Chippy Painted Side Table

Is it too ambitious of me to hope there's actually someone loyal enough they're still around to read this post?

I'm now nicely settled back in at home with beautiful baby Charlotte and between putting milk in one end and cleaning it up out of the other (plus spending way too long just gazing in wonder) I have found time for some decorating, it's just I haven't until now found the time to blog about it!

You see, being a part-time perfectionist doesn't easily lend itself to half-arsedness (if that is even a word) so putting together a decent blog post takes a fair bit of effort.

Anyhoo, the nursery is now nearly complete so hopefully I'll share it soon enough though in the meantime here's a little furniture re-do.

The day before I went into hospital I put the first coat of paint on this old round side table.

Before

I was intending to finish it the very next day though needless to say that never happened so now, three months on, it's finally complete!

After

Under different circumstances I would have retained the vintage walnut patina though this table was destined for my living room which already had enough 'brown' after the injection of our new leather sofas.

I'd also already re-finished this round coffee table....

....which I heavily distressed through sanding, so to avoid a 'matchy-matchy' look I decided on a more chippy finish for the side table. Soooo, instead of sandpaper I used one of these....

That's right, a surfboard wax comb! Call me crazy though it worked brilliantly. I simply rubbed it over the table in various places - using the straight sides, rounded end and the teeth - gradually chipping the paint off until I achieved my desired effect.

The flexibility in the comb teeth caused the paint to chip in a natural, random way. I found it worked best when rubbed in a slightly circular motion.

For best results ensure your paint isn't adhered too well to begin with (that is, just sand your item very lightly before applying paint).

I finished my table with a sealing coat of tinted furniture wax.

Linking this project with some of these parties.

I can't believe she's only been in the world for eight short weeks. I can't imagine having never had her with us.