put a lil tin foil on it.

old oak end tables + tin foil, mod podge and pewter finishing paint = love.

intrigued?? read on...

so, i was given these old oak end tables by a friend and they've been sitting in our apartment now for almost two years. i was trying to decide what color to paint them, how to refinish them... and then, while bella was napping one day, i decided to watch the nate berkus show (which i now love). he had a design-blogger on there who had some great ideas so i decided to check out her blog.

a-mazing.

her style is quite a bit different from mine, but she had some ideas on there that i loved. and then, i saw it. a table she had refinished with tin foil and mod podge. who. knew. it was weird and quirky and something i would've never thought of myself, but what did i have to lose?? i decided to try it.

here's how i did it.

materials:

-old piece of wooden furniture (nightstand, end table, even a picture frame or a tray)

-tin foil (i bought a big roll)

-popsicle stick

-mod podge (go ahead and get the big container... you will use it all on this and future projects. never used mod podge? well, it's about to become your new bff)

-paint brush

-a metal finishing paint (i used "modern options sophisticated finishes" and the color i used was pewter... this stuff is amazing... i think it ended up being about $5 at michaels after my 40% off coupon)

-craft sponge brush

-a faux glaze tinted black (many dyi bloggers recommend ralph lauren faux glaze in black silk... however, i found that it's been discontinued in stores and is now only available online. instead, i got a behr faux glaze and asked home depot to tint it black for me)

-an old t-shirt

how to:

- begin applying mod podge with sturdy paint brush to the furniture, followed by tin foil, followed by more mod podge ontop. this is the tedious part. i was cursing the long, curved legs of my end tables and all the nooks and crannies. straight edges and surfaces are *much* easier. use a popsicle stick to help smooth out any bubbles (you'll have wrinkles... they just add character)
- allow mod podge to dry, and then apply another coat of mod podge to secure, and allow to dry.
- next comes the fun part. the finish paint. i used a craft sponge brush for this. follow directions on the bottle (i had to shake mine well before using) and then just brush onto your piece, and wipe some off with an old t-shirt... this adds variation.
- i did a second coat of this to my end tables.
- next, comes the faux finish which i'll admit i haven't done yet (i was just too anxious to post all this!) and because i really love the pewter finish to my tables i'm a little nervous to make it darker... so i may or may not. but you can check out this link to see what the faux finish does; you apply the glaze and then immediately wipe away with an old t-shirt and the black settles in all the cracks and crevices. i will probably do it because i love the antiqued look it gives, i just haven't had the time and i really wanted to get this post up because i love my new tables so much!

and now for some pics...

before...

...and after.

table: friend (free)
vintage candle holder: friend (free)

framed picture: target clearance ($8)

ceramic bird: michaels ($4)

mirror: already on hand (free; spray-painted by me)

table: friend (free)
vase: target clearance ($8)
votive candle: dollar store ($1)

river rocks: walmart ($5)

branches: already on hand

books: already on hand

lamp&shade: target ($20)

canvas: made by me

i now love these pretty lil end tables! what ugly furniture can you re-create? thrift, garage-sale, antique shop away and don't forget to buy your tin foil.

this post was linked to these *wonderful* blogs:

http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/

http://www.homemakerinheels.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/