Rescue Me: Sad Side Table

A reader in MO sent in this photo of an old side table in need of a little TLC. She commented that the shape is nice, but seems outdated.

I agree, the shape is cute. And thanks to a little shift away from minimal lines, a table like this can be very in-style with a simple color change. Think this  Hemnes side table from Ikea (right) or this Silhouette side table (below) from Brocade Home.

I would paint the table matte black, though you could also go with a high-gloss white.

With the turned legs, removing the finish from this piece completely will be difficult. You might consider having it professionally refinished.  Or, do a light sanding, wipe with a dust cloth, and test a coat of Kilz primer to see if you get any bleed-through from the old stain.

Once you begin painting the black top-coat, use a foam brush to avoid bristle marks. Expect to paint 4 to 6 coats, sanding and dusting between coats to eliminate any bumps or drips.

I recently painted two side tables myself. They required two coats of white primer and 4 coats of the gold color I had chosen.

Once the table is painted, add some minimal white accessories, such as these white vases from West Elm ($89 for all three).