Drawn to nautical design aesthetics and beach house chic? This faux antique end table is a stylish addition to any sea lover’s living room or bedroom. It’s made out of an old chair and comes together in six simple steps, so anyone with a modest budget and an afternoon to spare can whip one up. Dig an old chair out of the attic, or keep your eyes peeled for a curbside find — the more beaten down, the better.
Every element of this end table lends itself to seaside style. Chalk paint in a dark blue-gray mirrors the moody coastline of New England, while the wax finish gives the table the look and feel of a weathered antique. Using an orbital finishing sander after painting and before waxing imparts a slightly distressed style that brings the whole table together. Top with a retro gas lantern and a few clothbound books for a look that befits a lighthouse cottage.
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Materials
- An old chair
- Electric jigsaw
- Random orbit sander
- Medium-grit sanding block
- Hand towel
- Chalk paint, blue-gray
- Round paintbrush
- Orbital finishing sander
- FolkArt Home Decor Wax in Antiquing Wax
- An old chair
- Electric jigsaw
- Random orbit sander
- Medium-grit sanding block
- Hand towel
- Chalk paint, blue-gray
- Round paintbrush
- Orbital finishing sander
- FolkArt Home Decor Wax in Antiquing Wax
Instructions
Find an appropriate workplace and rest the chair on its side.
Find an appropriate workplace and rest the chair on its side.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/b/f/7/5/bf75a44b9af8c6969e7e5bf07a3c1577.jpg)
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1. Use the electric jigsaw to remove the back from an old chair.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/9/4/e/3/94e3470570f39273e4f28a961b23a5bf.jpg)
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Discard the back, and keep the seat and legs of the chair.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/1/5/1/6/151617305ca64f4f4bd94dac62756a3d.jpg)
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2. Sand off the finish from the seat and legs. Use a random orbit sander for large surfaces, such as the seat.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/e/c/c/e/ecced6d11b856d3e958d8b5c344e7401.jpg)
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Use a medium-grit sanding block for parts that have more nooks and crannies, such as the legs.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/6/f/8/c/6f8c39eb2262e7c639ecc300b6a7b077.jpg)
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3. Wipe the chair down with a hand towel to remove the dust from sanding.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/7/c/e/a/7cea84fa910dfdabc19b5acbcfedce87.jpg)
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4. Paint the chair with the chalk paint.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/7/6/6/3/7663b214ce7e83393a551a8bafd166a0.jpg)
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Let it dry.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/7/0/a/f/70af7726244fafccbc438263a555306e.jpg)
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5. To give the end table a distressed look, pass the orbital finishing sander over the edges and corners of the chair. Distress as little or as much as desired.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/8/f/6/b/8f6b5a7dfa69d1b7b2f2ba349d7ef6cd.jpg)
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6. Paint a section of the chair with the antiquing wax.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/9/c/9/2/9c92b08b99da9492e80adbe2786a8efb.jpg)
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Wipe with the hand towel to remove excess product and leave a thin finish.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/2/2/6/c/226ce4da8ab0211def83cf87d3da099a.jpg)
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Repeat until the entire chair has been covered. Let it dry.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/2/3/0/c/230c2c0c92a3dfba7bdaa2c5f41e2d42.jpg)
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