🖼️
The project:
I found these unwanted bedside tables on the side of the road. They were structurally sound and functional but in desperate need of a makeover. Initially painted in a brown gloss, I managed to transform these somewhat basic 1990s style radiata pine bedside tables with the help of my new favourite product - Milk Paint- along with furniture wax and stain (for the top).
- Materials:
- Rust-oleum Milk Paint (colour = Eclipse) https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-946ml-eclipse-milk-paint-finish_p0104878
- Gilly's Cabinet Makers Wax https://www.bunnings.com.au/gilly-s-200ml-clear-cabinet-makers-wax_p0171854
- Feast Watson Brown Japan prooftint https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-250ml-brown-japan-prooftint-interior-stain_p1520348
- Feast Watson Prooftint colour reducer https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-250ml-prooftint-colour-reducer_p1520071
- Bambu Lab PLA Filament - bronze (for the inlay) https://www.bunnings.com.au/bambu-lab-pla-basic-bronze-refill-_p0853967
- Second-hand antique brass pull handles
- Tools:
- Ryobi orbital sander
- Various paint brushes for paint and wax application
- Step 1:
As with any furniture makeover, the sanding is by far the most time consuming stage. While the initial few sweeps of the sander is joyful as the beauty of the raw timber is revealed, the novelty can fade pretty quickly, especially when it comes to sanding in between the nooks and crannies of those finer features. While the tops of the bedside tables were a breeze to sand, the cupboard doors and internal features, not so much. While Milk Paint generally adheres easily to any surface, I wanted to do a thorough job on the sanding to remove all of the existing gloss so as not to have any discrepancies in the final finish.
While the orbital sander was useful in the simple top and side panels, hand sanding was the go for the cupboard doors.
- Step 2:
Once I was happy with the sanding job, I thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned down the bedside tables in preparation for the first licks of paint. Deciding on which sections to paint with Milk Paint was the result of multiple visits to Pinterest for inspiration. Eventually I decided to paint everything but the top and cupboard inlay with the Milk Paint to achieve depth and mood.
Luckily Milk Paint dries quickly and the recoat time is short. Between each coat, I would hand sand. Happy after 3 coats of the Milk Paint I decided to wax over it. Although I love the finish of the Milk Paint, it is quite chalky and is easily scratched. I find the wax not only protects the Milk Paint but also provides a deeper, velvety look which adds to the general aesthetic I was hoping for.
What to do with the tops of the bedside tables was up for debate for a few weeks. I felt if I had left them the raw pine colour, that the contrast between that and the dark coloured Milk Paint would be too stark. So I started experiementing and decided on applying Feast Watson's Brown Japan (mixed with colour reducer) to hopefully provide a luxurious aesthetic. I loved watching the grain pop as the Brown Japan was applied.
Once happy with the colour (2 coats worth) I then sealed this with the cabinet wax. However upon reflection, being a high traffic area, this section of the furniture could have benefited from a clear lacquer instead.
- Step 3:
To continue this luxurious aesthetic, I opted for these antique brass flat bow cabinet pull handles. I love their distressed/vintage appearance and the industrial look of the exposed hex-head screw fasteners. Admittedly I found these on another discarded piece of furniture and used them for this piece.
- Step 4:
Despite being happy with the colour choices, I felt the furniture appeared heavy and dull. That was when the decision to insert the bronze 3D printed inlay to the cupboard door was made. My hubby designed this art deco style inlay. I feel that it makes the bedside tables pop and compliments the handles nicely.
- Step 5:
Overall, I am happy with the finished product. While far from a calming coastal aesthetic, I feel that these bedside tables carry their own look and add a point of interest in the bedroom.
