A Homemade Chalk Paint Makeover for a Vintage Table + Video

Hi there! I feel like I give an inordinate number of makeovers to side tables. I suppose that’s because they abound at garage sales, are easy to transport, quick to paint, and easy on the pocketbook. In today’s post you’ll learn how I gave a homemade chalk paint makeover to a vintage side table, and I’ve included a video(!).

The paint job so transformed this curvy-legged beauty that she has now joined my household. I had been hoping to renew my foyer area, and this table fit the spot perfectly. I need to paint a mirror now to bring all of the elements together, but that won’t be difficult. Some of the other tables I’ve worked on that you might like to see include: an Eastlake side table makeover, a clock face table, and an occasional table face lift.

But now I have a story to tell…

There I was, all alone in the driveway. Everyone of my furniture friends had been bought and packed away in cars with delighted new owners, while I remained passed over. Rejected repeatedly. Scoffed at. Remarked on: “What a mess. Looks like someone spilled acid on its surface.”

But then she came along. She had such a nice smile. She ran her hand along my curves and said how pretty I was, and that all I needed was a coat of paint, and I’d be–good as new! Me. New again. How was that even possible? I guess I would find out…

I’m sure you can see why I was so attracted to this pretty little table, as she sat all alone in the driveway at a local garage sale–all those curves, and the decorative finial. The $5 price tag didn’t hurt either!

The top was in pretty bad shape, which is why I decided to go the paint route. I love to use chalk paint for this kind of project because it’s quick and easy, even if I have to make the paint myself, which this time I did.

Despite the fact that this three ingredient paint (one of the ingredients is water) is super easy to make, I know that I personally feel more confident after I watch someone else do it. So I made a little video for you, and just like you asked, I’m in this one 🙂 [I am NOT a natural, but I guess I get the job done, LOL.]

Homemade Chalk Paint

1 tablespoon of unsanded grout
1 1/2 tablespoons of water
1 cup of latex paint

With my cup of newly created chalk paint in hand, I gave my table one coat of paint. Only one because I wanted a medium level of distressing, so wherever the paint went on thin, I could easily sand back to the table’s original dark finish. After sanding, she got a coat of paste wax for protection, which also left a satiny smooth surface.

And here’s the finished project. I could not be more pleased with the results and am looking forward to adding a mirror and other features to complete the whole “look.”

[This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase any item via my link, I receive a small commission which helps support my blog. Thanks in advance!]

How I painted the table:

• Sponge wipe the table
• Apply chalk paint with a 2″ brush
• Allow it to dry a few hours or overnight
• Distress with sanding block or sand paper as desired
• Sponge wipe paint dust away
• Apply paste wax & buff with cheesecloth

Here you can see where I sanded away some of the paint on the surface of the table.

And all along the edges. Focus your sanding on the areas that are the most likely to be rubbed over time and also all of the high points and raised areas. Sanding the latter is what gives definition and depth to your piece.

The sanding I did on the legs serves as a good example of this kind of distressing. If I had left the high points unsanded, the legs would lack definition and the details wouldn’t stand out. You can see some of that on the finial as well.

Good sanding on the edges of the table top accomplished the same goal of definition and depth.

You see similar distressing on the decorative finial I used to decorate the table top.

I began decorating with the monochromatic elements–the finial, the ironstone, and…

…the decorative planter.

The prayer beads and vintage clock added texture and interest to the display.

I think I’m off to a good start. I’ll report back with a matching vintage, chalk painted mirror and some other accessories soon. Please leave any questions that you have about the homemade chalk paint; I’d be happy to answer them. Have a great day!

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