Easy Before and After: End Table and Dresser

EASY ROOM TRANSFORMATION!

When I go shopping for furniture, I have a lot of trouble finding things I like. Then, usually, if I do find something I like it's super expensive and waaaay out of my price range! Because of this, I have found that I can usually replicate, to a certain degree, that which I love- custom furniture- but for a fraction of the price!

I have several pieces that are sentimental to me, they belonged to my Granny who I was close to. Because of that I want to keep them in the family. Although I used to cringe at the thought of painting antique furniture, not using it because it's ugly is just as bad. My toddler's room was needing some help- he had an antique dresser that I had painted white for my college days, an un-matching antique end table and some new wooden bunk-beds that I decided not to paint. To pull the room together I decided to paint the end table and dresser, (with intentions to paint two desk chairs in the near future). Because I have the toddler AND a 2-month-old, I knew this had to be a quick and easy weekend job since I don't have time to sand and barely enough time to prime. :)

Step 1:

So, to start, I cleaned the furniture then primed it with Kilz spray primer. I didn't feel it was necessary to sand as I like the unique look of the wood and any imperfections. Make sure you are either outside or somewhere well ventilated when you are priming as this smells pretty strong. I let it dry over night but if you are in a hurry you can prime in the morning then come back to it after a few hours.



Step 2:

This is optional- I got lucky and someone insisted I borrow their paint sprayer so I was able to do all the painting in about 30 minutes. If you don't have access to one, I'd either buy a gallon of the paint you want and brush it on, or find the color you like in a Krylon spray can. (IF you are REALLY lucky, your husband will think you aren't doing it perfectly and finish spraying!!)



Step 3:

After the paint dries, (over night) get a gallon of Ralph Lauren Faux Technique Glaze and have it tinted black. The don't have this at Lowe's, believe me, I spent some time looking and they only have this at Home Depot. I used a foam brush and applied it heavily in sections, then wiped it off with a wet cloth, then repeated this until all the furniture was done. The glaze will get in the crevices and wood grains and stay after being wiped off. I did one coat because I really wanted the bright blue to show through. If you want a more antiqued look, apply another coat and let it dry.

Now it's done and looks amazing!

End Table- (I'll be removing the crib soon and putting a love seat there.)



Dresser- (My little boy loved his "new" dresser!)