Giving a Side Table a Clock Face Makeover

One of the highlights of my week has been the completion of a side table project that has cluttered up my kitchen for almost ten days.

I purchased a drum table quite a while ago, which then sat in my foyer for a couple of weeks awaiting a makeover.

Sometimes I need to ruminate over plans for a while; the idea progresses over time until coming to complete fruition, the “aha” moment when the plan crystallizes, and I know it’s time to move forward.

Does that ever happen to you?

Give a side table a clock face makeover

I’ve seen several tables on Pinterest with table top clock faces and decided I wanted to give it a try myself. I’ll be honest with you, it was not the easiest project I’ve ever undertaken, but I’m nonetheless pleased with the results.

Vintage drum table
Here’s what the drum table looked like right out of the van the day of purchase ($5.00). The legs were a little peachier than they look in the photo and the top bore a faux wood paint job.

Drum table base
But she was quite sturdy and just the right size for my living room. I sensed that the wood underneath the paint might be quite lovely, but my days of stripping furniture are over–I love the new paint craze!

Painted drum table top
The paint I chose for the table came from a garage sale–an entire gallon of this medium taupe (leaning toward green, rather than red), and I just love it!

For the surface I mixed the taupe with some white and I’m happy with the contrast between the two. I painted the legs first with it upside down on my kitchen peninsula–it worked pretty well–no uncomfortable squatting or kneeling for this poor old lady.

Side view of painted drum table
Here’s a view of the whole table after painting. It only required one coat of paint, with a few touch-ups of areas that failed to cover completely.

top of painted drum table shows table original stain showing through
I left a few spots (as in this photo) where the old, brown paint showed through because I knew I’d ultimately be “aging” the surface anyway.

Edge of clock face table showing distressing
Next, I distressed the edges a bit with my sanding sponge.

Farmhouse style Clock face on drum table
Then I stenciled the Roman numerals around the edges as evenly as possible. Now, I’m coming completely clean by showing you this photo. I could have taken much more complimentary shots, but I’m giving you the head on shot.

It did not come out perfectly. The spacing is not perfect and the angles are not perfect. I know. You like perfect. So do I. If I had taken the time to measure and if I had used see-through stencils, things might have turned out differently.

side view of some roman numerals on table
Or I could have shown you this photo instead, which because I took it at an angle, doesn’t highlight the flaws quite so much.

My imperfections reminded me of something we were told when visiting the Rock of Cashel in Ireland. The docent informed us that in medieval times, tapestry weavers purposely made mistakes in deference to God, the only one who makes things perfect. So that’s my new story, “I made my Roman numerals crooked out of deference to God(!).”

Farmhouse clock face table staged with terrarium, shoe form, & cactus
In any event, once I move it into the living room and set a lamp on it and a few other chochkies, you won’t be able to tell, right?

Hobby Lobby letter stencils
FYI, these are the stencils I used to make the Roman numerals. I purchased them at JoAnn’s Fabric for just $2.99, but if I do this project again, I’ll probably look for some older looking stencils to use. I had to add all the serifs to the letters by hand–not hard, but tedious.

Cafe paris stenciled on table with terracotta pot on top of table
Okay, back to the process. After stenciling the letters, I stenciled “Cafe Paris” in the center. I considered painting hands, but decided against it. I didn’t want to cover up any of the numerals.

I wouldn’t get too picky about your center stencil, make sure it’s something you like and that it matches the vibe set by your Roman numerals (or numbers, whichever you choose to use).

wax being applied to the table top
For the final step, I applied some wax to both age and protect the surface of the table. I typically use un-tinted wax on my projects, but you can make your own dark wax by adding stain to un-tinted wax.

After rubbing some dark wax onto the surface of the table with cheese cloth, I let it sit for about 15 minutes and then buffed it. I gave a second coat of un-tinted wax for further protection.


Center of table with "Cafe Paris" and terrarium

It aged the surface just the right amount (in my humble opinion).

Farmhouse clock face table staged with vase of flowers and terracotta pot

I think it’s going to look nice in my living room.

side table below flowers
Conclusion

To get even more details about making over furniture, check out this article covering how to paint, distress, stencil, and wax farmhouse style furniture.

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 Bye for now,
scan of Diana signatureWould you pin this image to your favorite board?
It would help soooo much!

Learn how to give a side table a clock face makeover

 

 

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36 Comments

  1. I just love your little table makeover…imperfections and all! I think it’s beautiful. I usually have to have a piece hanging around before I know exactly what I want to do with it too.

    Tania

  2. Oooooh I absolutely love that table. I found a shabby tilt top table yesterday for less than $4. It needs a treatment similar to what you did. Wish me luck, I haven’t stenciled anything in a long time.

  3. Okay, first of all, I’ve always loved these clock tables, too. I think yours is grand:) And you’re right, after you put some pretty stuff on it does look absolutely perfect! Thank you for all the keeping it real tips. Oh, and we’ve been to the Rock of Cashel, too. On our honeymoon 20 years ago! I’m quite Irish and the dream was always to go back. Still haven’t made it though…:)
    xoKathleen

    1. We are blessed to be able to travel around Europe for two years while we lived in England and would love to go back to places like Ireland, but who knows what the future holds? May be should organize an antique hunting, DIY-ing trip over there. Wouldn’t that be fun?

      Thanks so much for your kind comments about my [crooked] clock-faced table ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. I’m always drawn to clock face tables but your’s Diana is gorgeous, especially with the antiquing. Gives it loads of character!

  5. Hi Diana! I lost you there for awhile, not getting your emails and then I remembered that you switched over to WordPress. I guess I was supposed to re-sign up? Anyways, I found you and I love your latest project. I always admire your bravery in doing something new and then it comes out perfect!

    1. Yea, I don’t understand what happened because I had Feedburner on my Blogger blog and still have it on my WordPress. Everything should have transferred over, but apparently it didn’t for many people. I hope everyone [who wants to] finds me again ๐Ÿ™‚

      I’ve never thought of myself as brave, AnnMarie, so I’ll have to mull that one over…Glad you liked the table.

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  7. What a pretty makeover, Diana! I love the roman numerals and the graphic is perfect for it! I think you did a beautiful job! Featuring you at our party tomorrow ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope your summer has been amazing! xo

  8. Yes, I remembering featuring a clock table a while back. You say yours is imperfect, but I think it’s perfectly wonderful! I love the slight imperfections. I’ve always heard that saying about the Amish making mistakes intentionally because God is the only one that is perfect. Every time I make a mistake in a project I just say that it’s the Amish in me coming out. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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