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: