How to upcycle a dressing table
Sigh said, "Good luck, darling, because I think you're going to make a hash of it" which didn't fill me with much confidence, but I'm rather pleased with how it all turned out and am happy to report he has since eaten his words!
I can't tell you how excited I am to have a dressing table in the bedroom that I bought myself and painted myself. I'm so satisfied that I've done it and made a change.
I put up with my last dressing table, which was beautiful but just not practical, for 14 years. Never in our married life did I have a dressing table I could sit at!
This is going to be such a pleasure to use. It cost 40 pounds with the mirror and stool. The cost of the paint was about £20 and the fabric I already had and my friend is reupholstering. So all in all, it's come in way under 100 pounds and I'm thrilled.
My son Arch even turned around and said, "Mum, I didn't realize you were so good at DIY!" I haven't told him I did design and technology as an A-Level!
I thought I would show you how I tackled the upcycling project! I had lots of advice from some brilliant people, so thank you so much to you all for sharing your expertise.
I used 'Rust-Oleum Smooth Touch Flat Matt Paint Finish' in Antique White, which apparently isn't the best. Caroline at Willow and Bear suggested that I use Frenchic paint, but I'd already bought the Rust-Oleum. I then used 'Rust-Oleum's clear, colourless Wax Polish' as the last step to protect the paint.
Let's get cracking!
Get yourself into old clothes you don't mind potentially ruining.
Put down a dust sheet and place your furniture on top. Caroline told me that it's really important to paint furniture when it's cold inside and not outside, which is why I did it in sections inside both our music and garden room. I could have done it in the garage but I think it's too cold in there!
Take out all drawers, and remove the knobs. Put the knobs and screws somewhere sensible so you don't lose them!
Using a scouring sponge, give it a rub all over.
Water the paint down slightly.
Give the body of the furniture it's first coat. Remember it's important to go with the grain of the wood when painting.
Let the first coat get relatively dry, before giving it all a second coat.
Head over to the mirror section. Cover the mirror itself with masking tape so you don't get any paint on it.
Do the same to the stool - make sure you cover the upholstery with a couple of strips of masking tape to protect the material.
Give them all their first coat! I found that giving the mirror its first coat whilst still attached to the arms made it easier to paint.
Leave everything to dry overnight.
Once the mirror is dry, remove it from the arms and give them their first coat.
Give the mirror and stool another coat, leave for a while and see if they need a third. My stool and mirror needed three coats, whereas the dressing table itself only needed two.
Once everything is fully dry, use the scouring section of the sponge to smooth out any lines and create a lovely base for the wax you're about to apply.
Slowly and carefully remove any masking tape around the mirror and stool's upholstery. You might need to use a Stanley blade or knife to get it off, so be super careful and try not to damage the mirror or material as you do it!
Next up it's time for the Rust-Oleum clear, colourless Wax Polish. You can use a brush or you can use a cloth to apply this, I chose to use a cloth. Cover everything you've painted with a layer of this to protect your hard work! After about 10 minutes and once that's all sunk in, you can give it a good buff with a clean dry cloth.
Replace the knobs on the drawers.
Whilst unassembled, move the furniture into its final place in your home, and reassemble! Step back and admire your handiwork!
I'm really, really thrilled with how the dressing table turned out. I hope that it's inspired you to get creative, get a paintbrush out, and do it yourself. And honestly, it was really therapeutic to do!
I hope you have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you next week.
Love, Charlie x