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Hand Painted Table Tutorial

This was a typical yard sale/thrift store table that you can find for about $1.00-$5.00 a piece. I have 2 others in my basement that are very similar. Usually they look tired, dated, and have damaged finishes. This one has such pretty legs that I didn’t even notice that when I bought it. I just can’t pass up a $5.00 table. For less than a Big Mac meal I can have a piece of furniture! I decided to jump on the chalk board band wagon, but I wanted to do it my way. I thought a modern take on the doily would be fun, so I made the edges lacey and feminine. Here’s how you can do it, too…

 1.) Hunt. Find a cheap-o table…this may be as simple as shopping through your own house! If you don’t have one, I bet it won’t take long to find one at your local thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, etc.

 2.) Prep. Sand the finish with a palm sander (if you have one) on the flat surfaces and a 3M sanding sponge for the legs. Start out with a rough sand paper (80 grit) and then finish with a finer sand paper (120 grit.) This step will prep most pieces of furniture whether it’s raw wood, poly finish, or painted. I also like to wipe the piece with Gloss Off by Krud Kutter to clean it and ensure good adhesion. The sanding and prepping process is about making a smooth surface for a finer finish and giving the surface “tooth” to grab to primer. Wipe off all excess dust and/or Gloss Off with a clean rag.

 3.) Prime. I use Sherwin Williams Water Based Bonding Primer for everything. I want my paint to stay put, so I use the best. In the case of this table, I also needed to apply a Kilz Sealing Primer to prevent the stain from bleeding through the paint. I have an HVLP paint sprayer, but you can do this step with a brush & foam roller. Just be mindful of drips and brush marks. Allow the primer coat(s) to dry.
4.) Sand. Lightly sand the primer coat with a fine grit sand paper. Any bumps and imperfections will only get bigger if you keep painting over them. I am an impatient person, so I hate this step, but it makes a smoother finish.
5.) Paint. I used a delicious color that is one of my new favorites called “Crème” by Sherwin Williams. I always use either SW Duration or ProClassic paint in a semi gloss finish. This piece required 2 coats.
6.) Wait. Give your table a few days by itself to dry fully before you move on to the next step.
 7.) Adding the Chalk Board Doily. Just painting a table like this can give it a whole new life, but people like you and I want something to look special. So, get out your Frog Tape. Don’t get your blue painters tape…get your Frog Tape. It makes a crisp line, no bleeding and it’s worth the $5.00-6.00 a roll. Tape off a rectangle on the table top. I used the width of the tape as my border width. With a foam brush apply a coat of chalk board paint. Allow it to dry and apply a second coat. (Great tip: wrap your foam brush in Press N Seal wrap, so you can reuse it for your second coat.) Carefully remove the tape and wait (again) for the paint to dry.

 8.) Don’t Get Scared…it’s time for the decorative painting part of it. You can do this. You do not need to be an artist. You do not need to be able to paint beautiful landscapes. This is just arches and dots. Get a fine-tipped artist brush like a 10/0 liner, the paint you used on the table (Crème in my case), and a black acrylic craft paint (non-glossy.) Paint a border of arches inside the chalk board with the crème paint. Use one smooth motion, pressing hard at the beginning of the stroke and releasing towards the end of the stroke. Keep your wrist planted firmly on the table to keep your hand steady and don’t over think it. It’s okay if the strokes aren’t uniform. If it needs to be perfect, let a machine do it. Keep a damp paper towel handy and wipe it off if you mess up.

 9.) Detail. Add dots at the peak of the arches using the black acrylic paint. Just lightly touch the table with the top of the brush. If you can dot an “I”, you can do this. If you make hearts over your “i’s” I’m not sure…


10.) Last Step. Using your liner brush and your black acrylic paint add the final detail (I’m not sure what to call it.) The trick of this stroke is to start your brush where you want the mark to be thicker. Push down and then lift up the brush as you end the stroke. I start with the center one and then add the sides. Be mindful of the arches and dots you just completed, so you don’t smear them.

 This piece would be great in a family room to keep score in a card game or show who you’re rooting for at your Super Bowl Party. I also think it would make a lovely side table to let your guests know what time breakfast is served or write a “good morning” message to your child. Endless possibilities!

Please leave a comment or send me an e-mail if you have any questions. Let me know if you do this project & send me a picture! Keep checking back for more decorative painting tips and tutorials.

Also, an announcement for those of you looking at this post from A Soft Place to Land’s DIY day…I am 17 followers away from 100! Once I hit 100, I will have my first giveaway. Details are to come, but it is something that I will custom hand paint just for the winner. This will be a good giveaway, so don’t miss out & sign up to follow!

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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58 Responses

  4. Where do you purchase chalkboard paint??? How clever. I love the look and appreciate the tips on how you could use such a table.

  5. LOVE this! Yes, I too might have a hard time with the freehand painting. I would probably have one teeny loop when got to the corner. Do you measure and mark dots for your loops?

  8. Girls, girls…I have seen the stuff you create and I have full faith in you. If you're unsure about the decorative painting, make light marks with a pencil and then paint over that or practice on a piece of scrap wood. OR…I just had a thought. You could decoupage a border! Maybe use some of those cheap paper doilies? (Show it to me if you try it.)

    No, I don't measure things out unless I have to. If you look closely, there are irregularities in my work. I don't want something to look perfect and uniform. It's done by hand and it should look like it.

    Chaulk board paint can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot and a quart can will go a long way.

  11. Hi! Youre blog is so much fun to look at! I love what you did with this table..so versatile! BTW, I saw your comment on my clock at the before and after blog…I just wanted to tell you how easy it really is to take apart a clock. It is literally 3 pieces, the small hand, the big hand and a little screw that holds them in place. It's super easy…you should try it sometime 🙂

  14. You are so creative!! I can not seem to find furniture at a good deal right now! About the pizza, this was our lazy way of making it. I do make my own pizza dough for calzones. Thanks for stopping by! I added you to my bloglist because I can't wait to see what else you do with furniture! Thanks Again!

    ~Ashlee

  15. Thank you for visiting my blog & for your sweet comment!
    I LOVE this project! I never would have thought to do the chalkboard on a table-top but it's really great! Your embellishments add a really special touch. Thank you for sharing!
    Hugs, Leslie

  16. Sweet looking table. What a wonderful look by adding the decorative painting. It is amazing how just the simplest touches make the biggest difference.
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment about my Harvest Blessings pumpkin.
    I will be adding you into my favorites, I can't wait to see what else you come up with.

    Have a wonderful Friday
    Connie

  17. Wow that is gorgeous… I have used chalkboard paint for chalkboards and other things but never a table… wonderful idea and I love the detail on the table… I like the others got scared at that point… but there is always an out… stencil. Hmmm I am looking around my house right now… nothing is safe… I have a table I have been holding back on and I think I just found the answer… I will keep you posted… thanks so much for the inspiration… fantastic job

  19. Great transformation!

    I just saw 2 old desks at the thrift store and I'm making my husband pick them up this weekend. I can't wait to come up with a furniture makeover too!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Roeshel

  22. Do you make house calls? I mean, seriously. You are like an answer to prayers. Check out my blog to see just how much help I need in the furniture painting department….but be warned, it's not pretty! 😉
    I'll be back to visit you often!
    Have a great weekend,
    Anne

  23. I stuck around after reading your heirloom post and explored your blog. I love your painted furniture. I'll be back to read more!

  31. i love this idea! i've put chalkboard paint on just about everything except an end table! maybe that shall be next.

    i host a goodwill party every week, stop by and link up! 🙂

  32. Have I told you that I love this yet? If not.. LOVE this! I just did my first chalkboard project today. Now, I may have to try this! Great job!

  39. I am in love. That is the coolest thing. I am getting ready to paint a couple bedside tables for our master bedroom that we are semi-remodeling! This idea is perfect! Love, love, love it!!

  40. LOVE the table. I hope you post it to the Knock Off on Monday.

    How is your family doing? You have been in my thoughts and prayers all week.

    One more question-how did you do the Before and After slide show-I need to find something like that for the home tours.–let me know

    Cheri

  45. I lovel the idea of having this beside the bed… you know that the experts say that if you have a sleepless night that you should write down what is on your mind… how great would it be that you just roll over, grab a piece of chalk and scribble what is on your mind, then it's OFF your mind, and ON the table! 🙂
    super creative idea! Love it!
    gail

  52. this is completely fantastic!! i am re-doing a table right now, and a friend of mine suggested topping it with a chalkboard. i couldn't envision it but now i can! WOW! i love it! 🙂

  53. Miss Mustard Seed,
    Love it! I also just discovered Frog Tape while reading a diff blog. I jumped for joy! I am almost finished with a little handmade table for my daughter. I used frog tape to paint non-uniform stripes. I saw this tip somewhere and liked it bc I did not have to measure since the stripes were different sizes and not evenly spaced. I painted pink and white stripes on top of green.

    Something went wrong though. I was left with little paint ridges where the paint built up next to the tape. I'm not sure what I did wrong except if I painted it on too thick? I took tape off right after painting too. Any ideas how to avoid this?

    Thanks for all the tips on primers to use and size grit of sandpaper. I am always terrible at that part.
    Michele

  57. I just love all things chalkboard and your table is just perfect! What a clever idea. No searching for a pencil and paper!
    I am following your blog and it would be great if you did the same! Just love this idea and can't wait to try it!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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