Table Rehab #2

Once upon a time I came across a handy little table that needed some help:

So, being in one of my more adventurous moods, I decided it was a good candidate for a zinc finish.  After a coat of this and a coat of that plus some dabbing of various colors to get the effect, it looked like this:

Yes, it was different, but I liked it.  Unfortunately no one else did, so it was time for rehab no. 2:

It looks much different now - it will be interesting to see whether this look appeals to anyone!

Brimfield Table Find

I LOVE BRIMFIELD, even if I don't find a thing; sometimes the only thing I buy is lunch!  I've been going for years and I just love the atmosphere - if the weather is good, I can browse for hours.  I was there on the rainy day this year (Friday).

It's challenging in the rain but I did manage to score two tables.  Here's table no. 1

The top was in rough shape but otherwise it was in pretty good condition.  After sanding, I decided to add some interest to the top.  The top & drawer were painted with HM chalk paint using BM's Twilight Zone.  The base was painted with HM chalk paint using Valspar's Perfect Storm and the top was stenciled using the same. The table was lightly distressed and I liked the look of the original hardware.  Fiddes Natural wax protects all but the top, which is protected with Wipe On Poly.

A Lonely Chair

Once upon a time I purchased three mismatched chairs at an estate sale.  Two of the chairs were similar in style so were rehabbed and sold as a pair, leaving one lonely chair.

This chair had been painted several different colors over the years and was loaded with "chippy goodness."

Some love the chippy look - me, not so much.  So, I decided to make it a statement chair and one proud to sit (stand) alone.

Sanded to remove the flaky spots, then painted with Rustoleum's Heritage White, "The Chair" is much more inviting now as it asks one to "please sit down!"  It's lightly distressed; seat and back are protected with Polycrylic.

Half Table Updated

When I bought this oak half table at a flea market, I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to save the top but it was sturdy and had great detail on the legs.

After some light sanding, it looked like I could salvage the top.  My preference, if possible, is usually to sand and restain the top of tables, bureaus, etc.  as it's normally more durable than a painted top.  Sometimes, though, I just don't have a choice because of the condition it's in.

So, after sanding, the top of this table was restained with Minwax Gel Stain in Walnut, and sealed with wipe on poly.  Is it perfect?  No, but aged furniture isn't supposed to be perfect and it should last for a good long time.  The base was painted with HM chalk paint in BM Twilight Zone, lightly distressed and waxed.

Side Table Update

Small side tables are always useful and always in demand.  Here's one with a little character!  Sorry I don't have the "before" photo - just envision a very blah, scratched up little table.  One that wasn't sturdy enough to trust with your cup of coffee (or tea).

It was taken apart, reglued and rescrewed.  Then it was painted with HM chalk paint and lightly distressed.  The graphic is courtesy of thegraphicsfairy.com and the entire table is protected with APC's clear wax.

Frame It!

This is the second of the small projects I worked on this week.  Aside from the pretty carving detail, it really was a mess and was falling apart.

For a small project, it took more time than I expected.  The entire frame had to be taken apart and reglued; then, because it's so large, it still didn't want to stay together so it was reinforced with "L" brackets on the back.

It was painted with some leftover HM chalk paint and waxed with APC's dark wax to bring out the detail.  The chicken wire was added for fun and to make it more useful.  Now it can be used like a bulletin board, holding just about anything you want or as many things as you want (it's all about the clothes pins!).

Back in the Groove

I'm getting back in the groove after taking a couple of weeks off in April.  There are some small projects in my inventory, so I started off with a couple of those.

First was this little oak plant stand.  I think it had been sitting in someone's cellar too long and forgotten.

A plant stand always comes in handy so now it's cleaned up and dressed up - ready for a new life!