Table Transformation, OR, I am in Love

My friend gave me a table that used to be her grandmother's. I know, I have really nice friends.

It had the cutest little shape, but it needed some help. The top had no finish left at all and looked, well, thirsty:


I got out a can of Minwax stain in "Special Walnut" and wiped it on the top with an old t-shirt. Immediately, the beautiful grain of the wood started showing. I wiped on 4-5 layers, each taking only 1-2 minutes to apply.

When the top was the color I wanted, I stopped. My husband used this same stain for our dining room table re-do and it came out almost ebony. For this table I wanted a lighter look to go with the antique mirror in the hallway.

After it was dry, I taped a garbage bag over the top, so I could spray paint the body.

I used white spray primer, then one coat of Heirloom White. I was freaking out because it was cold and rainy and I was afraid the paint would bubble and drip and generally look like crap.

Fortunately, the spray paint gods must have known that it had been a really long winter and this girl needed to "get her paint on," so the paint was smooth and perfect!

When I put it in the hall, I liked it, but I've been promising myself to try to learn how to glaze. Also, it looked a little too pristine.
I opened the glaze I bought back in OCTOBER and realized it was black. That was too scary for a first-timer, so I just dipped a dish towel right back in the can of walnut stain, lightly rubbed it over the entire piece, and then wiped it off.

This toned the white down a bit and gave the appearance of brush strokes, which I kind of liked.


Subtle, I know, but it was a baby step.

What do you think? I just hope my friend doesn't ask for it back.

Linking up to Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage! and Miss Mustard Seed!