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French Script Two Toned End Tables

It’s Themed Furniture Makeover Day again! I get so excited for this day every month and always look forward to what this super talented bunch of ladies have created. This month’s theme was Words/Letters and it challenged me to do something I’ve never done before, which was fun 🙂

FRENCH SCRIPT TWO TONED END TABLES

Two Toned End Tables

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These were picked up by my parents for me at an antique show this summer and I was super excited to work on some matching tables again!

End Tables Before

Top of Tables Before

As you can see, the tops were covered in some worn out leather that needed to go. I tackled this first by sanding it off with my orbital sander. Unfortunately, the edges, where there was a lot of glue, were being quite stubborn and didn’t want to come off as easily as the rest of it. Grrr.

Sanded Down Top of Table

I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with it so I avoided it and worked on the rest first 🙂 I used some Gel Stain on the top edge and the drawers.

Gel Stain

After that, I needed to fill in some deep holes in the legs. If you remember in the “before” image, these tables had a shelf on the bottom. No more! I just wasn’t feeling it, so away it went 🙂 These actually weren’t as big of a pain as I thought they were going to be.

Shelf Removal on Table

I used this awesome new wood filler I found that starts purple and turns white when it dries. Stuff’s awesome. It only took me two cycles of applying and sanding before I got a smooth surface. Definitely recommend it!

Wood Filler

Once that was done, I painted the table in Annie Sloan Decorative Paint® in Graphite and then applied my stencil.

French Script Stencil

My stencil is from this Etsy shop and the translation is:

“I love you with all my heart. You’re the love of my life. My love for you is eternal. Let my kisses be words of love that I don’t say.”

Five years of French and all I could make out was I love you. Guess I should have paid more attention in class hehe.

French Script Stencil

Now for those edges…I decided to just paint over them and see how it would look.

Script Stencil Table Top

I don’t know if it was just because there was still some residue left over or what, but it was a slightly different shade then the rest of the table. To be honest, I probably could have left it as is and it would have just looked like an affect around the words but it really bothered me.

Painted Plywood

I picked up some strips of plywood from Hobby Lobby, cut them to size and painted them in the Graphite to use as a frame around the words. Problem solved!

Table Leg

Final touch was spray painting the ends of the legs gold. There were originally wheels on them, but one leg was missing a wheel so I decided to just take them all off.

I think this is the first piece that I’ve left the original hardware on. I gave it a fresh coat of gold spray paint but they just fit so well with the tables I couldn’t bare replacing them.

The tables are sealed with clear wax where they were painted, and a flat top coat where I used the gel stain.

Two Toned Script Tables

Two Toned End Tables

French Script

French Script Stencil Chalk Painted Tables

French Script Top Tables

Two Toned End Tables

I’m also really excited about some recent additions to my staging accessories 🙂 I got those pheasant feathers at an antique show when I was home a couple weekends ago. I’m obsessed. And that fan! I’ve been hunting for one for a while now and was PUMPED when I finally spotted one. #happygirl

This was my first time using words on a piece of furniture like this. What do you think?! Have you used stencils or words/letters before? Where are some good places to buy your favorite stencils?

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous projects below! Have a wonderful day my friends!

[inlinkz_linkup id=457245 mode=1]

French Script Tables

Comments

  2. Wow! I found you a round about way from Tami at Curbside Alert and I gotta say you did a fantastic job with your first furniture with typography project!! If you ever feel the urge to join another link party, I host Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday every week! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Kammy! I’m so glad you found your way over here and I would love to link up with you 🙂 Have a great night!

      Reply

  4. Talk about inspiring somebody, you’ve sure done that for me. Been seeing your tables and wanted to know how you did them, love results of your hard work. Do you find people like tables with little casters on legs? Might be more a regional preference?
    We live west of Grand Junction, CO and have found people aren’t too crazy about any distressing, let alone just a little. Its hard to know what to do and how. Your tables are so incredible, love the color and stain you used on them, then there’s French wording you applied. Do people like the French topography? where you live?
    I’m still in learning phase as to painting, staining pieces. Need to know what’s best to use for keeping finish good on a piece?
    Forgive me for picking your knowledge base. Any advice you can give would be so appreciated. Hope you’re having great week. Happy days and seaon
    If you decide to reply please do so to my email address.

    Reply

  9. Hi Bre,
    I have a question. I used the Elmers Contractors color changing wood filler on a chest I was painting with white milk paint. It dried overnight and turned white as described. But when I applied the milk paint, it turned bright pink again and smeared the color into the surrounding painted area. I am at a loss for why this happened. I am thinking of applying shellac to the treated areas as I’ve heard this prevents bleed-through. Any ideas or suggestions?
    Thanks, Gwen

    Reply

    • Hey Gwen! Hmm that’s weird. This was my first time using it and I didn’t have any problems. I used Chalk Paint, maybe the Milk Paint had a funny reaction? Either way I think using some shellac or primer should help. Let me know if that works!

      Reply

  10. Those are beautiful end tables! Love the quote as well! Beautiful combination! Found your blog through Outside [The] Box Link Party and so glad I did! Thank you for linking up and cannot wait to feature your project next Tuesday!

    Reply

  13. Wow! You are good! I would have never seen these two tables potential! These tables look so good! Wow! Just wow! Thanks for joining Celebrate Southern link up this week my dear! I hope to see you back again on Tuesday! Happy Halloween!

    Reply

  21. These are absolutely stunning! I love what you did to them and the fan (great find by the way) Looks perfect right there on top! What a great project. Thanks so much for sharing

    Reply

  26. Bre, I have seen many leather top side tables and have been at a loss for what to do with the leather. You are truly inspired. I forgive you for not knowing anything but I Love You in French. What you do know and how you accomplish it are awesome. Love your painted color and the wood combo. Just the right amount of each. And the stenciling… OOH LA LA.

    Reply

    • I thought about doing that but their were some rough patches that I didn’t want showing through the paint! Good to know that I can paint right over it though! Thanks Christy!!

      Reply

  28. I feel like I say the same thing every time I comment. It is starting to sound artificial. But I don’t know how else to say that you have such a GIFT! Each of your pieces is a work of art. Great job, Bre! (Maybe take some Rosetta Stone classes in your spare time to brush up on that French. ;-P )

    Reply

    • haha don’t worry I know you’re being sincere 🙂 I appreciate the kind words! It’s what makes me keep doing what I’m doing! And yes, I probably should brush up on my French 😉 Have a great weekend!

      Reply

    • Thank you! It was my first time using words on furniture like this and I was a bit nervous but so glad it worked out! I’m all linked up, thanks for the party!

      Reply

  33. Beautiful transformation Bre. I love the care and detail you take into everything you do. You certainly can tell, by the end result.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Make it a great weekend.

    Reply

    • Yes they were already so beautiful! I almost (for the first time) felt bad painting them but the veneer was chipping so I didn’t feel too bad 🙂 Thanks Amy!

      Reply

    • Thank you Marie! You definitely should, she’s got a great collection. I bought another one I can’t wait to use as well 🙂

      Reply

  47. Oh Bre! I’m in LOVE! The tables are so dark and rich – it gives them such a sophisticated feel. The french script really balances that so perfectly!!! Just gorgeous!!!

    Reply

    • Aw thank you so much Sarah! It was my first time using a stencil and I was a little nervous but I’m so happy with the way they turned out 🙂

      Reply

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