70’s Uglies to Coastal Chic — a layered paint wash makeover

2-tiered coastal table BEFORE

70’s blah BEFORE sanding

When this unique table was gifted to my parents it had a bit of the ‘70s uglies but it was a sturdy piece and was immediately put to use in their beach shack. Eleven years later, after a recent reno, the table was being retired until I jumped in to bring it some coastal chic.

Fully sanded and ready for its paintwash

Although the piece had heaps of surfaces, I was on holiday, and the view was spectacular. I waited until the neighbourhood was awake then sanded for hours over a few days. Once I got the varnish off, I finish-sanded it silky smooth using a 400-grit sandpaper.

Mixing a paint wash with Jolie Espresso

Mixing brown paint wash using 50:50 mix of paint to water

Jolie Espresso chalk paint 120ml

With the orange varnish gone the wood was quite light. I deepened it first with my favourite brown paint wash, Jolie Paint in Espresso using a 50/50 mix of paint to water. The mix should be runny, like chocolate milk.

Applying brown paint wash to stain wood

TIP: Full strength chalk paint dries darker than wet chalk paint, but a chalk paint wash will lighten as it dries.

I was liking the colour as a great base to whitewash over. As I was painting the rellie-kiddos came up from the beach so I asked what they thought. Mr Six said “It looked better before,” while Miss Nine said “It doesn’t look any different.”

Well, I asked. LOL!

Table stained with brown paint wash

Well, I think it looks different AND better!

I let it alone for a few days before whitewashing it.

Whitewashing over the brown paint stain

Applying whitewash over brown paint wash stain

TIP: If you add a paint wash over a paint wash too soon, you can reactivate the paint and end up mixing rather than layering colours.

After a few days of dry, warm weather I whitewashed using Jolie Gesso White and a Jolie small Signature natural bristle paint brush. Once finished I sealed it with three coats of Jolie Low-lustre varnish and it found its way into the newly renovated living room of the beach house.

All the best on YOUR next painting project.

Katie ❤️

FINAL NOTE: a little paint goes a long way as a paint wash. Use up leftover paints as a wash on your next project or get 10% off a 120ml sample pot of Jolie to make your own paint wash using code: PAINTWASHESROCK

https://forthelovecreations.com.au/collections/jolie-paint (discount expires 31/12/23, limit one use per customer)

For The LOVE Blog

70’s Uglies to Coastal Chic — a layered paint wash makeover

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