Sensing restlessness, Rosie donated a sleeper of a coffee table collecting dust in the garage. In dire need of something, Gadora had a hard time seeing its future. A rather simple project that kept demanding attention, the table gradually revealed its wishes for a fierce facade.

Odd bulky legs underneath a hideous table top, the 2 inch pegs below the last round bulb of each leg were removed (Thanks Pops). Gadora still stared at the table. What to do. Whaaaaat to do?

Coffee Table - BEFORE

After sanding, a coat of “oops” paint in taupey-tan was applied to the entire piece. Followed by a similar shade of paint, Gadora let all dry before sweeping a black-gray paint over its entire surface. Before the top coat dried I wiped excess paint off with a damp cloth, allowing the gray to settle into the blemishes.

Close-up.

Then the table screamed for stripes.

Stripes...

Gadora taped the table top and alternately brushed on the first round of stripes with the table’s original shades. Allowing that to dry overnight, I then taped off and applied a second set of stripes in alternating—but complementary—colors. Once dry, I coated the entire table (legs too) with a satin stain, then waxed on and waxed off.

Coffee Table - Close Up

The tables’ original wear created a dynamite surface for the top paint to adhere to. These imperfections are quite perfect. Once the satin stain was hand sanded, Gadora applied a final coat of wax. It was allowed to sit for 20 minutes, then buffed off.

Coffee Table - AFTER

The Coffee Table in it’s new home. Happy at last.

Coffee Table - AFTER

sold

Supplies: Table, desired paint, stain, wax finish, various brushes (1 for stain, 1 for paint), painters tape, sand paper, and felt stoppers for underneath legs. Soup-to-nuts the project took about a week of highly interrupted working.