There are certain pieces of Ikea furniture that you see in so many parents’ houses, and the mini table and chairs set is one of those. We bought our unfinished wood version when Sam was one, so it’s had more than five years’ use and is looking pretty tired.
When we bought it, it was with the view that it was an arts and crafts table which was so cheap he could make whatever marks he wanted on it and we wouldn’t worry. It was his table, his toddler workspace in the corner of the kitchen/dining room which we weren’t too precious about. Over the years it’s seen a fair few scribbles, scraps of sellotape and rather cute animal stamper sets, but it looked tatty and I’d started to think it needed replacing.
I took a quick snap of it and posted it on Instagram, where my creative followers persuaded me it would look gorgeous painted and upcycled into something new, but with minimal effort.
A few days later and I’d bought a nice tin of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Louis Blue and was ready to go.
I’d never used chalk paint before but if you’ve ever read up on how to revive an old piece of furniture with a lick of paint, chances are it’s made by Annie Sloan. Her chalk paint range comes in a gorgeous range of colours perfect for creating a vintage look. The texture means the furniture needs little or no treating beforehand, and it can be mixed with other colours to get a custom shade, or just to go a little lighter or darker.
I bought mine from a shop called Recollections at Brimstage Hall in Wirral, and the lady I spoke to in there couldn’t have been more helpful, inspiring me with ways I could liven up my little table. She advised me to mix the paint with a little water to get a smoother finish, so that’s what I did and the results are fab.
I didn’t use exact measurements (a bit of guesswork) but I’d say I used two parts paint to one part water. I rubbed the furniture over with sandpaper very lightly beforehand, just in case there were any greasy marks which could have showed through the paint. I say just in case, it’s pretty much nailed on that there will be greasy fingerprints on a kids’ table isn’t it, so I’d say definitely sand it down a bit first!
I did two coats of paint and finished by rubbing in some Annie Sloan clear Soft Wax. You can use a darker wax for more of a vintage finish.
It’s seen nearly a week of heavy use now and there are no bumps or marks visible yet. I’ve moved it out from the corner of the kitchen to the side, so there’s enough room for both Sam and Florence to sit and play, colour or make stuff at the same time.
They love their new little table, with Flo telling everyone who comes round ‘My mummy painted my table’ in a really cute, proud little way! Worth it just for that!
Our table is an Ikea ‘Sulva’ according to the label on the underside, but it seems they have now been discontinued. It’s very similar to the Latt, in untreated pine, which is just £20 for a table and two chairs.
You can find some more ideas on how to upcycle or change up your Ikea furniture on my Pinterest board Ikea Hacks.
Follow Julia Bryson – Rainbeaubelle’s board Ikea Hacks on Pinterest.
x Julia
PS – Painting is very therapeutic, don’t you think?
29 Comments
Sally wheatman
September 10, 2015 at 4:47 pmThat looks lovely, Julia. Very professional job xx
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Donna
September 10, 2015 at 10:47 pmGreat job! So simple and it looks gorgeous, love the colour! x
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Mini Travellers
September 11, 2015 at 4:05 pmThis is fab, looks really really good. I wish I had your talent at these things!
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sarah christie
September 12, 2015 at 12:03 pmJulia that looks so fab, I just love hat colour it is beautiful. And you can beat Ikea wooden chairs and tables I had these for the boys when they were little x
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Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock
September 13, 2015 at 12:13 amI love this and am tempted to buy the table and chairs just to paint them THIS colour!
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Betty and the Bumps
September 13, 2015 at 7:06 amWhen it comes to any project, there is always. without fail, a huge gap between what I hope to achieve and what I actually produce so I honestly think even painting a table would be well without my reach! I do like the idea of making things better rather than just chucking them out; I think we’re all a bit quick to replace things because we can afford to.
And I am, as always, very jealous of your floorboards and home generally!
x
#sundaystars
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Lady Nym
September 13, 2015 at 7:45 amThey look great! I’ve always liked the idea of upcycling but haven’t ever actually done it (certainly nothing with furniture – I have altered old clothes to make something new before). I love looking at projects other people have had, though.
#SundayStars
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Sarah Howe
September 13, 2015 at 9:11 amLooks amazing and seems so easy 🙂 I bet it was very calming just sitting and painting. So cute how proud the littlies were! Xx #sundaystars
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Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
September 13, 2015 at 10:54 amYou did it!! Doesn’t it look fab?! Job well done. The colour’s perfect too. You know this is now the start of many painting projects. You won’t be able to help yourself. You’ll pass things in an antiques shop and wonder if you should pop in a buy them just to paint. Don’t say I haven’t warned you 😉
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Becky (@educatingr)
September 13, 2015 at 4:04 pmI want a little table & chairs for mini r for Christmas! This has just inspired me! Thank you #sundaystars
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Amber
September 13, 2015 at 5:48 pmAdorable! Aren’t you bloody creative and talented. x
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Katie / Pouting In Heels
September 13, 2015 at 6:04 pmJust gorgeous! Love the blue colour. Honestly, isn’t it amazing what a bit of paint and elbow grease can do?! We love Annie Sloane paint in this house too esp. Because it helped us transform an original 1920s fire surround from a dark, depressive eye sore into a light, bright lovely focal point. Result! Looking forward to your next painting project… 😉 x
#SundayStars
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Chloe
September 13, 2015 at 7:04 pmI love this so much. I’ve been looking for things in this colour for Evie’s room. I didn’t think about just painting stuff with chalk paint. We have this table in white. It’s good to know that when Evie’s older I can uplift it after it’s had it’s fair share of scribbles! xx #sundaystars
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Everything Mummy
September 13, 2015 at 7:47 pmLooks brilliant! well done Julia, I always have idea about how to epicycle furniture never seems to happen though! #sundaystars
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Heledd - Running in Lavender
September 13, 2015 at 9:12 pmGood job Julia, and that blue is lovely. I’m a little bit obsessed with Annie Sloan paint, it’s amazing isn’t it?! A lot of the furniture in our house have had the Annie Sloan treatment. #SundayStars xx
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You Baby Me Mummy
September 13, 2015 at 10:24 pmSuch a great colour, you did a really good job lovely xx
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Mrs H
September 15, 2015 at 10:16 pmThey look gorgeous. I love the colour. I have heard such good things about the Annie Sloan paint. Does a little go a long way? I have lots of rubbish furniture which could do with being up cycled. I just need to take the plunge. This post has inspired me. Thanks for linking up with #SundaysStars lovely lady. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
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Helen
September 16, 2015 at 7:49 amWhat a great way of personalising the table and chairs, as well as allowing them to fit into your home decor 🙂 #HomeEtc
Helen x
http://treasureeverymoment01.blogspot.co.uk/
Potty Mouthed Mummy
September 16, 2015 at 8:11 amSuch a gorgeous colour, love it!! Definitely spruces them up a lot. Gorgeous xx
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Fionnuala
September 16, 2015 at 9:06 amAh, just my kind of thing Julia! I love paining furniture and am eagerly awaiting the postman’s arrival with my order of chalk paint. You just cannot get it in Germany.
Your chairs and table have turned out beautifully. The colour is gorgeous.
#homeetc
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
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Steph
September 16, 2015 at 9:31 amOh Julia, these are fantastic!!! I think you’ve found your new talent!! What a fabulous way to restore and inject new life!! I need to try this myself now. Will go home tonight and find something to paint!! Haha! Thx for linking up #SundayStars gorgeous girl, love Steph xxx
Caroline
September 16, 2015 at 10:49 amLooks fab, I love the colour. x
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Helena
September 16, 2015 at 4:14 pmI really want to do this in my daughter’s room. £20 sounds so inexpensive I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for something like it. I’ve been using Rustoleum as I’ve heard that Annie’s paint is expensive. #HomeEtc
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Lins @Boo & Maddie
September 16, 2015 at 5:12 pmIt looks just beautiful! I love that Annie Sloan is stocked in these little local shops, I had to buy some recently and had a very similar experience to you. And yes, painting is SO therapeutic Xx #HomeEtc
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Stephanie
September 16, 2015 at 7:07 pmOOh I love an IKEA hack and it’s totally transformed. That’s a good tip too to mix with water for a smooth finish #homeetc
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Beth @ Twinderelmo
September 16, 2015 at 8:37 pmi was looking forward to the finished product! Gorgeous colour and I’m glad it’s not all gone a bit wrong afterwards which I worry about if I paint stuff that it’ll start peeling. I’m very excited to get started painting all mine! xx
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Caro | The Twinkles Mama
September 16, 2015 at 10:25 pmGreat job mama — it looks GORGEOUS!!! Totally addictive isn’t it? I’d paint anything that stays still in our house (the cats better watch themselves 😉 ) What a difference — love the colour too xx Thanks so much for linking up with us 🙂 #HomeEtc
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mummyofboygirltwins
September 17, 2015 at 8:29 amLooks FAB! And now I am also addicted to painting too 🙂 Thanks for linking up – much appreciated xx
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Sabrina (The Mummy Stylist)
September 17, 2015 at 11:03 pmI really like it, and you’ve chosen such a nice colour. It’s so satisfying to give an old piece of furniture a second chance! Sabrina xx #HomeEtc
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