Shabby Chic Magazine Rack: 25 Spindles

If something has 25 spindles and you want to paint it, should you buy it? Probably not. But I did anyway.

Before

So many spindles aren't fun to paint, but it does add such a touch of elegance that it's worth it.

Before: Magazine rack with 25 spindles.

I chose Antoinette Pink to sweeten the look. I didn't have much paint left, but there was enough to finish the project. A little bit goes a long way.

Antoinette Pink.

I actually don't mind painting spindles, but these were especially tough because of the tight space in which I had to work. I used my favorite brush which has a short handle and that gave me a little more flexibility to reach the tight spaces. The brush also has long flexible bristles which helped to further spread the paint around.

Use a short handle brush for tight spaces.

Sometimes I just had to get the brush in any which way I could and just jiggle it around to smear on some paint. About half way through I realized that the spindles, although not loose, had enough give in them to twist them around. That sure made it easier to paint!

Jiggle the brush to spread the paint.

Eventually the paint was applied, and I distressed the paint by using a wet distressing method (rub a damp washcloth over the paint).

I used a damp wash cloth to wet distress the paint.

After

I sealed the paint with soft clear wax. I used a lint free cloth to apply the wax (instead of using a wax brush).

Shabby chic magazine rack painted in Antoinette Pink.

I added touches of dark wax.

Dark wax applied.

My favorite part of the piece are the dainty turned legs.

This shabby chic magazine rack has dainty turned legs.

It has plenty of room to store books and magazines next to a cozy reading chair.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Supply List

Below are the supplies I used for this project. Some are affiliate links.

• Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan  (Antoinette Pink, soft clear wax, and dark wax)
• Wash cloth (for wet distressing)
• Lint free shop rags (used for applying wax instead of a wax brush)
• Wooster Vintage Effects paintbrush (2" angled china bristle) This is one of my favorite brushes. The short handle fits my hand perfectly plus it's great for painting in tight spaces.