Old World Clock Face Table With An Identity Crisis

This poor Queen Anne table has had so many makeovers that it has an identity crisis. The first incarnation was in 2013, after acquiring it from a neighbor. It was one of my first furniture makeovers and I cannot help but laugh because the poor thing looked like a frog.



Thank goodness my furniture makeover skills have improved because its final incarnation painted black is quite lovely. I think you'll agree after seeing the most recent old world clock face accent table makeover.



A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

Old World Clock Face Table Makeover

Before getting into the details of the clock face table makeover, let's take a little trip down memory lane.



A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

Makeover #1 - The Frog Table

On the bottom right in the photo collage above is what the table originally looked like when acquired from a neighbor.



When I started refinishing furniture in early 2013, my preferred paint medium was milk paint. The first makeover of this curbside accent table upcycle was painted in a combination of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in the colors Luckett's green, boxwood, and ironstone.



The table sat in our living room for several months before I finally accepted the fact that it looked too much like a frog. Back to the workshop, it went for a second makeover.



Makeover #2 - Vintage French Cloutèrie Table

By the second makeover, I had discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and took the table from curb to Français with a brand new look.



This time I painted the table in the colors Versailles and old white. Then I gave it a Parisian flair with a Vintage Cloutèrie graphic on the top to use as a bedside table in our guest bedroom.



Instead, the table was given to my Mom when we moved her into a secured assisted living facility to personalize her rather institutional-looking room.



Unfortunately, it was receiving a lot of abuse and at one point the glass knob was walloped off. And so it came back home with me for makeover number three.



Makeover # 3 - Vintage Clock Face Table

Thank goodness my furniture makeover skills have improved because finally, this poor Queen Anne table with an identity crisis has a look that I can be proud of.



This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

Again the table is painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint but this time in the colors old white and graphite. Graphite is a dark charcoal grey color but when you add dark wax, it reads more like black.



Tips For Painting A Border

If you're wondering how to paint a perfect border on a round tabletop, it's actually not difficult with the right tools.

  1. After you determine the size of the border you'd like, grab a measuring tape and pencil.
  2. Measure the chosen distance from the edge and add a light pencil mark.
  3. Mark the distance around the entire tabletop around one or two inches apart.
  4. Use a good quality precision-cut brush and carefully paint the border following the pencil marks.
  5. Use damp cotton swabs to fix any areas where you may have gone over the marks.


A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

How To Add A Clock Face Graphic Onto The Tabletop

Now that the table is painted and dry, it's time to add the vintage clock face onto the top of the table. To do this I went to the Graphics Fairy website and found this French Clock Parts graphic and a lovely French Cafe graphic.



After downloading the graphic I printed it to size on regular bond paper. Then I used this image transfer technique to trace both graphics onto the tabletop. I find this step so relaxing and I put on some music, grab something to drink, and let it take me into a zone.



After the graphics are transferred onto the table, then with a script liner art brush and the same graphite chalk paint, fill in the graphics.


Pro-Tips

  1. A tip for a steady hand for painting the graphic is to have your wrist supported on the table.
  2. Load enough paint on the brush to use one steady brush stroke before reloading the brush.
  3. Apply very little pressure on the brush for those tiny details.


How To Add A Time-Worn Patina

Once the paint is dry, it's time to add that lovely timeworn appearance to the painted table.

  1. Lightly distress the graphics with 220-grit sandpaper.
  2. With the same sheet of sandpaper, lightly sand the apron and painted legs for a smooth finish.
  3. Wipe the dust with a damp lint-free rag.
  4. Protect the paint with a coat of clear wax applied either with a wax brush or a lint-free rag.
  5. While the wax is still wet, apply a coat of brown wax and remove the excess with a lint-free rag. It deepens the paint color and makes the old white color look aged.
  6. Buff the wax to a matte finish.
  7. I recommend not placing anything on top of the table for a couple of days until the wax no longer feels tacky to the touch.
  8. It takes thirty days for the wax to completely cure.


A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

Last but not least, the broken glass knob from the previous makeover was replaced with this pretty floral ceramic one.



The takeaway from this table makeover is that it's just paint. If you have a piece of furniture that has been in your home for decades or something you recently acquired, don't be afraid to give it a new life with paint. As you saw with this makeover, you won't ruin it if you get it wrong the first time.



That's the beautify of chalk or milk paint, if you're not 100% satisfied with the results, you can change the color with little to no prep. Keep painting until you are happy with the results.



A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this old world clock face table makeover.



If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!



If you enjoyed this accent table upcycle, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your upcycled accent tables or furniture makeovers board on Pinterest.




A dated Queen Anne style accent table gets an Old World Clock Face makeover with black chalk paint after two previous failed makeover attempts. #paintedclockfacetable #furnituremakeover #clockfacetabletop

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Comments

  1. I like this version. The knob is the perfect accent.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Vicky, this is definitely my favorite version too! The black & white knob definitely is the jewelry on this piece. After I sold the table I found an even more perfect knob...for the next table. 😉

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  2. Love the clock table. Can you pls share tips on how to paint the black order on the table top! It’s so nice and perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there and thank you for the feedback. My apologies for forgetting to add instructions for how to paint the border. I'll revise the post as soon as time permits!

      Delete
  3. Well like they say, the third (or was that the 2nd) time is the charm! Your table is gorgeous and you did a beautiful job! I love the colors you used!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Susan 🙂 I quite enjoyed working on the final makeover. It may have been easier to use a clock face furniture transfer instead of hand painting the graphic but I find it so relaxing.

      Delete

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