I have always had a thing for old tape measures and wanted to somehow apply it to a piece of furniture that needed some lovin!! Who am I kidding…. I have a thing for allllll old things! Sharing how I transformed a dated side table into a Tape Measure Side Table.
Tape Measure Side Table
Supplies needed:
- Tape Measure Printable from over at Just Something I Made
- A4 Cardstock
- Old side table
- Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint – Farmhouse White
- Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint – Lucketts Green I used my own chalk mix but these colours from Miss Mustard Seed will do the trick!
- 120 grit Sandpaper and Electric Sander
- Sweet Pickins Milk Paint – Top Coat
- Brushes
- Antiquing Mix – To make your own Antiquing Mix, mix equal parts of Jo Sonja Clear glaze medium and Jo Sonja Raw Umber paint into an old jar and shake to combine.
- Fusion Mineral Paint – Tough Coat
Step 1 – Print the tape measure out onto thick A4 cardboard and cut off any white bits of card that show. If you’re not steady with a pair of scissors (like me) I recommend that you use a paper cutter to get a nice straight edge!
Step 2 – Mix your Farmhouse White 1:1 with water and then using your brush paint onto the table top. Give 2 to 3 coats depending on the desired coverage you would like. Repeat the process with Lucketts Green onto the backboard and legs. Again give 2 to 3 coats depending on your desired coverage.
Step 3 – Using a sander 120 grit distress quite heavily letting the wood and the stain underneath come through.
Antiquing time
Step 4 – Apply the antiquing mix to the entire table using a soft lint-free cloth that is slightly damp. I love the effect of the streaks that this method leaves behind and how it becomes old looking right before your very eyes.
Step 5 – Make sure when applying the Vintage Tape Measure that the stain is completely dried because when applying the Top Coat you don’t want to remove the gorgeous Antique stain! Apply a large amount of Top Coat to the table top, A4 size amount at a time and then to the back of the card stock. Apply each A4 sheet one at a time, ensuring that you burnished each piece of card one at a time to remove any air bubbles.
Step 6 – Once the Top Coat is dry, apply the tough coat to seal to the table top and also to the legs.
I finished the side table just in time for Fathers Day Market at Belgenny Farm, that’s the reason for the Father’s Day message on the Chalk Board!
As always it was such a pleasure watching this sweet table come back to life! But most of all I love seeing my creations all happy in my lovely customers home!
Be Sure to PIN for Later! 🙂
38 comments
This is such a cute table. I'm also in love with tape measurers but I would have never thought to put it on furniture. Beautiful!
This is such a cute table. I'm also in love with tape measurers but I would have never thought to put it on furniture. Beautiful!
What a sweet project. I have an old sewing table with the tape measure stenciled on…for use…that was such a great idea back in the day for quilting. Thanks for the updating, Sandi
Thank you Heather! 🙂
Thank you Sandi! 🙂
I LOVE this project! What a clever idea to use the tape measure graphics. Thank you for sharing your idea at Vintage Inspiration Party.
Rosie, I love this as well. The idea of using the tape measure is brilliant and you chose the perfect color to complement it.
Amalia
xo
Sorry about the mis-name, Sam. I'm too damn quick for my own good 🙁
No worries about the mis name!!! Your kind words are just lovely!! Thank you 🙂
Thank you Heather! 🙂
Love this!
Thank you Beth! 🙂
May I ask where you got the measuring tape images from please?
Sure Simply me! Just at the top of this blog post there is a link that will take you straight to the website for the images 🙂 The blog site is called "Just Something I made 🙂
What a cute little side table Sam! I really love the minty tone you chose and the measure adds a lot of personality! Very unique, I haven;t seen this anywhere! Lovely!
Thank you Katrin! I love thinking outside the box! I’m so glad you like it 🙂
Oh, my, I can’t tell you how much I love this charming table! My mother is a talented seamstress and I think she would be thrilled with her own tape measure table. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you so much Susan for your sweet comments!! Yes I’m sure your mum would love it too being a clever seamstress! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
This is amazing!!! I love the effect of the streaks on the table top and the colors you chose! That tape measure idea is just genius!! Great job!
Thank you Anika for your sweet words! The side table sure was a fun project and I love trying to think out of the square! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
The table looks terrific. I have a notebook with a strip of ruler washi tape on the side, but it never would have occurred to me that a ruler design would work for furniture.
Thank you Rebecca! I was unsure if it would work either but i’m glad I stuck to plans!! Thank you for dropping by 🙂
Good morning, Sam.
This is such a great idea for a side table or sewing table.
I do not seem the find the tape measure graphic on the mentioned website? Could you help me out on this? I am renovating an old sewing machine table with a new top and would love to add some graphics on it. The table top will be 80 – 120 cm wide.
Loved to find your website via Pinterest.
Happy day,
Jacoba
Hi, Jacoba 🙂 It’s about half way down the post and there are 3 parts to the download. Let me know if you have any further problems/ Good luck with your sewing machine!! Sounds like fun!! 🙂
Found it by clicking, Sam! Thanks! Great idea!
This is so adorable! Do you print the tape measure out on cardstock or cardboard?
Thank you, Janine! I printed this out on cardstock!
This is such a sweet table. I love the tape measure and I would love to have this table in my craft room.
It sure would suit a craft room or studio Sherry! Thank you for the lovely comment!
I love this table, Sam! The tape measuring is too cute! Love the colors too. drooling!
Thank you, Carolann! So glad you like it! It would have to be one of my favourite pieces so far!
Sam, I am pretty sure this is one of my absolute favorite projects you have shared. Totally in love with it.
Aww thank you so much, Denise!
Hi: I have a small antique desk just waiting for an update. I saw the “tape measure” side table on your site and knew it was the perfect idea for my project. I can’t wait to get started. Thanks so much for the great idea. I live in Canada and wondered if the paints you use are available here.
Hi Anne, Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m so glad this post has inspired you! I’m pretty sure that you should be able to get Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Canada! Head over to https://missmustardseedsmilkpaint.com/retailers/ and you can search for the nearest retailer near you! Would love to see your finished piece!! Happy Painting!