I purchased this table on the third and last day of an Estate Sale. Well you know what that means....day 3....last day....nobody wanted this poor table. Except me! I wanted it. It had years of yellow varrnish, cigarette burns and weak legs, but I wanted it.
It was and is a very ornate table. It's color was a yellowish brown and although some would say, "don't paint it", I did. It didn't survive all of these years to be tucked away in a attic. It deserved to be beautiful, and in a modern home.
My process - I cleaned it, tightened the legs, sanded the top down to bare wood and started painting and staining it. I gave the top a modern look with General Finshes Java Gel Stain, that I sealed with a clear finish. I painted the body of the table with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I used Old White Chalk and then used Paris Grey and Old Ochre on the carved details. I lightly sanded the paint finish to blend the colors. Then I wet rag distressed the edges. Lastly I sealed the chalk painted areas with a custom wax of clear wax and pure white paint.
Now it is modern, in fashion, desirable AND it is still beautiful.
