Isn’t it the best when you love to do something to find kindred spirits who love the same things too? That’s how I feel when I get together with my blogger friend for Furniture Fixer Uppers Day. It’s all about sharing what we love and inspiring you. You’ll see their work in a bit, but let me share with you how I took a thrifted (and very dated) table and turned it into a farmhouse coffee table.
Nothing like a 35% off coupon burning a hole in your pocket, right? I was shopping for different items for my home and kids and spied this table. I quickly gave it a glance then got down on my hands and knees to see if it was solid wood from underneath. Yeah…there is no shame in my game. tsk.
It has a solid frame, but the center panels were wood veneer on solid wood. So, that’s a win and bonus was that it is heavy. Since I’m a mom I buy like a mom. I would want this to be safe for any home.
The top is showing major signs of wear in the finish, but nothing that can’t be fixed. I loved the faux mortise and tenon design the legs featured. It reminded me of the leather bench we created a few years ago with a real joint. Let me tell ya, those ain’t easy.
DIY TIME
First order of business is to grab my sander and take off that nasty finish. It was simple with the right tool. Already my pulse quickens seeing that good wood come to life.
The sanding went very smoothly that I was delighted to see it come out so well. Once I got the wood to the state I wanted, I placed the table upside-down and spray painted the legs with a basic flat white paint.
After a couple of coats of white, I flipped the table over and used a small foam brush with a bit of Espresso Stain to highlight those crevices.
To finish the top, I chose to use my favorite Early American. It’s just enough of a color to make it look rustic. You can see its many uses in my home and on my past projects HERE. Making the job even easier are my favorite Zibra brushes. In this instance I’m using my 2″ angled brush.
I let the stain cure, then add a topcoat. Two coats letting cure between and I’m done.
THE REVEAL
Here it is all finished and ready to go.
When I finished this farmhouse coffee table, JC (aka husband) asked if we could keep it. He doesn’t usually say much about my work, but when he asks a question like this I know he likes it. I simply replied, “Not unless you want to add a launching pad and head knocker to our living room decor” which translates we have 6 children and know what coffee tables can do. hahaha. Maybe one day.
I’m very pleased with the outcome of it. The spray paint made the job go super fast, and the top reminds me of an old barn door. Wahoo for thrifted finds made new! It’s even staged with a berry picking tote and wooden baskets from my shop too. Fun to have a stash, isn’t it?
Just goes to show that even the thrift store hold treasures that just need a little lovin’ to get a second life. I hope you were inspired to give DIY projects a try. Pin and share this farmhouse coffee table to inspire others too!
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Time to head below to see what my blogger friends have for you!
- Just the Woods
- Girl in the Garage
- The Interior Frugalista
- Petticoat Junktion
- Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Also, more DIY projects like my farmhouse coffee table:
I love the new look of this table. Great save! And isn’t it always amazing when the husbands like something we do? Lol
I’m lucky if mine has an inkling about what I’m doing. haha. Too funny!
Great job! Love the contrast of the stain and paint. Praying for you and your family to have a healthy and happy 2018.
Thank you, Kenda and best wishes to you too!
This turned out beautifully, Larissa, and it really does fit perfectly in your living room…too bad it won’t be staying! XOXO
haha…I’m not sad. I’d rather have play area! I never sit on a couch. Hugs, girl!
Larissa I love how that top came out. It is really lovely!
Thank you, Mary!
Beautiful save on this one and swooning over the lovely rustic top. Made a note of your tip on staining the crevices darker. Gator Hide is da bomb!
Hugs to you, Marie! Thank you for the love and fun giggles. 😀
I love the farmhouse charm on this piece! It does look lovely in your living room, Larissa. That’s one reason we have a big soft ottoman instead of a regular coffee table, less chance of the little ones getting hurt on it. 😉
Thank you, Jen. We moved furniture to stage, so it doesn’t fit, but I’m sure someone will love it in their home too.
I really love this table and you made it look so easy. I have that white paint but I wouldn’t have thought to use it as you have. I learn a lot from you and the other ladies in your mutual posts. Thanks.
So glad to hear it, Pam. Thank you!
Really love this and to bad you can’t keep it as it fit perfectly in your living room. Was looking at your lamp shade, I have the same one lol. Can’t wait to see all you ladies projects in 2018.
Thank you, Bonnie. It actually didn’t leave much room with my other furniture I moved to stage this. Great minds buy alike!
Great table there! I like a nice solid surface!
As a mom of 9, I always said the same thing about a coffee table. We don’t need a head-splitter, we need SPACE! …And then one day last summer, when I was raising my voice AGAIN to stop kids from running/somersaulting/ leaping/twirling RIGHT next to the enormous brick fireplace (we’ve already done stitches in the forehead once with that one), is occurred to me that I DIDN’T want space to goof off in my living room, I want people to SIT there, and run/leap/crash outside or down in the more open basement. And suddenly I wanted a coffee table that we could play games on, sit on, pile books on, prop our feet on… and no space for burning off wiggles! : ) I ran out to the garage and cranked out a beauty of a big storage-filled, rustic, rolling coffee table. And I was converted to the “coffee table side” just like that. : )
P.S. The one rule is NO STANDING on the table! Haha, you aren’t kidding about the “launch pad” thing! No split heads yet!
Your home sounds like mine! ahahahaha…enjoy!
Love this table! Did you sand the white legs after spraying them? And did you seal/wax afterwards?
Thanks! I did sand them by hand for a distressed feel and then waxed.