A dated coffee and end table set can sometimes feel like a challenge to refresh, but with the right techniques and products, you can give them a whole new life. In today’s guest blog, LeeAnn from Creative Moments shares how she transformed a tired table set into a rustic and weathered beauty using Dixie Belle’s Chalk Mineral Paint, No Pain Gel Stain, and Voodoo Gel Stain. Whether you’re new to refinishing furniture or a seasoned DIYer, LeeAnn’s step-by-step process is sure to inspire you to tackle your next project with confidence. 

(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here.)  . 

White painted coffee and 2 end tables with brown stained table tops sitting on a rug, in front of a tan sofa with blue pillows

Thirty three years ago we purchased this coffee and end table set. For years it provided great service to us but it was time for a makeover. I gave it a new rustic color update that paired well with the subtle curves. 

"Before" picture of brown wooden coffee table and end table sitting on top of it sitting on a brown floor, in front of a wooden wall

Step 1: Apply Base Coat

I like to start with the underside first. It is a much easier way to get the edges and legs painted. I chose buttercream Dixie Belle Paint. It was brushed on with the mini Dixie Belle synthetic brush. Two coats were applied to all 3 bases. 

End table sitting upside down on a table with newspaper being painted with white paint White painted coffee table sitting upside down on a wooden table with a closed jar of white paint sitting next to it

I love the dark wood look tops and warm white base combo. So after adding these I see I really like dining tables and French provincial (FP) tables done in this look. I decided to give the table tops a fresh coat of color, but first a quick scuff sand and wipe. 

two end tables with white painted legs and brown painted tabletops sitting on a wooden table covered with newspapers brown wooden tabletop being sanded with a black electric sander

Step 2: Apply No Pain Gel Stain

Walnut Dixie Belle No Pain Gel Stain was applied with a blue shop towel, excess wiped off and left to dry for a couple days. 

No Pain Gel Stain being applied to end table wooden tabletops No Pain Gel Stain being applied to coffee table wooden tabletop

Unfortunately, the table tops wear over the years was enhanced with the stain. 

two end tables, one painted all white and one with white painted legs and a brown wooden tabletop

SO I decided to try something different. In hindsight, I should have stuck with this stain plan 😊 

Step 3: Try a new look

I dry brushed the Buttercream paint over the top creating texture with a Dixie Belle premium chip brush. 2 coats of the Buttercream Chalk Mineral Paint were applied.

two end tables, one painted all white and one with white painted legs and a brown wooden tabletop white painted coffee table sitting on a wooden table covered with newspaper white painted coffee table sitting on a wooden table covered with newspaper

Next I applied a coat of Picklin’ White No Pain Gel Stain over the tops. Weathered Gray No Pain Gel Stain was added to the white and blending with paper towel for this grey white look. 

Open cans of No Pain Gel Stain in Weathered Gray and Picklin' White that have spoons in them. A piece of brown cardboard is in front of them with a spoonful of each color of stain White and gray stained tabletop

But even while wet I was not a fan of the now whiter top with the warm white bases. So yet another plan emerged. 

Two white painted end tables sitting on a brown wooden table covered with newspapers 

Step 4: Try yet another new look

I did the table base in white Dixie Belle’s best dang wax applied with my dedicated Dixie Belle best dang brush. And added ash Dixie Belle dirt with the help of Dixie Belle easy peasy spray wax sprayed in the crevices first. I hoped this grey and white would help blend better with the stained top. 

A hand holding an open container of White Best Dang Wax and a Best Dang Brush in front of a white painted table A hand holding an open jar of Dixie Dirt in front of a white painted table a white painted table sitting on a brown wooden table covered with newspaper, an open jar of Dixie Dirt and a bottle of Easy Peasy Spray Wax sits on the table next to the table.

Nope, this was not the look I wanted. 

two white painted end tables sitting on a brown wooden table covered with newspapers

Step 5: Try a 4th new look

I want to warm up the top, so I used au natural Dixie Belle Voodoo Gel Stain and the buttercream with my Fine Mist Spray Bottle and chip brushes to blend. 

A hand painting white paint onto a white painted tabletop

It needed more dimension so I added tobacco Dixie Belle Voodoo Gel Stain and more au natural and blended with the secret weapon; Dixie Belle big daddy brush. It created an amazing look. 

a white painted table with brown streaks A hand brushing brown No Pain Gel Stain onto a white painted tabletop with the Big Daddy brush 

It created an amazing look. But again once all was dry I still did not love the tops and bases together. They were each pretty on their own but not together. 

A white painted table two white painted end tables sitting on a wooden table covered with newspapers

Step 6: Try a 5th and final new look

So I did a coat of walnut No Pain Gel Stain over the tops and loved it. If you made it this far in my multiple plans, thanks you!! I believe in sharing the bad as well as the good and hope to spare you the extra steps. BUT I also want to share that everything is fixable and changeable when it comes to visions in your head and on projects. 

A white painted end table and an end table with white painted legs and a brown painted tabletop sits on a brown wooden table covered with newspaper a coffee table with white painted legs and a brown painted tabletop sits on a brown wooden table covered with newspaper

I then added brown best dang wax on the bases to give a more rustic warm feel. 

a white painted end table with a brown painted tabletop sits on a brown wooden table covered with newspaper

I changed the dirt color in the crevices to earth. This warm brown was much better. This is my go-to look, so why did I try to change it? 

Step 7: Seal for added protection

After the tops dried for 72 hours I used a mini brush and gave them a coat of Dixie Belle Gator Hide. This will provide that waterproof top table need. It is however a bit shinier so the second coat was Dixie Belle flat clear coat but it was too flat so the 3rd and final sealing was a coat of Dixie Belle satin clear coat. And because I like the look a few days later I buffed on a clear wax coat. 

A hand holding an open jar of Gator Hide and a paint brush in front of a white painted table with a brown tabletop White painted coffee and 2 end tables with brown stained table tops sitting on a rug, in front of a tan sofa with blue pillows

That was a lot of steps to get to here but I am a fan of the final look. 

White painted coffee and 2 end tables with brown stained table tops sitting on a rug, in front of a tan sofa with blue pillows

We hope you’ve enjoyed this rustic makeover by LeeAnn with Creative Moments! As LeeAnn’s project shows, creating the perfect weathered look sometimes takes a few tries—and that’s all part of the creative process. Layering stains, adjusting techniques, and experimenting with color combinations can lead to stunning, one-of-a-kind results. So don’t be afraid to keep refining your project until you achieve the look you love. With products like No Pain Gel Stain and Voodoo Gel Stain, the possibilities are endless. Thanks for joining us, and happy painting! Check out our blog, Goodbye Orange Oak – Hello Walnut Rustic Coffee Table, for another amazing No Pain Gel Stain project.

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