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Gate Leg Table (Before & After)

As you all know, I really love to paint furniture.  So when a friend asked if I would help her with several pieces, I jumped at the chance.  She said that this one piece was great, but had been sitting in the garage since she picked it up at a yard sale…4 years earlier.

Before

I really love chippy, shabby chic furniture, but this black gate leg table was a bit of a chippy mess.  The elements had gotten at it and it was all bare wood on top.  But I like a good challenge:

Before

And here, with some ASCP magic and lots of elbow grease, she is now:

After
Before I even got the paint out, I spent a while cleaning this beauty.  I started washing down the wood with mineral spirits and then the denatured alcohol.  Then rinsed her with warm water.  There was so much dust, grime and chipping paint.  Once the wood was dry, I did two coats of clear shellac by Zinsser to prevent any of the wood from bleeding through. Then I did one coat of ASCP in Graphite.  I did this coat very rough with a rustic finish as I wanted it to mimic years of paint:
Coat of ASCP in Graphite

The next step was Paris Grey.  A really beautiful soft gray that my friend loved! I did a little light distressing with some fine grit sandpaper.

Then I got my clear wax on my wet brush to do another distressing technique:
I learned the wet brush with wax method from Nancy at the Sea Rose Cottage.  This washes away the top color paint to show through the base coat (in this case black).  Here you can see the subtleness of this technique.  It lets the paint shine though without going to the bare wood:
I added two coats of clear wax and then dark wax to add to the distressed nature of the piece.  Inside the drawer is a surprise of Emperor’s Silk.  Just the right punch of color for a dining room piece.
Here are some more images of the finished table.  I really fell in love with her and it was quite hard to give her back.
Side
Top with dark wax and black paint shining through
Top & Side
Distressed legs

My friend was so happy with the new and improved table.  I’m honored that she trusted me with her furniture.  We are both so happy that this beautiful table will have a new home in the dining room and no longer in garage (I think her hubby is happy to get some space back in the garage too).

What do you all think of this makeover?
 
 
 
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Melissa
11 years ago

Wow! It looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!

gertie @ The Old Block House

This looks great! I recently picked up one of these at an auction, minus the leaves. The legs always draw me in.

Jessica Bruno
11 years ago

I read this this morning but didn’t have time to comment and I love it! Good thing you put it on my comment luv thingy…it reminded me to come comment! 🙂 That is such a cool color.

Desiree Guy @ Camelot Art Creations

Nice makeover!!! Love the color & tip on “wet brush/wax”

Desiree

Danielle
11 years ago

Thanks, Desiree. With this technique you just need to make sure you get a bit of wax over the area you are doing and then slowly wash away the paint.

fiona anderson
11 years ago

What a lovely table Danielle – I love the colours and the paint technique – no wonder your friend was really happy !

Erika
11 years ago

I love how you painted the inside of the drawer! It looks gorgeous!

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Erika

Thanks, Erika! Emperor’s Silk paired with grey – kind of like a red bra under a white button down oxford, right?

Jenn Gray
11 years ago

I die for this. So lovely. Bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living

It looks fabulous! I didn’t know about the wet brush trick. I’ll have to give it a try!

Cheryl
11 years ago

Danielle! Absolutely. Positively. STUNNING! My favorite of all that you’ve done so far I think.

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Cheryl

Thanks, Cheryl. I think it might be my favorite too!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~
11 years ago

Great job. I love the wet wax technique. Did you then go over the piece with wax without the water for the next coat of clear?
Thanks
~ ~Ahrisha~~

Danielle
11 years ago

Hi Ahrisha, Yes, you want to wet your brush and get a glob on the tip and wipe that all around the area. Then adding more water and rubbing with the brush work away the paint that you want worn down. Then wipe with a paper towel. Once your done distressing do a second coat of clear wax then dark wax (if desired). If working with dark wax you can always use the clear wax to erase any areas you don’t dark wax. Hope that helps!

Jennifer
11 years ago

I liked the before AND after. Great job.

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Jennifer

Thanks, Jennifer!

Rita
11 years ago

I’m drooling over this gorgeous table. great makeover and thanks for the step-by-step tutorial.
rita

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Rita

Thank, Rita! I’m glad you like the table and the tips.

All Things Chic 2
11 years ago

You have done a great job with your friends piece…
Stop by for a visit sometime…
Blessings Lori

Danielle
11 years ago

Lori, thanks for your sweet comment. Just stopped by your beautiful blog.

SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla

It looks lovely! Great job 🙂
Personally I would have left it 😉 I love patina – the more the better lol
Greetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla

Danielle
11 years ago

Thanks, Pernilla! I know chippy look is lovely too. But was a bit too much for our liking and for my friend’s home.

Tisha
11 years ago

Gorgeous! I love the wax technique you used!

Beth
11 years ago

What a fabulous transformation! The table has great “bones” to work with & you brought out it’s inner beauty.

Susie {a.k.a. Mrs V}
11 years ago

I Love it — the color, technique and the style of the table! New Follower — I found you through Classy Clutter 🙂

Danielle
11 years ago

Thanks, Susie! Thanks so much for becoming a follower too!

Laura
11 years ago

this is sooooo beautiful! love the color!

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Laura

Thanks, Laura!

Patti
11 years ago

How unique! Haven’t heard of this technique. Well done!

Something Special
11 years ago

thankyou for the info on the distressing with wax on the brush. I get so excited when I get more techniques and tricks for distressing pieces of furniture. Thanks for sharing and I am you newest follower.

Danielle
11 years ago

I’m so glad you found the techniques helpful! Thanks for following the blog!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

I think your makeover looks fabulous!

Stacey
11 years ago

Such a beautiful table! You brought out her true beauty!
THanks for linking up!
Stacey of Embracing Change