Hiya guys …
I’m so excited to be guest blogging here at My Repurposed Life. Thank you Gail for giving me the opportunity to share my lil’ blog with your readers.
My name is Deanna, nice to meet ya : ) I’m a mom of 2 girls, a grandma to 1 lil’ 3 month old grandson (who is possibly the best baby in the world) and a wife to a man who patiently puts up with my ongoing craziness creativity. I started It’s Just Me almost 2 years ago after reading so many other blogs that were doing what I do and said “Hey, I can do that”. I know that I’m not a writer, I tend to write like I talk, but I’m honest, I love what I do and I LOVE junk!
Anyhoo, today I wanted to show ya a cute lil’ sewing table I picked up at a garage sale for $10. I know, it looks good just as it is but there’s just something in me that makes me wanna put my “touch” on it. I always say, “Let’s see what THIS can become”
I decided that I wanted a light gray homemade chalk paint with distressing showing black under it. I also thought a great graphic on top would finish it off.
I started by lightly sanding all the edges. Since I was using chalk paint, I knew that I wouldn’t have to do much sanding or priming on the rest of the piece so I concentrated where I would be using the black paint. After I sanded I used basic black craft paint. I didn’t worry if it looked good because it will be painted over …
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 …
Now onto mixing my chalk paint. I got my supplies together … sample flat paint, Plaster of Paris, water, and a plastic bowl.
I mixed about 5TBL. of Plaster of Paris with about 1 1/2TBL. water till everything was smooth
Then poured in about 1/2 a container of flat paint and stirred well …
After mixing it thoroughly I applied 1 coat of paint …
Let it dry for about 2 hours then applied another coat …
Again, I let it dry about another 2 hours then got to distressing. This was the easiest distressing job I’ve ever done. I just used a piece of 120 sand paper. You could kinda tell where the Vaseline was because the paint was all crackly. I really like how the black shows through. It has a real “peeling paint” effect.
Now for the top. Like I said, I knew I wanted a graphic. Something feminine. I didn’t really want anything French since I tend to do that a lot like on my French Beachy Table or my Postale Box. So while cruising around Graphics Fairy I found the perfect picture. I used my trusty blow up technique (you can see how I do that here)
Traced it out using carbon paper. Painted it with a Elmer’s Black Paint Pen and presto … prettiness : )
I lightly sanded the graphic then waxed the whole piece with Minwax’s Dark Wax. The hardware was sprayed with Rust-oleum’s Hammered Satin Finish. I just had a can of it in the garage. Don’t cha’ love when that happens?
I decided to paint the inside of the drawers to finish it off so I went with Hosta from Martha Stewart.
I love taking an old dated piece of furniture and bringing it current.
She sure doesn’t look her age now. She has some serious character and I think she’s ready to hold some wonderful goodies.Make sure to stop by my lil’ slice of Blog-Land, It’s Just Me and check out some of my other furniture make-overs, some cool junkin finds, handmade goodies as well as some useful tips.
Thanks Gail for having me … : )
Related Content: See more Sewing Cabinet Makeovers Here
Deanna—I’ve done a lot of sewing table makeovers. BUT, I LOVE the look of your table. It reminds me a lot of a $7 nightstand I did for my bedroom. My most distressed piece. I love the look but I have a hard time achieving it. I must try this technique! Oh, and I love the blue drawers! Thank you for sharing this post with my friends!
Now, y’all hop on over to give Deanna a visit, k?
gail
Robyn says
June 23, 2016 at 8:52 pmOMGSH!!!! 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 says
June 23, 2016 at 9:23 pmThank you, I’m sure that Deanna appreciates your comment. I appreciate you stopping by to check out the project.
gail
Selena Lee-Murphy says
May 12, 2016 at 7:37 amHow 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 says
November 13, 2014 at 12:20 pmI 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 says
November 13, 2014 at 5:29 pmPaula,
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 says
November 6, 2014 at 1:01 pmLovely 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 says
November 6, 2014 at 12:46 pmLoved 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 says
November 6, 2014 at 4:45 amI relly liked it better the origonal way, but that’s just my taste x
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
November 6, 2014 at 10:12 amEveryone 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 says
November 6, 2014 at 10:58 amI 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 says
November 6, 2014 at 11:46 amI am totally with you. I do not understand this “distressing” business, and I think it ruins a pretty good piece of furniture.
Mike says
May 12, 2016 at 8:48 amI 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 says
May 13, 2016 at 8:35 amMike,
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 says
August 16, 2013 at 10:10 pmThe 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 says
August 17, 2013 at 8:40 amCarolyn,
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 says
October 23, 2012 at 4:56 amLOL!!!!! 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 says
June 24, 2012 at 2:43 pmDeanna….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 says
June 24, 2012 at 5:07 amThat sewing table transformation is absolutely gorgeous! You have inspired me….
{northern cottage} says
June 23, 2012 at 4:18 pmyay! this project is gorgeous – love love the color of those drawer insides (& everything else!) xo
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
June 23, 2012 at 2:18 amThis is a great project, Deanna, and a wonderful tutorial!
Shirley says
June 22, 2012 at 4:55 pmTHIS 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 says
June 22, 2012 at 3:31 pmHi 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 says
June 22, 2012 at 1:06 pmOh 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 says
June 22, 2012 at 12:19 pmThis 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 says
June 22, 2012 at 11:33 amNicely, nicely done!!
Thanks for all the tips on the how-to….
✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says
June 22, 2012 at 11:30 amHi Gail,
Deanna did a fabulous job on transforming the table. Even the inside is pretty.
Dee
Sue says
June 22, 2012 at 10:16 amwhat a beautiful piece, I really like the way it turned out!
jeanetteann says
June 22, 2012 at 7:14 amNice 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