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One of my favorite before & afters

I purchased these side tables (originally a vanity) at a yard sale for $3…for the pair. $1.50 each! They were in rough shape and sat in my basement for several months before I gathered the courage to work on them. I made new tops, sanded, primed, and painted them an olive green. I then did the floral and scroll decorative painting (I’ll include more detail about decorative painting in a future post), applied a dark walnut stain, and a polycrlic topcoat.

I was excited and sad when these sold. I always want to keep pieces I paint, but I think that’s a good thing. If I don’t like them, I can’t take much pride in selling them.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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27 Responses

  1. They are just lovely! I bought an antique dressing table at an estate sale a few years ago. The mirror was not included and when i removed the center section…the remaining "tables" look just like your pretty set! Well, minus all of the work that needs to be done. They are in rather rough shape and I'm sure I will need to give them new tops. My intention upon purchase..was to use them as bed side tables in a fairly skinny room.

    : )

    Julie M.

    ps The link to my post, "All in a Day's Work," which features the neat old green counter I found..but have yet to restore is: http://thelittleredshop.blogspot.com/2009/07/all-in-days-work.html

  2. Ahhh…just beautiful!! I wish I had your talent! Ooooh, I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen cabinets. Maybe you can give me some advice. We could connect thru e-mail!

    Jane~ Finding Fabulous

  3. I would like to paint my kitchen cabinets with the same technique you used to do the paint and stain. I'm gonna have to practice on scrap wood first though, that is for sure. Good job on the tables.

  4. Just an FYI, I used minwax Dark Walnut stain. Brush it on with a sponge or chip brush and rub it off with a rag. Just don't put too much on at one time and give it plenty of time to dry. It's a good idea to practice and do a test over your desired paint color. It affects colors differently, so make sure you like it, first.

    I'll be doing lots of posts on painting tips, so please follow me!

  5. Those are so beautiful. I am the same way — I make something really cool and think Oh I should keep this. I am getting myself in the mind set to sell sell sell.
    Thanks for posting to the party and I look forward to getting to know you.
    Cheri

  6. Yourl tables are beautiful but the fact they needed new tops would be enough to keep me from buying them. Even at $1.50. I find it intimidating. Where and how do you begin to make new tops?? I’d love to know how you did it.

    Love your style!!!

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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