LOOSE ENDS
Coffee Table Remix By: Megan J. Busch While shopping at the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity ReStore, my husband and I stumbled upon a sturdy, wooden coffee table that I knew I could refurbish into a beautiful centerpiece for our living room. We promptly purchased the table for 25 dollars— what a steal! (I later found the original price tag showing that the piece once cost 260 dollars.) By adding a little Chalk Paint™ from Charleston Revisions and new knobs from Pier1, I transformed the old, second-hand table into something a bit more modern. Step 1: Choosing Paint and Decorative Hardware For the coffee table, I needed roughly a half-can of Chalk Paint™, so I went to Charleston Revisions and chose my color: Graphite. Laurie Cooper, owner of the eclectic shop, said that it was one of the most popular colors since gray is so in-style right now. Because I wanted a more modern look (as opposed to the rustic look many choose to achieve with Chalk Paint™), Laurie recommended that I use a clear wax over the base coat of paint. Leaving there, I went to Pier1 to choose two ceramic knobs to complement the new gray color. Step 2: Gathering Supplies I needed a rough sponge, a bowl full of water and mild soap (I used simple dish soap), a foam paint roller, a cloth to apply the wax (I used one of my husband’s old tee shirts, and it worked flawlessly), decorative hardware, and of course, Chalk Paint™ and Soft Wax. Step 3: Cleaning and Painting To start my project, I began by cleaning all the surfaces of the coffee table with the sponge and soapy water. Then, I painted it using the roller and the Graphite paint. Chalk Paint™ can be applied to almost any surface without sanding or priming, so I was able to skip those steps. I applied two coats of paint to all sides of the table, a quick process that took less than two hours. Step 4: Waxing I allowed the paint to dry overnight. The next evening, I applied a very thin layer of wax. Step 5: Adding Flair Once the wax no longer felt tacky, I added the decorative knobs, creating (what felt like) a brand-new addition to our little home.
Want to upcycle your own furniture? Check out these resources: Charleston Revisions charlestonrevisions.com Pier1 Imports pier1.com Trident Habitat for Humanity tridenthabitat.org
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CH+D • Summer 2013