Back a month or so ago, I shared how I went to scope out some items being sold off by a young couple that recently bought a downtown vacant building. I came home with many treasures, like the antique Art Deco waterfall cedar chest I redid (see it here). While there, I also instantly fell in love with this antique lyre coffee table.
Do you blame me? It’s cute, so delicate, and still has some life left in it. I only paid a couple of bucks and there’s a reason why. If you look close, do you see what I see?
At some point, someone thought it would be good to update it with some faux wood contact paper. I wasn’t sure why they would do that, but I was gonna find out. haha.
I kept saying quietly, “You poor thing…” Here it is with paper removed and a whole lotta residue. blucky!
Removing that paper revealed the real problem See those breaks in the top? Clean through.
DIY TIME
So, of course I had to remove that center panel and start fresh. It came out fairly easy and gave me a better idea of what I was up against and how I was going to proceed.
You might call me crazy, but I LOVE doing this. I love seeing how things are put together and how craftsman of days gone by created such beauty. I was a bit puzzled how I was going to get that frame apart so I could insert a new top without busting it up. However, a gentle hand led me to be able to remove the pins holding the corners and get one short side off creating a slot for my new hardwood ply.
FIXIN’
JC cut a new top insert for me with our table saw while I took care of the other damage that needed tending. What a sweetie to help, right? The feet were missing their brass claw foot toe caps. That let me to jump online and find replacements. I bought a set of authentic ones from an Etsy shop. However, the dude was rude and cancelled my order without notice. His loss – tsk. They cost WAY more than this antique lyre coffee table was going to be worth, so I decided to go with replicas. They are too shiny new for me, so I will be aging them in a bit.
Before I could replace them though, I had my work cut out for me repairing the feet. The damaged was primarily on one end of the table. There were major pieces missing that I first attempted to repair with wood filler, but I was skeptical.
HOT MESS
After I sanded them down with my orbital sander, I just wasn’t satisfied with the outcome, so I removed the filler and went to my trusty Bondo. It is an automotive filler that works like a charm. You can see how I’ve restored other pieces with it in these posts.
Once I made other repairs, I was finally ready to add the middle panel. I slid it down into one end. Then, I replaced the side and decided to stain it with Early American. That way I could have the entire table in a similar color state.
PAINT
I wasn’t going for color match because I knew the replaced plywood wouldn’t look as good as the original. Plus with the other repairs, I planned to paint to make it all cohesive. Using my paint brush made it a breeze to complete.
After two coats of a soft white and letting cure in between, I decided to add some dynamics to this antique lyre coffee table with a soft color contrast using a soft green.
I finished the painting and it has cured. However, I still want to create more drama using a dark wax. The replaced center panel got a couple of coats of a poly topcoat for a long-lasting, durable finish.
THE REVEAL
Here’s this lovely little lady repaired, refreshed, and ready to go.
I’m delighted with the outcome of this sweet table. Restoring it means it’s and ready for a much longer life than it would have had otherwise.
The replaced top is now ready to go and the little feet add just the right finishing touch, don’t you think?
If you would like to own this table, you can find it available in my online store along with many other delights for your home.
Additionally, pin and share this antique lyre coffee table restoration. We all need inspired from time to time, right?
Up next…do you know what these are? I scored both of them in the same curbside shopping run during city cleanup. They became something new! SEE HERE.
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Also, more furniture projects like this antique lyre coffee table:
What a beauty. You have such an eye for detail and seem to know just the right colors. What an inspiration you are!
Thank you for saying so, Bonnie. This was much labor, but lots of love.
This lyre table was so deserving of a spa day! It is now a real beauty again. You did a wonderful job on her! 🙂
tee hee hee! I love it! Thank you so much, Claudine.
You did an amazing job. The beauty has been restored.
Thank you, Debra. I’m glad I gave it a try. Much work, but fun to do! 😀
Wow! ? what a beautiful makeover! Great job!! ❤️❤️
You’re so fun, Jamie. Thank bunches! 😀
Absolutely lovely! Let me tell you… you inspire me every time I see your pieces.?
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That really means much, Lorri, as I’ve had a long couple of days. Thank you!
Larissa, another job well done…she is just lovely! It is such fun to find a “sister friend” who feels the same love for the beauty of “old” things. I really want to redo my Nana’s antique china closet…she’s about 150 years old and just needs a wee makeover. Solid mahogany with mirrored back, glass shelves and the original lock and key. Wish I could send you a picture of her now and then my redo idea…will you shoot me an email?
Thanks,
Cricket
Yes, kindred spirits are always a blessing to find. Hugs! Feel free to use the Contact tab at the top to send me an email. If I put it here I am subject to spam. Thanks!
This turned out so beautiful, Larissa! Good thing you came along and rescued that poor thing! XO
Thank you so much, Christy. Fun to find and redo.
It turned out beautiful! Another great job. You’re such an inspiration!
And you are the most awesome support, Debra. Thank you!
Love the coffee table! You always seem to have just the right vision ( and skills) for giving old pieces new life. I love seeing the befores and afters (and in-betweens, too.) The two wooden pieces you mentioned at the end of your post are (I think! ) storage stands for a set of wooden fold-up “TV tables.” At least, that’s what the the lighter-colored one is. Not sure about the darker one, but my guess that it is also a stand…just has a different way of working maybe. I can’t wait to see what your create with those…I have often wondered what I could do with one I keep hanging on to for some unknown reason!
Thank you so much! 😀 You’re good on the guess. haha. Can’t wait to show you.
Absolutely gorgeous
Thank you for the compliment, Melissa. 🙂
Larissa, I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you are a true craftswoman! You never just slap paint on a piece and call it done. You painstakingly take these pieces apart, repair any damage, and then allow your creative juices flow. You are a true inspiration. Have a great day!!
You are the best, Kaycee! Thank you for getting what I do. It’s a blast!
I love the shape of this little table. Thanks for bringing it back to life!
Isn’t it fun?! Thank you!
i love all of your work ! look so forward to your posting days! keep up the great work….thx
You’ve made my day, Lori. Thank you!
Another beaten-down piece of furniture rescued by the furniture whisperer and restored to a beautiful finish! Love the makeover, Larissa. Pinned 🙂
Wahoo! Just saw we are on the same coffee table vibe. Fun!
Tha is so much for posting the hard work in the woodworking side. Nothing but to jump into my complicated projects now!!
That’s the spirit! 😀
Hi! I have this lyre coffee table- a hand-me-down from my parents that isn’t my style as is. I am thinking of selling it to a friend that does refurbishing. May I ask how much you paid for the table orginally?
I paid $5 as it was broken and damaged.