Vintage Magazine Side Table Transformed with Chalky Finish Paint

If you're a regular reader of Altered Artworks, then you know I love a good flea market.  A few months ago, I found this magazine side table at the local Topanga Vintage Market.  

It had good bones but desperately needed a makeover. 

I was finally inspired when DecoArt contacted me to join 

their artist program and try their Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint. 

They have a good selection of colors and finishes.  

You can find their Chalky Finish paint at many retailers including Home Depot, which is where I buy all my painting supplies.  As much as I want to rush right into the project, it's important to prepare your painting area and gather all your materials including painter's cloths, plastic sheeting, hand sander, brushes, disposable gloves, and any hardware or other supplies you need.

First, I thoroughly wiped down the table with a damp cloth.  That's all the prep you need with this paint.  Its chalky consistency easily adheres and covers most surfaces.

Since I was going for a summery, beach look, I painted the entire surface with a 50/50 mix of "Everlasting" and "Treasure."  It only needed one coat to cover the old wood surface.  Then I lightly brushed a watered-down "Everlasting" to create the worn beachy look I was going for, and painted the edges of the magazine holders with 100% "Everlasting."

When this dried (which was very quick), I lightly sanded the table with 240 grit sandpaper.  I wanted the original wood to show through in some areas and especially along the edges and curves, and was amazed how easily the chalky finish paint distressed the table.

DecoArt makes beautiful vinyl stencils.  The Americana Decor stencil line is one of my favorites, as I love their vintage look.  I chose both the Cafe Paris and Old World Numbers for this project.

After taping down the stencil so it stays in place, I used a stencil brush, and lightly dabbed the paint in an up and down motion, completely covering the stencil design.  I used the color, "Carbon" for the designs.

S-l-o-w-l-y, carefully lift the stencil to see your image.

Just wash and gently rub the stencils under water to clean them to use over and over again.

I again lightly sanded the images to further distress the table.

Using Americana Decor Creme Wax and a dry lint-free cloth, 

I went over the entire table with the wax.  

After it thoroughly dried (allow about an hour), I buffed the table, creating a soft shine.  

This also protects the surfaces from daily use.

The last detail was to add sliders at the bottom of the four legs to prevent scratches on a wood floor and to easily glide over carpets.  

I found these Adhesive Spike and Stick Sliders at Home Depot that were easily hammered in place.  

The original sticker on the bottom of the table shows that it was manufactured by the 

Los Angeles Woodworking Company and made in the USA, probably in the 1930-40's.  

Here is the completed magazine side table.

As nice as the magazine side table looks beside the pool, it actually found its new home in our daughter's bedroom, which already has a beachy theme.  Magazines are now easily accessible while lounging in bed, and the table is just the right size for a cup of tea and/or fresh flowers.

Our scottie dog, Coconut, approves!  

I already have big plans for my next furniture transformation using 

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint.   

Have you tried this amazing paint yet?

Disclosure:  I received product and compensation from DecoArt towards the transformation of this project.   However, all ideas and opinions are completely my own.


You might like these painted projects:

Framed in Chicken Wire & Burlap

Nightstand from Blah to Beauty-ful

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Teacher Appreciation

Twice a week I volunteer in a classroom at a community Pre-K program.  There are 17 children, most from non-English speaking families.  The teacher is amazing.  She is patient, kind, cares about each child, and is preparing them for success in Kindergarten next year.   Without this program, these children would start kindergarten way behind their peers.  It's hard to believe our school district has plans to cut the program next year.  But that's not what this post is about.

Teacher Appreciation Week comes and goes.  There aren't room parents for this class.  So I decided to help the students show their love for their teacher with this project.  It's simple enough, but goes a l-o-n-g way in showing their appreciation.  

I brought punched scalloped and plain circles, mini letter rubber stamps and a black ink pad to school one day.  Each child chose their color combination for their "flower" and stamped their name on it.  So it was also a lesson in ABC's.  Then I glued a coffee stirrer stick between the flower and another scalloped circle to create the "flowers."

I painted a terra cotta pot and saucer using yellow acrylic and chalkboard paint.  Two coats of each fully covered the pot.  I also painted a tag with the same yellow paint and stamped the teacher's name on it.

I embellished the top rim of the pot with an actual yellow measuring tape.  Because the rim is larger at the top than the bottom, I cut the measuring tape every two inches or so, and glued them separately to compensate for the tapered difference.  When glued, you can't even tell the measuring tape was cut.  I used Mod Podge for the glue, and again for a final glossy coat (but not on the chalkboard paint).

 All that was left was to pot the plant and stick the "flowers" in the pot.

 And added a coordinating tag that reads "Thank You for helping us to grow."

The teacher was so delighted to receive the gift that her students created.  

And the students were anxious to find the flower with their name.