Caroline French Side Table (Before & After)
Meet Caroline!
Isn’t she pretty?!? I’m so delighted to present her to you today. If you’ve been following along, then you know that I’ve been very very busy painting down in the basement. Caroline is the first before & after I’m sharing for the Duxbury Show. You’ll get to meet more of her friends next week.
When I first saw her, well she was looking very sad, to say the least.
She was even more sad than this because the wire mesh was poking out the other door when I bought her.
Caroline is a French side table by White’s Furniture Co. I think she’s probably from the early 70s and is a pretty solid piece with lovely brass hardware. I knew I just had to paint her in a spring color. Versailles Chalk Paint® was the perfect choice:
I washed the piece down and did two coats of clear shellac (to prevent any bleed through). The inside and some details were painted in Old White Chalk Paint®. While I was doing this, Luke fixed the wire. I’m so lucky to have such a handy hubby!
If you follow me on Instagram then you will have seen this sneak peek. This was without the dark wax:
I decided Caroline needed the dark wax as I wanted to her to look old world France. Annie Sloan’s dark wax is perfect for this. I applied two coats of clear wax, three on top and then did the dark wax. I like to mix my dark wax with clear wax and add mineral spirits. It glides on nicely this way. I work in small sections like the tinted wax I shared with you last week and wipe away the excess. You can even use the clear wax as an eraser if you feel like there is too much dark.
Can you see how lovely the dark wax looks?
Such beautiful brass hardware:
and dainty little legs.
Can’t you see her filled with books and treasures?
In a sun drenched bedroom? I can. I think she’d look great! She’s so happy to be out of the basement.
She can’t wait for her friends to join her and they’ll be coming up very soon. What do you think of Caroline?
If you’re local, I hope you get a chance to stop by the Duxbury Antique Show. We’ll be there March 22nd and 23rd in booth #39.
Sharing with:
so pretty! i just love this classic style!
Looks great, the hardware is showcased so well with the painted finish. Love the two tone accents. I’m sure she will find a new home soon 🙂
What a great transformation! Love the humble color. And it goes in any room! Very versatile.
Deb
She is lovely, especially with the highlighted, two tone look! By the way, White Furniture Company was a high end manufacturer in the last century. You’ve got yourself a quality piece there! 🙂
Robin
So pretty, Danielle! Wow, these pieces are a lot of work, you do so many layers! I’ve only painted one thing with chalk paint and one with milk paint so far, but I’d love to get more into it. I’m going to have to pick your brain when I hopefully see you next weekend:) Hubby says he’s in to babysit! Good luck finishing up everything you have to get done.
This is a beautiful and unique piece! Awesome job!
You are so skilled, Danielle, and I love that you share so much information along the way. This piece is truly beautiful and clearly is solid and well built. Lucky new owners!
It’s a great piece. I’m sure it will sell quickly. Great tip on mixing mineral spirits with wax, I had never thought of doing that. Good luck with finishing your other pieces and with your show.
Those wire door fronts are such a gorgeous detail. I’m really loving that look lately. And your paint job, as usual, is flawless!
So much better! Love it! The hardware is awesome!
Oh, Yes! Caroline is very pretty indeed! I just love her. Great job! xo Diana
[…] French Side Table from Silver Pennies […]
[…] French Side Table from Silver Pennies […]
Lovely makeover and the hardware is really special. I’m looking for a pair of detailed escutcheons like this, but they’re often so expensive, I think I need to go to a reclamation yard.
What a sweet little piece! I just love those doors!
Hi Danielle! She is such a beauty, you really did a great job, and I love the dark wax, I think it makes the piece. The dark wax gives it that extra touch, it reveals the texture and gives an antique edge. Just perfect! You’ve convinced me, I’m going to try dark wax too, I just have to find a piece that inspires me! Thanks for sharing!