Tuesday, August 23, 2011

My new work table=love!!

So I was looking for a big wooden table. You know, the farmhouse type, aged and beautiful.
Like this~



I tried to be patient, really!! I found some really cool ones but they were WAY to expensive. So, I walked into a furniture consignment shop and found a table. It seemed sturdy, it looked like it had potential. I called my husband, and he said...well buy it if its what you want! So, I did. And then I waited for him to come pick up at the store. He did not like it and said it was not worth what I paid for it(which is true). I told him I didn't care, I could turn it into something I liked.

This is not a picture of the actual table, but it is the style. That oak/veneer with the parquet top. But mine is alot bigger, like a small kitchen table.


Okay, it is not the most attractive style (at least for this decade), but the size was perfect and it is was in good shape. I first needed to strip off the veneer finish. I have never stripped furniture and was kind of nervous. I used Citris strip, steel wool pads, a putty knife, and mineral spirits to clean off all the junk. It was a mess. I would work on it for a couple of days and get frustrated and leave it for a couple of days.


I did love what I saw underneath, and knew that whatever I did I wanted to see the parquet pattern on top. I orginally thought I would stain the top a dark walnut and paint the sides and the legs a mossy green. I'm sorry I have no pictures of the next steps. I was changing by mind by second, I swear!!! Anyway, the stain looked great until I put on the paint, but then the stain didn't look dark enough and I really didn't like the green.

Sooooo, I then just started to find things in my garage and layering paint on the bases. I went ahead and used the green, followed by a turquoise and finished with a creamy white. I then sanded all areas, making some scratches and chips, and finally applied Valspar antiquing glaze. I LOVED it!! To me if looks like driftwood, with blues and greens peeking through.



I was still not satisfied with the top. Then I had a crazy idea, make the top look like metal!! I ran and bought some Martha Stewart metallic paint and just went ahead and painted over the stain. I know I was risking covering the parquet by not stripping the stain, but I was so OVER stripping and starting over! I put on two coats. And you can still see the parquet!!


I also painted the inside of the legs with the same color metallic silver. I really love how this turned out! Sorry all of the pictures are in the garage, we have not cleared space in the house yet. I can't wait to set it up. Just it time, too, I start teaching next week and do all my preparations at home.




Late edit:
A couple pics of the desk in its new home. Now I need a cool chair to fix up:)!





With excitement, I share my new table with the following sites:



Furniture Feature Fridays







Domestically Speaking




9 comments:

  1. the layering looks great- love the teal/aqua peaking through! and the driftwood type look is awesome!

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  2. Hi Beth! That table looks awesome with your new paint treatment. Very clever. Thanks for sharing at the newbie party.

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  3. Hey Beth...love this table of yours!! Thanks for the nice comment you left on our new blog..We just became a new follower..good luck, Julie

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  4. The table looks great! I love how you took us through the staining & painting & changing your mind process. There are so many times when I'll start a project and go in a completely different direction part way through. Thanks for sharing.

    I'm hosting my monthly Before Blogging Throwback Thursdays party, and would love for you to come show off something you bought, did, or created Before Blogging. Can't wait to see what you bring to the party.

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  5. Looks great! I'm your newest follower!

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  6. I stripped for the first time last week (wink wink). It wasn't as awful as I expected, but it was pretty messy. Your table looks great. They really have to speak to you, huh?

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  7. I think we all go through a number of scenarios and gyrations when doing our DIY projects. Thankfully, creativity and perseverance go hand in hand. Your table turned out great! By the way I use Citrus Stripper a lot and the key is leaving it on for a long time. I am stripping patio chairs now and will let it sit overnight before scraping it off.

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  8. Looks great! I love all of the texture and colors you picked!! Awesome.

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