Turning the tables

• A wooden table to upcycle
• Resene Timber and Deck Wash
• Heavy duty scouring pad
• Resene SpaceCote Flat waterborne enamel in a shade of your choice I used Resene Milk White
• Resene SpaceCote Flat washable wall and ceiling paint in your chosen shade. I used Resene Unwind
• Resene Qristal Clear Flat Polyurethane
• Dropcloth, gloves and medium-sized paintbrushes

Step-by-step instructions

1. The surface of the table is varied with areas where the top sealer has worn away.

2. Lay a drop cloth. Dilute the Resene Timber and Deck Wash in water as per the instructions and use a heavy duty scouring pad to scrub the entire paintable surface. Use undilulted Wash and extra scrubbing to minimise darker stains.

3. Thoroughly clean the paintable surface using water and cloths. Allow to dry.

4. Tabletop: Pour about 100ml of Resene SpaceCote Flat waterborne enamel in a shade of your choice into a clean jar. I used Resene Milk White. Add 30ml water and mix well. Using even and spaced strokes, roughly brush the paint over an area of about 1 square metre. (You can also use the paint as is, without thinning, depending on the look you are after.)

5. Use a damp cloth to rub back the paint a little, revealing more of the surface texture. Paint on more paint, or rub it back to achieve the effect you want.

6. Dilute the Resene SpaceCote Flat paint by the same approximate ratio of 3:1.

7. Paint the underneath and legs of the table using quick rough brush strokes and rub it back using a cloth, especially along the edges to mimic a worn look.

9. Allow to fully dry. Topcoat with Resene Qristal Clear Flat Polyurethane for a waxed look. If required, apply a second coat once the first coat is fully dried.

Words and styling Sarah Heeringa.

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