Cottage Style Coffee Table

How to turn a regular brown coffee table into a Cottage Style Coffee Table. A great beginner project. The coffee table and end table set had beautiful lines and scrollwork. But the brown color did not enhance the shape and form. We gave it a makeover and now it is cottage style decor.

Before Photos

I forgot to take pictures of the long coffee table BEFORE, but it was a matching set that came with brown end tables and I have photos of those below.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you. It does not cost you anything extra!

Supplies for Cottage Style Coffee Table

• Rustoleum Chalk Paint in: Linen White
• Palm Sander like this one: Similar Palm Sander
• Sanding Block Sponges: Similar to these
• Clear Sealing Wax: I use Valspar Sealing Clear Wax like this

Painting and Distressing

The top of the tables are shiny with veneer of some type. So we roughed them up by sanding the tops. We painted using Rustoleum Chalk Paint. It took two good coats of paint. After it dries you can distress with sanding sponges or a palm sander. I used the sanding blocks because I didn’t want too much distressing.

Distressing the tables really brings out all the details. It highlights the shape of the furniture and emphasizes all the carvings. After distressing, you will want to seal your project. I like to use the Valspar clear wax sealer. I follow the directions on the container. Brush it on and wipe off excess. Below is a picture after the table was distressed and sealed.

Using the Cottage Style Coffee Table for Merchandising in Vintage Craft Booth

We have a vintage craft booth in Crowley, Louisiana and this table is for sale but it is also part of our merchandising display. Below is a picture of it displayed with galvanized metal objects. I also love to put tables or chairs on top of tables to create a layered affect. Our antiqued piano bench table is displayed on top of our Cottage Style Coffee Table.

Below is a photo of the table displayed with SPRING type decor. The white really stands out against the darker floor rug. White is so fresh and clean for the spring season!

In Closing

If you are a beginner and have some furniture you want to paint, GO FOR IT. Make this shabby chic coffee table. It is not hard. Our weather has been too cold, too wet, too windy or too something which prevents us from working on furniture from time to time. My garage and our She Shed are great places to paint. But when it is cold the paint takes longer to dry and cure and Mom and I do not like cold weather!

We painted two chairs earlier in the year. If you would like to see this beginner project, Click Here for “Beginner Makeover, Thrifted Chairs Turn Shabby Chic”.

Thank you so much for hanging out with me as I discussed our Cottage Style Coffee Table. Stay tuned for more fun projects.

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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