DIY End Table Revamp

my latest DIY project began with a couple of end tables I purchased at a local thrift store for 15$ each. they weren't the prettiest to say the least, but what attracted me to them was that they were solid wood and very sturdy. solid wood can be sanded and painted easily and will stand the test of time.

this go around i didn't just want to paint my new tables. i have painted many a piece of furniture and i thought it was time to try my hand at something new. i decided it was time to give glazing a whirl and i am really happy with how they turned out! glazing gives a whole new dimension to painted furniture.

for this project you will need:

- clear mixing glaze [found here]

- brown or black acrylic or latex paint to tint glaze [i used cheap craft paint found here]

- good quality latex paint in semi-gloss or satin

- good quality paint brush

- old rags

- container of water

-fine grain sandpaper

before

Step One:
give entire piece of furniture a light sanding. wipe off any dust or debri with a damp cloth before painting. 

Step Two:

give entire piece of furniture a coat of paint in your color of choice using a quality paint brush. [it really does make a tremendous difference to spend a little extra on a quality paint brush vs. the value options.] let the furniture dry over night. you can repeat this process if necessary, though i only applied one coat.

Step Three:

now the fun begins! it's time to mix your glaze. i went by the formula four parts glaze to one part paint. however, if you would like your glaze to be darker or lighter you can definitely adjust the formula. it's a forgiving process, so don't fret and just have fun with it!

Step Four:

now it's time to apply the glaze and there are certainly many different ways this can be done. it's important to work in sections because glaze dries quickly. decide where to begin and paint a decently thick coat of paint on your first section. you can either dampen a rag and manipulate the glaze that way or use a wet paint brush. after trying it both ways i personally liked the look of the paint brush. it almost gives a wood grain effect. either way, the goal in this step is to take a little of the glaze off with the rag or paint brush while leaving glaze in the nooks and crannies to give an aged effect.

Step Five:

let the piece of furniture dry for a few days or up to a week if necessary. if it still feels sticky to the touch, it hasn't dried completely. once dry you can paint a coat of polyurethane over it for protection. this is recommended for heavy use pieces especially.

after

i hope this tutorial has helped you or at least inspired you! i'm sure there are a ton of details i left out, and if that's the case please email me or leave a commment with your questions. i'm by no means an expert, but i would love to offer advice based on what i have learned with this project. also the DIY network offers up some great tips here.

what do you think of how it turned out? do you like the look of glazing or not so much? i would love to hear your thoughts!