More furniture redos

I've painted several of our end tables and a coffee table. 

I used a DIY chalk paint on these as you only have to sand lightly, paint and then add a topcoat - no primer necessary unless there is stain bleed-through.  (I researched several sites for a DIY chalk paint recipe - some use Plaster of Paris - but the consensus seemed to favor adding calcium carbonate to regular flat latex paint which I bought on Amazon. I bought sample sizes of paint from Home Depot which are under $4 for 8 oz and had enough to do several coats on several tables.)

On the table tops I used General Finishes Gel Stain in Java. Here again you need only sand very lightly, wipe on the stain and then wipe off. Instead of usual stains that soak into the wood, this stays on top much like paint. It took several coats with a day's dry time between each. Then I used several coats of water-based polyacrylic to seal. I also replaced the knobs.

BEFORE 

(I had no idea this one's finish was in such bad shape and didn't intend to sand down to bare wood, but it came off in seconds!)

DURING

AFTER (Version 1-off white)

VERSION 2 - very pale gray-green

BEFORE 

(I'd already painted a coat on the bottom portion before remembering to take a photo.)

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Granny's cabinet

This cabinet belonged to my husband's grandmother and we acquired it over 40 years ago. It has always graced either our kitchen or laundry room wherever we've lived. Though I loved it because it was hers and because it's a cute piece, I always hated the bad stain job covering not-so-wonderful wood. But I knew it would be a bear to either refinish or paint because of the bleeding stain. And it was! 

BEFORE

Again, I used chalk paint but because of the bleeding issue I ended up having to do several coats of an oil-based (yuck) primer/sealer first. Once the hard work was done I painted two coats of white inside and two coats of a pale robin's egg blue color on the outside. This resides in my laundry room holding cookbooks and miscellaneous so I went with a color that I just loved and didn't have to match anything! I dry-brushed the original hardware with white paint.

AFTER

Looks a little washed out because of the daylight streaming in the garage

Better idea of actual color

I am in love! I think this is one of my most favorite painted pieces ever!

And because I had a bit of paint leftover, I painted this old end table of my parents that we've had forever to go with my new colors in my bedroom. When I pulled it out of the attic two legs were off and I had to do a bit of repair. It's not perfect but it will do. ) I had just enough paint and used a dark gel stain on the top. I think the little feet are brass so when I have more time I will try to polish them a bit. After doing the above cabinet, this was a piece of cake!

BEFORE

AFTER