My first piece of painted furniture!

I have officially painted my first piece of furniture.  And I lived to blog about it!

Even though I am a complete novice, I felt confident that Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint was fool-proof.  Every blogger has been going on-and-on about it.  I watched a short demonstration at On-a-Whim in Lucketts, VA.  I even watched how-to videos for both painting and wax.  And most convincingly was the fact that with Annie Sloan's, you don't have to prime, you don't have to sand - you just slap that paint right on and wah-lah!   

The table I decided to paint I picked up last week on my trip to  Community Forklift.  The best part is I only paid  .... drum roll please..... $10!! 

Here is the before: 

I had to look past the 3 inches of dust that covered this lovely lady, but when I saw her curves I instantly saw her potential!  Look at the curves on those shelves!!

Not to mention the detailed curving on the tops of her legs!

 

The top of the table had a gold design painted around the perimeter.  It had to go. 

For this table I used Annie Sloan's Old White Chalk Paint.  

The directions on the can said that most times only one coat of paint was needed, but after finishing the first coat I felt like this piece needed another.  Also, I used a brush for the first coat and I didn't really like how streaky it looked.  So I ran back to Home Depot and picked up a roller.    

After the second coat of paint dried I waxed her, sanded her here and there to distress her, and then re-waxed the distressed areas.  And now her new career is a table next to my front door!

Here is the after:  (disclaimer - I am NOT the best picture taker!)

I put two linen-lined baskets on the shelves, perfect for holding keys, mail, dog leash, etc.  

Side view.  I will probably put some flowers in a ball jar on top. 

This picture shows the red bucket I got *for a steal* from an antique store in Hallowell, Maine.  I love this chippy red bucket! 

 And that is it!  It was easy and I am happy with the results!  I painted another piece right after this, and I will share that in the near future.  :)  

This curvy table was shared in Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday, My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday, Perfectly Imperfect's All Things Furniture,  Common Ground's Vintage Inspired Friday, A Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesday, Southern Hospitality's July Thrifty Finds, The Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday, and Passionately Artistic's Linking Party.