Furniture Makeover
As you probably know, I rarely stick to just one project at a time. I tend to bounce around the house, juggling many small projects simultaneously. That approach means things can feel like they take forever, but it also means that when momentum hits, several projects can get finished all at once — which I love.
Often my scattered projects culminate in a burst of productivity where lots of things cross the finish line at once. That’s the best part of working on multiple projects: surprises of sudden completion.
BEFORE: WOOD TABLE
Not long after I admitted to painting my antique coffee table blue, I also finished painting a previously unpainted wood dining table white. Yes — another wood table painted. This one wasn’t a cherished heirloom; it was a simple pine table from Pottery Barn, likely from the 1990s. No antiques were harmed in this makeover. I love natural wood and don’t plan to paint all my wooden furniture, only the less-than-lovely pieces that need a refresh.
DISCLAIMER: This table was a plain pine Pottery Barn piece from the 1990s. No antiques were maimed or devalued in this makeover. I do love natural wood and have no plans to paint every wooden piece—just the ones that need a little lift.
Now the table is white, and the result is a fresh, casual update rather than a flawless restoration. In the top image you can see the table with its leaves in place. I left the leaves unpainted, creating a two-tone effect of white and natural wood. That look is quite on-trend, but for me it was a happy accident that fit perfectly with my ever-changing dining room decor.
The finish isn’t perfectly distressed or perfectly painted — and that’s intentional. I used a straightforward approach: one coat of Zinsser primer followed by a coat of white trim paint. The goal was a simple, clean refresh rather than a meticulous makeover. All the images show the same table at different moments as I tweak and style the room.
The real reason I completed these painting projects was a deadline. When I set a goal or have a timeline, I find the focus and time to finish things I might otherwise let linger. Deadlines give momentum and make finishing multiple projects possible.