Message Boards

I imagine there will be a lot of folks who will shudder at the thought of painting a maple drop leaf side table but I just couldn't take it any more! This table sat in my mother's kitchen -- my earliest memory was 55 years ago and was never touched -- until now.

I painted the top 6 weeks ago but could not decide on what to paint the bottom. Red like the top? Black? Just refinish it? It just was not speaking to me.

I painted the top with a red ember color I had on hand. But it was too "in your face" so I toned it down with a walnut poly stain and put my signature gold dots around the edge. Here's the before and after. Next will be a partial pic of the painted bottom.

Yesterday I found a little jar of antique gold in the cupboard (now where did that come from???). I painted the entire bottom. Too dark and stark. So I mixed up a blend of the lighter yellow wall paint and the antique gold -- repainted the entire table bottom -- better, but not quite right. I then painted the rounded knobs the darker antique gold, mixed an in-between color for the square parts of the leg, and I think I am done. Here's a before and after.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

I think it looks great! It looks really good with that lamp too.

Tho I too ordinarily shudder at the thought of painting good wood, I must say your transformation is WONDERFUL! I love the coloration and especially your signature gold dot border. Great job!

Hi My Life,

You did a great re-do on the table. It looks happy and quite at home in that spot! Did you add glazing or stain to the red paint?

Did you add the "1" to your sign-in?

That is how treasures are created! Through ingenuity and trial and error! Going with your gut really paid off! GREAT job in integrating that beautiful table into your home!

It looks great. I love it. Great transformation. : )

Thanks all -- I respect and value each and everyone of your comments because you all are so much more versed in the decorating field than I.

Beau -- I put the poly stain on top of the red "hot ember" after it dried. I "think" I used a bristle brush instead of the foam brush in order to streak it to mimic a wood grain.

ETA: Beau -- yes, I did add the "1" to my name -- I was attempting to "clean" up the files on my laptop at the same time HGTV was doing their revamp of the site and all of a sudden I could not log in -- so I kept trying different avenues -- and finally, after changing my name and password, but keeping my history, I was able to get back online.

I am also becoming a fan of furniture wax. Even though the top had a satin sheen to it from the paint and poly stain, I waxed it and it just gives it an over-all smooth glow.

I guess one of the reasons this color combination appeals to me in particular is that I realized after I was finished with the project that the two colors are the school colors where I taught for over twenty some years.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyLifeVacation1,

MLV,
Subliminal colors coming back to you! How funny. Of course they made sense to you!

I LOVE furniture wax, I am going to have all my furniture to the point of waxing within the next few years, I love 'GLOW' more than shine from plastic poly look.

The more projects you do, the more you learn and the better the results!

Your table is gorgeous! I envy your talents!!!

I like your signature gold dots!
nice job.