Table Makeover with Annie Sloan Old White

~Charleston Room Makeover on a Budge Series~

As I continue to redo pieces of furniture in my Charleston Room, I’m gaining more confidence in my skills using chalk paint. I started small with a wall curio and used a great DIY chalk paint recipe. From there, I used an inexpensive brand of chalk paint in a shade of green that I love. Moving on, I was ready to paint more pieces. For this coffee table, I decided to jump on the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint wagon. I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. I learned a few things along the way while painting this, too.

I’ve had this table for about ten years. It’s part of a set that is very nondescript and pretty inexpensive. It has a cherry finish and worked well in my parlor all this time.

I decided to use Annie Sloan Old White for this table makeover in part because of the shiny surface of this table. I’ve read great things about how it covers really well and I was ready to put it to the test.

I had not planned on using this piece in my Charleston Room.  I even found a great coffee table at Goodwill for ten dollars that I was planning on painting and using for this space. But, it turned out that table was too long for the spot it needed to be in. I looked around at some thrift stores for a smaller table and saw one that looked just about like the one I already had. So, a light bulb moment happened and I knew I could redo this table to fit into the new decor of this room.

I did not sand or prime the table. I just wiped it off making sure to find any lingering dust. I was excited to use this paint after seeing so  many wonderful furniture transformations that have been done with it. I chose Old White hoping it would give me the soft off white look I wanted.

 I’ve read various opinions about what type of brush to use for this chalk paint. Some recommend pricey ones, others say inexpensive ones will work just fine. So, naturally I opted to go the least expensive route. I didn’t run into any problems. 

One thing I found about Annie Sloan paint compared to other, less expensive brands is that it doesn’t run nearly as much. There is a little, but that’s most likely due to technique rather than the quality of the paint. I’m getting better though!

I poured some paint into a bowl and put the lid back on the can as I painted. I’ve read a number of times that the paint can dry out and thicken  fairly quickly. I’ve also read if that happens, a small amount of water can be added to solve the problem.

After the first coat of paint, the table was looking pretty good and I was really pleased with how well it covered.

One of the things I love most about Annie Sloan paint is how smooth it is. Other chalk paints don’t have quite the same texture. After two coats, the old coffee table was ready for distressing.

Recently, I purchased a detail sander from Lowe’s. I don’t know why I haven’t bought one of these sooner. It’s so much easier to use than just sand paper. I practiced a little bit on some old wood before using it on the table. It only takes a very light touch with this, using medium grit sand paper.  I didn’t want to heavily distress the piece. I only wanted to give it a little bit of old character in random places on the curves of the legs and around the rim of the top.

To finish off the coffee table, I used a wax brush and in small circular motions, I applied clear wax to a small area. I used cheese cloth to wipe it off before moving on to the next area. Now, I did not choose to use Annie Sloan Wax. I’m sure it’s great and if you’re a seasoned waxer, it’s probably easy to use, but I researched and read so many articles that I decided against using it. I used Waverly Clear Wax which is not at all the same consistency of a soft wax. It’s much thinner and is super easy to work with. I wanted to keep a matte finish, so I did not buff the piece at all. 

I could not be more pleased with the result. I have the look I wanted and I’m happy with how it looks in my Charleston Room.

I think it’s a great addition to the room. What do you think?

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Charleston Room Makeover On A Budget Series~
Introducing the Series
DIY Extra Long Curtain Rods
Single Letter Monogram With Lace
Thrift Store Wall Curio
Coffee Table Tray
Chalk Painted Side Tables in Green
Annie Sloan Old White Coffee Table
DIY Open Frames
Coastal Coasters
Rocking Chair Makeover
Map Collage
China Hutch Makeover