My Roaring 20's table:)

Oh I how I fretted over this piece of furniture! Remember her, my two tiered mahogany pie crust table that I found at my very first flea market trip? Let me refresh your memory:)!

I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it! I was soooo excited!

She needed some love! But was I capable of giving it to her!!! I posted on Miss Mustard Seed, seeking help, advice! Should I paint? Should I stain? Should I wax? Should I worry?

I got some advice. Some said, "don't dare paint", others said "clean it up, wax it and sell it" (no way on that one, this is my first piece to refinish....she is going somewhere in MY house:)! I just wasn't comfortable doing anything until I knew for sure. So, she has sat in my garage for a month and a half.

Then two weeks ago on Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Friday, I saw something I really liked! Sarah at Three Boys refinished a mahogany table using a cream base, Silver and Gold Rub n' Buff, antiquing glaze and stain for top. I loved it! I ran to Hobby Lobby and got my Rub n' Buff. I then realized I needed to finish a couple of projects before I started. Our house is not big and I had stuff EVERYWHERE!

Fast forward to a few days ago. I first tackled the top. I sanded (with my hand) down the top. This was fun, but alot of work!!! There seemed to be varnish or paint around the edges. I read online how to remove, but did not want to invest in anymore project. I got off as much as I could.

I then had my second encounter with stain. Hmmmm. Should have been a bit more patient and followed directions!! I put on one coat. Looked soooo pretty. Did not wait for it to dry or wipe anything off and then put on a second coat. Oops. It literally took three days to dry. Even then it was sticky. I bought tacky cloth from Walmart and was able to remove the rest of the residue. The stain was Miniwax in Antique Walnut.

From this point on, I stopped taking pictures. Basically because my hands were super, super messy from the tacky cloth, the Rub n' Buff and the glaze. I will tell you what I did to finish her up!

For the base on the legs, I used Behr Ultra in Aged Parchment (bought a sample can at Home Depot). This was fairly easy. Since I memorized Sarah's tutorial, I knew I next need to apply a THIN coat of Silver Leaf Rub n' Buff. Hmmmm. Still not sure how to do a light lather. As the directions said, I used my finger and dabbed a tiny bit onto the leg and rubbed it in. This was not too forgiving! It looked VERY silver and as much as I rubbed, it did not fade. I ended up sanding over the silver before putting on the antiquing glaze. After I spent several hours playing with the colors, I added some gold Rub n' Buff around edges.

My favorite part was how the gold looked around the stained wood on the tops. I think the Rub n Buff works best for small parts and edges. I was so excited I called the entire family outside to look. They politely nodded and smiled. Love them.

I still did not know where I was going to put this piece. As the table was looking more and more "gilded", it started looking too fancy for our family room. Then all of a sudden it hit me! It could go in the dining room corner and used as a little bar!!!! Fun!!

Granted, we do have three young, ACTIVE children and a fourteen year old dog who sometimes runs into her own shadows....so we can not keep wine glasses and liquor out all of the time. But for dinner parties,etc. it will be great. I can even set up coffee mugs, etc. for a brunch. For everyday, I will probably put a small lamp and a couple of picture frames.

I love it. It reminds me of the Roaring 20's. I think I was born in the wrong decade.

What do you think? Not perfect, many lessons learned, but it was FUN and is no longer in my garage! Thank you Miss Mustard Seed for your weekly parties and Sarah from Three Boys for your awesome tutorial, your table is lovely:)!

**Disclaimer, regardless of this title, this table is not from the 20's. But maybe 30's or 40's?**


Photo added: here is the table when I put away all of the fancy stuff. I added our wedding picture and my wedding flowers:)!

Beth