Vintage Table Makeover + Homemade Chalk Paint & Video

I feel like I give an inordinate number of makeovers to side tables. I suppose that’s because they abound at garage sales, are simple to transport, quick to paint, and easy on the pocketbook. In today’s post you’ll learn how I tackleded a vintage side table makeover using homemade chalk paint, 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…

A homemade chalk paint makeover for a vintage side table adirondackgirlatheart.com

“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 I just needed 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…”

Vintage Side table before makeover

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!

Top of Vintage Side table before makeover

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.

Homemade Chalk Paint Makeover of Vintage Table

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.”

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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

Vintage Side table makeover surface

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

Homemade Chalk Paint Makeover of Vintage Table top/side view

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.

Vintage Side table makeover

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.

Homemade Chalk Paint Makeover of Vintage Table

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

Distressed Paint on Wooden Finial

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

Decorative finial, vintage clock, antique ironstone

I began decorating with elements in neutral colors–a finial, antique clock, beads, ironstone, and…

Decorative planter

…an antique white planter.

Prayer beads and vintage alarm clock

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

Homemade Chalk Paint Makeover of Vintage Table (3)

I think I’m off to a good start. I’ll report back with a matching 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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A Homemade chalk paint makeover for a vintage side table adirondackgirlatheart.com (1)

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13 Comments

  1. A lovely project….it turned out great. It was nice to see and hear you in your video about making chalk paint you did it very well. That table was beautiful and I loved your cute little story of the table talking LOL you are a good writer! I would not have been able to pass that table up either! Although know my procrastination personality….it might take awhile to get done as a project! You are awesome.

  2. What a darling table, Diana! It looks great after your paint job. The distressing is perfect. Often I see in our local Craigs List posts pieces where the distressing ignores many of the high points and goes overboard on the flat surfaces. It looks so inauthentic. But your distressing looks very real. Good job! Now you have to go shopping for that mirror. Can’t wait to see what you find.

  3. What a great table and an unbelievable deal! You did a great job with your video and painting the table. The distressed look is not usually my style but I so admire this table and your painting and distressing certainly does wonders for it!

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