Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover | i should be mopping the floor
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Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover

This Chalk Paint Tutorial of my son's bedside table makeover is perfect for your next DIY project.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
This honestly wasn't the post I had planned for today. But, I was so excited about this little red bedside table when I finished it over the weekend, that I knew I just had to share it with you this week.
If you've never worked with chalk paint, it's definitely a good one to try. In my opinion, it's very forgiving in its nature. It also requires little to no prep. 
Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
This little bedside table was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk (this is not a sponsored post...but I am a big fan of this paint and use it frequently). I also used a dark wax (also Annie Sloan brand) on top of the paint, after lightly weathering the edges.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
While this doesn't always happen, I have to say, this came out exactly as I had envisioned. This piece is in my older son's new bedroom (which is actually my old office). We've been working on it a lot and I hope to show you the whole sha-bang in the (hopefully near) future.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
This was the second table I purchased to fill the role of 'nightstand' in his room. The previous piece ended up being a bit too much refinishing work...and it didn't have all of the handy storage shelves like this one did (I got a little overzealous at a junk sale...story of my life, really). I still have that first piece, though...I plan to tackle it at one point and hopefully use it somewhere else (the best laid plans, right?). 

I love that this little table has lips on its shelves...because let's face it: the whole thing is actually for Lego displayishness. He obliged my wish to have it "staged" for photos and then proceeded to remove all of the pretties. Ahem. I did make him keep the little wire basket for his growing Lego magazine collection. Because crumpled Lego magazines stuffed here and there are the bane of my existence.

I stumbled onto this table at my Goodwill. It was $29. 

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
To start out, I gave it a good dusting and then simply started to paint. If you read the ASCP website, it does say sanding is a great idea, but honestly...I've never sanded with chalk paint. I feel like that's a part of its draw (am I right?). To be up front, the "wood" on this piece is pretty peculiar. I mean, it seemed like real wood, but the more I messed with it, the more I'm convinced the top was not actual wood...maybe composite covered with some kind of veneer-like piece (not real veneer, either). Honestly, I've been refinishing furniture for over 15 years and this was new to me, y'all. It all worked out in the end. But it was the best disguised wood I've ever seen...I'll give it that.

For $29 and 1/3 can of paint, I really didn't care. It turned out fabulously. It's not how you start...it's how you finish.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
I used two coats of the chalk paint on the legs and top, and one on each shelf. Again, with the eclectic mix of "wood" and "almost wood" used to create this piece, I needed more here and less there. What I really love about chalk paint is that it's not too persnickity about grain. I mean a little...but not really (I know that's ridiculously unhelpful). Basically, if I'm using regular paint (like acrylic or even oil based...ick), I stay with the grain of the wood when painting. But on areas like spindly legs, going with the grain is a total pain. With chalk paint, it at first appears a bit thick when applied to these areas...but miraculously it heals itself (I probably sound like a total ding dong here...let's just go with it, m'kay?).

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
Once chalk paint is dry, it's super duper matte. You can certainly leave it as is, but that opens it up to bumps and scrapes and makes it a bit more vulnerable to life, in general. On this piece, I lightly sanded the edges for a weathered look. You can see in the above pic that the sanded areas turn slightly pink...that's how matte it is. Since I knew I would be waxing, I wasn't too worried. I like to use sanding sponges on pieces like this, too. These are the exact ones I use here. They're used dry...the word sponge can be misleading. The squishyness of the sanding sponge is what gives me a lot of control over my sanding.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
Normally, I don't use dark wax. I usually do my stain and wipe technique (see that video tutorial here). But, I knew the red chalk paint would be something that really needed wax and I wanted the darkened "dirty" look, too. So this worked out pretty well. Darker wax is harder to control than regular wax. I don't use a fancy wax brush...I've always used a thin handyman rag for my wax finishes. These are the kind I like here.

Just use a dime to quarter-sized amount and work it into the wood in smaller areas. If you use too much (it will seem greasy and won't properly work itself into the wood), you can actually use a dab more wax to pull the original wax off (sounds counterintuitive, but it works like a charm).

The wax actually serves as a seal to the piece. There are other options, but this is how I finished this particular piece.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
Before and after: one of my favorite little Goodwill finds, now.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
I think it fits perfectly into the vintage vibe I've been working into his room. I seriously can't wait to show you the whole thing...I have a few more little projects to tie it all together.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
I love how the dark wax gives it the dirty look. Let's face it...it's a ten year old boy's room. I need all the help in making the dirty look as purposeful and well thought out as possible.

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
Have you ever used chalk paint? Do you love it like I do?

If you like this post, check out a couple of my other popular painting posts:
Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax
My grandma's 100-year old dresser (also with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint)

Chalk Paint Tutorial: Bedside Table Makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax






12 comments:

  1. Love your project! I wish I had time to do some projects at my home!

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  2. I've been using Annie Sloan for a few years, and love it. I will say, it's worth investing in her brushes...they make your paint go on so much smoother & go so much further! Great job on this table, it's gorg!

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  3. I have never used chalk paint--actually I only heard about it recently on a blog somewhere or another. You did do a marvelous job with that table-I love the color. I can't wait to see what else you have planned for that room.

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  4. That globe! So cute! Love the whole makeover!

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  5. Love your projects. this is the one that perfects on my table thank you for sharing this it will really help

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  6. I love the color! It was given a new life for sure with that happy new paint.

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  7. That turned out just incredible! What a gorgeous piece it is now!

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  8. Love how this turned out! AS Emperor Red is a favorite.

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  9. This is fabulous! I love chalk paint also. Do you usually use a clear wax then or something else. The dark wax on this piece is perfect!

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  10. This turned out beautifully. I think the dark wax really helped to refine the table.

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  11. What a great transformation - I love the color you painted it!

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  12. It turned out beautiful! Love all the shelves for storage or decor! Would live to invite you to share at our link party on my blog please :) Hope you have a great day!
    Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com

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