There’s something special about giving classic furniture a fresh look while letting its original character shine. In this guest blog, Denise from Salvaged Inspirations breathes new life into a pair of French Provincial side tables using simple tools and a few thoughtful updates.
The star of this makeover is Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint, a rich green-blue shade with incredible depth and a dramatic, sophisticated feel. Paired with the tables’ graceful curves and vintage details, the color gives these pieces a fresh look while staying true to their classic style.
Follow along as Denise shares her process and shows just how much you can accomplish with basic tools and a little creativity!
(The following is an excerpt from Salvaged Inspirations. Read the full article here.)
A beginner-friendly French Provincial furniture flip using basic tools and a little creativity—because you don’t need a workshop full of fancy tools to create a gorgeous makeover!
A few weeks ago, I had a request over on YouTube. Donna mentioned that all the tools looked intimidating, and she’d love to see a beginner-friendly furniture flip using basic tools.
I love this suggestion because after doing something over and over again for so many years, it becomes second nature. But I remember when I first started painting furniture and how scrappy and thrifty I was with my supplies. It was such a fun journey, and I wish someone had been there to reassure me that you don’t need fancy tools to create a GORGEOUS piece of furniture.
Here are the FP side tables I started with.
SUPPLIES
French Provincial Tables – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Multi-Screwdriver
Sanding Sponge
Bonding BOSS Primer
4″ Roller for Primer
2″ Angled Paint Brush
Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint
Copper Gilding Wax
Best Dang Wax in Clear
PREPPING THE SIDE TABLES
To start the prepping process, I removed the hardware using an inexpensive multi-screwdriver. Once all the handles were off, the tables got a really good cleaning with a heavy-duty furniture cleaner and a large automotive sponge. Then I let everything dry overnight.
SCUFF SAND
To scuff the furniture before priming, I usually use an orbital sander. But the first few years of painting, I scuff-sanded all my furniture by hand. I bought inexpensive sheets general purpose 220 grit sandpaper at hardware stores or online. Then cut them into four, and scuff-sanded the surface. I’m not trying to remove the finish. Just give it a light scuff to rough it up a little.
PRIMING & PAINTING
Once I had the entire piece scuff-sanded, I removed the dust and applied this Bonding Primer using a four-inch roller. I like applying my primers with these rollers because the primer goes on smoothly and quickly. I get my 4″ rollers here, but before I started ordering them online, I bought them from the dollar store along with my sandpaper and paint brushes.
This bonding and stain blocking primer needs to dry overnight to take effect. I also like giving it a scratch test to make sure it’s 100% adhered before I move on to painting.
HEIRLOOM CHALK MINERAL PAINT
Now for the fun part – it’s time to paint! I ordered another new-to-me paint color called Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint. I would describe it as a rich jewel green with strong blue undertones. I really like this color yet I was a little unsure if I was going to like it on a pair of FP side tables.
But sometimes you don’t know until you try!
To apply this paint, I used my synthetic DB short brush, but when I first started, I would get my paintbrushes from the dollar store. Then I upgraded to these 2-inch Wooster ShortCut paintbrushes that are inexpensive (under $8) and work fabulous!
Even after all these years, I always like reminding myself that the first coat is always ugly. It looks a little patchy with the primer beating through. It looks uneven. But coat number two is where the magic happens.
FLORAL DESIGN TRANSFER
These tables have lovely curves and design, so to highlight this, I decided to add some floral design to the drawers. I chose a furniture transfer named Chinoiserie, but I’m not sure it is still in stock because when I went in to link it for you, I couldn’t find it. You can find something very similar here, though.
These transfers are easy and fun to use. I cut out the designs I want to apply to my project. I usually don’t use an entire transfer, so the four sheets last for a good few projects. Once cut out, I arrange them onto the drawer and play around with the design until I like the look. Then I rub the design onto the drawer and once adhered, pull up the mylar paper.
FINISHING TOUCHES
To protect this Heirloom paint finish on these tables, I used a beginner-friendly topcoat – clear wax. You can’t go wrong applying wax, and no fancy tools are required. An old sock, a ripped-up t-shirt, any lint-free rag or shop towel will work. I used my wax brush, and I’m also sharing how to apply wax using a rag in the YouTube video at the beginning of this post. Wipe on. Wipe off. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter in which direction you apply it either. I like to apply it up and down and then go side to side. This really rubs the wax in before I start buffing it off.
Also, you can apply the wax and wait 20-30 minutes before buffing but I rarely do. I like wiping it on, and then buffing it off right away. I sometimes forget what a beautiful sheen wax gives to a painted piece of furniture!
For the final detail, I gilded the original French Provincial hardware with this gilding wax in Copper. I usually like using an old artist’s brush, but a brush isn’t really needed. To bring it back to the basics, I add a little of the gilding wax onto my fingertip and rub it on the hardware. Very little is needed, and it dries 100% overnight. The following day, I like taking a soft rag or shop towel and buffing it out before scewing the hardware back into place.
Using the same gorgeous hardware in the existing holes is a beginner-friendly way to update your furniture – especially if you have beautiful vintage hardware like this!
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think!?
I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to think of this new paint color on these tables – but I really like it!
And here’s a peek at what you see when you open the drawers. A sweet bird and floral surprise!
And it’s been a bit since I’ve used clear wax as a topcoat. Such a beautiful satin sheen… I forgot how lovely the finish is.
I hope this makeover inspires you to look around at the furniture you already have—or maybe that piece you’ve been eyeing at the thrift store—and give it a try! You truly don’t need a workshop full of fancy tools or expensive supplies to create something beautiful. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to get a little scrappy.
That’s how I started, and honestly, it’s still one of my favorite parts of flipping furniture!
What a gorgeous new look for these French Provincial tables! Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint adds rich, moody color that beautifully complements their vintage shape and details, while the finishing touches bring even more character to the design.
We also love that Denise keeps this project approachable, showing that you don’t need a workshop full of specialty tools to create a beautiful furniture makeover.
A big thank you to Denise from Salvaged Inspirations for sharing this project with us. We hope her makeover inspires you to look at your next furniture find and imagine what a fresh color and a few simple updates could do!
