This blog post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.
Friday, January 4, 2019

Light Gray Antique Console Table Makeover


An antique console table gets a fresh new makeover with General Finishes Seagull Gray milk paint and dark antique wax. 


Last year, I shared my top 10 sources for scoring great affordable used furniture.   One of the places I mentioned was local auctions and that's exactly where I spotted this antique console table.  It was sitting outside, the top veneer was warped and peeling off, but I could immediately see the potential.  It had great curves and old stem cast iron wheels that I couldn't resist.   I knew a little Seagull Gray milk paint and gold hardware would give this dated and damaged console table the update it needed.  Lucky for me, no one else saw the potential and I was able to get it for a steal.  

Gray painted console table with clear and dark wax


SUPPLIES NEEDED TO PAINT AND UPDATE AN ANTIQUE WOOD CONSOLE TABLE
Affiliate links have been used

- Annie Sloan soft clear wax
- Good quality paint brush
- Lint free rag
- 100 and 120 grit sandpaper
- Hammer 
- Sharp chisel
- Screwdriver
- Paper plate

REMOVING VENEER AND PREPPING THE TABLE FOR PAINT

antique oak console table before
It's hard to tell in the before picture, but there was some definite damage to the veneer on the top of the table.  It was so bad that I could literally peel off the veneer in large long strips.
Damage to veneer of antique console table
I've dealt with removing stubborn veneer in the past and thankfully, this was a much easier job.  There were a few areas where I had to use a sharp chisel and hammer to get under and lift up the veneer, but overall, it was super easy to remove.Removing damaged veneer with hammer and chisel

removing damaged veneer
After the damaged veneer was removed, I filled the holes (from the back plate) and damaged areas with my favorite Minwax wood filler.   I've mentioned this wood filler in the past and it's definitely my favorite.   It dries rock hard and super fast, which is awesome for impatient people like me.   fill holes and sand with orbital sander
After the wood filler was dry, I sanded the top smooth then gave the rest of the table a good sanding.  I then wiped it clean before applying two coats of General Finishes Seagull gray milk paint.
General Finishes Seagull Gray painted console table
I let the paint dry then sanded the edges for a naturally distressed look.  I originally thought I was just going to use clear wax but decided the addition of dark wax would better suit the curves and style of the table.

HOW TO APPLY DARK ANTIQUE WAX OVER MILK OR CHALK PAINT

how to apply clear and dark wax
I used Annie Sloan soft clear wax and Amy Howard dark antique wax because that's what I had on hand.  Any brand of clear and dark wax will do though.  You also want to make sure you have a brush and lint-free cloth on hand.

STEP ONE
Apply a layer of clear wax to the entire piece using a wax brush.  Having a layer of clear wax on your furniture first is important in being able to control the dark wax later.

STEP TWO
You can add a scoop of dark wax to a paper plate or simply use it out of the container like I did.  Either way, dab your wax brush into the dark wax, blot off the excess then apply it to the edges and detailed areas of the furniture.
dab off access dark wax onto a plate

Apply dark wax to edges and details

Apply dark wax to edges of furniture
STEP THREE
Using a lint-free rag (or triple zero steel wool), blend the dark wax into edges and groves.  This allows details to pop and gives depth to your piece.

STEP FOUR
With very little wax on your brush, lightly go over the entire piece of furniture with dark wax then blend with a rag or 000 steel wool.  I applied very little dark wax to my table, but you can apply as little or a much as you like.

*** TIP***If you end up applying too much dark wax you can "erase" the dark wax by going over it with clear wax.


Gray painted console table with dark antique wax
I'm not sure why, but the pictures don't really show much of the dark wax, but I promise it's there.   It's definetely subtle, but gives the console table a little depth and age.
Light gray painted console table
I'm a big fan of gray and brass, so I also swapped out the original hardware for brass knobs that I picked up from Hobby Lobby for 50% off.
Gray painted table with gold hardware

Gray painted console table with clear and dark wax

Seagull Gray painted antique console table

How to add dark wax to light painted furniture

The light gray paint and dark antique wax accents now beautifully match the curves and character of this great console table.   Wouldn't it be perfect for an entryway or TV stand?

     Pin it for later
Antique painted console table before and after


    You will also love



Don't forget to follow along
Click here to subscribe
      

Would you like to comment?

  1. Your made-over console table looks really nice. It's a familiar design to me as I have a buffet with the same curved legs and the same two drawers across the top. My buffet has a mirror across the back of the top with some supports with the same curve as the legs and a narrow shelf at the very top. It was my grandmother's and I really treasure it. I think it would look good with the same treatment you gae the console table but I will probably never paint it because it wouldn't look like "Grandma's buffet" then.

    Can't wait for the next project!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Question: Couldn't you just have painted it w/o removing the veneer. I have the exact same piece! Been thinking about painting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you can certainly paint over veneer as long as it's in good shape. Just sand and scuff it up a little before painting. I had to remove the veneer on this piece because it was warped and peeling and was not in good shape.

      Delete