In a world increasingly concerned with environmental impact, sustainable living has become more than just a trend—it’s a necessity. Upcycling furniture is a fantastic way to embrace sustainability while adding unique character to your home. This month, we’re exploring the numerous benefits of upcycling furniture and how it contributes to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
The Transformation: Step-by-Step
Here’s how we upcycled this console table:
Materials Used:
- Mineral spirits
- Liquid sander
- Tape
- Zinsser BIN (shellac-based primer)
- 300-grit sanding sponge
- Water
- Paint (cream colour)
- Paintbrush
- 800 grit sandpaper
- Water spray bottle
- Blue tissue roll
- Satin varnish
- Annie Sloan clear wax
Tools Used:
- Scrubby brush
- Rag
- Cheap brush
- Sanding tools
- Paint scraper
- Sanding blocks
- Paint brush
- Buffing brush
Steps:
- Cleaning and Preparation:
- Liberally spray the console table with mineral spirits. This will dissolve any wax that has been previously used on the furniture.
- Scrub it down with a scrubby brush.
- Wipe it down with a rag.
- Repeat the process on all sides.
- Apply a liquid sander to further clean the surface.
- Tape off the drawers.
2. Priming:
- Flip the table onto its top.
- Apply a coat of Zinsser BIN (a shellac-based primer) to the base and drawer fronts using a cheap brush.
- Apply thin coats and allow them to dry.
- Apply two coats of primer, allowing a couple of days for them to fully cure.
3. Sanding the Primer:
- Lightly sand the primer with a 300-grit sanding sponge to smooth the surface.
- Use your fingers to check for any unevenness.
- Spritz with water to remove sanding dust and wipe away.
4. Painting the Base:
- Apply a spritz of water to moisten the surface.
- Apply thin coats of cream paint (Bunty’s Vanilla) using a brush.
- Allow the first coat to dry fully overnight.
- Apply additional thin coats until the desired coverage is achieved (3 1/2 to 4 coats).
- Lightly sand with 600-grit sandpaper between coats.
5. Preparing the Tabletop for Whitewashing:
- Flip the table over.
- Sand the tabletop with 120 grit sandpaper, then 180 grit.
- Scrape off any paint that has dripped over from painting the underside, ensuring clean edges.
- Use sanding blocks with contoured shapes to sand the edge profile.
- Spray water to wipe off sanding dust.
6. Applying the Whitewash:
- Mix a 50/50 solution of the cream paint and water to create the whitewash.
- Mist the tabletop with water to moisten it.
- Apply the whitewash with a brush, working in the direction of the wood grain.
- Wipe back any excess with a blue tissue roll.
- Apply the whitewash in thin layers.
- Let the first coat dry for about half an hour.
- Apply a second coat of paint wash.
- Let it soak in for a couple of minutes before wiping back.
- Apply a third coat, let it soak in for five minutes, and then wipe away the excess.
- Leave it to dry.
7. Finishing Touches:
- Lightly sand the whitewashed top with 800-grit sandpaper to smooth the wood grain.
- Apply a coat of satin varnish with a paintbrush.
- Use long strokes in the direction of the wood grain.
- Watch for any varnish collecting in pools and brush out any drips.
- Apply thin coats of varnish to avoid dribbles.
- Apply two coats of varnish, allowing them to dry.
- As a final step, apply Annie Sloan clear wax.
- Wipe away the excess wax and let it dry.
- Buff the wax with a buffing brush until there’s no resistance.
- Apply a second coat of wax, leave it to dry overnight, and buff it the next day.
The Result
The result was a beautiful transformation, giving the console table a new lease of life while honouring its history. The combination of modern cream paint and a subtle whitewashed top created a stylish piece that fits perfectly into the client’s home.
YouTube Tutorial:
For a visual guide to this transformation, you can watch the tutorial here:
Ready to transform your outdoor space with upcycled furniture? Download our free "Outdoor Upcycling Project Planner: 5 Projects to Transform Your Space" for detailed instructions and inspiration. Simply enter your email address below to receive your copy.
