Ugly Duckling turns into a Swan



Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

This is my swan.  A beautiful solid wood Thomasville side table. He is super sturdy with dovetailed joints, shapely legs, rounded edges and beautiful scroll details.

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

He wasn’t always so pretty. When I first came upon him, he was somewhat of an ugly duckling. Maybe he wasn’t as pretty as some of the other furniture for sale, but this ugly duckling was only $5.

He looked at me with his pretty brown eyes…take me home.

He really did have tons of potential.

Did I mention that he was only $5?
Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

This was the top of my table.  It doesn’t look too terribly bad…

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

…but if you look closer, the top was filled with water marks, doodles, the alphabet and random squiggles all etched into the tables surface.  The graffiti even spread to the sides of the table. Someone, clearly a young’n just learning his alphabet had decided to practice his new found love of letters on the top and sides of this table.

Clearly, the parents did not want to discourage the new found genius.

Do you remember my Vintage Writing Desk Makeover? It too was covered with artwork.  Could this table be the same child’s earlier artwork?

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

What is really nice about well made furniture is that it’s made of solid wood and it takes a sanding really well. This table needed plenty of sanding.

There weren’t many areas on the top that had escaped the artist’s work.

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

Instead of trying to restore the original finish I opted for a coat of black chalk paint. 

A light sanding after the paint had dried, emphasizes the curves and edges of the piece.

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

All that was left was to give him a coat of clear wax and reattach his original handle.

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

Restoring a Thomasville side table with black chalk paint

My ugly duckling is now my beautiful black swan.

Have a great weekend and come back and visit me on Monday.  See you then.

If you’re interested in making the post lamp, you can find it here.

Shared at Link Party Palooza, Silver Pennies Sundays,

Between Naps on the Porch, Savvy southern Style,

Talk of the TownGrandmas House,

Handmade HangoutShare it one more Time,

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