We're SO excited to introduce one of our newest Creators, Maddie Lou, the creative mind behind The Beautiful Life Style! Maddie is passionate about helping others create beautiful, cozy spaces without spending a fortune. From thrifting hidden gems to flipping outdated furniture, she shares simple and budget-friendly DIY ideas that anyone can tackle. Her approachable tutorials and decorating tips prove that a little creativity (and a little paint!) can go a long way. We love how she inspires both her community and ours to see the potential in secondhand finds and make their homes uniquely their own. If you're looking for thrifting tips, furniture flip inspiration, and affordable ways to refresh your space, Maddie is definitely one to follow!
Keep reading to get to know Maddie Lou & how she achieved this BEAUTIFUL furniture flip 👇🏻
“The cherry wood table had beautiful grain, but the red/orange tones felt dated. Instead of completely covering the wood, I wanted to lighten and modernize it while still allowing the natural grain to shine through. You can find everything linked here on my Amazon Storefront.”
-Remove the Existing Finish
She started by stripping off the old stain and finish. She prefers using a non-toxic furniture stripper because it's safer to work with and much more pleasant than traditional chemical strippers.
-Sand the Surface
Once the piece is stripped, sand the entire surface to create a smooth, even base.
-100 grit
-140 grit
-180 grit
Be sure to remove all sanding dust before moving on to the next step.
-Create the Driftwood Paint Wash
To achieve this soft, weathered look, she mixed:
-1/2 cup water
-1 tablespoon Country Chic Paint in Driftwood
-1/4 teaspoon green paint
Brush the mixture onto the wood and immediately wipe away the excess with a clean cloth. This allows the color to settle into the grain while keeping the wood's natural character visible.
-Let Dry
Allow the paint wash to dry completely before applying a protective finish.
-Apply a Matte Top Coat
Finish the table with 2 coats of matte top coat for durability and protection. This helps seal the finish while maintaining the soft, natural appearance.
The Finished Look
The result is a lighter, more modern cherry wood finish that still highlights the beautiful grain underneath. It's one of my favorite ways to update orange or red-toned wood without completely hiding its character.
Let’s get to know the face behind The Beautiful Life Style!
What is your favorite CCP color and why?
“My favorite Country Chic Paint color is definitely Driftwood.
It was actually the color I used in one of my most viral furniture transformations (you can watch it here), it was my first video to reach over a million views. I used it to create a soft paint wash over a cherry wood piece that felt dated and overly red. What I loved about Driftwood was that it toned down the orange and red undertones while still allowing the natural wood grain to shine through. Instead of completely covering the wood, it modernized it and gave it a lighter, more timeless look.
As someone who loves furniture flips, I'm always looking for ways to update a piece without stripping away its character, and Driftwood helped me do exactly that. It created the perfect balance between painted furniture and natural wood, which is one of my favorite design styles.”
What is your favorite tool?
“It's definitely my Bosch sander. I never do a flip without it! In the beginning, I was definitely shy about using power tools, but this was an easy one to get comfortable using without too much effort. It collects all the dust, works quickly, never disappoints me, or scratches the wood.”
Where do you find your design ideas or color palettes?
“Honestly, inspiration comes from everywhere. I watch other creators, scroll Pinterest, and sometimes use ChatGPT to test different color combinations before I commit. But some of my favorite projects start with no plan at all. I spend time looking at the wood grain, tone, and style of the piece first. A warm oak piece might inspire a more bold palette with black accents, while pine can take almost any color. Many times, the design changes as I work, and I let the piece guide the final look.”
What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know?
“Most people don't know that I'm the 2nd oldest of seven children. Having five brothers means I've spent a lot of my life around tools, projects, and people who aren't afraid of hard work. I also come from a family of DIYers and blue-collar workers, so creating, building, and fixing things has always felt natural to me.”
How has being part of the DIY or refinishing community impacted you?
“The DIY and refinishing community has shown me how rewarding it can be to give something old a second chance. I once refinished a pine cabinet set that was likely over 50 years old, and seeing it become a piece my client and her family truly loves was incredibly fulfilling. Using Country Chic Tiger’s Glaze is what really pulled this project together.”
Learn more about Maddie Lou:
“Beyond the furniture itself, I love helping people. Whenever I run into a challenge or have trouble learning a new technique, I make it a point to figure it out and then share what I learned. Many of my videos are created to answer questions I wish someone had answered for me when I was starting out. Helping others save time, avoid mistakes, and feel confident in their projects is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.” You can check out my free guides here.
Products Used:
Want to follow along for more of Maddie’s tips & tricks & furniture flips? Check her out on Instagram!
