Hi everyone hope you had a nice weekend! I have been a little gold happy lately. I just can’t help myself. It makes me, well…happy. And we’ve had this little side table in our living room for forever now, and it was pretty beat up. And not my style any longer. So I went gold-happy on it too and made it a very easy DIY gold metallic table!
It’s fun and different and I liked it better than before. Here’s the before.
The doors were barely hanging on, and there were plenty of imperfections as it obviously housed some kid books. Plus all of our furniture in the living room is dark brown leather, so the last thing we really needed was a piece of dark furniture.
Finishing up my campaign with Skinny Cow and the WoCave, I wanted to make this little spot where I usually sit a little more grown up, so when I am actually trying to relax for maybe 10 minutes of the day I feel at peace instead of chaos. :) So to do that, here’s what I did.
I just removed the doors first, and then went to town. How did I paint it you ask? You might be surprised. I just did a lot of rubbing.
Yep, just used some good ole Rub ‘n Buff in the color Grecian Gold (because that’s what color I already had). Just like my Rub ‘n Buff metallic pumpkins. I’ve always wondered how rub ‘n buff would do on furniture, so I just took a risk and went with it. I wasn’t out much if I hated it. Another reason I used it is because I didn’t want to take it outside and get it all prepped for paint because I didn’t have a helper with the kids and I’m impatient. #aintnobodygottimeforthat
So yes, for this tutorial, all you do is rub it in. And that’s it. Can’t get any simpler than that.
Now this is not for you if you want a perfectly smooth finish and a streak-free paint job. I was ok with it being imperfect, especially since it was very imperfect to begin with.
This seriously only took me about 10 minutes to do. Not kidding. You’ll either love this project or hate it and that’s ok. Gold isn’t for everyone, especially an all gold metallic table. But I like what it brings to our living room. And if I get tired of it, I can put it up in Ellie’s pink and gold vintage nursery. It will look perfect in there in fact!
Here are some more pics.
Here’s a close-up of the more grown up books I put in there. :)
I love my little WoCave nook on this side of the living room. This is the end I always like to sit on and cozy up with the blankets.
And 1 more. :)
Whatcha think? It’s a glammed-up WoCave for me and makes me happy, even though it probably won’t stay this tidy very long. At least I have the blog photos to turn to when I need to be reminded. :)
You diggin’ the golden brass color, or is brass whack? There is still enough Rub ‘n Buff in my little tube to probably do 10 more tables. That stuff lasts forever!
xxoo,
Decorchick!
*Thanks to Skinny Cow for sponsoring this post *
I really like it! And brass has class! I’ll have to keep my Rub ‘n Buff in mind for that sort of project. Great job!
Ha yes! Brass has class. I like that!
Love it. Really brightens up that area.
Thanks Karen. :)
Love it!
Thank you!
I love it!
Thanks Jennifer!
WOWZERS! Can’t wait to try that! :)
Enjoy! :)
Oh wow! I have the perfect piece of furniture to do this rub on!! Thanks for the idea!! xox
You’re welcome Diane, have fun!
I am impressed. It looks great. I can’t believe that little tube did all that and you still have more left. I need to get some.
Oh yea it’s like the tube that just won’t end…
I LOVE it! I’ve been planning to try Rub ‘n Buff on a lamp. I don’t know what I’m waiting for! :)
Yes, do it!
Hi Emily,
The table looks great. It’s amazing how perfect gold looks when you just go ahead and paint something in it! I can’t believe you RnB all of that, glad to know it works well :-)
Thanks Jessica! There was a point I was unsure how it was going to turn out in ALL gold, but glad I just went for it. :)
Rub n buff is the bomb. I have the same gold and use it all the time. Now I want to try some of their other colors
Yea, it is probably one of the coolest products ever made. Haha.
love, love the pop of gold! perfect in this little side table. great job. i need to work some gold into my living room!
Thank you Andrea! :)
wow. talk about big impact from small effort! i need me some of that stuff!
Yes you do! :)
love love love it and rub n buff that stuff is awesome
Thank you Arod! It is pretty amazing right?
Wow! that is stunning, & I’m not a big fan of the colour gold… but I might be now!!! Love this. Did you need to varnish or do anything to keep it durable (for the odd water stain from a glass etc)? Or is it ok as is? Hoping this product is in Ireland… I’m in the mood for doing a quick project like this. Beats my latest project – painting tired picture frames white. Nicely done! :)
Hi Emma, I didn’t put a topcoat on it, so I can’t say for sure if you need to or not? My guess is that it couldn’t hurt. Another thing I just thought of is that you could have a piece of glass cut for the top, or plexiglass if you are worried about durability.
Rub n buff. Nice! Will be trying this! Thanks gor the tip!
My pleasure!
Do you use a cloth or a brush? Looks great!!
My finger! Haha. I’d just use a finger or try it with a lint-free cloth. I’ve never done that so don’t know what the results are like.
I love the look. I have never used rub n buff – do you need to do any sort of protective topcoat for it?
Thanks Sharon. I really don’t know? I would say no, but it probably couldn’t hurt either. Sorry I know that was no help. Ha!
Oh I love the gold!! I’m going crazy for gold anything right now and this table is just as pretty as can be!! Beautiful makeover :)
Oh my goodness, it’s gorgeous!! Absolutely love the way you styled it and the basket of blankets. So cozy!!
I’ve been a little gold crazy lately too! Turned out very cute!
I never tire of gold, and don’t think you can have too many gold items in your house! :) The table looks great!!
This is perfect– and totally doable! Thanks for sharing!
Love this project, D.C. I am seriously looking around my house with the wandering “rub and buff” eye now! LOL! Looks so nice and I love the gold!!!
Very pretty! I love that metallic is coming back in!
I never heard of rub n buff. Where do u get it? And can you put a finish on it? Like a polyacrylic or uratheane?
Wow! I never thought of using rub n buff for a whole look like a table. Actually I’ve never used the stuff but have a short list of projects I’d like to try but now I am inspired even more so and on furniture. Your table looks great!
Wow! Looks awesome! Where did you buy this stuff ? Would one tube do? What do you rub it in with?
Oh yes, 1 tube is definitely enough. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. Michael’s has it too. I just used my finger.
I love Rub n Buff, it’s one of my favorite products. I’ve used it on so many things and have never been disappointed. I love what you did with that table.
It’s amazing Lori! Thanks so much. :)
Hi Emily! So, I have a funny question – when you applied the Rub N’ Buff did you apply in a circular motion or sideways? Or any which way? haha! ;-) The reason I ask is when I apply Rub N’ Buff. it is very streaky and if I keep rubbing it then removes the paint in that area. If I let it dry and go back over it with more paint, it removes whatever I had in that spot. I LOVE me some Rub N’ Buff and use it a lot but I have this issue on most pieces I have used it on. I am now currently trying to pain a sidetable (about the size of yours) and its extremely streaky and I can’t quite figure out how to get the color more smooth like yours is. Help?! :-) Thank you! (PS: The color “Antique Gold” is really pretty too)
Hi Monique, For this table I did more side to side. I kind of had to play with it a lot too. And I kind of had to come to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be perfectly smooth. ;) The key was to not keep rubbing over the same area, but to keep just applying it fresh and lightly overlapping. Hope that makes sense!
Hello. Love this idea! You may have already answered these questions but 1. How many tubes did it take and 2. What did you rub it in with? Thanks!
LOVE this!!!
I love this! I am getting ready to refinish a bench for my sister-in-law, and after seeing your pictures, I think Rub-n-Buff may be the way to go! Did you seal the end table after applying the gold? Do you think it can be antiqued/toned down with something like Miss Mustard Seed’s Antiquing Wax? I’ve never tackled anything quite like this before and would love want help or advice you can give!
hello! I love this! I have a wood table I would love to do this with. Do you think I should paint my table black before I do the gold? Or do you think it will have the same effect without the black underneath?
Hi Emily,
Your table turned out great. I am looking to paint my night stand gold, i wanted to know how well rub and buff works, specially on the table top. Is this paint scratch proof? I had painted a laminate table once and sealed it with a paint sealer after but the paint started changing color and became very easily peel-able just after a few months..
An intriguing discussion is wordth comment.
I think thaqt you should write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo
matter but typically people do not speak about these subjects.
To the next! All the best!!
This looks so nice , I really like it..looks like a luxury nightstand. I will definitely attempt something similar Thanku for sharing
I came across your blog and tried out your suggestions using the same color! I love the look! So happy I found your advice page! Thanks so much for the clever tips! I painted an old antique dresser and it now has new life! :)
Awesome!
did you rub the paint on with a rag? where do you buy it? Love it! thx