Bedside table makeover {it only took 4 years}

When we first moved into our apartment I was on the lookout for a bedside table for our spare bedroom. It didn’t take too long as I struck gold one day when I spied this little gem on Freecycle. It was cute, had nice lines and was mostly wooden with the exception for the top which had a weird plastic-y layered Frankenstein top {so technical} which you can see a bit better here. I had big plans for this little bedside table. And then 4 years happened. 
Last week while I was taking pictures for my rescue kit for the unexpected guests blog post, I had had enough of looking at Franken-table, so I made it my priority to send some long overdue attention its way. 

From the start I wanted to paint it black, but also have some contrast and a little dose of whimsy. Black, white, and kinda pink.
I first primed the entire thing, let it dry for 24 hours and then started working on the black. I had bought a can of black furniture paint, but once I applied it {to half of the bedside table – there wasn’t enough to cover the whole thing}, it looked awful. It made me feel crap. I left it to dry in the spare bedroom and ignored it until the next morning. 
Luckily, my Montana black acrylic spray paint came to the rescue. I resprayed the whole thing and it looked the business. And I still have half a can left.

I then painted the inside of the drawer white. I wanted to line the inside with some pretty paper, but then I figued, why not just paint it? I had a smidge of Dulux Ashbury Easycare pink paint leftover from the bedside tables I upcycled for Oxfam, so I painted the bottom of the drawer dusty pink and added a polka-dot pattern by dipping the end of a pencil into white paint and used it as a stamp. I free-handed the pattern which kind of makes it feel a bit less strict. 
I am exponentially happier with how the bedside table looks now. It really anchors the corner of the room and is a strong focal point when you walk into the room. I just wish I had repainted it sooner. 
Black, white and kinda pink. I think I met the brief. 

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13 Comments

  1. June 4, 2014 / 16:03

    Great Stuff, Alex!!! Love your bedtime reading too xx

  2. June 4, 2014 / 22:10

    That looks great! Far more striking than the original, more of a statement. I love the bottom of the drawer – a lovely bit of whimsy… (I like that word!) Fantastic upcycle! And four years, so what – better late than never!
    Maria xx

  3. June 5, 2014 / 11:50

    So cute. I love the unexpected touches, the pink with white polka dots is brilliant.

  4. June 5, 2014 / 12:27

    I totally thought the drawer was paper lined. The pencil eraser was a nice touch. I once did a Lichtenstein and used the same technique to achieve the benday dots.
    Your table looks great!

    • June 6, 2014 / 19:36

      Also, Hubby almost bought that Vader and Son book a couple of months ago. SOOOO cute!

    • June 9, 2014 / 10:07

      I remember that painting! It isinsane. Mad props. I don't know how you did it so accurately on such a huge canvas! I got tired from concentrating on the drawer, and I'd say it's smaller than an A4 page!

      Husband finds that book hilarious! When I got it for him, he read the entire thing out loud in the next room, followed by endless giggles.

    • June 9, 2014 / 15:18

      LOL. Hubby insisted on reading ME the whole thing at our local bookstore. Not sure why we still need to purchase it at this point, but it is still really cute. Also, he just discovered the Leia version of it, so I guess we will have to wait and see which one to buy. 😉

    • June 11, 2014 / 09:20

      Oh man, right in the feelings. What an insanely exciting time, Pat!!! We had a baby shower for my sister-in-law last weekend and it was overwhelmingly cute. The tiny socks. The baby Converse. I can't even.

      p.s. Didn't know there was a Leia book! Gonna get it.

  5. June 14, 2014 / 09:48

    Aww this is ace!! Gotta love that mix of black white and pale pinky goodness (the goddess of this colour combo with a touch of gold is Christine Dovey, wouldn't you agree?). I totes thought it was a drawer liner too you clever clogs you. xxx

    • June 16, 2014 / 15:32

      ZOMG, yes, Christine Dovey. There are no words. Her stuff is insane in the membrane. I could literally drink it uuuuup. Constant inspiration.

  6. July 2, 2014 / 10:08

    Love the idea, so simple and so effective! You could use decoupage paper for the inside as well!

  7. November 1, 2014 / 05:44

    Wow! What a great ideas.. That looks are very great.. Superb work.. I extremely impressed from work so much.. I appreciate this.. I really like the unexpected touches, the pink with white polka dots is brilliant.. Thanks for post..
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    Thanks..