You know I love you right? Really I do, and I’m going to prove it today by sharing with you how to create a Pottery Barn finish on any piece of furniture in less than two hours! Yup! I transformed this scratched and dented thrift store trestle table by giving it the Pottery Barn look, and I’m going to tell you how you can do it yourself!
I was smitten the moment I saw this oak trestle table hidden among the other furniture in the back reaches of Habitat for Humanity. It was marked at $24. Yes, $24! As an older gentleman (near as old as me) loaded it into my car he exclaimed over and over what a great buy it was. I guess whoever marked the price on this was a youngsta’ who thought old meant outdated and not valuable. My oldish table-loading-friend and I knew better.
The top was in bad shape and that would have been an easy fix with a sander but I knew from the start that this one would be the perfect table for the Pottery Barn finish I’d been longing to try.
And those legs though!
This is my inspiration photo, a very expensive PB media cabinet!
So let’s get started:
I began with plain old black acrylic paint from the craft store, which I mixed with calcium carbonate (per measurements in my chalk paint recipe). Since the paint will be sanded heavily and smoothness is not an issue you could use any of the three recipes in that post.
After painting two quick coats and allowing the table to dry thoroughly I sanded back heavily with my electric sander.
After brushing off the paint dust I applied Annie Sloan dark wax which darkened not only the paint but the wood as well, causing this beautiful warm color to shine through.
Note: Lately I’ve been using Min Wax Finishing Wax mixed with a bit of Min Wax Wood Finish Stain to create my own less expensive dark wax. It isn’t as easy to spread as soft wax (unless you heat it up a bit which I’m not telling you you should do, but it is something I just might do), but I like the end result much better than soft wax. It buffs easier, dries to a harder finish, and doesn’t get streaky weird like soft wax can sometimes do.
Painting, waxing, and buffing in less than two hours. Super easy for a super look!
Do you want to see a few more pictures? I knew you would because you are so amazing and love to humor me.
What do you think? Do you like the PB finishes? Do you have a piece of furniture you might try this on? Remember, it took less than two hours!
Don’t forget to PIN me, and if you like my new look please share it with others!
We keep this table in our Seahawk/Bonus Room. Most of the time it’s set up as a library table but I can also open the leaves quite wide to create crafting or sewing space. A couple of people who have offered to buy it, even when I gave them a very pricey Pottery Barn price, but in the end I never could actually let it go.
Now while I do “heart” this sweet table of mine it isn’t near as much as I LOVE y’all! Thank you for being my friends, for letting me share my creative exploits with way too much ramble, and for allowing me to show you more pictures than you ever hoped to see.
Blessings dear friends,
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStoryMaking Your Home Sing Mondays, The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking,SmallWonder, LifeGivingLinkup, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story, IntentionalTuesday
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Whole Hearted Home, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop, I Choose Joy, Live Free Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, PartyAtMyPlace, 100HappyDays, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
HOLY MOLY!!! What an incredible makeover! I love the legs – and the finish is PERFECTION!
Best & Bisous,
Michelle from Simply Santa Barbara
Thank you Michelle! Your over-the-top compliments made my day 🙂
Wow, Beautiful! You really did a great job I love it!
Blessings, Candy
Thank you so much Candy!
WOW looks just like the finish on the Pottery Barn picture.
Great job Patti ~ I love it.
Have a wonderful weekend
Much love,
Rose
Thank you sweet Rose. You made my day. Love and hugs to you too.
Patti, that’s just flat out gorgeous!! I love the way you finished the table and the way you have it styled.
Also, I have an old globe in my closet waiting to be chalk painted. 🙂
Haha! That globe was bouncing around here for quite awhile before I tackled it! Thanks for the sweet compliments my friend.
Wow! Just WOW! What an incredible transformation. The close-up of the legs shows your formula for wax does an amazing job. I’ll definitely be trying it.
Thank you Jeannie. I’m so glad you like and I do hope you give this a try. I think my table became about ten times more valuable in just two hours.
Wow, Patti! I truly “heart” this table too….ah-mazing to say the least. Makes me wanna run to the nearest Habitat for Humanity store and look around.
Yes, I adore that Pottery Barn look also, and I really like your snappy little comments in this post. CUTE, you go girl!
One question though, if I wanted a smoother finish, could I just use the chalk paint I have and do the same thing?
Habitat for Humanity can be so hit and miss. I really lucked out on this particular day, especially when you consider the fake wood and metal table next to it was three times the price! In answer to your question, yes, you could use chalk paint and get the same result. Thanks friend.
I love, love, love this finish! And yes, I am definitely pinning. I have a project all figured out for this weekend. Thank you so much!
Wow Cynthia! I’m excited for you that you already have a project to do. Maybe you even have it done by now. Thank you for coming by, commenting, and for pinning. I appreciate it so much.
Patti, Table looks simply great. I’ll give your method a try. I was amazed that you used acrylic paint fro m the craft store w/calcium carb and got such a fine finish
Yes, Kathy. It seems that acrylic paint works just as well as latex paint with the CC. Thank you for commenting and good luck with your future project!
Wow, I love the finish on your table! Thank you for the tutorial, I’d love to try this.
Do try it Kim. It is so fast and easy. I just wish ALL my projects were that way!
I really love the finish and the table. I have a similar table that is beautiful heavy oak drop leaf. The wood is so beautiful I never can make up my mind to paint things. The top is a little worn, nothing MMS’ Hemp Oil couldn’t fix, but I see posts like yours and go back and forth again.
I know Christi! It can be hard to decide. I have a mix of furniture in my home. Some wood pieces that I would NEVER paint over and others that look so much better with paint. The great thing about this is that paint can always be removed and the original finish restored. Thank for the compliments! I appreciate it more than you know.
Okay, That settle it. This turned out so well I have to tackle that old hall tree I found on Craigslist and have been debating whether to leave alone or transform. I could not love your table more….. you did a beautiful job!
You are the SWEETEST Cindy! An old hall tree huh? My mom had an oak one and I can just imagine how pretty this finish would have looked on hers. Have fun painting and thanks for stopping by to leave such a wonderful comment.
Oh my word! Perfect price! Awesome finish! I have loved this Pottery Barn look since I first saw it five years ago. I have a dresser that is begging me to try this. Thank you!
It sounds like a whole lot of projects are in the making with this PB Finish! I’m so happy that it has been an inspiration to so many. Your compliments make my day. Have fun painting Peggy!
Wow – the finish really does look like Pottery Barn! Nice job!
Shelley
Thank you SO much!
This is absolutely beautiful, Patti! I am not a DIY person nor crafty at all so I appreciate someone like you who can turn something into such a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing all the tips and steps to accomplish this project. My hubby is a very creative and crafty person who does some restoring and he would be impressed with your work here! Visiting today from #MakingYourHomeSingLinkup as your neighbor.
That is such a sweet thing to say Pam. Some people who do actual restorations on furniture don’t like the idea of painting it but I believe that paint can always be stripped away when you tire of it.
I love that you are sharing the tutorial for this – so now every time I forget how to do it, I can just check your blog instead of messaging you – have done a book shelf already and I am going to do a dining room table that came with the chairs I bought for my dining room – I am going to be flipping the table and hope to recoup the cost for the table and chairs plus make some $ to buy more things 🙂 Thanks friend, I love this project and you did a wonderful job!
Yay Debbie! You won’t have to message me as long as you can find the post on my site. LOL! How exciting to hear that you have a plan for this finish. I’m sure you will get your money back plus more on it. Thanks friend.
Hi Patti! Your table looks awesome! What a transformation!! Thanks for sharing with us at Dishing It & Digging It! We enjoy your projects every week! 🙂
Thanks for the compliment Lori!
OHHH! So pretty! Great job! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thank you for the praise Sherry!
Patti…Just gorgeous! I love how it turned out and can appreciate taking something old and making it “new.” I love to visit thrift stores as well. Thank you for sharing at Monday’s Musings. 🙂
Thank you so much Naomi. I love joining you at your sweet party.
Gorgeous job on the table, and what a steal for $24.. I am currently hunting for a sideboard to redo, this tutorial is great. Thanks for sharing
Leanna
Thank you Leanna! I hope you find just the sideboard you’ve been looking for. There is always a good deal to be found if you’re patient and keep on looking.
Very beautiful transformation and I’m so happy you included it in the line up at Celebrate Your Story!
It is always a pleasure to link up to your party Sandra. Thank you!
What a wonderful transformation! You did such an amazing job! Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Thank you dear Chloe! <3
You did a beautiful job on this table. It looks gorgeous. Thanks for the tutorial. I saw your link at Cindy’s Amaze Me Monday party.
Thank you for visiting Ann Marie and also for the grand compliment. I really appreciate it. There is SO much talent to be seen at Cindy’s Amaze Me Monday party!
Oh my, Patti, the table turned out beautifully! I’m not much of a hand at that kind of thing, but that inspires me! I can’t wait to peruse your sight some more! I’m visiting today from Strangers & Pilgrims.
Blessings,
Donna
Welcome Donna! I’m so glad you came on by and left a comment on my PB Finish Table. It is one project that doesn’t take a lot of skill as you can see. I think the more rustic and banged up it looks the better. I do hope you’ll come see me again. Heading over to your site now to pay a visit back.
Such a charmer- I love it. Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!
Thank you so much for loving it and for featuring it at Feathered Nest Friday. You’ve made my day dear Courtney!
I love the way your table turned out. It’s beautiful and it has truly inspired me! I think I see a thrift store shopping day in my future!
Isn’t is great that we can inspire one another Teresa? I wish I could join you on that thrifting trip. A day of shopping is one of my favorite things to do!
Love how your table turned out , it looks great!!!
Thank you for the compliment Pamela 😉
I think that’s the exact same type table hubs and I had 20 years ago when we married. Ours pulled out and made into a large harvest table. I think they were used in the olden days when people showed up to help with the harvest and it could open to seat more people. We loved the table and lent it to our youngest daughter. She donated it when she wanted new. It broke my heart. Thanks for sharing the PB paint tips. Will try soon.
I’m so sad that you don’t have your table anymore! Mine opens out too and gives me a huge area to work on my crafts. It is a real treasure. Have fun trying the PB finish 🙂
I am in love with your table!
Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Wasn’t I lucky to get such a buy Carol? God’s favor!
What a wonderful job you did with this…just beautiful!
Thank you so much Deb!
Oh my!!! That came out gorgeous and what a great deal!!! I am giving you a hug– great job 🙂
Thank you for sharing with us each week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth!
Good morning! This is just a little note to let you know that this post has been *FEATURED* today on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Thank you for sharing and we hope to have you link up this week! 🙂
Just found this…and i am over the moon about the finish you achieved. I have a dresser and end tables waiting to be painted. PB cannot hold a candle to yours! Question: i am not familiar with calcium carb. Can you give me a quick comment. Also i have NEVER had success with wax. Help! THANK YOU
Thank you Amy. I purchase pharmacy grade calcium carbonate online. It is so smooth that it barely needs mixing and goes on smoothly too. Try an Amazon search and be careful to watch prices as they vary widely. If you have any trouble finding it please let me know as a I have a large bag of it myself!
Thank you Amy. I purchase pharmacy grade calcium carbonate online. It is so smooth that it barely needs mixing and goes on smoothly too. Try an Amazon search and be careful to watch prices as they vary widely. If you have any trouble finding it please let me know as a I have a large bag of it myself! As for wax, that can be tricky. I apply thin coats and buff with an electric buffer in between on large pieces. That said, I also like MinWax Polycrylic for large piece. It seals chalk type paint with a very hard and water proof finish.