peeking through. Not good. I think I ended up doing like 4 coats.
Next I cut a piece of 1/2 inch MDF to make a bottom for my storage area. I then sprayed the inside white as a base coat.
I smeared the edge of the MDF with some construction adhesive to give the paint a barrier (otherwise the MDF would just soak it up). I thought about using some dollhouse molding, but I was trying to make this one quick! (hahahahaha....i worked on this in my spare time over 4 days vs. the 1 day I thought it would take)
I know the construction adhesive is a tacky solution, but honestly not every project is worthy of the time and energy the perfectionist in me wants to give. I knew this was going in my bedroom, and that the edge would be good enough.
Here it is painted. Not perfect, but it'll blend with the rest of the table's imperfections! In the picture above you can see I also painted the interior blue.
A few more coats of paint and I am happy with the coverage. It is smooth and even and nearly perfect. That means it is time to bust out the sander again.
There goes the paint job. Sometimes I hesitate before I start sanding b/c I love a nice, smooth, perfect paint job. However, I am a realist and anything in my house will get worn. I have 4 boys that make that a guarantee! At least this way it gets started on my terms.
So I sanded in the areas most likely to get bumped and battered. These happened to be the areas that were already pretty bumped and battered prior to the makeover.

Now comes the fun! My friend -Valspar Antiquing Glaze- and I got down and dirty!
I used a stiff paint brush to push the glaze into the groves and onto the edges.
I work on one side at a time. On larger pieces, I do small sections. This one was small enough I could do an entire side at one shot.
Here is a closeup to show you the groove I mentioned earlier. I left the glaze heavy in most areas of the groove.
Here she is finished and ready to go to her new home. I found a perfect sized basket at Michael's to hide my junk.
She is still pretty battered and worn. Only now she is beautiful too!
And now for her new home. I can't believe I am showing this next picture.
This is what I have been using for a nightstand. It is tiny (and not very pretty). Our bed is a king sized bed and we have high, boxed ceilings. The scale was all wrong. I also need to get something on our walls! We have lived here for 3 years, but I am scared to commit!
I am much happier with the end table as the nightstand. I need to make up the bed, work on the accessories and the wall, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. And certainly for a $5.00 investment, it couldn't get much better!
I like to give a side-by-side before and after.
So what do you think?

21 comments:

  1. Looks great! And that really is a neat color!

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  2. This is fabulous!! I LOVE it!!! I'm your newest follower! :)

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  3. So cute! I would love to have you link up over at Sassy Sites for our Trash to Treasure Tuesday party! :)

    Marni @ Sassy Sites!
    www.sassysites.blogspot.com

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  4. Great before and after! Love the color you used.

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  5. I am currently redoing my daughters room (she moved out) and it's turning out so cute and that table would be perfect. Jealous!

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  6. It turned out great. I love the idea of no drawers in things that are supposed to have drawers.

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  7. I love that color. I am always in such a hurry to paint that I never remember to take the before shot. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. I love this project! I didn't know how you were going to make it cute, but you rocked it! I will think twice about overlooking a thrift store piece just because a drawer is missing!

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  9. I really enjoyed this makeover. She turned out beautiful, and is a 100 % improvement in your bedroom.
    I sympathize with the overkill in sanding...the same thing has happened to me. And I love Krylon Blue Ocean, too!
    I am so glad you rescued her...

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  10. Hi, I just found your post as a link off of Coastal Charm! I just did my first rehab project too, but yours is absolutely amazing, plus I like your information. I'm in love with the color of this table, and your idea about the basket is terrific. Thanks so much for sharing and giving me some more inspiration and tips!

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  11. Lov'n it! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  12. This came out super great! I love it! The color is gorgeous and so perfect! Great job! :)

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  13. Great makeover, looks so gorgeous, bravo:))
    Greetings from Europe, Biljana

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  14. Super cute! That's my fave color of spray paint, too.

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  15. Oh wow! This is great! I am in love with all the furniture redos I've been seeing. Such a wonderful job (& great color!)

    Popped by from Mad Skills Monday :)

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  16. Very pretty and I love the color. Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Great idea! Have been looking for a good glaze, will try Valspar. Love the color & thanks for the tutorial!

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  18. What a super transformation--Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 linky party.

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  19. I'm so excited that I found your post. I have had a nightstand in my garage half done becasue I wasn't sure what to do with it. Now I know...one of the doors is really jacked so now I am going to completely take it out! It looks Great! Thanks again for the inspiration!

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