I was supposed to show you this on Monday, but…. it’s summer. And things in our house don’t aaaaalways go as planned in the summer. School starts in less than a week and I have mixed feelings about it. I DON’T want summer to end! But I need more time to work, so I guess it is a necessary change.
Well, you are in for a treat because today? Today I have an actual ‘before’ picture!!! Can you even believe it? I found this coffee table for $12 at a thrift store by my home.
And AFTER in my living room!
Let’s look at that side-by-side, shall we? What a difference a little stain and paint can make, no? I say that all the time, but really! The wonder of it is not lost on me!
There wasn’t really anything wrong with it other than the top planks were a little warped and needed to be refinished. So I did just that. I stripped and sanded them smooth, then I stained it using a combination of Dark Walnut by Minwax and a weathered gray stain called “Sunbleached” by Rustoleum. Instead of mixing the stains together, I applied in layers until I got the right look. I lightly sanded with 600 grit sandpaper (which doesn’t remove the stain, but just makes the surface super smooth), then used a couple layers of Minwax Wipe-on Poly to seal the top.
Then the legs I painted with Chalk Paint in the color French Linen. After some light distressing and clear wax, this one was ready to bring inside!
While, I’m not crazy about my rug (saving $$ for a new one), it doesn’t look horrible, especially with this coffee table. I like keeping furniture in my home mostly neutral with pops of color in the decor… it is easier and cheaper to change out when I want to change things up.
What I love most about this table is the SIZE! We had a standard size long and narrow coffee table in here before, but the room is pretty wide (#twss) and demanded a larger coffee table to keep things in balance.
I can’t get enough preserved boxwood! Just in this pic: a wreath, a topiary and 2 balls (BOXWOOD that is… ;)).
Before I took pictures of this table, I finally put up a gallery wall, which I had been planning on putting up for months. I wanted to have a collection of vintage items, unique works of art and what-not, but I ended up deciding to shop my home. I’m satisfied with how it turned out but I know I will change out pieces here and there as I find things I love more and want to display. I won’t be changing out that big family picture for a while though… I bought the huge size on a whim and really tried finding some good design inspiration to justify displaying a huge family picture… and I found nothing. But I can’t help it. I just love it so… And ultimately I want my home filled with things I love, what I think is beautiful, even if I can’t justify it from a designer’s point of view.
So, $12 well-spent or what?
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
ooooh i love this, rachel! the shape is fabulous, and love the finish!
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Thanks Cassie! I’m a believer in the square shape now too! …”then I saw her face! Now I’m a believa!”
Stephanie@New Again says
Gorgeous coffee table and love your gallery wall!! 🙂
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Aww thanks Steph!
Melanie, LostandFoundDecor.com says
The legs on that table are so unique! I’ve never seen one like it. I haven’t had a coffee table though since I’ve been married (10 years now) and probably won’t for another 10 years because I figure it will turn into just another place to collect toys and climb on 🙂 If I could have one though, I would take this one!
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
I hear you Melanie! After 10 years of marriage this is our first official coffee table. We used to have a ottoman storage thing but drink wouldn’t balance so well on that thing haha… But I will say this… Is really centers the room and it’s sturdy enough that my kids won’t break it if they DO stand on it. Although they know better by now… Ha! Thanks for the love!
Mary Vitullo says
I always love a square coffee table and with the neutral wood top with the white, it turned out so pretty!
Mary @ Orphans With Makeup
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Thanks Mary! I love this combo as well!
RPK Interiors says
Love the mixture of the stains to create a weathered look! So practical with a young, growing family…shouldn’t be fussy at all. The entire room is gorgeous…so pretty and well accessorized! 🙂
Robin
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Thanks Robin! I do prefer stained tops for heavily used furniture in my home! I tend to yell less 😉
Marite says
I love how it turned out! I wish I could have a tablescape like yours, but with a 1 year old it is impossible right now. Oh well, maybe in a couple of years 🙂
Danielle says
Love how the stain has some gray in it. You’ve just given me a great idea for our living room table!
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Oh good! Can’t wait to see your finished table now! :*
Nicki Parrish says
Great find and love what you did with the piece. I also love all of the gallery walls in your background!
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Thanks Nickii! Gallery walls are a fun non-committal way to show individual taste and style! And yet I always agonize putting them together and always require input from friends! Haha
Katie Olthoff says
Love it! And love your traditional/eclectic style!
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Thanks Katie!!
Jackie @pleasureinsimplethings says
I really love this!! It is right up my alley lol…did you cut the top into planks? The ‘before’ looks like one piece. French Linen is probably my favorite ASCP color and the top came out wonderful.
Rachel with Shades of Blue says
Hi Jackie! I only sanded and restained the top… No now planks cut! It definitely stands out more with the new finish! Thanks for the love!