I saw this image of a beautifully distressed white table in Country Living Magazine. The funny thing is that it was "The Bargain Edition". According to the article it came from Pottery Barn, so I went online and looked it up.
Image from Pottery Barn
See this cute table? It will set you back $999.00. Is that a bargain? Ok, well it didn't set ME back $1,000.00. (My husband would have sent me back if it did.)
Or you could go to your nearest Goodwill and pick up a very similar table for $19.99. Both prices have lots of 9's in them, but going to Goodwill will save you $979.01.
I roughed up the top with 100 grit sandpaper. You are just taking the shine off of the top...don't go too crazy. Use a tack cloth to wipe up ALL of the dust.
I took out the leafs/leaves(?) because I wanted a round table. I kept them so I can always add them later. Open up the table and use a spray primer. I used a few light coats, drying each one in between. (It's a good time to fold laundry!)
I used antique white spray paint. I probably used 3 or 4 cans. I don't have a paint sprayer, so this was my best option! Then I realized that I should do the entire underside so it looks white all over AND under.
I distressed the edges by rolling the table through gravel. Easy. I used sandpaper to distress the legs and base. Once it was all distressed, I lightly sprayed white over most of it, so it will look like layers of paint.
All dressed up for an al fresco dessert. Ok, it looks like a table for one, but that is not the case! I plan on adding all different styles of chairs. Hmmm, I wonder where I can find mismatched chairs.....
AFTER
Not bad for $20.00 and a few cans of spray paint!!
(I could have Photoshopped the basketball hoop out of the photo
-but I might as well show you the real deal!)