Back in November, I scored big at a nearby thrift store. I blame it on the massive purge that always happens around the time people start prepping for guests during the holidays and putting up Christmas decorations. You can always bet on a good thrifting day right before or right after big holidays. (Just one friendly tip to stick in your back pocket there.)
I came home with the goods that day having no idea what they’d all become but BOY they had potential. They turned out to be my Christmas village centerpiece, our coffee table turned ottoman project, my sweet little “concrete” magnolias, and just recently these banged up but cute-as-a-button nesting tables.
Really, they were in great shape to begin with. Not even a wobbly leg. And the set was only $20! The designs on the tops just weren’t my style.
I’d recently been oogling over this bone inlay dresser from Anthropologie (with a price tag to the tune of $1,298), and I figured I could try my not-so-artistic hand at a stenciled version for this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday.
Seriously, I’m not an artist. I draw stick people. So if I could handle this one, it’ll be a breeze for anyone else.
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience. See more info here.)
- Stencil brush
- These Indian inlay stencils
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk (a tester size will do the trick)
- Paper towels
- Natural bristle brush
- Small artist brush
- Painters tape
- Matte polycrylic
1. I painted all of the tables with two coats of the Fusion Mineral Paint Coal Black with the natural bristle brush to make sure the old design was completely covered up.
2. Once the black was dry, I used the Raw Silk color for the stencils.
The stencil set comes with several different patterns, so however it works best for the dimensions of your piece, place your stencils as you’d like. I decided to keep the geometric patterns for the border on the outside and the floral patterns for the middle of the tables.
3. Tape down your first stencil with painters tape, dip just the tip of your stencil brush in the white paint, wipe off the excess paint on a paper towel until the brush is just barely wet, and paint on your stencil in a light dabbing motion.
4. As you continue to paint the stencils, wait a few minutes as you start overlapping patterns to prevent smudges from wet paint.
5. If you have any patterns that are too large for your piece, just put down a strip of painters tape where you want the pattern to end.
6. Once you’ve finished stenciling, just use a small artist brush to touch up any bleed through or smudges.
7. Seal the table tops with polycrylic to protect the painted finish.
That’s it! So cute!
I have to get really close to examine the paint to even tell they’re not real bone inlay.
I love how versatile these little tables are for our living room now. We have two accent chairs without end tables next to them that these come in handy for a lot now. I never knew I needed nesting tables in my life until now. They’re so perfect for small spaces.
And these babies look like they cost much more than the $84 it cost to create them.
Have you done any stencil projects before that you’re super proud of? They’re not something I attempt often, but I think this one made me catch the stenciling bug.
You can hop over and check out the rest of the Trash to Treasure Tuesday crew’s before and afters below:
Clockwise from top left:
Prodigal Pieces | Artsy Chicks Rule | Confessions of a Serial DIYer | Girl in the Garage
If you want to save this post for later, you can pin it here:
I’m impressed! I’ve been stenciling for years…you hit those out of the park!
Wow thanks!
I just love nesting tables!! I scored a set last week too and can’t wait to redo them. Your bone inlay hack rocks, Lauren. Woot!
They look great! You’ve inspired me to fix my old ones up.
I love these so much. It is amazing what a little paint and a lot of creativity can do.
Absolutely gorgeous! Great makeover.
Wow, Lauren, you really captured the look! The tables are magnificent now. (Doesn’t hurt that they have those fabulous bamboo looking legs, too)
You were careful to choose a stencil that fit so well on each floor the three sizes. Another example of your well planned projects. And one more reason I look at your blog faithfully. Well done
These are AH-MAZING!!! Now I want to give it a try on something too and I already have a similar set of stencils! Beautiful job as always! XO
Very nice!
Can I ask, why are you using mineral paint versus a chalk paint? I’m trying to decide whether I want to paint a bedroom set (French provincial style) using chalk paint. I’ve never used chalk paint before but now I’m wondering if the mineral paint might be better. Thanks!!
I would like to see that reply as well. I’m new to refinishing and have trouble deciding which type of paint to use.
Hi Carole! Sure! I explain further in depth in this post: https://www.blesserhouse.com/2017/07/beginners-guide-to-painting-furniture.html It’s really just up to your preference. I like both, but mineral paint is a bit easier to work with, in my opinion. I get fewer brush marks with the mineral paint, and you don’t have to seal it with wax. And like chalk paint, you don’t really have to prep it, except maybe wipe it down with some TSP or Simple Green first. It’s literally one step. Paint and you’re done. Chalk paint, on the other hand, has exactly what it sounds like, a “chalky” finish, so it’s not quite as smooth as mineral paint. And you must seal chalk paint with at least a clear wax when you’re finished. So considering that, chalk painting methods are more expensive starting out because you have to also spend money on the clear wax to go with it.
How do you feel about milk paint? Is it as good as mineral paint? I had never heard of mineral paint before. Thanks!
Honestly, I am not a fan of milk paint. I’ve tried it three times, and maybe it’s user error here, but it takes sooo many more coats for me. It’s really unpredictable too. I never know if it will be chippy or not until it dries and I let it do its thing. Definitely not for control freaks. But maybe I just need to give it another shot.
One of your best! Love how this turned out!
This looks amazing! I never knew stencils could make such a difference.
These turned out gorgeous! I’ve never attempted stencils but the look is amazing! Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, nice fun project! I like this! thanks for showing how, these are cute.
Those are absolutely gorgeous! What a great job you did! I would’ve never thought of doing that!
Where did you find those stencils?! ??
Click on the link in the post and it will take you to where I bought them!
They are absolutely gorgeous!!!! Pinning 🙂
Those turned out so fabulous Lauren! Love them! xoxo
Wowza. Love how they turned out!
They are lovely! You certainly have an eye for potential!
Whoa! Amazing!!!!
I love the tables Lauren! The black and white is stunning!
They look just like shisum wood tables! Sooooo much better than they did! The stencil is the perfect proportion to the table. Well done! I love nesting tables and they are hard to find out here.
Fantastic job on the nesting tables, the stencils you chose for them couldn’t have been more perfect, the tables look amazing!
Love love love how they turned out!!! Oh my goodness…..what a transformation! Wish I had been in the thrift store that day!!
Lovely job! I do believe I like the “bone” look with those table legs better than the folk art flowers, Your table look mighty classy. Thanks for sharing.
These are amazing!! By the way, you ARE an artist in my book! You have such an eye for things and your creativity inspires me so often. We are having a home built and I’m so excited to look for something to try this on for our new place!
I love these they turned out great. Now I just gotta find a table to give it a try
Excellent, excellent stenciling job!
simply gorgeous
LOVE THIS!!! yep, I am shouting bc i’m so excited! been thinking of what i could do with my old piano bench….now i know!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow! They look great. I have a thrifted table I was thinking of fixing up with a stencil of some sort, and I just made up my mind. But I’m going to keep the natural wood, stain it maybe and the use a stencil on top. Thank you for the inspiration.
Really love these tables. You have such a gift! I’ve also got to know about that rug!
I can’t stop looking at them. Now I have to go hunting to find a set of nesting tables to re-do! Great Job!
Those are beautiful! Fantastic job!
I look so forward to trash to treasure Tuesday and you never disappoint! The tables turned out beautifully.
I wanted to mention that in your “welcome” it says that you are the owner of a builder grade house…..not anymore, Lauren. You are the owner of the most beautiful colonial I have ever seen ?
Thanks, Holli! I know. I’ve been meaning to update that. So many things to do, not enough time. One of these days, I’ll get my act together. Haha!
Absolutely beautiful! I see those at auctions all the time. I might need to pick up a set!
Probably my first time commenting here. These tables brought me out of the lurk. I love the intricate patterns and have been drooling over those stencils from that site for a few years now. Your tables are just gorgeous!! Given that bone inlay tables don’t do well in cold climates, this is a great alternative. It especially appeals to my Indian senses 🙂
Lauren, your tables turned out gorgeous! I have this stencil and it definitely is no joke! Getting all the measurements and dimensions right can be really tricky on a bigger piece of furniture. Bravo. XO
Wow! These are so impressive.Congrats on a fantastic job!
These are lovely! You did a fantastic job stenciling. Bravo!
Gorgeous!!!!
And I’ve been eyeing that rug for a couple months!!! That’s beautiful too!!!!