An Easy Coffee Table Makeover with Chalk Paint

I think our coffee table is pretty great. We bought it a few years ago when we lived in our Garage House and it’s been so useful – I love the wicker baskets and drawers that can store a ton of kid’s books and magazines. When we moved into Our DIY House last year, the colour of the baskets in our coffee table started to bug me a little. They were too orangey, and I’m trying to get rid of all traces of orange in our decor (case and point: our kitchen table makeover).

When I attended BlogPodium last month, I was lucky enough to win a whole basket of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, waxes, brushes and a book. I was so eager to try it all out because I’ve heard so many good things about this stuff!

As soon as I saw that I’d won a lovely warm grey colour of Chalk Paint called “French Linen”, I knew exactly what I wanted to try it on first – the baskets in our coffee table.

This was a simple project that took an afternoon. Here’s what I did:

1. I cleaned out the baskets and wiped them down with water. (It was a good thing – they needed a nice clean!)
2. I painted the baskets with the ASCP in French Linen, using the lovely brush they gave me and smushing the paint into the gaps of the wicker as best I could. I let the baskets dry.
3. I made my own white or “liming” wax by mixing a blog of white latex paint in the Annie Sloan Clear Wax. I smushed this on with the wax brush I was given, stippling the wax into the cracks and corners of the basket. Then, I buffed it with an old t-shirt in a circular motion.
4. After the wax dried, I put the baskets back in the coffee table and made little number labels for each one from chalk board tags. I attached the labels with twine to the basket handles.

I think the table looks a lot different now (my husband might disagree with me, but he still loves me) and I love how it looks in our living room. For an extra pop, I spray painted the former brushed nickel knobs with some oil rubbed bronze metallic spray paint.

Done deal!

I really enjoyed working with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It went on really smoothly, and the coverage was great. I simply wish it was a bit less expensive so that it was more affordable for me. What I LOVED were the brushes that I got – they made such a difference! I also was smitten with how soft the wax was and how nicely it went on my baskets.

I still have some French Linen Chalk Paint left, so stay tuned for the next project that I turn grey!