Transform Furniture With Decoupage

**Though I was compensated for this post in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and comments are 100% my own. Please note: this post may also contain affiliate links.**

Hi, guys!!

I think this summer it’s been the busiest in my whole life! After we moved at the end of May, I’ve been setting up the new home, working on some projects I’ve been requested,  taking care of the house while my hubby is still abroad and spending time with my daughters because remember, we are in summer and we live in a pretty island with plenty of things to do! I wrote a little about our summer activities in case you want to know how I spend most of my time when I’m not working.

I’ve been trying too to keep my new house uncluttered (just in case I move again lol) but it seems it doesn’t work for me. I keep finding curbside stuff all.the.time. Of course, I haven’t been born to just pass on it… I take it home.

This time it was different, because since we moved my hubby didn’t have a nightstand. I sold his before we moved because it was too big for the new room, and as he was not at home either I didn’t bother too much. But one day I realized that when he came back it would be nice for him to have his own, and I began to think and gather ideas. Then, one day, this cutie was waiting for me next to the dumpster.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - A before shot of a nightstand

It had the perfect size and was in great condition! I left if outside for some days, under the sun and rain, and when I brought it inside I realized the veneer had to be removed.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - A before shot of a nightstand with damaged veneer

I am really honored to have been chosen as an Old Fashioned Milk Paint blogger so I couldn’t wait to use this green paint for this project! So excited to share my first contributor post as an official OFMP Brand Blogger!

It took some time and patience to get rid of the veneer. I tried a heat gun with no success, I also tried soaking a rag and let it sit on top of the veneer, it helped a bit in some areas. I also tried to steam iron the rag, nothing. So finally I decided to breathe, relax, and use the hammer.   It took me about an hour, well, a bit more because my daughters insisted on helping me…

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - A before shot of a nightstand with damaged veneer, stripping it

It ended up like this. Not a pretty wood right?

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - A before shot of a nightstand with damaged and removed veneer

The drawer had this knob, ugly at its best.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - Front drawer with wooden knob

Got rid of it!

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - Front drawer and getting rid of the wooden knob

Now the fun began. I had a clear idea of what I wanted, and it involved paint and gift paper.

Materials

· OFMP Paint. I used Slate and Snow White color.
· Extra-Bond
· Gift paper
· Glue
· Varnish
· Scissors and cutter
· Sand paper
· Brush

Let me explain something about OFMP, it is a true milk paint, all natural, green, non-toxic, water/casein based. Being true milk paint, the paint powder must be mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio for painting or diluted to use as a stain. Milk paint is self-leveling so it sets smoothly on your surface and gives the piece a perfect coverage and smooth finish.

I started by mixing Slate and Snow White in equal parts, and added the same amount of water to the same amount of paint I had. I stirred it for some minutes to get it smooth without lumps. Then I added Extra-Bond because I didn’t want it to chip.

I applied the first layer and let it dry. Don’t panic for its look right now, you may think it’d take lots of layers to have it covered but not. The second layer will do all the magic!

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - First layer of Slate OFMP

I repeated the process above about mixing the paint but this time without the Extra-Bond for the second layer. Remember it is an organic paint so it’s better to prepare the amount you are going to use. If you have any leftovers, keep them refrigerated

While the paint was drying, I took an empty bowl and mixed glue and water in a 1:1 ratio and applied it to the top of the nightstand.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - Applying glue for decoupage

I decoupaged some gift paper on the top, and did the same to the front, sides and bottom.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - Sanding borders to get a nice decoupage finish

The trick to getting a nice finish on the borders is to sand the paper once the glue is dry.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - Sanding borders to get a nice decoupage finish

To finish it, I looked for a new knob and I picked one that I found laying on the floor in the new house when we moved in, so I’m happy I could use that single knob and it fitted so well there.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

Remember I told you the magic happens with the second layer?

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White

I really love the smooth finish of that paint!

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

I think I will keep the table in my reading corner while my husband is out.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

Transform furniture with decoupage is so easy, and at the same time it has a big impact on an ordinary piece.

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

Or maybe I can still find something to use as his nightstand and keep the table for me…

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

I’m in love with it!!

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

Transform furniture with decoupage and milk paint - I used Slate and Snow White OFMP

I hope I’ve been able to inspire you to transform your own furniture. If you do, I’d love to see it!

If you want to see more projects you will find them at the Gallery.

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Hugs,

Pili

 

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Any content on this website is created for inspiration purposes only. Creating with my suggested methods, products used and tools fail under your own risk. Please ensure you are following proper guidelines with anything used, and you receive professional guidance if you don’t know how to do something. For more details you can read my complete disclosure

 

14 comments

  1. Mary-the boondocks blog says:

    Pili, this is so, so pretty. The color of the milk paint is very pretty and soft but when you decoupage it, it makes it really stand out. Such a nice pattern and one that is neutral so that your husband would be very happy with it. That is if you eventually decide to give it to him. haha.

    • Pili says:

      Glad you like it too Mary. When I saw the bubbles on the veneer I wanted to die because it meant more work as you’ve seen. Now I can say I am happy with the result too and still have time to think who will keep it.

  2. Katrin says:

    Hi Pili, what a fun post! you really put a lot of work into this side table and it shows, because it turned out so beautiful! The decoupage is amazing, you really know your stuff and the paint sounds like a great brand to use!

    • Pili says:

      Hi, Katrin! Most of the year my hubby has been out so I better take it with humor lol. But I really think he will like his new nightstand, I hope he doesn’t check my Facebook updates and see it there

  3. Keri says:

    Pili, what a beautiful makeover you gave this table!! That’s awesome that you’re able to find furniture for free, and even the knob just lying on the floor!! I really like the decoupage look and of course the milk paint looks so smooth and beautiful!! I don’t blame you for wanting to keep the table for your reading corner.

    • Pili says:

      Thank you so much, Keri!! I would love to have a bigger house and be able to keep all the things I find but unfortunately I don’t. So my house is always decorated in different ways because I sell most of them… but I think this little table will stay with us for a while

    • Pili says:

      My mom keeps telling me I should open a store to sell all the things I find, but I resist. I love to make things for fun and have time to experiment

  4. Michelle says:

    Gorgeous Pili, I really need to check if OFMP is available in South Africa. Love the color and that it’s all natural. We’re busy with a nightstand for my daughter and I hear you about the veneer, some pieces come off in big beautiful strips and other are like, chip, chip, chip. Ugh. Great transformation!!

    • Pili says:

      Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for your compliments! I am not sure it there are retailers there, but the paint is really awesome.
      The next furniture I find with damaged veneer, I will try so save it

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