Charmingly Shabby Farmer Style Side Table

Between the start of football season (Go Noles!), intolerable summer heat and my son's blossoming social calendar I have finally found a moment to share the how-to's on my side table.  Thank you for being so patient!

If you recall my initial blog with this table, I sanded the entire piece and then stained the table top a wonderfully rich walnut hue.  After that I painted the rest of the table in Bakery Box White.  I love this white, but unfortunately it wasn't working for this bulky side table. It was way too bright.

 I then decided to take my Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint in Vanilla Bean and apply it to the legs with a DRY paintbrush. The absolute BEST brown hue to apply for manipulating a weathered look, and by using a dry brush it gives the effect of scratches and general shabby wear-and-tear.  I let the table dry for a day, and then applied another coat of the Bakery Box White.  Once again it looked like this table could glow-in-the-dark.  I found myself sanding the table with a fine-grit sandpaper.  Not to take the paint entirely off, but to try and dull down the white and let the Vanilla Bean pull through.



After Vanilla Bean & Bakery Box White Coat

After a few days and many paint trials, I finally found my perfect white hue: Martha Stewart's Gull.  This is a warmer white that paired nicely with the walnut-top finish.  After coating the table with the Gull, I still felt that it was just too much white.  The legs of the table are so solid and bulky!  Again I found myself dry-brushing the Vanilla Bean onto the legs, and then wiping the wet paint with a rag.  This gave the table dimension, it broke the Gull up nicely. After I gave the table a few days to dry, I used a fine-grit sand paper to soften up the Vanilla Bean smears.  I still was unsatisfied. 



After Vanilla Bean & 2:1 Gull Mixture

I had an idea to water down the Gull paint.  I did a 2:1 paint to water mixture and applied it to the legs.  This cloudy mixture provided a sheer, cloudy hue to the table.  I immediately wiped down the paint mixture with a rag as soon as I applied it to the legs.  This helped the mixture blend with the Vanilla Bean.  After a couple days of drying, I was finally liking the look to the side table.


After Applying & Wiping Walnut Stain

Of course I could have stopped there, but I decided to try another new application.  I took the walnut stained and applied it to the legs.  I immediately wiped the stain with a rag as soon as I applied it.  By doing so, this takes a majority of the stain off and leaves you with a lighter stain. 


After Applying & Wiping Walnut Stain

I let the table dry for for a day, and then I decided to apply the 2:1 paint/water mixture on the table again.  I let the table dry for a few more days before I did a final sand.  I used a fine-grit sandpaper for the table top and the legs.  FINALLY.  The table was finished!

 One of the perks of creating shabby pieces is that you can never really mess up a project.  Don't hesitate with trying a new process or application.  Keep in mind that if you are unsatisfied with a color or stain you can always sand and start again!

Lettered Wall Art

I recently created these framed pieces for out sons room.  This was a simple project that turned out absolutely adorable! All what you need is a frame, fabric, hot glue gun and the letter of your choice! Voila! Lettered wall art perfect for a nursery, entryway, above the mantle.....so many possibilities!

 

Sand, sand, sand...and sand again

Beautiful day for painting and sanding! I'm loving this new paint color-- Martha Stewart Living in Gull. I thought it would be more of a gray tone, but it actually looks warmer on this table. Similar to a French vanilla hue...

Summer Make-Over

Cheap Glass Candle Holders combined with Martha Stewart Craft Paint equals Fabulous, Summer Chic Decor!
It took me a day to transform these boring candle holders into an eye catching home accessory.  I applied two coats of a turquoise Martha Stewart Craft paint to achieve vibrant turquoise color.

Slowly coming along...

This side table has been quite the challenge! More pictures to come...

Latest Project!

I've been searching for an end table just like this! I'm foreseeing a lovely country chic farmhouse style make over in its near future.  Now, let the sanding begin!

Below is a photo of the table after a day and a half of sanding.  I used a 400 grit sand paper to get the finish completely off.
  

After sanding, I applied one coat of stain to the table top. I love the look of a dark walnut stain!  You can find wood stains at any craft or home improvement stores.  I picked my walnut stain up from Michael's for about eight dollars.  You will also need brushes specifically for stains or disposable foam brushes.  I opt for the foam brushes because they come in an array of sizes and are significantly inexpensive.  You can only use a  foam brush once so remember to purchase more than one!

When staining, it is extremely important that you apply the stain evenly with the grain of the wood.  Failure to go with the grain will result in a streaky mess. Apply even coats with the grain. Once again, with the grain.  Here is a photo of the stained table top:

Coastal Inspired, Charmingly Shabby Accent Table

Before

After

I was able to land this beautiful cherry side table for $20 through a Craigslist ad.  It was love at first sight!  I actually felt a little guilty for only paying twenty dollars for this piece.  As soon as I got it home I already knew that this would look fabulous in a bold turquoise hue.

I took me a couple of days of sanding with 100 grit sand paper to finally get through the finish.  I love the final outcome of sanded cherry wood. Even though the finish was gone it still had a darker almost auburn hue; which makes this wood perfect for distressing.  After you paint and distress a cherry piece, you are able to get different colors to show through (i.e. auburn,  golden light-wood color, in addition to the paint color).  This provides a shabby piece with much more dimension.


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Even though this table was small, it still took me two coats of Martha Stewart's Araucana Teal to get it properly covered.  I let it dry for a few days, and then started to distress the piece.  I used a 100 grit sand paper for the legs and sides.  I used a finer 220 grit paper for the table top.  The table looked awesome, and oh-so very coastal chic.

Charmingly Shabby Two-Tier Side Table

Before

After

I found this little, two-tier gem at a local furniture consignment store for $20.  What a steal.  The table was made of pecan wood and both tiers held a marble inset.  I thought that this was an interesting look, and that the marble would play nicely with a distressed body.  The front of the table had horizontal grooves, and the legs were a sphere shape with small vertical grooves. Those subtle details would look great when distressed and add dimension to the piece.

After a week of sanding, and multiple sheets of 100 grit sand paper later the table was finally bare.  I let the table breathe for a couple of days, and then I began painting.  I applied two coats of a lovely light blue-gray hue, Rainwater from Martha Stewart to be specific.  I let the table dry for a few days, and then began to distress the piece.  I used a finer grit sand paper for the surface of the table, and then the 100 grit for the edges. 
I wasn't too thrilled with the final outcome.  A few places on the table appeared to be too distressed.  It looked more of a sloppy-scratched appearance, not an elegantly weathered look.  I decided to take a dry brush and apply a small amount of paint to it.  I dry brushed the heavily sanded areas, and in a few places blotted the wet paint with a rag.  The outcome was phenomenal! The dry brushing technique really evened out the problem areas.  The table looked Charmingly Shabby, and it was the first piece of furniture that I sold!

Turquoise Chevron Facelift, Shabby Style

One day I decided to clean out our kitchen cupboards, and I came across a bamboo-like serving tray. After studying the tray I thought about throwing it out, but then I noticed that this piece just might have potential.  I decided that I wanted to revive the tray from its bleak, out-dated state and transform it into a pretty lil' shabby chic piece.


I took it into my 'shop' and sanded it down with a very fine grit sand paper. 220 grit to be exact.  After the sanding I painted a white base.  I really wanted the base of the tray to be a turquoise chevron print.  That night, I stumbled across a blog that had printable chevron stencils. Perfect. For anyone that is interested, here is the link: http://www.billiemonster.com/blog/article/chevron-pattern-printable-template

I secured the stencil on the tray with painters tape, and then went to work.  I removed the stencil immediately after applying the paint.  I gave the tray a day to dry.  Finally, I took a fine grit sand paper and began distressing the surface.  Presto. Now we have a beautiful, shabby-chic tray.

Simple DIY for Coastal Chic Decor

Thanks to Pinterest, I was inspired to create my own Coastal Chic decor.  It was inexpensive and very easy; making this the perfect project for any level of 'crafter.'  These are the materials that you will need: picture frames, seashells or starfish (www.qualityshells.com), burlap ($3.99/yard at JoAnn Fabric) and a hot glue gun. Fit the burlap to the back of your frame, pull it tightly and then hot glue it into place.  Next, hot glue your starfish or other object unto the desired spot. Voila! Your very own (inexpensive) coastal chic decor.

Starting small with Picture Frames

I'm not exactly sure how or when I became so intrigued with weathered decor, but something about the look of a shabby furniture 'speaks' to me. As ridiculous as that sounds.  I love how vintage-looking  furniture has the ability to add a certain historical ambiance to a room.  It possesses a certain type of 'character' that ordinary pieces of furniture lack. It's amazing how a non-living, ornate object can project a cozy, old-world feel to a room.

With that being said, one day I decided to challenge myself and create my own shabby collection.  This was a perfect project for me to completely submerge myself into.  It was a creative outlet, and a way to reconnect with my 'pre-mommy' self.  The young professional that had goals, and ambitions.  Not that raising a son makes you forfeit any of those feelings of self-fulfillment; it just becomes compromised.  Motherhood is wonderful and has its own special rewards, but I really needed to do something for myself.  My supportive husband strongly encouraged me to pursue my shabby projects.  He educated me on certain paints, sand paper and other tools of the trade.  He even helped me set up my workspace in our little garage, conveniently situated on our Christmas tree box.  It was cozy, and absolutely perfect.

I decided that the best way to develop my talents would be to start small.  Picture frames would be  the most sensible and inexpensive start.  I found a great pair of 4x6 oak frames at Goodwill for a dollar each.  As soon as I got home I immediately sanded the frames with 100 grit sandpaper.  This took the original clear coat off easily. After sanding the frames I took a damp paper towel and wiped off the excess dust, and let them set overnight.  I was overly eager to break into my sample sized Martha Stewart paints and begin the painting portion.  I selected beautiful coastal hues consisting of blues, greens, turquoise, white and grays.   After I painted the frames I let them sit overnight.  The next morning was like Christmas day; this was my first day of distressing frames!  This was my chance to develop and perfect my technique.  This is when it all began...