Chalk Paint for the Main Salon Table

White Pepper's main salon table had become too tired to carry on any further.The finish was worn and stained. The teak veneer had worn so thin that another overhaul was unrealistic. However, the underneath was sound and sturdy.

Jan had been working with chalk paint at home and hit upon refinishing the table with chalk paint. This would be a dramatic departure from traditional teak and varnish so careful planning was in order.

First of all Annie Sloan brand of chalk paint was purchased at an antique shop in Goliad, Texas and brought to Florida. Then the table was lightly scuffed with sandpaper and cleaned with mineral spirits. Two coats of Annie Sloan were applied. Here I was schooled by Jan. Chalk paint  by convention is used to make old furniture look better, not new. Indeed, pieces are usually deliberately abraded (or distressed). I begged her not to distress our old table. At this point the table looked better, but it was not Awl Grip either.

Then the magic began. Jan had obtained a stencil of an anchor to apply a contrasting coat of blue gray color. Also a border was added and the blue gray dappled with a sponge. Finally two coats of semi-gloss polyurethane were applied. This step seals and protects the paint. New Perko pulls were added to the small center hatches.

The results have brightened up and updated the interior for little cost. Although the cost does not reflect the care and effort that went into the project.