A DIY Guide to Refinishing a Wood Table with Blue and White Hand-Painted Florals

As an artist and painter, I find immense joy in transforming ordinary objects into extraordinary pieces of art. Recently, I undertook the project of refinishing a wood side table that holds sentimental value in our family. This table, originally from my husband's childhood home, had a lovely shape and style, but its wood tone no longer matched our decor. With a bit of creativity and effort, I breathed new life into it, making it a beautiful and functional piece for our home.

The Before: A Sentimental Piece in Need of a Makeover

The side table, with its elegant curves and sturdy structure, didn’t quite fit with the brighter, more airy aesthetic of our home. When we ended up going with the classic dark leather Chesterfield Sofa, it really became clear we needed to shake things up a bit. The table's potential was evident, and I was excited to give it a makeover!

The First Step: Prepping the Table

Before diving into the painting process, I lightly sanded the table to remove any rough spots and to help the new paint adhere better. Sanding was followed by a thorough cleaning to ensure there was no dust or residue that could interfere with the paint's finish.

Choosing the Right Paint

For the base coat, I initially opted for Americana Decor Satin Enamels in white. This paint offers a smooth, durable finish, perfect for furniture pieces that will see daily use. I love how easy to clean the satin finish is compared to chalk typically. However, I later decided to switch to Americana Decor Chalky Finish in “Everlasting,” a warmer white tone, and I'm so glad I made the swap.

Links to Purchase the Paint:

• Americana Decor Satin Enamels - Warm White
• Americana Decor Chalky Finish - Lace Color

Creating the Floral Pattern

The highlight of this project was hand-painting a blue and white floral pattern on the table's top, but this could certainly be done in any color or combination of colors! Before starting on the table, I practiced the design on a piece of paper to get a feel for the style and scale. This step was crucial in ensuring that I felt confident in painting this particular design for the table.

For the floral design, I used Golden Acrylics Ultramarine Blue, a rich, vibrant hue that provided a stunning contrast against the white background. The process was both challenging and rewarding, as I carefully painted each flower and leaf, bringing the design to life.

I can't stress enough the importance of creating that sample on paper first to get a feel for my brush.. I actually changed brushes 3 times during that practice session to experiment with different sizes and shapes to see what gave me a result I was happiest with for consistency. I did not want to have to change brushes multiple times throughout the process. I landed on a smaller, round tip brush that I'll link below. It's part of a larger set I use regularly.

I encourage you to browse online and in nature for inspiration for leaf and floral shapes you resonate with. Be curious! If you've never painted like this before, take your time to explore some simple shapes that you can later incorporate into your design.

I started off center in the middle of the table to be sure I was creating a finished pattern that would be more organic and let the available spaces dictate which way I went with which florals and leaves. Try to keep your spacing somewhat even but don't stress it too much! You can always sneak in a little leaf here and there to balance things out later.

Link to Purchase the Paint:

• Golden Fluid Acrylics Ultramarine Blue

Link to Purchase the Brush I Used:

• Round Paintbrushes on Amazon

Sealing the Deal

To protect the delicate hand-painted design, I sealed the table with a clear wax finish. This not only enhances the durability of the paint but also gives the table a soft sheen, adding to its charm. We are also considering adding a glass top for extra protection, especially since this piece will be used frequently.

Reflecting on the Transformation

The final result exceeded my expectations. The table, once a plain and somewhat outdated piece, now boasts a fresh, modern look with a touch of vintage elegance. It’s amazing how a bit of paint and creativity can completely transform a piece of furniture. The table now fits perfectly in our home, serving as a functional piece while also being a beautiful reminder of my husband's childhood home.

I'd Love To Hear From You

I hope you enjoyed reading about my process of refinishing this wood side table. It was a labor of a little love, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out. If you have any questions about the materials used or the techniques employed, feel free to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about your own furniture refinishing projects and any tips you might have.

Materials Used:

• Light sandpaper
• Cleaning cloth
• Americana Decor Satin Enamels in Warm White
• Americana Decor Chalky Finish in “Everlasting”
• Golden Acrylics Ultramarine Blue
• Small Round Paintbrush
• Clear wax finish
• Optional: Glass top for additional protection

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Happy painting!

Feel free to print this pattern swatch below to practice your floral shapes and scale to achieve the same look.