Living Room Redo and the French Coffee Table

Part of my living room redo was searching for a "new" coffee table. I found this one and loved the length of it.  That plus the french country lines made it a must purchase for me.

I decided to go with Annie Sloan Old White and to only lightly distress it.  I also decided not to wax it as I wanted the look of the brighter white.  Wax gives the paint a bit of a richer/darker hue.  I'm using the table in my living room which does not get too much use.  If it was in my family room, I would have waxed the top for protection.

(Lucky always likes to hang out with me when I paint!)

If you don't wax chalk paint, you should use a high grain sandpaper all over it instead.  I highly suggest you wear old clothes and take it outside or to the garage to sand.  It isn't that the dust is toxic - it is just a mess (think chalk dust all over yourself and floor).  Anyway, if you sand it down with a high grain sandpaper, the paint pretty much folds into itself and becomes nice and smooth.  After sanding, take damp paper towels and wipe off all of the dust.

Here is the after...

I think it looks great in a brighter white.

I also finished the other caned chair...

and love the way they look against the drum table.

My mantel is getting decorated just in time

because I can't believe Christmas is only a week away - yikes!  Off to shop :)

Suzanne

linking to: www.savvysouthernstyle.net
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/01/thrifty-finds-linky-party/