From Drab to Fab {End Tables}

I have finally finally finished these end tables that I started who knows how long ago.   

Actually it was exactly 4 months, I started sanding on March 19 and finished July 19.  

Here are the ever important before pictures.

 Not too bad when you step back, but on closer inspection...

 There was a lot of damage like this.  Nothing a good sanding and painting wouldn't fix though.

I loved the look of them, the detail on the doors, and all the storage these babies would provide.   Hidden storage, perfect to store Grayson's toys, my paint supplies, whatever.  I love it, extra storage space always makes me giddy!

Now I wasn't working on them the whole time, obviously.  First I sanded them one of them down and then they sat there for. ev. er.

Finally, we {well, mostly Josh} got sick of them sitting around in the way, so I really started to get down to business.  Now these end tables aren't wood sadly, they're laminate.  But I got them for only $30 at a thrift store so the price was right!  And like I said before, I LOVED the look and storage space they had.  I sanded the other down, primed, and painted.  I followed the steps from this blog about painting laminate furniture and it worked great.

 Priming

 Painting

I was really worried with the first and second layers, it looked so neon!  But it got better after the 3rd coat. :)

Then I spray painted all the hardware with my favorite Krylon ORB {oil rubbed bronze}. I finished by sanding lots more to distress them, used some Minwax Finishing Paste for a protective coat, and here they are now.

I just love how they turned out.

I was nervous about sanding them, but I love how it makes all the details pop.

 

Side note, I decorated these with thrift stores/garage sale finds.  I love my vintage globe.  I know it's old because look.

It has the USSR instead of Russia, haha.

And my most favoritest picture-

They are brightening up my living room and I've already utilized some of that storage, woo-hoo!

Linking here and also these places-
The Shabby Chic Cottage