The 'Moroccan" side table

This is the little side table in its original state that I bought it in.

I cleaned and lightly sanded it last July and painted it with a chalk paint that I had gotten a free sample of.  That paint didn't perform so well for me so after stripping the table back down to the original wood, I put it in storage until now.

I ordered some paint from a company in the USA that I've been researching now for several months and I tried it out on this table.

---

I used Heirloom Traditions Paint in the color, Feathered Nest.  It is important to stir the paint VERY well.  I then poured some out onto some tinfoil and used the paint from there, rather than dipping straight from the jar.  This prevents any contaminates from getting into your jar of paint and shortening the shelf life.  Using tinfoil makes for quick clean-up, too!

These two pictures were after the first coat.  The wood was dry and super thirsty so the first coat dried within 5 minutes or so.  

---

The second coat took a little longer to dry but since it was late at night, I didn't stay up to find out just how long it did take to dry.  These next pictures were taken almost 5 days later, when I finally had the chance to do the waxing.  Isn't the coverage amazing?  Not to mention how pretty the color is!

---

Before I go any further, here are the Heirloom Traditions products that I used:

Heirloom Traditions Paint

Order Similar Color Here

Heirloom Traditions Sponge Applicator

Order Sponge Here

Heirloom Traditions Liquid Wax

Order Wax Here

---

Painting with the sponge is quite unique, to say the least.  It goes on smoothly, leaving no marks behind at all.  It covers fast, too.  It holds a lot of paint, which is why it covers so well, yet, for small projects such as this one, I will hesitate to use it again because it seemed like I washed a lot of paint down the sink while I was cleaning it out!  Yet, it covers so well . . . 

For the wax, I shook it thoroughly before squirting some out onto fresh tinfoil.  I then used a regular good paint brush to apply it to the table, coating generously.  Then, I used a dry cloth to wipe the excess off gently.  This is a trial & error process.  At least it was for me because I generally don't do 'antiquing'.  I really think I could have done the whole table bottom before wiping the excess off but I did it in four sections and ended up going back and reapplying in areas where I took off too much.  But, thats the beauty of this wax.  You can work with it.  I kept a damp cloth handy and used that some, too.

I have been firm against wax myself until this product.  The reason being is that most companies wax products are natural based waxes that need to be reapplied every 6 months or so. This company's wax is not natural based and is a permanent, one-time application process that acts as a sealant.  

I decided to accent this piece with gold.  I used some spray enamel (Home Hardware brand) and after shaking the can like you are supposed to, I sprayed some out onto fresh tinfoil.  Then I used a cheap sponge brush and dry brushed the gold paint onto all the table's edges and then sponge painted the designs on using a stencil I had on hand.  I am super pleased with the results!  It has a moroccan vibe, doesn't it!

---