Hello again, lovely friend!
Today I’m sharing the makeover story of these sweet updated antique nightstands. It’s not easy finding an actual pair – usually it’s just one and the other is long gone. But this time I was lucky!
Overall they were in good shape and the drawers slid really well; there were just some scratches and nicks from decades of use.
Today is Furniture Fixer Uppers day with five of my blogging friends – you can see their creative furniture makeovers at the bottom of this post. Also, this post contains some affiliate links so you can easily find the products I use and recommend. You can find a list of all my favorite DIY products for furniture makeovers Here.
I started by sanding over the scratches and then priming the nightstands with my favorite shellac primer. Then I used these Annie Sloan products: Chalk Paint® in French Linen, Pure White, and Graphite, and finally clear wax as a topcoat.
The nightstands were primed and then a coat of French Linen (a medium shade of gray) was applied, but just as a base coat for layering.
After the French Linen, I pained a couple coats of Pure White and then distressed so that some of the gray would show through. When you’re distressing, remember to sand near the edges and details so that it looks more natural.
The original hardware was beautiful, but the old patina didn’t look right with the fresh new paint job, so the pulls were painted in Graphite. Finally everything was protected with clear wax.
Below you can see the wood details and paint layers better – so pretty! And definitely a classic pair that will last for years and years.
Here’s another before/after comparison of these updated antique nightstands that you can Pin:
I’d love to know your thoughts! Leave me a comment below (I read through them all) and I’d also appreciate if you’d share this post online. Thanks so much, friend! – Jen
Now it’s time for Furniture Fixer Uppers day with my blogging buddies. You can see my past FFU makeovers Here.
Below are the Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the Afters and learn how they did it. Enjoy!
1. Just the Woods
2. The Interior Frugalista
3. Petticoat Junktion
4. Prodigal Pieces
5. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a sweet pair of beauties. Great save, Jen! 😀
Debra Wise says
Gorgeous! Great update.
Christy says
Beautiful makeover, Jen! XO
Kathy Owen says
I love them Jen. And those details 🙂
Marie says
They look fabulous, Jen 🙂
kandice kullmann says
these are just oo cute! love the new look
Tammy F Townsend says
Such a great upcycling of unique nightstands. They look great!
Paula says
These nightstands will look fabulous in someone’s bedroom. I like their not-so-large size and the beautiful way that you painted them.
Kim says
Those night stands are great but I can’t get my eyes off that window frame!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Kim! I think I got that online from Antique Farmhouse. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much Paula! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Tammy! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Kandice! xo
Kristina Austin says
I truly love painted furniture but I have to say that unless there was some major damage that you did not show or mention I feel these should have remained stained. Maybe even just a good polishing and seal. The wood color was just beautiful to me. :{
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Kristina – Yep, it’s hard to show all the damaged areas in one “before” photo. The top had a few big scratches and the bottoms of the front legs were pretty rough (probably chewed on!). You can see it if you look closely. There were other damaged areas too. I’m not a fan of painting really nice wood, but these had seen decades of wear and tear and definitely needed a complete makeover!