Hand-me-down furniture often holds memories, but it may not match your style. Thankfully, updating it is easy! Today, Niky from The House on Silverado shares how she gave end tables a stunning neutral makeover. Using Dixie Belle’s VooDoo Gel Stain, she created a look that’s both modern and timeless. Plus, her step-by-step process makes it simple to follow. So, whether it’s a family heirloom or a thrift store find, you’ll feel inspired to start your own project!

(The following is an excerpt from The House on Silverado. Read the full article here.)    

Supplies Needed: 

Strip & Sand 

"Before" photo of 3 black painted end tables sitting on a cement ground with green grass in the background.

We wanted a lighter and brighter look for these pieces, so I sanded down just the tops of the two smaller pieces. The dark paint came right off using my Ryobi Corner Cat Sander. 

Small black end table with raw wood tabletop being sanded with green and black Ryobi sander

The larger end table was a different story and turned out to be one of the most labor-intensive furniture makeovers I’ve done to date. 

No matter how much sanding we did, that black paint just wouldn’t budge. Time to break out the Citristrip. 

Black painted end table with jug of Citristrip and a paintbrush sitting on top of it Hand holding a putty knife, stripping black paint off of an end table Wooden end table with all of the black paint stripped off

To preserve the wood inlay and achieve a neutral-toned finish, I used Dixie Belle’s Voodoo Gel Stain in Natural and applied it with an applicator pad. 

Au Naturel Voodoo Gel Stain sitting on top of a brown wooden table, next to a clean applicator pad A hand rubbing Au Naturel VooDoo Gel Stain onto a wooden table with a white applicator pad End table with Au Naturel VooDoo Gel Stain applied

Using a small Artist Brush, I applied Black Gilding Wax in the decorative crevices to highlight them. 

An open container of Black Gilding Wax sits on a stained end table, with a small paintbrush applying gilding wax to the ridge

The top of the table had an inset brass accent which made the table really look dated. I first applied Slick Stick (Slick Stick is no longer available; Dixie Belle now offers Bonding BOSS, which takes the place of both Slick Stick and BOSS) to give the paint something to stick to, and then painted the brass with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint in the color Caviar. 

A hand holding a used jar of Slick Stick over a wooden end table A hand holding a small paint brush over a wooden end table

A jar of Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint and a small paint brush sits on top of a wooden end table. A VooDoo Gel Stained end table with Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint painted into the ridge of the table

Already it’s such a better look than the oak or the solid black that it was previously, don’t you think? 

Small Side Tables 

The bases of the small side tables were already black, so I left that part alone. 

Two black painted end tables with light brown tabletops sit on a gray cement floor

To achieve a neutral-toned finish on the tops, I applied a mixture of three different Voodoo Gel Stains in Au Naturel, Tobacco Road, and Up In Smoke. 

A hand holding a bottle of Voodoo Gel Stain, applying it to the top of a wooden table A hand holding a bottle of Tobacco Road Voodoo Gel stain over a clear dish A hand holding a paint brush and a bottle of Up In Smoke VooDoo Gel Stain over a wooden tabletop

Finally, I applied more Black Gilding Wax to the black-painted brass to add a bit more luster, and gave all three pieces a coat of Satin Clear Coat using a foam brush.

An open can of Black Gilding Wax and a red paint brush sitting on top of a wooden nightstand Two Foam N Dandy brushes and a blue sponge sitting inside a clear plate

More Modern and Updated 

After these hand-me-down end tables got their neutral-toned makeover they look brighter and more modern– perfect for my daughter’s remodeled home. 

"After" photo of 3 side tables painted with VooDoo Gel Stain and Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint

Niky’s end table makeover shows how small updates can make a big difference. Her use of VooDoo Gel Stain created a beautiful neutral look. Plus, the process was straightforward and fun! Why not give it a try on your next project? Be sure to share your results—we love seeing your creativity. For another great makeover by The House on Silverado, check out our blog, DIY Dresser to Sofa Table.

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About the Author

The House on Silverado

Niky is a wife, mom, stepmom, teacher, and a blogger who has spent her whole life in the Midwest! She started blogging as a creative outlet to share her hobbies and interests, but to also write about things that matter to her. She loves all things farmhouse, rustic, vintage, and historical--basically anything that has a story behind it.

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