a six legged table.

Published on by Quandie

First things first, congrats to Irene for winning the Prima Marketing Modeling Material and molds drawing.  Hope she has fun making up some molds!  Now, onward with today’s post …

A while back my hairdresser texted me to ask if I wanted a table that she was getting rid of.  The table reminded me quite a bit of the one that I use on my side of the bed as a night stand …

It’s the same general style, size and height.  These taller occasional tables are perfect next to a bed that has some height to it.   There isn’t any storage, but a little wicker box will do to hold lotion, tissues, etc.

So although I tend to shy away from smaller occasional tables these days, I knew from experience that this one could serve a practical purpose.  So I said yes.

Here is the ‘before’ …

Oh boy.  So dark it will need three coats of paint to go light, and all of those legs to paint!

More on that in a minute, but first, here’s a look at the ‘before’ condition of the top …

Pretty scratched up and discolored.  But I thought the wood grain pattern in the veneer itself was quite pretty.

So I started out by stripping the top.   Then I got a wild hair to try either white washing or lime waxing it to lighten it up, while still allowing the grain to show through.  But instead of either of those, when I reached into the supply cabinet I pulled out the Homestead House Stain and Finishing Oil in Driftwood which is a grey color.

After the first coat I really thought I’d made a mistake.  It was streaky and dull.  But the SFO (Stain and Finishing Oil) is meant to be applied in several light coats.  Each coat progressively adds a little more color, durability and sheen.  So I applied a second coat, which improved the look immensely.

But then I stopped after two coats because I liked the look, and I didn’t want to hide any more of that grain with a more opaque finish.  I could have added additional coats of the SFO in Natural at this point because it will add protection and sheen without adding color, but I didn’t have any of that on hand. So instead I added a topcoat of Miss Mustard Seed’s clear wax to give it a little more luster and protection.

Next up was painting the base of the table … but oh my, six legs!  That’s a lot of putzy painting with a brush.

I don’t own a paint sprayer.  Typically, spraying is just not for me.  I enjoy painting with a brush.  I know I would not enjoy the process of using a sprayer; taping things off, finding a way to contain the over spray, and most of all, cleaning the sprayer when you’re done.  Yep, that part is especially not for me.  I’ve been known to completely forget about the clean up step and throwing a paint brush away is bad enough.  Having to toss an expensive sprayer would really be a bummer.

But in the case of something like this piece, I’m not opposed to pulling out a can of spray paint to get the job done.

In this case I thought I’d try the Rust-Oleum Chalked ultra matte spray paint in Country Gray.

I taped off the top, and then sprayed three coats on the base of the table.

I pretty much used up the entire can on this one small table.  Spray paint is definitely not the most cost effective solution, but it can sometimes be the easiest.

I staged the photos with a chair and one of my stenciled faux grain sack pillows just to give it some scale.

I filled an old transferware tea pot with some coleus clippings and put it on top of a couple of books too.

One of my readers, Shelly, recommended the book on top, Country Brocante Style by Lucy Haywood.  So Mr. Q ordered it from amazon for me (gotta love that next day shipping).  Thanks for that recommendation Shelly, I love the book.  It fits my style to a t (or should I say a q?)

As for the table, I think it has a completely updated look now, don’t you?

Thanks to Homestead House for providing the Stain & Finishing Oil, and to Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint for providing the clear furniture wax.

If any of you locals need a fabulous new bedside table, be sure to check my ‘available for local sale‘ page for more details.

38 thoughts on “a six legged table.”

  7. What a lovely, “grey”cious table! The painted finish brings out the details of the legs so beautifully.

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  8. I love the fact that you used Spray Paint. I have tried the Rust-Oleum Chalked for a few of my projects, and agreed…not the most economical, but in a pinch for difficult swirl pattern items…always a good go to for ease! Overall, not necessarily always the greatest in color choices, but it works! And, excellent advice about the sprayer. I have caught myself thinking if I had a sprayer….what if?? But, you answered it perfectly! I would not want to have to clean it all the time, and I get made when my Spray Paint clogs…but, I just throw it away! The task of having to clean the sprayer would defeat me! You have saved me from a tool that I don’t need!

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    1. Yep, that task would totally defeat me as well! I’m thinking of using the Rust-Oleum Chalked on the inside of a secretary desk I’m going to be working on in the coming weeks too. Perfect solution to getting inside all of those cubbies. At least I hope it will be 🙂

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  9. Your table is now ready to be put to use in lots of different decorating styles and lots of possible uses. I love these size of tables because they are very versatile and fit in small entry halls, bedside, next to a couch or chair, as an additional table for small rooms. Looks great in grey and it lighter color really shows off the details of the turned legs. I do have a very good sprayer, bought at Woodcraft, and have used it a lot. It does take a lot of paint but your paint time is drastically reduced. I tend to gather up a lot of smalls and paint them all white at one time. Clean up is really not so bad, not even much longer than if you had several brushes to clean. But since you are just painting on weekends I totally get why you hesitate!

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    1. I think you’re right about that Laura, the key to working with a sprayer is to have lots of pieces lined up and ready to be painted. For sure a time saver for those who are much more prolific painters than I am!

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    2. Love how you handled the top. And the grey color looks perfect with it. Nice save Linda. Very handsome piece.

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  10. Adorable – Great job! Do you have to put any topcoat on w that spray chalk paint? If you wanted to distress, is it easy or do you need to use a resist like wax?

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    1. I did distress, although not heavily. I found it slightly more difficult than your typical chalk paint, but easier than Fusion acrylic paint. In other words, totally do-able. Here’s what the Rust-Oleum website says about a top coat: For added durability and protection, we recommend applying the Ultra Matte Top Coat. It will make it easier to clean and prevent water marks. I interpret that to say that you don’t absolutely have to apply one, but you may want to for added durability. I did not add a top coat.

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  11. Wow what a revival! Love what you did on the top and the bottom is lovely! Have one of these tables myself in the entry and I love the lines of it. You’ve got me looking at it with new eyes for sure! A makeover may be brewing😆

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  12. Love the table! I just got a table at an estate sale Friday and was thinking of striping the top of it, doing a stained top and gray bottom! It is currently finished in a mustard colored paint with brown streaks on the top made by brush strokes, a look from the old country style of decorating. My problem with spray paint is dripping! I know light coats are best , but I always find a drip later someplace! ugg! I may end up using milk paint.
    I am so glad you like the book Country Brocante Style. I thought you would like it! We have the same taste! 😁

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    1. Oh yes, I clearly remember that look from the old country style days! The trick to no drips with spray paint is to stay 6″ to 8″ away, spray thin light coats, and keep the can moving. I also use one of those plastic trigger thingies (like this). It makes the spraying so much easier. And yes, I love the book! So glad you recommended it 🙂

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  13. Hey Miss Quandie! I think you must have a very light touch and a good aim to cover the table with three coats from only one can of spray paint…..one can always seems to go so fast! And your taping job on the top with all those curves, it looks perfect! Drat! When I see your tape-off result it’s no wonder that I get performance anxiety! How long did the taping take? A+ on execution as per usual! ;-D

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    1. I probably should have done a tutorial on the taping, but I neglected to take any photos and it’s a bit hard to put into words. But basically I run a wide (the 1.88″ wide version) piece of tape straight down one side trying to center it on the edge between the stain and tape. Then I take a sharp razor blade and hold it at an angle to the edge and cut the tape along the curvy edge. If your blade is sharp, you angle it just so and you keep it moving along it will follow the edge perfectly and be done in two seconds. Can you picture what I’m trying to describe?

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  15. Looks great! I’ll have to remember the chalked spray paint! I am not a fan of painting legs, so that makes it much easier. Now to find an easy economical way to put our beloved other paint we use into some kind of spray can, without the fuss and muss of a sprayer. Did that once – on a bed and dresser – what a PITA (pain in the ass), never again!

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    1. LOL, yes, it seems as though there are two camps of people when it comes to sprayers. Those who love it, and those who think it’s a PITA (I’m in the latter camp myself).

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  17. This is the beautiful of the beautiful.I absolutely love it….and I bet Mom and Sis do too.I have also never seen a table like this. It is as I said Beautiful…great work. Betty from Ontario

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  18. I love how the table turned out. It’s beautiful!! How did you like the Rustoleum spray Chalked Paint? I’ve read mixed reviews. For some strange reason, painting legs doesn’t usually bother me but I do believe I would’ve been intimidated by those 6 detailed ones! I want this tale so badly even though I have nowhere to put it! LOL!

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