Today I am sharing a simple Decoupage Table, a thrift store hexagon side table to be exact. Wait! That’s not the BEST part—the best part is . . . it was only $2.
This post is jam packed with some of my BEST DIY tips!!
Thrift Store Hexagon Side Table
Yep, this is what a $2 vintage hexagon side table looks like.
Tip #1 Don't pass up an ugly (cheap) side table.
I recently took part in a virtual online painting class with Jennifer Allwood. It consisted of several weekly videos of Jennifer showing how she works her magic on furniture pieces.
Clean with TSP
Step one is to clean your project. Now, granted, I typically skip this step and just do a quick wipe down with a cloth. However, this time I was trying to follow Jennifer’s instructions. I had this TSP in my stash because I do use it when there is a need. I mixed this powder in a small bucket and used a rag while wearing gloves to protect my hands.
Tip #2 Use TSP to clean all of your thrift store projects.
Cover Hinges with Vaseline
Another great trick I’ve learned (from Refunk My Junk) is to use Vaseline on hinges you don’t want to paint (OR remove)
Notice how clean the table is after the TSP treatment.
Tip # 3 Use Vaseline to coat hinges and protect them from paint.
DIY Chalky Paint Primer made with Plaster of Paris
As usual, I mixed up some DIY Chalky Paint Primer using some Plaster of Paris. This time I used some Valspar mis-tint paint. This is the method I use on 99% of all of my projects click the chalky paint primer link for the details.
Tip #4 Use homemade chalk paint as a primer
Easy Painting with Finish Max
To get the best coverage quickly, I used my Homeright Finish Max to paint the hexagon side table.
The DIY Chalky Paint Primer is very flat, that’s what makes it a great primer.
Tip #5 Get a flawless finish with a paint sprayer
Sand Between Coats with Brown Craft Paper
I get a lot of packages in the mail that are stuffed with thin brown craft paper. This paper sands just as well, if not better than fine sandpaper. A light sanding with the craft paper makes the diy chalky paint primer very smooth.
Tip #6 Use craft paper instead of sandpaper or steel wool in between coats. It's FREE
Apply Clear Wax with Damp Sponge
One of the best things I learned from Jennifer was to use a sponge to apply the Heirloom Traditions Wax wax.
Tip #7 Dampen your sponge before applying wax.
If you look closely, you can see how the wax deepens the color slightly after it is applied with the sponge.
Lightly Distress with an Emery Board
I used a small emery board to do some light distressing all over the hexagon side table.
Tip #8 Use an emery board for light distressing. Because it has two different grits, you get the perfect distressing every time.
Spray Paint Vintage Hardware
I decided to keep the original vintage hardware, but give it an update with some Krylon Dual Spray Paint.
Tip #9 Use spray paint to update old hardware. Several light coats are best. Follow directions on can for dry time. Directions vary by brand and sheen.
Touch up Doors
Because I wanted this project to be a quickie, I left the doors closed while I sprayed the hexagon table with the Finish Max. After the cabinet dried a little, I used the paint that was left in the paint cup to do a little touching up on the doors. You can see I used a cheap chip brush to paint the door on the left on the top and side to give it a “finished” look. I took this picture so I could show you the before and after of the touch-up.
Decoupage with Wrapping Paper
On a recent trip to IKEA I picked up this pack of wrapping paper. Jennifer had done some decoupage on one of her projects, so I thought this paper would be perfect for my thrift store hexagon table.
Tip #10 Use wrapping paper for decoupaging.
I cut a piece of paper approximately the size of the door. Then, I placed the paper on the door and creased the edges so I would know where to cut the paper. I used a Fiskar’s Paper Cutter to get a nice straight edge.
For this project I used some Heirloom Traditions 1 Gel to adhere my wrapping paper to the doors of the hexagon table. I brushed it on with a chip brush, laid the paper on, then painted on some more of the 1Gel. You could use Mod Podge or any decoupage medium.
Decoupaged Blue Hexagon Side Table
I reattached the hardware and Voila! I was done! This wrapping paper is funny! Do you see what I see in it? Under the handle?
This is the same blue I used on the Triple Chair Bench--but this table has clear wax, where the triple chair bench has white wax.
I love how this little thrift store hexagon table turned out!
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Before & After Hexagon Side Table Makeover
If you love this thrift store makeover, you should see these:
Easy iPad Stand or Tablet Holder
Repurposed Washboard Memo Holder
Martha
I love all your projects! I'm a retired teacher and life learner, I'm looking at painting kitchen cabinets. On another post you painted cabinets, can't find it, did you use chalk paint and did you use the sprayer? HELP!
Gail Wilson
Martha,
I have painted my cabinets, my neighbor's cabinets and the cabinets in my camper.
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/how-to-paint-oak-cabinets/
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/kitchen-cabinets-updated-with-paint-trim/
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/paint-camper-cabinets/
I think the easiest way was the camper cabinets. I did not use a deglosser, but I highly recommend using it.
gail
lori
I inherited 2 hexagon tables that are on stands and a matching coffee table just recently. I want to paint them but have been unsure of the outcome. Does the wax make it to where the paint won't chip off? I need my coffee table to be able to handle a lot of use.
Colette
I have never tried the Vaseline on the hinges. Is it easy to remove without getting it on the painted part of the table? I love your instructions. They are always great!
Gail Wilson
Colette,
Yes, the vaseline was easily removed. The most it would do, is add a little shine to your painted finish.
gail
Ellen Rees
Love this project & the awesome tips like the brown paper of which I get a lot of, can't wait to try. The Vaseline- wish I'd seen this 2 days ago. Appreciate your sharing. Ellen
Gail Wilson
Ellen,
Thanks! The brown paper gets a work out around here. I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
gail
Cathy
Ok, now I want to do this with a hexagon table I have that belonged to my mother from the 70's. I have a coffee table to match. the problem with the two pieces is they have this plastic inset piece in the doors that I absolutely hate. any ideas? I'd love to remove them but I don't know how.
Gail Wilson
Paint them ! They will look so much better. Then if you don't like them think about what you can do. 🙂
gail
Beth
Wow! I love this! I wasn't committed to it until I saw your fabulous final photos! It's terrific and your instructions are perfectly clear! Thank you!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Beth! I appreciate you stopping by to check out this hexagon table makeover, and taking the time to leave a comment.
gail
Paige @ Little Nostalgia
Seriously awesome tips in here! I didn't know about the Vaseline-on-the-hinges thing, nor did I ever think to distress with a nail file. Genius. 🙂
Hope you're having a great holiday season!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Paige for your very sweet comment.
Always happy to pass the tips along that I have learned.
gail
Gail D.
Gail, I've been trying to cut down on the posts I read. and then I stumbled on this one! I gotta say, I think you're the best at what you do, and since I have a huge list of projects coming up, I will be forced to keep following you closely! LOL Your techniques are different and obviously work extremely well...I will enjoy following you and learning!
Ashlyn
OMG!! I just saw this at goodwill and wasn't sure I could turn it into something, but you proved me wrong. This looks great! http://www.lovesthefind.com/
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Ashlyn for stopping by to check out my hexagon table, and the sweet comment!
🙂
Patricia
Hi Gail!
this turned out super nice!
I like the decoupaged panels on the doors, it makes a nice touch.
I like the little bit of distressing you did... I'm not keen on the chippy look, but a little bit of distressing is fine with me, because it never fails, things seem to get a little bit dinged-up around here anyway!
so this way, there's no worries. Ha!
cute project and great way to dress up a $2 table.
Theresa
I like everything about the table except the distressing. I like my projects to look new when I am done with them. I have never understood why people distress things.
Laurie Kearnes
I love this makeover! I'm totally in love with the blue paint - most everything I do is in blue:) I know I should diversify a bit, but I am so drawn to all the blues....so my questions here are : You give the recipe for your chalk paint primer - but if I understand your tutorial correctly, you didn't spray a top coat over the primer - you just waxed it with the clear wax? So when you say primer - that means you can paint over it with a different or same color - or just leave it and use a wax topcoat?
Second - in your recipe for your chalk paint primer - you use one cup of paint. How much paint did it take to paint this table? More than that? How much paint does the FinishMax hold? When you mix up more than a cup's worth of primer, do you just double or triple the batch? Or do you make each cup batch separately?
Thanks for answering my questions! I totally LOVE your blog and all your projects. You are my inspiration.
Laurie
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Laurie,
I apologize for the confusion. You are correct, for this project I used the Diy chalky paint primer and then used clear wax.
Yes, I use this as a primer or under coat. Sometimes I top coat it with the same paint without the plaster of paris, sometimes I top coat it with wax, and other times I use a poly product. It all depends on the mood I'm in or what kind of project I'm working on.
I don't remember how much paint I put in the cup, but I usually do about 3/4 full. I had plenty left in the cup to do the touch ups and ended up throwing the rest of the paint out.
I mix each batch of paint separately when I need more than one batch. Keeping it real... I never measure the plaster of paris anymore. I do this so often that I have a good feel for what I need.
Thank you so much for your kind words about what I do. Friends like you are why I do this!
I'm always here if you have any other questions, or if I've confused you even more. 🙂
gail
Audra @ Renewed Projects
That is two dollars well spent! gorgeous makeover!
Debbi
Hi Gail! LOVE your blog and fantastic projects! I have a question-I bought the FinishMax and did a project with regular latex paint & primer with no trouble. Now I am trying to do a bigger project with your chalk paint recipe, and it plugs immediately. I tripled your recipe (3 C latex, 6 Tbsps plaster, 12 tsps water), then thinned that with more water until I got the approx. consistency I had with the original project. The plaster doesn't dissolve, so just sinks to the bottom into a sludge and plugs up the sprayer immediately. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Debbi,
My first question is this- are you straining your paint before you put it in your Finish Max cup?
Secondly, do you mix the water and plaster of paris before adding it to the paint? I've never had the plaster not dissolve in the water.
Make sure that when this happens that you clean your finish max thoroughly, including removing the brass nozzle to clean it well.
For future reference, I only mix up one batch at a time, as I rarely use a full paint cup of paint for a project. I mix the plaster of paris in a bowl, add the paint, strain it into the paint cup, then add water to thin it.
I'm here if you have any additional questions. I want you to get it right. 🙂
gail
Debbi
Thanks, Gail! No, I didn't strain it first, but I did mix plaster and water first. I'm thinking I didn't stir that long enough and that I shouldn't have tried to triple the recipe on my first try! I'll try straining it and if that doesn't work I'll try brushing it just to use it up. Have used the sprayer with regular Valspar latex and got good results tho! I'm about to attempt using it with oil base paint on a table and chairs, so wish me luck...LOVE your projects-best on the web!! Always look forward to your latest!
Amanda
You HAVE to mix the plaster of Paris first! Then add the paint, especially if you're using Valspar Latex!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
yes, you do.
I always mix my plaster of paris with water before I add it to my paint. All the details are on my post DIY chalky paint primer (link above in the post)
gail
Heather
This one is sweet! I love the 'person' peeking out from beneath the hardware...I've just started using brown craft paper in lieu of fine-grit, and I love the soft sheen it gives. Vaseline on hinges - genius.
Wendi @ H2OBungalow
Love this and I never knew about using the craft paper for sanding furniture! I'll save a fortune over purchasing 320 & 400 grit:) I didn't see the face under the handles until you mentioned it. Funny! Love the finished table!
Sylvia
Love your projects and the step by step! Just an FYI, since there was no option for comment offered, I just had to unsubscribe from the email list, but it is NOT any fault of yours! I am currently working two jobs and there is not enough time in the day for work, sleep, and all the emails I subscribed to, so I am unsubscribing to all of them until things calm down for me. As it is I have well over 2000 unread emails to sift through, which will take weeks at my current schedule. As soon as possible I will re-sub, but I just wanted to let you know, since I am sure you get notifications when subscribers opt out. See you again when I can! 🙂
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Sylvia,
Yes, I do get notifications, and I often wonder why people unsubscribe. I appreciate you letting me know why you did. Maybe you could set one morning aside for MRL and just drop by to see what's up. I appreciate any and all visits. 🙂
I'll be here when things calm down, and I hope it's better soon!
gail