Posted on by ToadMama

Plasticene Horror to Cute Accent Piece

About a year ago, I bought an old end table for $12. It was in decent shape, but it wasn’t solid wood. I liked the detail on the front and thought it would be a fun experiment.

It sat in my basement since the day I brought it home.

While at our WV Place recently, we realized we needed a table about that size for the living room. So I figured I’d give it a quick makeover.

QUICK is the key word here.

Including dusting, painting, and waxing, I don’t think I spent more than an hour on this piece. It required very little paint (single coats of each color dry-brushed on) and only one quick coat of clear wax.

I love the end result.

new-to-me-table
Click on the image to see a larger version.

When I showed Hubby the table in its “before” state, he looked a bit skeptical and asked, with all the bias of a woodworker, what kind of wood it was. I told him parts were plasticene, and the rest was something else. I didn’t care. I didn’t want to burn it, just have something cute to look at for a bit.

Even he was shocked at the end result.

This Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® consistently amazes me.

No sanding was required. I removed the old handles (didn’t even need a screwdriver) and then added a very thin coat of Graphite on the top and Old White on the base. I covered the painted areas with a quick coat of clear wax. Finally, I added new knobs I’d purchased on clearance for $1.36 each.

Not a bad table for under $15 (not including the teeny bit of paint and wax I used) and an hour of my time. Do you agree?

end table

11 Replies to “Plasticene Horror to Cute Accent Piece”

  3. I love it! I wish I had more time to play around with the pieces I have. One day – maybe the month of July with no kids sports?? 🙂

  4. Thanks, Amy. Maybe you should set aside one evening a week when TJ or the nanny can take the kids out for a few hours? I know it’s hard to find time when you are really busy. Look at me, not little ones at home AND a dedicated spot to work in and I still struggle to find time.

    1. Trob, it try does amaze me how “junk” can be so easily transformed with this paint. It sticks to almost anything and is so easy to work with. It’s quite addictive, really. I have a couple of big projects in the queue now. They’ll both take a bit longer, but I’m excited to see the finished pieces.

  7. Nice use of graphite, Kathy. That’s a tough one with which to get an even coat once the wax goes on. I think letting the “wood” show through lets any unevenness look natural. I like the antique look of the white, too.

  8. Thanks, Andrew. I’ve decided I won’t use graphite any other way. It actually looks better like that than trying, and usually failing in my case, to get good dark coverage.

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