This poor, little orphaned sewing machine stand… It followed me home and begged to be my bedroom side table. It was suffering from water damage, dust and mold, but it also had a sturdy structure, French legs and vast potential.

 

And while you can’t tell from this picture, this table also had a fascinating secret. Inside was the original vintage Singer sewing machine! A gem, I felt, at $15.

 

Because the rest of the furniture in my bedroom is painted, I decided to paint this, too, and take my cues from the colors and designs of the machine-- blacks, golds, and reds in swirling patterns. I also wanted to include the raspberry and green colors of the textiles in my bedroom.

 

To prepare it, I wiped the piece down with Murphy’s oil soap and water, and then just water and a paper towel to remove the dirt and molds. I let it dry. Then I removed the existing knob on the drawer. The body was done using Folk Art paint in a fuchsia. The central panel was done using a true black.

 

 

Once the layer of glue over the image itself had dried, I used small brushes and Folk Art paint in a bright red, gold, fuchsia and green, to fill in the lines of the tile pattern. Then I painted a couple of coats of clear sealant over the whole piece. Lastly, I changed the knob to a clear glass one with a gold shank. And there ya have it! An original art nouveau nightstand.