Formal Ethan Allen Nightstand Makeover to Sweet and Chic Stenciled Table
Friend, it feels so good being back with a brand new furniture makeover to share with you! It seems like I’ve been living and breathing everything book-related lately so this is the perfect time for a creative break. 🙂
A few weeks ago I went to buy a dresser that someone had posted on FB Marketplace and also came home with this little Ethan Allen nightstand:
It was in excellent shape, just a little outdated and formal for my taste.
**Today is Furniture Fixer Uppers day with my blogging friends – and we have a new member joining our group! See their projects at the end of this post. Also, this post contains some affiliate links so you can easily find the products I use and recommend. Learn about all my favorite tools and brands for DIY projects Here.
Prep the Nightstand for Painting
First, I usually always change 2-screw pulls to single-screw. Just because there are a lot more options for cute single-screw pulls.
So I filled the holes with my favorite wood filler, let dry, and sanded them smooth with 220-grit sandpaper.
Then I measured and drilled a new hole right in the middle of the drawer front. My drill/driver combo makes this step quick and easy.
Next the nightstand was painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg – it’s a pretty soft blue-green. I’m a big fan of Purdy brushes for painting furniture.
The top of the table looked good so I decided to leave it unpainted for this project. No tape needed here – just be careful where the brush meets the underside of the top.
Stencil the Nightstand Drawer
The drawer needed a little something special, so I used a stencil from Miss Mustard Seed to give it some charm.
I love using stencils for furniture makeovers, but don’t always use them exactly as intended – sometimes I turn them around, only use part, or mix and match different stencils together.
The new drawer pull was going to be the center of attention, so I improvised the stencil design a bit starting with the left side and then repositioning over the right side.
Use a foam pouncer (like this inexpensive pack of 6 that I own) with as little paint as possible when you’re stenciling (dab excess paint onto a paper towel). I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White for the stenciled areas.
Normally I secure the stencil with FrogTape for delicate surfaces (aka freshly painted areas), but since this one is small I was able to hold it firmly with my other hand.
And if you mess up – no worries! Lightly brush on more of the original paint with a small brush.
Finishing the Painted Ethan Allen Nightstand
Give it a light sanding when you’re finished (I use 320-grit sandpaper) and then protect with a topcoat like Annie Sloan’s clear wax, which can be applied with a lint free cloth.
Finally, add some gorgeous new hardware and this project is finished!
This painted Ethan Allen nightstand definitely isn’t so formal anymore.
And just look at those curvy legs!
You can find similar inexpensive white flower drawer pulls online Here.
Here’s the best photo I could find of the wood top – I think it looks pretty darn good with the new look down below. 🙂
I used this same stencil on one of the furniture makeovers in my new book – I can’t wait for you guys to see how I used it on that project! (Update: The book is now available everywhere! Learn more here.)
And here’s one last before and after of this painted Ethan Allen nightstand (feel free to Pin this to easily find it later):
I hope you’ve found this DIY furniture makeover charming and inspiring. I love painting Ethan Allen furniture – it’s so well made!
I’d love for you to Pin or share this nightstand makeover with someone else. Thank you so very much! – Jen
P.S. Here’s a black painted Ethan Allen nightstand with a more modern look:
Now it’s time for Furniture Fixer Uppers day with my friends – we have a new group member and a new logo this month:
Below are the Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the creative After and to learn how they did it:
1. The Interior Frugalista
2. Salvaged Inspirations (our new member!)
3. Petticoat Junktion
4. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
5. Just the Woods
Paula@SweetPea says
Great makeover! The duck egg blue paint with the stenciled drawer front give this nightstand a beautiful new look.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Paula! You’re always so sweet. xo
JamieK says
Very pretty makeover! Love the extra stencil detail. ❤️
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Jamie!
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Jen,
I love this makeover. I have a table just like this that i painted but have not sold. I had copied Christy with her black and white one. It has not sold. If i painted the top is there any way to get the top back to its normal state or would i have to sand and stain over? I cant wait until your book comes out!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Cheryl – thank you so much!
I would probably sand the top and stain it again. If you used wax as your topcoat though, you may need to remove it with mineral spirits first. I wish I could help more – I have only removed old paint with an electric hand sander (never tried removing Chalk Paint + wax).
Marie says
It never ceases to amaze me how a little paint can completely change the look of furniture. Wow, what a difference the duck egg made on this nightstand! Love the stencil detail on the drawer too.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Marie! I do love this sweet little table and I hope it finds the perfect home!
Denise Zdziennicki says
So charming and LOVE the added detail of the stencil Jen! ?Also, a HUGE thanks again for including me in The Furniture Fixer Upper ‘squad’ ?.. SOOO happy to take part! XO
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Denise! Of course we’re happy to have you – your work is always gorgeous! xo
Linda says
Yet another great makeover. LOVE the color! I, for one, am so over the grey color. Also, so glad you left the top its natural color. It really adds such beauty to the piece.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Linda! I’m glad I left the top too. The brown and blue together look so good.
kandice kullmann says
this is so cute! I love that you left the top brown – the table looks adorable now!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Kandice! 🙂
Christy James says
This turned out so pretty, Jen! I love the stencil! I have a chair that I was hoping to copycat your stenciled dresser in the book for, but you didn’t give the go-ahead to share that one boohoo. Great new lool for this piece! XOXO
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Christy! xo Can’t wait to see your chair! 🙂
Kathy Owen says
You outdid yourself on this one Jen. I love it!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Kathy! xo
Lizzy Leff says
So cute. I would buy it now!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
So sweet – thank you Lizzy!
Janet Schen says
Hi Jen, I love the paint color and the result you achieved with this table! It’s beautiful. BTW, I registered to get the preorder gifts for the purchase of your book. When I was filling out the form I must have pressed enter instead of the shift bar (long fingers mistake) as I was putting in my state because the form disappeared! So the form is incomplete. How do I fix that? Thanks.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Janet – thank you!
Email me your info and I’ll update the form for you. 🙂 girlinthegarage @ outlook . com (without the spaces)