I was doing a happy dance when this little occasional table came into our house because they are hard to come by. Normally I would not paint an antique but this one had seen it's better days and required a few repairs. We purchased it from a local online auction group, my go-to source for furniture these days. I am quite pleased with how pretty this Edwardian hexagon spindle rail tea table turned out after just one coat of chalk paint in a pretty sage color.


Those of you who have been following my projects for the last few weeks are probably thinking, "I thought she said we saw the last of those dang lilacs". This table was photographed back in May and I promise this is the last you'll see of my lilacs...this year. 😉

Edwardian Hexagon Spindle Rail Tea Table

This pretty table was for sale under my tent at an outdoor market in May. I had it sold and while the buyer went in search of her husband to pay for it, this happened...


It was a cold and rainy day and a gust of wind hit the wall of the tent where this little table was sitting and knocked it over onto the concrete floor. Of all the pieces under the tent that day, it had to be this one! So much for being sold.

Thankfully the damages are repairable and the plan is to return it to the tent in the Fall.

This is what the table looked like before the makeover...


The legs were loose and needed to be reglued and the screws tightened and the joints on the trim needed to be tightened. The extent of the damage on the tabletop are hard to see in the photo above.

Here it is after with just one coat of paint...


After lightly sanding the table to give the paint some tooth, I brushed just one coat of chalk paint in the color Sage Advice by Country Chic Paint.


Instead of repairing the scratches and gouges, I kept a timeworn look by distressing the paint with 180-grit sandpaper. It really brought out the details on the spindle rail and turned legs. I think the dark wood showing through this soft paint color is so pretty.


I also used 180-grit sandpaper on the top letting the paint decide where it randomly revealed the wood underneath.


Pictured below you can see the distressed finish along the spindle rail base. The pretty sage chalk paint was protected with a clear wax finish.


I looked for every possible reason to keep this pretty occasional table but the problem is that I have more tables in this house than I have room to put them. Sadly and regrettably the table sold and I've been kicking myself ever since.

You will find this project shared at these inspiring link parties.