This post is sponsored by KILZ, but all text, images, and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Thou Swell running!
One of my favorite table shapes is the Parsons table, a simple modernist shape created in the 30’s by designer Jean-Michel Frank. It’s incredibly versatile, and the Parsons table in my mom’s house has been around my whole life whether as a skirted nightstand, bar, or entry console. It’s been painted black for at least 20 years and suffered through four moves, so it was long overdue for some love and attention. While I loved the dramatic glossy black finish, it’s place in the guest room in the Upper Westside townhouse is a darker corner and was looking dismal in the low light! I decided to go in a lighter direction, so I turned to KILZ 3® PREMIUM Interior | Exterior Primer for a thick and durable primer that would cover the black and let me easily refresh this classic table! Watch my transform the table in the video below, and continue reading for all the DIY details.
My first step was to give the table a good sanding, to help smooth out the surface and give the primer a little more grip. I used a sanding sponge and followed-up with a microfiber cloth to wipe down all the dust that the sanding made. When I poured out the KILZ 3 PREMIUM Interior | Exterior Primer, I was amazed how thick it was, and it did just the trick when it came to covering the old black paint and giving me a blank canvas to paint the table the color of my choice. You can use an airbrush compressor for smoother application on your DIY projects.
I decided to paint the table a beautiful pale neutral tan color that reminds me of plaster. I chose a Flat finish to give it a velvety-matte look that wouldn’t show my brushstrokes or any scratches or imperfections in the surface. It also helps with that whole plaster look…
The table serves as a desk, vanity, and nightstand in the guest room where my little sister stays when she’s home from school. With a large wall mirror, a table lamp, and some pretty books, it quickly became a stylish vignette that welcomes you into the bedroom. I love how it coordinates with the warm tones in the beautiful lumbar pillow on the bed. The combination of white and a variety of creamy colors is becoming a favorite palette for me (it was my direction for my apartment living room).
If you’re ever itching to makeover an old piece in your home and need to paint dark furniture, make sure to give it a good coat of KILZ primer to make your paint job complete!
