A fresh start for an old table

Hands-on time: About three hours.
Total time: With drying time, the project takes more than 24 hours.
Skill: Moderate.
Cost estimate: $25.

Materials & tools

• Half-moon table top and a wooden leg (available at flea markets and salvage centers)
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Acrylic paints by Delta Ceramcoat (I used white as a base coat and a bright purple for the table top, and four shades of purple, from light to dark for the leg)
• A soft, 3- to 4-centimetre bristle paintbrush
• A hard bristle paintbrush
• Adhesive size medium by Old World Art and a soft, or foam, brush
• Silver leaf squares by Old World Art
• Fine steel wool with clear shoe polish
• A soft clean cloth
• Polyurethane

The restoration of old junk has become a booming trend. For many, the hobby has turned into a business. Take a second look at flea market items hidden under the tables, your hand-me-downs, or items that you just can't bear to throw away. Perhaps they can be transformed into timeless treasures by combining an item with another. You can be surprised what you can create with odds and ends.

This project makes use of a half-moon table and wooden leg that I found on different flea market outings. I removed the top from the table and attached it to the wooden leg. By joining the two pieces and by applying a finish of assorted bright colours and silver leafing, I created a shabby-chic console table.

It doesn't matter if you don't find the same items to use; the finishing techniques described can be used on wooden boxes, benches, end tables and moldings.

If necessary, wash or strip the components you are using, then sand them for a smooth finish. Remove the dust with a tack cloth.

If you're making a table, attach the pieces with screws, nails or wood glue, depending on what items you're using.

Apply a base coat of white paint to the surface of the table top and let it dry for an hour. Then apply a coat of paint in your choice of colour (I used a bright purple) and let dry.

Next, apply four different shades of acrylic colour to the leg using a dry-brushing technique. Place dabs of each acrylic colour onto blotter paper. Dip the tip of a hard bristle paintbrush in the darkest of the four shades of paint and wipe off excess paint. Using short, downward stokes, apply one paint colour at a time, going in the same direction. Overlap each colour, leaving some of each colour exposed over the next. Clean the brush and repeat steps to apply each remaining colour. Let the leg bracket dry for at least two hours.

To apply the silver leaf finish to the table top, use a soft bristle paintbrush to apply a coat of adhesive size (a water-based, pressure-sensitive adhesive size) to cover the surface and side of the table top. It will appear milky when applied, but dries clear. Allow the adhesive to become dry and tacky to the touch (15 to 60 minutes). Wash the brush with warm water and soap right away.

Place and press a silver leaf square with the paper backing over the adhesive size. Rub over the paper sheet with a soft brush. Remove the paper and use a clean, soft paintbrush to remove any excess leafing. Position each leaf square next to the last one, and repeat the previous steps to cover the top surface and side of the table top. Silver leaf is fragile, and pieces may peel off. Use remnant pieces to apply over these areas.

To give the silver leaf finish an antique look, dip a steel wool pad in clear shoe polish, (or a colour of your choice) remove excess polish on a blotter paper. Use the steel wool to buff the table top using gentle strokes, going in one direction. Doing this will reduce some of the shine and expose some of the purple and white beneath. Repeat until desired effect is achieved and wipe off with a soft cloth.

Seal the finish with three coats of polyurethane. Apply it one coat at a time with a foam brush, letting it dry for three hours between each application and overnight after the last coat.

Add the necessary hardware at the back of the console table in order to install it on a wall. Make a grand entrance with your console table. They are a welcoming site in a front hallway, a perfect accent for a reading corner, as a bedside table, and a wonderful addition in a dining room.

Variations

Silver and golf leafing can be use to embellish an array of items, such as pictures frames, furniture, canvas art work, walls and even glass items.