Coffee Table in Linen

This coffee table was another "rescue".  Hubby was going to take it to the dump and asked me if I wanted it.  Sometimes even I have a hard time seeing the potential in a piece, and I almost said no!

 What's funny about this piece is that the worst part of it ended up being the focal point. There's not much to this table and the base is pretty standard, so the oak ended up taking center stage. 

 Before 

Yowzas!  I think somebody used it for a work bench and spray painted something on the top of it. It had lots of scratches and some were too deep to get out, but I think they just ended up adding character. :)

 After

Thanks to a grinder with 80 grit paper I was able to get all of that hideousness off.  

I then smoothed it out with 150 grit.  Here's a little tip.  Even using finer grit paper on wood can leave tiny scratches.  If you notice swirlies or little scratches just sand in the direction of the grain and it will take them right off (even using the same grit paper that put them there).

Then I used two coats of Java Gel, letting the first coat dry for a couple of hours before doing the second coat. Followed by 3 coats of Varathane in satin. 

I absolutely love that wood can take such abuse and be restored to its former glory!

 The body got two coats of Linen from General Finishes then was lightly distressed and sealed with Varathane. 

Navy Coffee Table

Another great little coffee table from my friend! :)  At first when she told me she wanted it navy blue I was a little skeptical, but it turned out to be a beauty.   I can still be surprised! 

 Before

 After

Am loving these legs and this color!!

When I first saw this top you couldn't even tell it had any grain to the wood because of the old finish.  After sanding it and staining it I loved the warmth of the wood--so pretty, and I love the tone of the wood with the blue.

color = Indigo Batik SW

stain = Special Walnut Minwax

Coffee/side tables

My client picked these two end tables and coffee table up for cheap!  Love that.  But, she didn't really like them.   Don't love that.  So, they ended up in my shop.  Love that. 

They have a great shape.  Even Craig said he liked how chunky they were! :o  But, her furniture is a little darker and she didn't like the reddish tone to the wood.  

Sorry, the after shots aren't so great cuz I had to get them off my phone, send them to FB, and then upload them to the blog...yah.

Before

 After

 Blurry, but you get the idea.  They look really sharp now with the dark wood tops and black on the bottom.

The tops look awesome.  Love how the pieced it together so the grains are running different directions.

She said her husband even loved them, so that's a bonus in my book. ;) 

Coffee Table

I guess this coffee table had once been a sofa table and someone cut the legs off (gasp!!) and attached it to this base. I love all the details on it and I love that it has chips and scratches and has been well loved.  She's definitely been around the block and was in need of a little lift. :)

 

Before

 

After

This makes my heart go pitter patter. ;)

 

Another beautiful mahogany veneer under that old stain....so pretty!

 

Sorry, she's taken. :)

Coffee Table

This table was yesterday's project.  It was in great shape, just had a run-in with

some fingernail polish. :)

Before

After

SOLD

what got me started

I've been playing around with the idea of painting my furniture for quite some time now, but never had the guts to take the plunge. Really, one of our only pieces of "real" furniture is our coffee table. It was beautiful in its prime, but a little mishap with finger nail polish remover (by someone who shall remain nameless because I love her!) and 10 years of wear and tear had taken its toll. So, I decided to do it and am so glad I did! I love just looking at it! :)

Sorry, no before pics--I was too excited to get started.