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.

Modern Cream Pine Console Table

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:

  1. 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:

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