Wayfair Side Table Makeover: Creating a Faux Marble Look with Paint

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Hey there, for today's makeover, I'm excited to share with you the incredible transformation of a mass-produced Wayfair furniture side table. I've taken this ordinary item and given it a modern makeover that includes a faux marble top and a rich brown base. Join me as I guide you through the step-by-step process of turning this outdated side table into a unique and modern piece of home decor.

Before

This Wayfair side table has been around since 2012 and has held up quite well, but it's time to give it a fresh new look. My goal is to modernize it with a faux marble top using furniture paint and paint a trendy earthy brown shade on the base. This project promises to be a lot of fun, so let's dive right in!

Supplies

Here is a full list of the supplies I used to complete this faux marble makeover:

• White Lightning - https://dixiebellepaint.com/white-lightning-cleaner/?aff=166

• BOSS Primer White - https://dixiebellepaint.com/search.php?search_query=boss/?aff=166

• Foam Roller - https://amzn.to/43og5nc

• Silk All-In-One Paint UMBER - https://dixiebellepaint.com/umber-silk-all-in-one-mineral-paint/?aff=166

• Mini Synthetic Brush - https://dixiebellepaint.com/dbp-synthetic-brushes/?aff=166

• Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint COTTON - https://dixiebellepaint.com/cotton-chalk-mineral-paint/?aff=166

• Chalk Mineral Paint DRIFTWOOD - https://dixiebellepaint.com/driftwood-chalk-paint/?aff=166

• Chalk Mineral Paint HURRICAINE GRAY - https://dixiebellepaint.com/hurricane-gray-chalk-paint/?aff=166

• Mister Bottle - https://dixiebellepaint.com/continuous-fine-mist-spray-bottle-8-oz/?aff=166

• Lint Free Rags - https://amzn.to/3ne43NP

• Artist Brushes - https://dixiebellepaint.com/artist-brushes/?aff=166

• Foam N Dandy brush - https://dixiebellepaint.com/foam-n-dandy/?aff=166

• Clear Coat Gloss - https://dixiebellepaint.com/clear-coat-gloss/?aff=166

• Tape and Painter's Plastic - https://amzn.to/3WBruOi

• Hardware Knobs - https://amzn.to/3BXZqeB

• Stool - https://amzn.to/45A33VO

• Respirator Mask - https://amzn.to/3MAfsQF

• Women's Coveralls - https://amzn.to/42fEA4V

• Surf Prep 3" x 4" Electric Ray Sander (Use Code PRETTYDISTRESSED10 for 10% off your order) https://surfprepsanding.com/product/woodworking-sanding-systems/?aff=26
  

Cleaning and Prep Work

The first step is always preparing your piece. Even though the furniture isn't overly dirty, I start by giving it a thorough cleaning using Dixie Belle’s White Lightning TSP Cleaner in a spray bottle. Cleaning ensures that the paint adheres properly. I also addressed some minor surface damages by using sandpaper to smooth things out. The final step before I start painting is to prime the top of the piece using Dixie Belle B.O.S.S.Primer in White. Because the finish was failing on the top, the primer acts as my insurance so that I can be sure to get even paint coverage on the top with no bleed through.

Prepping/cleaning your furniture is an essential part of the process and helps the paint to adhere to your piece.

Don’t skip this step!

You don’t always have to prime your piece, but I think it’s a great way to ensure an even finish and can enable you to use less paint. It also acts as insurance if you think your furniture’s original finish may bleed through.

Choosing the Right Paint for the Project

I've chosen Dixie Belle Silk paint in Umber for this project due to its all-in-one properties – it's a primer, paint, and sealer rolled into one. I am going to apply this color of paint on the base of this side table- it is a beautiful, on-trend, rich brown. I'm excited to explore the possibilities this paint offers in terms of transforming the base and achieving that rich, contemporary look.

Painting the Base

I start by painting the base. This process isn't without its challenges, like dealing with fixing drawers, but I'm determined to achieve a flawless finish. I love the consistency of Dixie Belle Silk paint combined with their Mini Synthetic Paint Brush , which helps me to get the smooth and even coverage that I'm aiming for. Because the original color of the side table was so much lighter, I did end up having to do three coats on this piece for optimal coverage.

Creating a Faux Marble Effect With Furniture Paint

Now comes the exciting part – creating a faux marble effect on the top with my Dixie Belle Paint. Since this is my first time attempting a marble pattern, I am using a picture for reference to guide me. I'm also experimenting with different brushes and two different shades of gray to get some variance in color and achieve a natural marble look. The first step of painting the top is applying a coat of Dixie Belle Mineral Paint in color Cotton for the base coat of this marble inspired look. I then use Dixie Belle paint in the colors Driftwood and Hurricane Gray to imitate the marble veining. I used the Dixie Belle Artist Brushes to apply the gray paint and imitate real marble veining. I then used the Dixie Belle Foam N Dandy brush to blend it out. As I was creating the veining on the top, I intermittently sprayed it with my mister bottle to extend the open time of the paint.

Perfecting the marble effect takes time and patience. I took my time to blend, vein, and layer the paint to create depth and realism. I used my damp foam brush and fine detail brushes to add intricate details, continually working to enhance the illusion of natural marble veining. Don’t worry about perfection here- embrace the imperfection and just have fun with it. The process of creating the veining with paint took much longer than I thought, because I wanted to get the veining just right. This required some trial and error as I figured out how to get the marble look that I wanted. I could have sat and blended for hours- I really enjoyed this process!

Sealing and Final Touches

With the faux marble top completed, I turn my attention to sealing the top with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Gloss Finish. This step not only adds protection but also adds to the faux effect and makes it appear more like real marble. I chose some beautiful matte gold modern hardware to finish the transformation. I am so happy with the final result as I compare it to the original piece- this side table is a showstopper!

The Final Reveal

Now that I am finished with the project, I am loving the result. I invested a significant amount of time into this outdated Wayfair side table, and learned some things that I could improve on for next time. I want to encourage you to embrace imperfections and challenges as part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to to step out of your comfort zone and try a new technique like this. The magic of paint has turned this Wayfair side table into a unique piece of home decor. From choosing the right colors, to mastering the technique of faux marble, my goal is to show you that anyone can take an outdated or damaged piece of furniture and transform it into a beautiful and unique piece of home decor. If you want to watch the full tutorial on my YouTube channel you can find it here. I’ll be back soon with another furniture makeover!