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. 
The Ultimate Guide to Paint Washing Furniture
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.
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