The Guest Bedroom Side Tables

The two side tables I have in our guest bedroom were originally used in my son’s bedroom at our old house.  They are wood and are sturdy pieces.

The knobs need to be replaced and they need a paint job, not only because they are worn and scratched, but because the pine finish just doesn’t go in our new home.

I decided to go with ASCP French Linen on the base of both and use a gel stain that I can put right over the top {without stripping or sanding} to darken the tops to a nice dark walnut.

I’ve been switching lamps around, too.  This one below was in the sunroom.  I didn’t like it though, so you’ll see at the end that I moved another one in here.  The one with the feather trim matches this room perfectly, but I got that from Home Goods about five years ago. 

More good luck is that the lamp I put in the sunroom {that was in this room} goes so much better in there.  See below. Don’t know why I didn’t move them around sooner!

But, I digress!

Here is the one table with its first coat of gel stain.  I painted the base in the French Linen first.  I’m liking it!  It is still wet here.

I never used gel stain before.  I was thinking I got a bad can because I’m so used to regular stain, which is watery looking.   This stuff looks like chocolate pudding! 

I did three coats of the gel stain on each table top and two coats of the French Linen on the bases.  I waited until the next day to do clear wax on each table ~ top to bottom.  Here are my “new” guest bedroom side tables, before I added much to the tops.

I added fleur knobs that I got in a swap a couple of years ago.   This is the lamp I decided to go with on this side. 

Since I only had four of those I went to Hobby Lobby to see what I could find for the cabinet on the other table.   I couldn’t believe it. I found two  more and they were the last two!

I’m thinking of doing something on the inserts of the cabinet doors. 

I have some wood embellishments and my daughter suggested those.  Another option is a small harlequin pattern.  I’m going to live with them plain for awhile and see what jumps out at me.

Just to give you a reality check, I started this project on a Monday and did the chalk paint first.  I waited until Wednesday to do the stain and then did one coat, waited a full day and did the other two coats. 

I waited several hours for the gel stain to dry good and then waxed them both Wednesday night.  I waited until Friday before I put anything on them ~ hardware included, just so everything could set.  Sometimes projects can seem like they are done so quickly that I just wanted you to know that it can take days to get something done.

I’ll be ordering an upholstered headboard for this room, too, and then I guess I’ll have to make adjustments to my home tour post!

Linking up with

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

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