~ Silver Leaf Top on White Coffee Table Makeover - Chalk Paint & Silver Leaf

A few years ago I fell in love with a black table with an églomisé top. I was smitten and almost purchased it. By now I know if I overspend on something it may not be worth it. So I'm happy that I waited on the buying the expensive one.

Right now I am painting
all my previous black pieces to whites, taupes and grayed beiges. The same colors I used 10 years or so ago. Even though I lived with these colors for many years, it's been long enough for it all to see new and fresh again.

That's how this coffee table came to be. When it was found at a consignment store/vintage mall type of store, I figured that if I liked it after it was painted black, and with a new silver leaf top , then the more expensive table might be worth it. It wasn't. And even after painting this one a lovely black, it just was not exactly what I wanted after all. It did not work for me, nor did I see it being used at Sweet Daughter's house. It stayed in storage for a couple of years. (Sorry, no picture of it in black was found yet)

You can purchase the silver leaf sheets and supplies at the craft/art stores. The sheets of silver leaf are pretty easy to work with. You just use the required adhesive that is sold along side of it, and then apply the sheets with a soft brush, and burnish with a soft cloth.

It works well if you have a black background for achieving the look of real silver leafing. There is also a top coat in the same area at the stores, but I have used water based polyurethane and it works very well.

The legs and body were first painted with Paris Gray (Ann Sloan Chalk Paint) and this was for the antiqued, aged look. I often use raw umber or a touch of sienna, but the gray was perfect for this project. Then I dry brushed with the Old White chalk paint over all the areas that were not carved, almost completely covering it. There is just a hint of gray in the finish look other than where it is carved.

The sliver leafing was only applied to the top when I painted it black. The sides of the top were left black with some glazing to accentuate the groove. But the edge didn't work as well painted white. So instead here I did a bit of faux silver leaf with silver metallic paint, and Treasure Gold in Silver Leaf. Since Treasure Gold and Rub n Buff are metallic waxes, this worked nicely. The grooves were then glazed (watered down paint) with black and gray.

The top is then aged a bit more using some black glaze, "washed-on" then the excess taken off with a slightly damp soft cloth. Since black is so highly pigmented, it will stain the leafing a bit, especially where there are any wrinkles or cracks.

I will not be sanding or distressing it, but haven't decided yet if I will wax it or do some other top coat on the legs and sides. Since the top of it is sealed that's where it would have the most wear and tear anyway.

Someday the living room will all be put back together. For now it's the coolest place to do these painting projects. And it feels very good to be getting some things done!

~GODSPEED ATLANTIS~
FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011

See Y'all Soon~

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