In our last house, our bedside tables were built into (on to) the wall and we didn't get to bring them with us in the move. So for 3.5 years now we've had a filing cabinet on one side and a TV table on the other. Although they work as a tables, it drives me crazy. I've been on the hunt for a pair of some cool and unique, reasonably priced bed side tables ever since.
Last summer, at our garage sale, my parents showed up to sell a bunch of their old stuff along side us and while they managed to get rid of most of their stuff, they didn't make as much money as they had hoped too. Mostly because I snagged their two thirds of their old bedroom suite for us! I got the bedside tables and the dresser. Leaving them to somehow get rid of a mirror (which I didn't want) and a headboard. And well I maybe felt slightly bad that they didn't make any money, I was more focused on the fact that I scored BIG! 3 pieces of solid wood furniture in great condition. Always wanting to try to refinish furniture I set to work.
First step: Stripping and sanding. I did this outside because A) it was summer and who wants to be inside. B) there was ALOT of varnish on these pieces. I had to use a power sander. I didn't want all that sitting in the basement.
I didn't get a picture of the next step, but I primed them with white primer. I still wasn't exactly sure what I was doing and I'm not sure if I would do this step again.
When I finally decided to paint them turquoise, it was winter and things are now moved to the basement.
The next step I had found online was to rub down with a furniture wax to achieve a sort of distressed look and protective coating at the same time. This didn't work for me. Probably because I used semi-gloss and there was nothing for it to stick too. I wanted a distressed look, so I started sanding. That's when I regretted having primed them as the white showed through.
So, to cover up the white, I put a dark gel stain over everything. It looked amazing! I was so excited!
At the end of this it probably could have been done, but I did coat the entire piece with a furniture wax to help protect it. It also gives it a really nice feel when you smooth your hand over it. I change the hardware from the wood knobs to oiled bronzed ones.
All and all, I love them. They are going to look so cool in our room. Now I have to actually finish the room. And, I still have a dresser to work with. Oh, and an old oak desk that I just bought from a second hand store...
This is slowly becoming an obsession.
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