Thrift Store Painted Side Table

You know I have to keep true to my roots by painting some furniture every few months. Well, it is time and I’ve got a sweet little Duncan Phyfe table with a brand new painted look to share with you today. Wait until you see my painted thrift store side table!

I found this Duncan Fyffe table at a local thrift store a few years ago. 

It was $5.  There was some damage to the top including chipped veneer and some surface knicks and scratches.  The brass caps from the tips of the legs were missing.  The entire edge from one leg tip was completely missing.  But for $5, I was confident that I could get some use out of this once pristine beauty.  So I paid the $5, cleaned her up, and gave her a polish with Old English.  She actually sat in my living room for several years with that damaged leg positioned in the back so no one could see it. 

Eventually, I upgraded to another side table so she has been sitting in the garage waiting for some attention. I always have a hard time parting with things that have brought me joy.  It’s time to give her a new look and a new home.

Today is Thrift Store Décor Team Wednesday! 

Nine of my creative and thrifty friends share a new project on the second Wednesday of every month!  At the end of this post, you will find the other 9 fabulous and thrifty projects for this month.

Step One -Thrift Store Painted Side Table

Since this thrift store side table was parked in my garage for a few years, I started by giving her a good bath with my go to Murphy’s Oil Soap.  As with all of my paint projects, I the wiped the entire table down with TSP to remove any residual dirt, grime, and oils.

My paint of choice is Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint.  I love this paint primarily for its coverage. The fantastic color options are a huge bonus.  BDFSP is unique because it comes pre-mixed in 16 pre-mixed colors.  From these colors, you can create so many different incredible variations of color.  So, in essence, your investment is minimal and your color choices pretty much unlimited.  For this project, I am using I Need A Bandage (red) and Clean Canvas (pure white) to create the fabulous springy color of Watermelon.

At the end of this post, I am including my affiliate link for 20% off of the website prices.

Here is the process:

• Clean the project piece with warm soapy water.  My cleaning product of choice is Murphy’s Oil Soap.
• Wipe the project piece down with TSP to remove residual dirt and oils.
• Sand, if desired.
• Note: Sanding is not necessary with BDSFP unless you want to remove any imperfections in the wood. On many drawers for older furniture pieces, there are mars or spin marks from loose hardware, knobs and handles.  A light sanding can often remove these marks.
• Wipe again with TSP solution.
• Apply one coat of paint.  Allow to dry.
• Apply a second coat.  Allow to dry.
• Distress, if desired. Note: For a distressed look, sand edges or normal location of wear marks. Follow up with another wipe down with TSP.
• Dust with a brush or wipe with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust and debris.
• Apply one coat of sealer. I used BDSFP Top Dog in your choice of finishes.  Allow to dry.
• Spply a second coat of sealer and allow to dry overnight.
• Install hardware.
• Enjoy you newly refurbished furniture.

For the missing brass tips on the ends of the table legs, I simply used gold paint the area where the tips would be placed. 

Several coats of gold will make the tips appear more authentic like the brass covers are in place.  This wasn’t a big concern for me so I simply applied 2 coats of gold.

Perfect Paint for a Thrift Store Vintage Side Table

I have to sing the praise of BDSFP.  Their paints are designed for antique and vintage pieces so the paint coverage is excellent.  The paint is designed to apply without sanding the surface of your work piece. Additionally, there is no need to prime before painting and the vibrant colors really pop.  Usually, two coats suffice to cover the previous finish.

Here is the finish after one coat:

Since my plan was to distress the table after painting, a second coat was fine. For a more matte and solid appearance, depending on the base color of your piece, you may need a third coat. But, BDSFP is quite thick and covers exceptionally well.

To distress, I simply hand sanded the edges and a few other spots around the drum of the table and on the pedestal and legs.

To add some interest to the table top and to help disguise its age and the wear, I created a rustic finish after sanding by dragging some of the Clear Canvas across surface of the table top. I dipped a rag in some java gel stain and ran it around the edge of the table top to fill in any scratches. I wiped of the excess. Once I achieved the look I was happy with, I sealed the table top and the entire table with Show Dog.

I am quite happy with the new look of this classic old table.

The watermelon color is just what we need around our home to help hurry spring along.

I will enjoy it for a few weeks and help her find a new home. This painted side table would be great at the beach, don’t you think?

Here is my affiliate link should you want to try Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint for your self. Use THIS LINK to shop for paint. And use code SHOPATBLU for 20% off.

I am quite excited about being able to use the recipes to create variations of the 16 primary colors.  Equally exciting it that I don’t need to purchase new cans of exact colors.  Instead, I can use the paints I have on hand to create fabulous colors using their tried and true recipes. And the best part of this recipe process is that it is super easy! Most recipes are a 2:1 or 1:1:1 recipes, Just measure and mix. It’s that easy!

Doesn’t this make you want to go out an paint a side table?

My first BDSFP project was this garden shelf unit.

My second project was Pop’s desk.

I can’t wait to use all of the paint colors utilized in these 3 projects to create upcycled decor in a beautiful rainbow of spring colors. I counted 9 recipes that I can use with the 5 colors that I have on hand.

As promised, here are the projects for this month from the fabulous Thrift Store Decor Team! Enjoy!

Upcycled Glass Chandelier  My Repurposed Life

Pallet Herb Garden My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Old Coffee Pot Upcycled As A Flower Pot  Organized Clutter

Chicken Wall Decor Idea Petticoat Junktion

How to Update an Old Mirror Domestically Speaking

St. Patrick’s Day Wreath  Sadie Seasongoods

Thrift Store Upcycle Idea for Spring  Reinvented Deleware

Whitewashing Bookends Our Southern Home

Thrift Store Painted Side Table Shop At Blu (That’s me! You are here!)