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Before and After: A Playful End Table Mini Makeover — Plus a Giveaway!

by on Aug 13, 2014

Brittni Mehlhoff

Last week, I visited my local Sherwin-Williams store to get some paint and tools for a furniture makeover I’ve been working on. And today, I’m ready to share the results from that makeover. Above is what this quirky little end table looked like before. And here is the (now) three-toned table after:
Oh, don’t forget to scroll down to find out how to enter a $200 Sherwin-Williams giveaway!

A wooden chair by a portrait and an end table.Brittni Mehlhoff

Instead of painting the whole thing one color, I went with three. I like playful pieces that add a little cheer around the house in unexpected ways. So, I ended up choosing two pastel paints and one bold dark, to make this table more of a statement piece. 

Paint samples in varying hues along side a small skinny legged table.Brittni Mehlhoff

Choosing the right colors: I selected a handful of potential colors in store and then brought home the swatches to decide on the best combo, which I mentioned in my first post as well.

Here’s how I refinished my end table…

Four paint cans, a roll of blue painters tape, and two paint brushes.Brittni Mehlhoff

Materials:

I was able to pick up everything I needed from my local Sherwin-Williams store (minus the actual table and the power sander, of course). Here’s the detailed list of supplies and tools:

  • Thrift store end table
  • Power sander
  • Painter’s tape
  • XIM primer – This primer works for multi-surfaces, which was perfect for this project, since I have both a wood surface and a metal one to cover.
  • 2 paint brushes – One for primer, one for paint.
  • HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams paint – I used BreaktimeRosebay, and Black Magic.

How-To:

"Wooden table makeover with blender."Brittni Mehlhoff

A hand using a round electric sander on the top of a round wooden stool.Brittni Mehlhoff

1. There was a really thick varnish on the table, so I had to start with a power sander to remove the finish as much as possible before priming. This was a suggestion from Catherine, the manager of my local Sherwin-Williams store. I had never used a power sander before, but I’m glad I didn’t skip this step. It turned out to be a surprisingly fun (and rewarding) part of the process.

I ended up sanding the surface down to the bare wood, for the most part, which probably wasn’t necessary considering I used a very heavy duty primer. But I was kind of in the zone, so I went ahead with it.

A can of primer and a paintbrush sit on a round chair.Brittni Mehlhoff

2. Once the sanding was complete, I wiped down the entire surface with a rag and then started with the primer. I coated the entire surface and let it dry according to the instructions on the label. 

Someone painting a small white endtable.Brittni Mehlhoff

3. Once the primer was dry and had time to properly set up, it was time for paint. I started with the lighter mint (Breaktime) color for the side of the table, and painted that without any tape, since I knew I’d be painting the darker color (Black Magic) on top.

"Painting a Side Table for a better look"Brittni Mehlhoff

4. While I was waiting for the that to dry, I painted the legs in the light pink color I selected (Rosebay).

5. Once the paint was dry on both the side color and the leg color, I touched up any areas that I had missed the first time around.

Black enamel being painted on a white surface.Brittni Mehlhoff

A round stool has a black top and pink legs.Brittni Mehlhoff

6. The last part of the painting process was the top in Black Magic. After the paint of the side of the table was completely dry, I taped it off, so that I would have clean edges where the black and mint meet. Then, I painted the top of the side table and let it dry.

The photo above shows the first coat of black paint. Since this was a dark color, it required multiple coats. Once dry it’s ready to use. There was no need for a sealant because the enamel paint I used doesn’t need to be sealed (it’s the same paint used for door trim, so it’s very durable).

Here’s the side by side, before and after:

Plants sit on a redecorated table.Brittni Mehlhoff

Overall, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. But I’d love to know what you think of the finished piece as well.

A small round table has a black top and pink legs.Brittni Mehlhoff

A white room has a table, chair and shoes.Brittni Mehlhoff

Reading area with a small modern wood chair, some shoes, and a side table.Brittni Mehlhoff

Have your own paint project you’re hoping to tackle?

Sign up for the Sherwin-Williams Paint Perks program, which is free, and you’ll get a $10 coupon that you can use after sign up for your paint purchase of $50 or more!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

This post is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. All opinions are my own.

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103 Comments

  1. This is great! My whole apartment is this blah moss green which is very depressing… I definitely need a paint job!

  2. Pick me! Would love to try a dramatic dark navy/black color on one of my dining room walls!

  3. Oh, oh!  Pick me!  We’re closing on our new house on Aug 23 and plan on painting Labor Day weekend!  We already hit Sherwin Williams and picked out most of our colors and everything!!!

  4. i just recently used the Pro Classic on some doors and trim, that is great paint.  i’m curious about the Surface Enamel to paint a desk.

  5. Pick Me 🙂 The end table is very nice now, I love the light colors with the black top

  6. Pick me! We currently have an all white, primed house waiting (desperately) for some color.

  7. Pick me! We have lots of painting projects to complete this fall 🙂

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. What a fresh and fun makeover! And, PICK ME! Pretty, pretty please with cherries on top (SW 6862 Cherries Jubilee, that is)?!?!

  9. Pick me! We just moved and I have so many painting projects to tackle in our new house.

  10. I think it looks great!  I wouldn’t have thought to paint the sides a different color like it.  

    My husband and I are buying our first house and $200 towards paint would go a long way.

  11. Very cool makeover. I would love to win the paint–it would be so helpful in fixing up our old home!

  12. Please pick me. I am going to need to do some painting soon, and I would love to win the giveaway.

  13. please pick me! i want to paint my bathroom so bad. thanks for the chance 

  14. I have several projects just waiting for the paint. This would be a wonderful win! Thanks for the opportunity.644

  15. I prefer the original table as I love the wood finishes. The refinished table is cute although most likely for a younger person. I understand if I don’t get picked. I just wanted to be honest. 

  16. Ooh! Thanks for offering this giveaway! Pick me, please! I can always find uses for paint.

  17. Thanks for holding a giveaway!  Found you on FB and really appreciate your creativity. 
     

  18. We just bought our first house, a major fixer-upper, and I’m horribly poor and intimidated by the amount of work there is to do!  A gift card to at least buy the paint I need to redo the badly peeling porch would be lovely.

  19. Oh this would be so wonderful!  We will be moving into a fixer upper in 2-months and EVERY room, every surface needs a fresh coat of paint and Sherwin Williams is our favorite!

  20. I have a century-old brick home and a passion for painting it. I would love to paint my dressing room/laundry (yes, you read that right) with a gorgeous hue from Sherwin-Williams. Pick Me!

  21. I love the makeover!  The table looks gorgeous!!  It’s amazing what a little paint can do!!  thanks!  “Pick me”!!!  

  22. I love Sherwin William and they have helped me transform my little condo into something wonderful

  23. Eh. The little table was not attractive to begin with, especially the puny stick legs. The paint job only made it look sillier.

  24. My house was built in 1946! OLD, huh.. Everything needs painted and I’m especially excited to do something with the wooden sliding closet doors!! Help me do this!

  25. Cute table! We have lots of projects and new paint would come in  very handy. Thanks!

  26. Fun unexpected color choice brings snazzy style – well done!
    Bring in the inspiration – I need it! (And… Pick Me!!!! Please. :))

  27. Love The Color Combo For A Girl Twist But The Natural Wood After It Being Sanded Down. Oh And Pick Me Lol!!!

  28. Love it!!!! Please pick me!!! My husband and I are in the midsts of a whole house renovation. Next up on the hunny-do list…… painting!!!!

  29. Too Cute! You have my wheels turning for my next furniture make-over. I already have my Sherwin-Williams colors picked out and $10 Off Coupon printed. ‘Pick Me!’

  30. I’m getting ready to move so ideas and giftcards are the perfect things for inspiration and means! Thanks!

  31. This table is a very clever & inspirational project.  I love the color choices.  You did a great job.

  32. I think the legs are too spindly. I would have painted them the dark color to add some weight to the bottom. 

  33. Love the colors! I’m now brave enough to use several colors on a paneled storage chest that I’m using as a coffee table–thanks for the inspiration!

  34. I so need some painting done in my house!!! Love the makeover of the stool.. fantastic!

  35. The Breaktime green with Rosebay pink is just fantastic. Love those colors together with the black…fun glam!

  36. …One reason I have and continue to really enjoy living past 70 is that I always look for the amazing which is why I am on your mailing list—- my wife Debotah (we are both retired)  enjoy creating the “:new” in our space and Curbly certainly does provide many ways to do so  –Pck Me!!!

  37. Thanks everyone for the comments! The giveaway is now closed and we’ll announce the winner shortly.