How to do a Sewing Table Makeover
Add Black Paint on Edges
I had been wanting to try the Vaseline distressing method and thought this would be an easy piece to try it on. If you've never tried this method, it's where you put Vaseline where you want the bottom paint color to show through then after you paint your final coat of paint you sand it off to reveal the color underneath. Make sense? You wanna make sure that you don't put it on thick. Actually it works best in thin layers so I just applied in lightly on all the edges.
Robyn
OMGSH!!!! This is beautiful!! I have two sewing cabinets that I want to do similar to this. Going to try the carbon graphic application. However, seems like a lot of work with all the tracing. But it looks awesome!!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you, I'm sure that Deanna appreciates your comment. I appreciate you stopping by to check out the project.
gail
Selena Lee-Murphy
How lovely! I must admit I am anxious to try the Vasaline method for a project and this post gave me a little "push" to go for it. Thanks.
Paula Hany
I just tried to mix the paint mixture and I think there's an error in the amount of plaster of paris. I think it should be 5 teaspoons, not tablespoons (not if it's supposed to be a smooth mixture as pictured). 1 ½ tablespoons of water is not enough for 5 T of plaster of paris-it makes a big stiff blob.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Paula,
I apologize for that. This is not my recipe, but from a blog friend of mine. You can see my recipe for diy chalk paint here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/diy-chalky-paint-recipe-makes-a-great-primer.html which uses 2 TBS of Plaster of paris with 4 tsp of water mixed into 1 cup of latex paint.
I personally use this diy chalk paint recipe on almost everything I paint.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
gail
Kristin
Lovely transformation. I appreciate your simple unburdened concise tutorial. Too many seem to have as much "fluff" as "stuff" these days! I feel confident I can easily give this refinishing method a whirl. Thanks and once again, a lovely job!
stephanie
Loved the redo as well as the original. But the graphic is what throws me off. Seems too much and something I could not display with children in the home or anyone for that matter. But that is the conservative in me. So much out there with great beauty without exposure. I know everyone will scream but it's art....just not for me or my home! Love the tips tho!!
Christine moore
I relly liked it better the origonal way, but that's just my taste x
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Everyone is allowed to their own opinion, but thanks for sharing it in a kind way. 🙂
I think a lot of us are just so over wood tones. There are painters and non-painters. The good thing is it's just paint....nothing that can't be undone in the future when a wood tone lover gets hold of it. I'm hoping that people can learn from Deanna's tips when they find a piece that can't be saved.
gail
Kali
I agree. Its a lovely antique piece of furniture and now that original finish is ruined. The old wood finish, if in good condition, can't touch the products we have on the market today for a beautiful finish. The fact that you used plaster, you've ensured no one will ever be able to restore this piece to its original beauty, sad
fethiye
I am totally with you. I do not understand this "distressing" business, and I think it ruins a pretty good piece of furniture.
Mike
I do not understand taking a beautiful piece of furniture and literally destroying it. It was built as is and had a long life. It appears to be in excellent condition and now it looks like a pop art.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Mike,
To each his own, I suppose. Deanna lives in Florida, and the folks in her area apparently prefer an updated painted look to a dated wood tone piece of furniture.
Thanks for your input!
gail
Carolyn G
The table looks great also I wanted to know where you can buy the plaster of paris? Can't wait to make my own chalk paint.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Carolyn,
I believe you can buy it at any store. It's probably in the craft department. Mine looks like an old fashioned milk carton with the "open this side" type of cardboard.
I LOVE making my own chalky paint!
gail
Deadhead9
LOL!!!!! I had that exact same sewing table for YEARS! And--it was painted in a creamy off white and was "distressed" by having been used for YEARS! I recently donated it to a thrift store because it was just not being used in my life. I loved it but----Someone else can love it more now!
Great ideas tho! Will be checking back to see what else you love!
I Play Outside The Box
Deanna....what a great deal you got on that sewing table...and what a fantastic job you did on transforming it into a beautiful work of art!! Thanks for sharing your project!!
Off to check out your blog.
Doreen
That sewing table transformation is absolutely gorgeous! You have inspired me....
{northern cottage}
yay! this project is gorgeous - love love the color of those drawer insides (& everything else!) xo
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
This is a great project, Deanna, and a wonderful tutorial!
Shirley
THIS has got to be the best looking distressing I've seen in a long time. Thanks for the step by steps. Beautiful graphic too not common and not the "usual" french style.
Kate
Hi Gail
So nice to meet you and your lovely blog! I am a big fan of Deanna's blog. That table transformation is amazing. Have a wonderful weekend.
Warm wishes
Kate @ Salvage Dior
Franziska San Pedro
Oh my what a little gem! Really turned out beautifullly, lovin it 🙂
I know the feeling of excitement when I have a new treasure in my garage; I usually can't wait to put my hands on it and turn it into a new beauty.
What I love is how you colored the inside with a different color. Have you tried pink? I have just used a very dark pink on one of the dressers I restored, looks gorgeous!
Great job, always love your new posts -and you're so good at always taking photos (sometimes I am so excited that I forget to take pics of the in between steps...),
Franziska
@ Flavor Designs
Renewable Lifestyle
Terri
This turned out to be a darling little table. Thank you for sharing all your fun techniques creating this. I learned three things to try on my next project!
I have never heard of Elmers paint pens so will be looking for those as well. I find that occasionally when I do this transfer technique and I sand the piece...it tends to smear a little. I don't see any of that on this table!
Just bookmarked your blog so you will be "seeing" me around!
Kathy@ Gone North
Nicely, nicely done!!
Thanks for all the tips on the how-to....
✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life
Hi Gail,
Deanna did a fabulous job on transforming the table. Even the inside is pretty.
Dee
Sue
what a beautiful piece, I really like the way it turned out!
jeanetteann
Nice to meet you, we all write like we talk,too fast,too much but hey who's complaining,it's nice to talk to like minded souls. 🙂 xx