A beginner-friendly French Provincial furniture flip using basic tools and a little creativity—because you don’t need a workshop full of fancy tools to create a gorgeous makeover! | YouTube Video Included
A few weeks ago, I had a request over on YouTube. Donna mentioned that all the tools looked intimidating, and she’d love to see a beginner-friendly furniture flip using basic tools.
I love this suggestion because after doing something over and over again for so many years, it becomes second nature. But I remember when I first started painting furniture and how scrappy and thrifty I was with my supplies. It was such a fun journey, and I wish someone had been there to reassure me that you don’t need fancy tools to create a GORGEOUS piece of furniture.
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Bonus, it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day! If you’re new here, on the fourth Thursday of every month, I join four super-talented friends (Christy – Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Kathy – Petticoat Junktion, Natalie – A Ray of Sunlight, and Gail – My Repurposed Life) to share our before-and-after furniture restyles. I’ve included the links at the bottom of today’s post, and I hope you join me in seeing what they’ve created this month! I always learn something new from these talented ladies.
Here are the FP side tables I started with.
You may remember the furniture haul that my neighbour Sue helped me out with. You can see some of the other finished pieces here, here and here.
These tables are Kroehler and built solid.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial for you. Then, keep scrolling for all the products, supplies, colors, and step-by-step details! Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 59K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
SUPPLIES
French Provincial Tables – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Multi-Screwdriver
Sanding Sponge
Bonding BOSS Primer
4″ Roller for Primer
2″ Angled Paint Brush
Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint
Copper Gilding Wax
Clear Wax Topcoat
PREPPING THE SIDE TABLES
To start the prepping process, I removed the hardware using an inexpensive multi-screwdriver. Once all the handles were off, the tables got a really good cleaning with a heavy-duty furniture cleaner and a large automotive sponge. Then I let everything dry overnight.
SCUFF SAND
To scuff the furniture before priming, I usually use an orbital sander. But the first few years of painting, I scuff-sanded all my furniture by hand. I bought inexpensive sheets general purpose 220 grit sandpaper at hardware stores or online. Then cut them into four, and scuff-sanded the surface. I’m not trying to remove the finish. Just give it a light scuff to rough it up a little.
PRIMING & PAINTING
Once I had the entire piece scuff-sanded, I removed the dust and applied this Bonding Primer using a four-inch roller. I like applying my primers with these rollers because the primer goes on smoothly and quickly. I get my 4″ rollers here, but before I started ordering them online, I bought them from the dollar store along with my sandpaper and paint brushes.
This bonding and stain blocking primer needs to dry overnight to take effect. I also like giving it a scratch test to make sure it’s 100% adhered before I move on to painting.
HEIRLOOM CHALK MINERAL PAINT
Now for the fun part – it’s time to paint! I ordered another new-to-me paint color called Heirloom Chalk Mineral Paint. I would describe it as a rich jewel green with strong blue undertones. I really like this color yet I was a little unsure if I was going to like it on a pair of FP side tables.
But sometimes you don’t know until you try!
To apply this paint, I used my synthetic DB short brush, but when I first started, I would get my paintbrushes from the dollar store. Then I upgraded to these 2-inch Wooster ShortCut paintbrushes that are inexpensive (under $8) and work fabulous!
Even after all these years, I always like reminding myself that the first coat is always ugly. It looks a little patchy with the primer beating through. It looks uneven. But coat number two is where the magic happens.
FLORAL DESIGN TRANSFER
These tables have lovely curves and design, so to highlight this, I decided to add some floral design to the drawers. I chose a furniture transfer named Chinoiserie, but I’m not sure it is still in stock because when I went in to link it for you, I couldn’t find it. You can find something very similar here, though.
These transfers are easy and fun to use. I cut out the designs I want to apply to my project. I usually don’t use an entire transfer, so the four sheets last for a good few projects. Once cut out, I arrange them onto the drawer and play around with the design until I like the look. Then I rub the design onto the drawer and once adhered, pull up the mylar paper. I have a full tutorial on How To Rub On Transfers here.
FINISHING TOUCHES
To protect this Heirloom paint finish on these tables, I used a beginner-friendly topcoat – clear wax. You can’t go wrong applying wax, and no fancy tools are required. An old sock, a ripped-up t-shirt, any lint-free rag or shop towel will work. I used my wax brush, and I’m also sharing how to apply wax using a rag in the YouTube video at the beginning of this post. Wipe on. Wipe off. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter in which direction you apply it either. I like to apply it up and down and then go side to side. This really rubs the wax in before I start buffing it off.
Also, you can apply the wax and wait 20-30 minutes before buffing but I rarely do. I like wiping it on, and then buffing it off right away. I sometimes forget what a beautiful sheen wax gives to a painted piece of furniture!
For the final detail, I gilded the original French Provincial hardware with this gilding wax in Copper. I usually like using an old artist’s brush, but a brush isn’t really needed. To bring it back to the basics, I add a little of the gilding wax onto my fingertip and rub it on the hardware. Very little is needed, and it dries 100% overnight. The following day, I like taking a soft rag or shop towel and buffing it out before scewing the hardware back into place.
Using the same gorgeous hardware in the existing holes is a beginner-friendly way to update your furniture – especially if you have beautiful vintage hardware like this!
PIN AND SHARE 🤗
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think!?
I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to think of this new paint color on these tables – but I really like it!
And here’s a peek at what you see when you open the drawers. A sweet bird and floral surprise!
And it’s been a bit since I’ve used clear wax as a topcoat. Such a beautiful satin sheen… I forgot how lovely the finish is.
And just for fun, I prompted an AI to generate these tables in a dark, moody room setting. Here’s what it generated. I love it!
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
You’re going to LOVE what these creative FFU ladies do! Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well!
1. SI (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
2. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
3. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT
5. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
Here’s another look at this French Provincial Table Set before and after.
I hope this makeover inspires you to look around at the furniture you already have—or maybe that piece you’ve been eyeing at the thrift store—and give it a try! You truly don’t need a workshop full of fancy tools or expensive supplies to create something beautiful. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to get a little scrappy.
That’s how I started, and honestly, it’s still one of my favorite parts of flipping furniture!
What do you think of this French Provincial furniture flip before and after? And I’m curious what your go-to basic tools of the trade are?
Thank you so much for being here and for following along with our June Furniture Fixer Uppers Tour. If you have a question or want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below — you always brighten my day!
Happy painting, sweet friends! 💙
Denise x
RELATED POSTS:
PAINTED FRENCH PROVINCIAL IDEAS
BLACK PAINTED FP NIGHTSTANDS
USING BOLD COLOR TO UPDATE FURNITURE
1980S LINGERIE CHEST MAKEOVER
MONOCHROMATIC FRENCH PROVINCIAL MAKEOVER
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Wow Denise! I love the color and the transfer. Cute birdie on the drawer.
Pinned!
gail
Thank you Gail and thanks for the PIN! XOXO
These are absolutely stunning now, Denise! I haven’t had the chance to try this gorgeous color, but I just love it! So rich and elegant! XOXO
Thanks my friend! I can’t wait until you try it b/c I know you will do something fabulous! Enjoy your weekend XOXO
Gorgeous! What AI program or app do you use to adjust images? The moody mood is awesome!
Thanks so much Marisa!💙 For my staged and styled images I still use Photoshop to crop and adjust lighting if needed. For the AI generated images, I’m prompting/creating using ChatGPT and Gemini. Super fun! 😊
Wowzer! I know how difficult it can be to update these vintage French tables, but you did it! They look amazing! The color is 👌🏼. I was surprised at how well they looked in a darker setting. It kinda took away the fancy French Provincial style and gave them a modern vibe. Wonderful! xo 🙂 Pinned! 📌
Right?!! I LOVE French Provincial furniture – it reminds me of my very first ‘grown-up’ bedroom set. But they can be a challenge to update. I’m really glad the color helped pull these together. Thanks for the pin and have yourself a wonderful weekend/week my friend. XOXO Hugs
Oh my goodness these are BEAUTIFUL! Are they for sale at all?? 🤞they would fit my living room and I love hummingbirds.
I haven’t listed them yet but yes, they will be for purchase. Feel free to email me at [email protected] 🤗
Gorgeous! I love the color and haven’t tried it yet. Now I have too! Kathy
Thanks Kathy and I know you’re going to do something fabulous with the color. Can’t wait to see!
So pretty! Love the “moody” setting for your tables. Thanks for the step by step info, always so helpful!
Thanks Jewels! I love the moody setting as well. Makes me want to paint my staging wall dark.😆
These tables look amazing in this color and florals. You have an artistic eye for combining color and design! 🤩
I’m so glad you like the makeover and thanks Nicki! Wishing you a beautiful weekend my friend! XOXO
i’m another one who doesn’t have any fancy tools. These turned out really nice and I’m in love with the paint. I’m just not a fan of the transfers on these 😬
Hi Jackie! I hope this encourages you to have what you have on hand and so glad you like the paint color. As I mentioned I wasn’t sure what this color was going to look like on the FP furniture but I really like it!😊
These turned out really pretty.
Thanks so much Lizzy! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 🤗
Gorgeous. Awesome job.
Thanks Rebecca!💙
Hi Denise. These night tables are sooo pretty. The color paired with the flower transfers is gorgeous. I also love the peek-a-boo hummingbird on the inside of the drawer. Thanks for sharing easy beginner tools to use as well. I appreciate that you really listen and take action on us readers comments!!!
I’m so glad you like the tables and for sure, you all come up with awesome ideas, so thank YOU! 😊