NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD TABLE

Let's take this oooold, outta date table and bring it into 2012.  I think this style was called French Provincial, 1970's maybe,  but we're gonna call the 'NEW LOOK' ......SHABBY Country French.  To start, just sand the entire table so that the paint will 'grab' onto it.  Love my lil Mouse by Black and Decker to do this job.

And, don't forget to take off the hardware.  Then sand the drawer. 

Okay, ready to paint.  I wanted a French blue for a Country French Table.........soooo, since I didn't want to to spend $$$ for another gallon of paint, I looked to see what I might have.  Found a pretty, dark blue that I had used to paint an entrance door about 6 years ago.  I thought it couldn't possibly still be good.  It was a Walmart brand, Color Place, in Centennial Blue, and can you believe, when I opened it, it was still like new.  So, I poured some Home Depot, Behr white into a jar, then mixed the blue into the white.  When mixing, it seems better if you mix the dark into the light.  It's TOO easy to get TOO dark TOO fast.  So add small amounts of the dark, then mix until you get the color you desire.  And, yes, I do mix brands.......never any problem.  Just be sure to never try mixing oil with acrylic.  But, you already knew that, didn't cha???

I gave everything two coats of paint, then let dry for at least an hour.  Take the sander and distress around the edges and places where the piece would have gotten normal wear.  I then use a stain or glaze.....my favorite is Minwax Special Walnut......and brush over the entire piece.  Then, take a soft cloth or paper towel and wipe back, leaving just enough to give the piece character or 'age'.  Let dry.  This will stay tacky for hours in this damp cool weather, but will dry faster in warmer weather (duh).  I liked the handles as they were, so just popped them back on, AND..........WA LA...........French Provincial becomes Shabby Country French.

I think she's pretty.  Tell me what cha think???