What do you do when you buy a table, like a side table or end table or night stand, and it just feels too short?
YOU ADD LEGS!
I picked this up cheap at the yard sale, even though it was solid and had dovetail drawer joinery. I’m pretty sure it was because it was so low to the ground. Since it didn’t have a mate (or matching counterpart), I knew I wanted to do something special with it. It needed to be a stand-alone piece. But in order to do that, it needed to be a little taller.
So, I went to Lowe’s and picked up these little leg extenders for a couple bucks each. Then, I drilled holes in the bottom of each the legs and screwed the leg extenders in place (the legs came with screws). It was a simple project that didn’t take much time or money but had a nice payoff in terms of the whole look.
I’ve been asked several times about how I paint to achieve texture. I’ve tried explaining, but I figured I’d snap a quick couple pics to show you!
Here is my basic mantra: Don’t over-think it! Just do it!
I go in all directions to cover the piece with paint as quickly as possible. If I painted in one direction or in smooth uniform sections, I’m sure it would take me twice as long. I start in one spot (usually a corner) and work my way along, purposely not paying any attention to brush strokes. I use a ‘pouncing’ technique when getting in small areas or dimples and nicks in the wood, and I don’t bother trying to fix the brush marks that pouncing makes.
I’ve found that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint WANTS to be painted in all directions. It is an artistic paint! Therefore, it loves the texture created by this style of painting. I also love that on the top of a table or dresser, I can paint this way, then right before I wax it, I generally give a light sanding, just to smooth out bumps and to tone down the texture a bit. It feels very smooth, but waxing it, especially dark waxing it, brings out that subtle texture STILL and makes it more interesting and unique than just a completely smooth, flat finish you would get with latex.
I was doing a custom dresser with this same color palette and design, so I figured, why not an end table? That way, people who love my Union Jack dressers but don’t have room or money for one, can snag a cute Shades of Blue original without spending more than $150!d
Like how I switched out the roses for the boxwood? 🙂 I took an equal amount of photos with them both, just to see which one looked better, and most with the roses ended up not being quite right with focus and lighting. Plus that pink kinda stole my eye more than the Union Jack! 🙂
Take a look at those legs now!
It’s hard to tell in this picture but I really buffed both layers of the top of this one. Rose, at Wood Icing, showed me how she applies and buffs wax, and it seems to add some durability, especially to tops of tables and dressers, so I gave it a try! It has a matt finish all over the body, but the top is pretty shiny… which I really love!
 If you are local, head over to Wood Icing in the Chesterfield Mall, and you will see this cute table there!
Great idea with the legs. I love the Union Jack. My son, daughterinlove and g/son are moving to London in June, so I”m becoming very attached to all things British.
I’m just now starting to like the Union Jack look. That table is so cute, the colors are great. I’m going to have to look into those leg extenders, how smart of you to find them and what a huge difference they make to how the table presents itself. You are a very talented blogger. Hope you have fun at it. Happy weekend
So cute, beautiful color choice!