French Country Table Makeover
We’re sharing a French Country Table Makeover today!
Several months ago, when we were knee-deep trying to finish the guest bedroom makeover, I was totally shocked when we were on the hunt for a desk and couldn’t find a single one anywhere.
I literally had my mom and two of my aunts looking in their tri-county areas while I was looking in mine.
After several weeks without any luck, I finally decided to use the desk I’d been using in The Crowned Goat Cottage in the guest bedroom.
Thankfully, it worked out better than expected and, in the process, took the pressure off having to find a desk I loved instead of settling for a desk I simply liked.
One weekend my bestie S and I had just finished brunch when we decided to pop into a new to us hole in the wall antique store, and on our way out the owner asked if we had shopped the barn yet.
We didn’t even know she had a barn.
She kindly ushered us to a tiny outdoor building that was FULL of goodies, and it was there I spotted a French Country style table I knew would work.
Despite being painted black, I immediately fell in love with the curved lines and carved accents.
The owner of the antique store gave us a fabulous deal on the table, and I hauled it home excited to have finally found a desk for The Crowned Goat Cottage.
I knew the black would be too stark in my office, so I decided to give the French Country table a little makeover.
Here’s a look at how all the details came together…
French Country Table Makeover Supplies:
- Valspar in Faint Maple
- Folk Art One Décor Paint in Metropolitan
- Paintbrush
- Fine Grit Sandpaper (we used 120-grit)
- Dark Furniture Paste Wax
- Wax Brush or Lint Free Cloth
- Tarp
French Country Table Makeover Steps:
Gather your supplies and lay a tarp down to protect your work surface.
If you’re new to painting furniture, it can be somewhat difficult to transition from a dark paint color to a light one without having to use a stain blocker or multiple layers of paint.
You can find our Furniture Painting 101 Guide here for more tips and tricks!
I knew I wanted this French Country table makeover to have a European Oak style finish, especially on the top.
So, my first step was to paint the entire table in Faint Maple.
Once the Faint Maple was dry, I painted the base of the table in Metropolitan using Folk Art One Décor Paint which was a new to me paint.
Metropolitan is a pretty shade of gray that tends toward a blue-gray more than a beige gray just a heads up if you ever decide to try it too.
It’s definitely one of those chameleon colors that change depending on the light.
After the paint was completely dry, I used a piece of 120-grit sandpaper to distress the carved accent pieces a bit.
Then I used a wax brush to apply dark furniture paste wax to the top of the French Country table.
I let the wax cure for a few days before hauling the table out to The Crowned Goat Cottage.
Current Color Quandry…To Keep or Repaint…
Truthfully, the table almost reads a pale blue as opposed to a pale gray in my office so I’m not 100% I’m going to keep the table painted this color.
I’ve learned over the years though, to let things sit for a bit before making any drastic decisions.
The curved lines and French Country style are perfect out there and while the table is a tad bit smaller than the desk I was originally using, it’s been really easy to move around on the days we’re crafting new projects, shooting fresh content, and practicing videos too.
On a side note, our crepe myrtle tree recently started blooming and they smell amazing!
I know their delicate blooms won’t last long in this hot Florida sun so I’ve been trying to clip a few fresh stems every day to enjoy them inside.
Let me know if you think I should keep the current paint color on the French Country table makeover or find a different shade of gray!
I’m so on the fence… truthfully, it kind of feels like the lamp situation all over again 😂 Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Other French Country Posts to Enjoy:
- French Country Dresser Makeover
- French Country Painted Planter
- DIY French Country Mantel Art
- DIY French Country Bookends
- French Country Headboard Makeover
Many blessings,
CoCo
O MY!! what a stunning makeover!! Simply gorgeous!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and thanks for your sweet comment about my “Under the Sea” Tree!! I truly appreciate it!!
Have a wonderful day!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you so much, Deb, I really appreciate it. I don’t think I realized how much I missed painting furniture until I started diving in again. Loved all the sweet gifts from Faye’s birthday party. They were so cute! Hope you have the best day, CoCo
Oh my, my friend, I love it!!! Me personally, I’d leave it because in tge photo I think it’s gorgeous.
I mean seriously love it!
Thank you for your help, Cindy! It’s such a pretty piece. I can’t believe all that beauty was hiding under all that black paint. I’m going to take a few more shots with the door open at different times of the day and see how it goes. It’s pale gray when my office door is closed and pale blue when it’s open and I think that’s the part that throws me off. Keep you posted! Hugs, CoCo
It’s beautiful as is. I wouldn’t change a thing.
You’re so sweet to say that, Margaret, thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Hope your week has been filled with extra special blessings, CoCo
I like as is – but then, I’m a “blue” person. Think the color complements the room
Thank you, AJ! The paint color is such a pretty shade of blue-gray so think I’ll sit with it for a bit to see if it grows on me. It really does help to add another layer of color to my office. I really appreciate your help! Hope your week has been filled with all good things, CoCo
I love the desk makeover! It’s similar to what I’m planning to do with my French country kitchen table and chairs. while it does look a little more blue than gray in the space it is still beautiful. So I would say your decision should be based on your preference.
I really appreciate it, Jennifer, thank you so much! It’s such a pretty table and the paint color is really beautiful too. I think what’s throwing me off most is that the table looks one way when my office door is closed and another way when the door is open and I have to photograph it. I think I’ll sit with it for just a bit longer to see if it grows on me. Thankfully, paint is one of the easiest things to change so there’s really no rush 🙌 Good luck with your table and chairs. They sound fabulous! Hope your week is filled with all good things, CoCo
I think the color looks nice but I get it when it’s not what you thought it was going to be. It’s a great piece snd you will either come to love it or repaint.
Thank you, Rachel! I don’t know a ton about painting but I’m beginning to recognize when the tone of a piece of fabric or paint is off just a little bit. Before it wouldn’t have bothered me at all! I think I’m going to sit with it for a hot minute though. Especially, now that the weather and sun are changing so much in Florida. The color looks gray when the office door is closed and pale blue when the door is open and the sun shines directly on it so we’ll see. Thanks for your advice and help. I really appreciate it! Hugs, CoCo
I love how it turned out but I found if you are not happy with it then you should try another color. Good luck!
That is such great advice, Cheryl! The color is such a pretty one but it throws me off when it changes with the light. I think I’ll sit with it a bit longer just to make sure. It’s our rainy season in Florida right now so you know it’s sunny one minute and cloudy the next. Thanks so much for your help! Hugs, CoCo
OMG, what an amazing find! And what a gorgeous makeover, CoCo! I love the desk and the color you chose is perfection!
I really appreciate it, Christine, thank you! Can you believe all those pretty details were under all that black? It’s kind of bananas but I’m super thankful to have found it. Hope your day is filled with all good things, CoCo
I absolutely love it and think it looks beautiful in it’s new home but you’re right, it does read as a super pale blue for sure.
Thank you so much for your sweet words and your honest feedback, Tara, I really appreciate it. It’s always good to have another set of eyes when you’re trying to make design decisions like this! Hope your week has been a fun one, CoCo
As light as you are going on the bottom, you might like the Sherwin-Williams color “Useful Gray”. I’ve used it on several items…
That sounds like a great suggestion, Debbie, thank you so much. I’ll definitely look into that! Hope your weekend has been a fun one, CoCo
CoCo,
Of course you know my vote before I even give it. Leave it as is… love that blue tone to the gray. The French style carving on the apron is much prettier in your makeover than it was in the original black. I think the lighter color with the dark wax makes the carving outstanding.
Judith
You’re so sweet, Judith, thank you! It’s really hard to believe that table was black, you know? I feel like all that hidden potential was just waiting to be uncovered underneath so I’m thankful to have found it. I swear desks and small tables are getting so hard to find these days. I guess from everyone working from home now. Anyway, sending you lots of hugs and thank you for your sweet words, CoCo
The colour is amazing CoCo and I love the way the depth the wax gave the table top. I’d definitely keep that colour if it was in my house 😉
Thank you for sharing your table make-over at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring this project at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
You are too good to me, Kerryanne, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words and support. Even when I’m on the fence about certain projects 😉
I think the table looks beautiful as it is. What brand “dark wax” did you use to highlight the grain. (I couldn’t tell how old this post is because I couldn’t find a date anywhere on the page). 🙁
Thank you so much, Beverly! The top of this table is painted in a color called Faint Maple by Valspar. The dark furniture paste wax is by Annie Sloan. I’ll definitely go back and update that information. Thank you for the heads up and for catching it too. Hope your day has been a fun one, CoCo