White paint. We have a love-hate relationship. Before we moved into our home I had admired dozens of pictures of bleached white interiors with crisp white linens, bright white walls, and white painted pieces. These photos all looked fresh, crisp, clean, and peaceful. A big bonus in my mind since at the time we had 11mo old twins and one on the way; I was all about creating as tranquil a home as possible!

First, we painted our walls Ultra Bright White by Behr. - loved. Then, we brought in the white slip-covered furniture - loved. Then we acquired some pieces which I began to paint in the same white paint as our walls - oh no! Wrong, wrong, wrong! Too fresh, too crisp, too clean. Instead of looking tranquil I thought it looked sterile, cold and boring!

I lost my style in trying to replicate the same all white rooms I had admired from pictures. I didn't realize it wasn't me until we were living in it and it just felt all wrong! Since that time several years ago I have learned how I like to do white.

White + distressed + grainy natural woods = my kind of white.

Here are a couple tables I recently refinished following my ingeniously mathematical formula... ;)(photographs from our living room, all tables done in Old White by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint)

Harp table with stained wood top

Weathered indoor/outdoor table

Drop-leaf table

All tables have SOLD

Thank you for reading! This week I am working on refinishing my very first wardrobe. Never really been interested in doing wardrobes, but this piece pulled me in the moment I saw it. Pictures at the end of the week, (I hope)!

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.