Love chippy layered paint treatments? Want to do it in a hurry? That’s the beauty of this shabby farmhouse paint finish – it’s so easy you can’t mess it up and quick enough to do it in one afternoon.
Mr. SCC was in too big of a hurry for me to take step by step photos of the table – booooo!
But, my friends, it’s the paint job that makes this farmhouse table somethin’ special!
I LURVE the weathered, worn finish of an old piece of furniture that’s been smothered in layer after layer of beautiful colors of paint. However, I’m never lucky enough to find those great pieces on my itty bitty budget. So, I fake ’em.
I love a good farmhouse finish – but every other method I’ve seen takes layers and layers and layers of paint. I’m too impatient for all that. I do mine with one coat of paint. Know what? You can, too!
Start with two (or three or seventeen) colors of paint.
I love my Hawaiian Sky and Ultra White from Dutch Boy.
I love my Hawaiian Sky and Ultra White from Dutch Boy.
You’ll also need 3 (or however many colors you’re using plus one) paint brushes.
I actually recommend crappy brushes for this job.
Although I love my Purdy for the perfect finish, this one ain’t perfect.
We’re gonna scratch it up, scar it up, and treat it rough.
The cheap brushes means a rougher finish – which in this case is a very good thing.
I actually recommend crappy brushes for this job.
Although I love my Purdy for the perfect finish, this one ain’t perfect.
We’re gonna scratch it up, scar it up, and treat it rough.
The cheap brushes means a rougher finish – which in this case is a very good thing.
Start with your first color and slap random patches of color here and there.
Get a little Jackson Pollock with it.
Get a little Jackson Pollock with it.
Then, fill in around the patches with your second color, but don’t overlap too much.
With each big spot of paint, glop some extra in the middle.
With each big spot of paint, glop some extra in the middle.
Now you’re gonna take the 3rd brush and drag paint from the middle glops and blend the edges of each one. Don’t blend it all to one color, make it look all crazy and stuff. Think camo gone bad. Trust me… it’s gonna be alright!
Do the legs and skirts, too. Don’t leave them all nekkid and stuff.
The most important part?
Work quick! DO NOT take time to be careful.
Just slap the paint all over the wood, trying to cover 99% is just fine.
It only took me about 30 minutes to paint the entire table,
including time to stop and take photos!
You can do this even faster if two people work together,
one with the colors and the other doing the blending.
Work quick! DO NOT take time to be careful.
Just slap the paint all over the wood, trying to cover 99% is just fine.
It only took me about 30 minutes to paint the entire table,
including time to stop and take photos!
You can do this even faster if two people work together,
one with the colors and the other doing the blending.
Alright, now go have some sweet tea and call your mamma so you can chat while the paint dries.
You’re all dry? Ok, now comes the fun part!!! Let’s get rough 🙂
Sand the top, edges, legs, wherever you slapped paint on it.
DO NOT be gentle.
The sanding is actually much more important to this finish than the painting is.
Sand the top, edges, legs, wherever you slapped paint on it.
DO NOT be gentle.
The sanding is actually much more important to this finish than the painting is.
Sand more than you think you need, let a little wood peek through here and there.
The more you sand the better it looks.
The more you sand the better it looks.
Be sure to sand where two colors abruptly join,
so when you’re finished it looks like two different layers.
Now let’s glaze. I use Ralph Lauren Manor Grey.
(This recipe is for 1 gallon.)
But for this I also added in a little black and mixed it all up.
I also added a dash of water to thin it down a bit.
Take a dry cloth, dip it into the glaze and rub it into the surface.
Here’s where the sanding job starts to shine.
The glaze will get caught in all those beautiful imperfections
and it creates a patina that is to die for.
The glaze will get caught in all those beautiful imperfections
and it creates a patina that is to die for.
Next I take a little off with a wet cloth (not real dry or super wet),
so that there are darker and lighter spots, making it all pretty and stuff.
so that there are darker and lighter spots, making it all pretty and stuff.
The glaze tones it all down, marries all the colors together and unifies the paint.
After you’ve wiped it all down, add a little DecoArt paint
in a complimenting color to bare spots by rubbing it
straight onto the wood with your fingers.
This will help get it into the grain of the wood.
in a complimenting color to bare spots by rubbing it
straight onto the wood with your fingers.
This will help get it into the grain of the wood.
Although you could poly it, I had some beeswax from Ikea in my supplies.
I used a couple of thin coats, rubbing on and buffing off with a lint free cloth.
I used a couple of thin coats, rubbing on and buffing off with a lint free cloth.
Now, she’s all done. Excluding drying time, I did the entire table, by myself in about 2 hours. Even with drying time, I did it all in one day. I have finished several other pieces of furniture this way, and still love them.
Ditching the dining room was such a good idea!
Now we have more room for family dinners, board games,
and I have a bigger work surface, too!
Now we have more room for family dinners, board games,
and I have a bigger work surface, too!
Can someone go rush Polly to come help me make slipcovers?
I really want to put my current couch on this wall!
I really want to put my current couch on this wall!
Designing Domesticity says
wow, that is fast! good work. will have to give this a go next time i manage to find some furniture, which has been a little slow as of late! liz
Chrissie says
Awesome tutorial! Thanks for sharing, I love your new table!!!!!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
That is gorgeous Gina!! 🙂 Love it!!
Erin A says
Your table is BEAUUUUUUUUUUTIFUL! Just got a new electric sander for Christmas, and I’m looking forward to putting it to work. Thanks for a great tutorial!!
very merry vintage style says
Great tutorial. I haven’t seen this gray glaze before; love the color combination!
Mary
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says
Your table is gorgeous!! I love the color. Thanks for sharing the tutorial and for hosting!
Minkee Baby Gifts says
It is beautiful! My paint brush is whispering my name…….
Green Gracie Home says
gorgeous…can’t wait to try that technique out. thanks for hosting
Robin says
Holy Cannoli Gina! I thought I’d done every paint technique known to man! I’m looking around my house trying to figure out which piece of furniture is getting a re-do with your technique! I LOVE it!
So funny…the photo of you with 2 paint brushes just going at it! 🙂
xo
Robin
Sara @ thesherlockshome says
Love it! I will be trying this out soon!
southernscraps says
Awesome job on the table!
I'm AE Jones says
I am incredibly impressed!!!
angie says
gorgeous table! i am a new follower of your blog and linked up for the first time today too! (Laundry Room Reveal)
Stephenie from Decorating Addiction says
Wow! It looks amazing! I never knew how to make it look worn like that. Great job!
Serendipity Chic Design says
That table is to die for! Thanks for hosting!
Take care,
Lisa
mudpies and marigolds says
Love this tutorial! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will definetly be trying this out in the near future.
-Aaron
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says
Fabulous job and tutorial Gina. I love the colors you chose, very fresh. I’m lovin’ your floor too;-)
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
great painting technique!
thanks for hosting!
gail
La says
I’ve been wanting a farmhouse table. Yours looks great.
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Gina, I am obviously spending way too much time painting our furniture. I love your technique and the table turned out fabulous. This will be how I paint from now on. Thanks.
Hugs,
Sherry
Leanne says
I love how the table turned out. The result is beautiful. Thanks for hosting again this week.
Pretty Pink Cherub says
Looks gorgeous, thank you for the painting tips and hosting the best Linky Party ;O)!! Love the colors you chose!!!
simpledaisy says
Seriously…..that is AMAZING!!!!!
I might make something like that for my sunroom!! I could see a smaller version and a shelf on the bottom with baskets and my TV on top!!!
So cute:):)
vintage vine says
Gina the table is great! You always do such a good job on painting furniture!!! Love the lights too!! Aren’t those IKEA, I love that place!!
Heaven's Walk - says
Gina – I agree!!! Seriously amazing!!! You made it sound so easy!! I’m saving this great tutorial, Gina! Thank you so much for the help!
xoxo laurie
Michelle says
Wow! I love your table. I have one waiting to have something done with it, and this might be it. I like it a lot more than painting it straight white, especially because I do a lot of work on it and it’s going to get scuffed up, anyway. Thanks for hosting the party! I’m new here and it’s nice to fee welcome!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
That looks great! thanks for hosting this blog party. Love your design style.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
that table looks amazing!!!
Polly @ Make Mine Beautiful says
Umm, could someone please tell Gina I’m currently hiding from her……..just until she gets over that urge to slipcover her sofa. 🙂
That turned out beautiful girl. Tell Mr. SCC he does (I)alright(I) with that building thang he’s got going on. Maybe I’ll hit him up to build my farmer’s carts afterall. Hey, I thought you were under that table earlier today with a dremel. Did I miss that part? Your color choices were great!
How big is that table? Looks pretty long to me. That’s what I need in my workroom to replace all those little tables I have in a row with all my machines on them. Hmmmm, thinking…thinking. 🙂
You’re gonna love it!
MMB Creations says
This tutorial for painting is the best I have ever read. I can do this!
The Crafty Gals says
Hey there! I’m new to the Party, thanks for hosting! I gotta say, I love that technique you used on the table! I’ve never seen that before & can’t wait to try it out. Thanks so much for sharing.
~Mary
http://www.thecraftygals.blogspot.com
Megan says
Oh, G… I love it!!!
Charm Bracelet Diva says
I’m a first timer! Thanks for hosting the party!
AliLilly says
WOW!….WOW!!…..WOW!!!! It’s GORGEOUS!! I LOVE IT! I think it’s a FANTASTIC tutorial too!! One that I would LOVE to try someday!!
Thanks for hosting! 🙂
Michelle @ Loving Every Second says
That table is AWESOME! I LOVE it!!!!
And hi! I’m Michelle! I’m a new follower 🙂
Lolly Jane says
Those legs are SO pretty! LOOOOOOOOVE the finish!!
:)Thanks for hosting!
Brandy says
I am suffering incredible envy!! The legs are great, I love the whole thing! And thanks for hosting!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com
Pamela says
Gina your table is gorgeous!!
♥Amber Filkins♥ says
Ha! That looks SOOOO good Gina! What the heck! You got mad skills. I LOVE the way it looks. Especially the up close one towards the end. It has depth, and looks old. Love it!
♥ Amber
Dacia says
What a beautiful table & a great tutorial!
Restoration House says
You did an awesome job on this table! It looks great!
Kim:)
Biljana says
Great job, your table is gorgeous, I love it:-)
Thanks for hosting, hugs Biljana
Alyssa says
What a great job you did on that table! Love it and thanks for hosting a great linky party :)Alyssa of Boston Bee
Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm says
Love the table. I linked up my transformed (clean) shower and wanted to say thanks for hosting.
Bridget @ The Rehab Boutique says
I love it! I’ll have to try your technique!
Chrissy says
Wow what a great tutorial! I have done this many different ways, but I like the way that you presented it. I can follow this more methodically than my approach.
Your table looks great.
Thanks for sharing.
Rebekah of Schenewark Farm says
Love it!
And like I don’t have enough blogs to read… I just found several more to add to Google Reader! I love being introduced to new blogs and new ideas! 🙂
Julie says
Great table, Gina! I’d love it if you’d link it up to my Paint Color Party going on now!
http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2011/01/paint-color-party-link-up-your.html
Christie says
Your table looks wonderful! thanks for the how-to!!
Patty's Stitches says
I adore the table! And the tutorial was fabulous ~ information I really needed. I’m dying to refinish something! 😉
Life in Rehab says
GREAT tutorial, Gina, very clear, and the results are fabulous.
Carmie of the Single Nester says
Looks terrific. Not sure if I have that much patience.
{ L } says
Hi Gina! I just wanted to tell you that I posted up some pictures and plugged in a link to your etsy shop on my blog…you KNOW how I just LOVE your etsy store. <3
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2011/01/decorating-with-wintertime-cozies.html
Also, that table is just gorgeous. I would be so excited to have it in my home. I really love the colors.
Live, Laugh, Love, Recycle says
I love the new table, and the raggamuffin garland from the other day. I just posted my first Transformation Thursday, and hope to post many more 🙂 Barbara @ http://www.livelaughloverecycle.blogspot.com
Shannon says
Gorgeous table makeover! It’s better than you could probably find anywhere. Lovely details and craftsmanship.
http://shannonsews.blogspot.com
MessyMissy says
Thank you SO MUCH for the tutorial. I am new to refinishing furniture but I love that farmhouse table look!!
The Soladay Family says
Love the table. There are some talented people out there in blogland!
All About Vignettes says
oops–just saw that you want to know if it’s the first time you participated. It’s my second time. I just started blogging in November so needless to say I was thrilled by so many people stopping by from your site to mine. Thanks a million.
BTY, my first post was my checkerboard floor. This week I’ve re-done my foyer with layering and with horizontal stripes as a background. Let me know what you think if you have a minute.
Thanks for the bump.
Kathy
kinga @ blueloom says
Hello Gina,
Thanks so much for hosting the linky party.
Fantastic tutorial and your table is just fab!
Kinga
A Cottage Muse says
The table looks awesome and you made it look very easy!
Let's take a coffee break says
It’s my first time linking here! I love all the crafty projects here!
Parrotts says
Um…you’re AWESOME! I got here from TCB, and I love love love it! Thanks!
taidyeoriginal says
You did such a beautiful job! I really love it! ~tai @ taidye original
mariondee-designs says
I really enjoyed your tutorial.. thanks so much for sharing and just LOVE how your farmhouse table turned out…take care, Maryann
Alima says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the table!! I’m new – just found you tonight through Nester!
So I have a question – I just went to Home Depot tonight and bought paint to redo my coffee table. It’s got a dark walnut stain on it now and I was going to do an antique white over it and make it look distressed.
But I love your blue and white combo even better and it totally goes with my living room.
BUT….my table has wrought iron legs. Do you think that would still look OK?
Thanks! Love your blog and your etsy store!! 🙂
⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says
Hi Gina, thanks for hosting your linky party. I really enjoyed the tutorial too….great job!
Marianne@Songbird says
What a wonderful tutorial. I have always wanted to do that two-toned finish but never have had the guts. Now I will Gitter it Done on my next project.
Thanks for linking up!!
Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie says
It turned out great!! Quite the process! Thanks for the step-by-step details!!
The DIY Show Off says
I was admiring your table in another one of your photos. Great tutorial. Beautiful results! Thanks for sharing, Gina! 🙂
Roeshel
Its So Very Cheri says
Fabulous job Gina
Cheri
Kerrie Lightfoot says
Perfect tutorial for me. Thank you for your time. It is beautiful. I’m a new fan!
Unknown says
I am “Kerrie” as well as the last commenter! Funny, since it is a very uncommon spelling of the name…Anyway, I loved this tutorial, and just found this site. It’s right up my alley! I am now a loyal follower!
Joanna says
This has to be the most beautiful table I’ve ever seen!! I just love it!! 🙂
Cassandra says
LOVE THIS PROJECT! So much so that I,ve made it my first ever DIY.
I’ve been folliwng step by step. And have run into a roadblock: I’M in Canada and we don’t have the same brands of Ralph LAuren paint for the glaze…IS that glaze speical, or can you recommend something else?!?
Thank you!!
Cassandra
Connie Pinkerton says
Great job, but I didn’t see what TYPE of paint you’re using: Latex, oil, nterior, exterior, flat, semi-gloss???
Thanks!
Gina Luker says
Hi Connie, plain old latex but you could also use chalk paint 🙂
Cheryl Wisneski says
Love this!!!!! I have a farmhouse table and chair set that I recently picked up….you’ve inspired me! Question….what do you put on top to protect it? Will beeswax protect it from water rings and spills? You are a rock star!
Gina Luker says
I gave it a coat of polyurethane to help seal it all in.
Mary Barber says
Lurve it!
Gina Luker says
Thanks Mary!
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi there! first time here. I am a visual learner so i think pictures would have really helped me or a video. the table looks awesome but i was confused.
Gina Luker says
Thanks Cheryl, this is a super old post before I learned my photography and video skills, LOL 🙂
Sharon says
Hi there, this will be my first attempt in painting a shabby chick look on a dinning table. I am a little confused on whether to sand the table back or just paint over with chalk paint. I love the way you did the table, its beautiful.
Gina Luker says
I usually paint it with chalk paint and then sand after to get a distressed finish. Just have fun with it 🙂