Last, but not least, it’s time for Round 5 of my #trashure curbside haul makeover fun. Yay!! I’ve worked through those other 4 projects with much fun. However, today is all about that little coffee table getting transformed into a farmhouse drop-leaf coffee table with whimsy.
To catch you up to speed you can see the other projects listed below:
As you can see, this table is in sturdy shape. The leaves function as they should, for the most part, the legs and skirt are solid. However, it has that weird mermaid on it and other wear.
Being that it’s solid wood, that means potential. I know I saw that all the time, but wood is such a resilient medium. If you can’t restore it, you can at least fix it and paint it. Right?
DIY TIME
As you can imagine, the first thing I pulled out is my sander. That mermaid didn’t stand a chance. mwahahaha…
Just to show you what a sort of before and after looks like… Here’s the leaves sanded with the center panel left as-is.
It’s lookin’ good, don’t you think?
Once I sanded off the top, it was time for choosing the finish. The table still had a bit of wear with dents and scratches, though very minimal. So to embrace those flaws, I decided to give it an aged appeal. Much like my farmhouse desk rescue seen HERE.
TIME FOR STAIN
In order to do that, I chose this reactive stain I’ve used before.
You guys…this stuff is awesome. It works with the tannins naturally occurring in the wood to age the wood lightning fast. So instead of waiting for years for this table to age, it happens in minutes. Take a peek at my upcycled treadle sewing machine to see what I mean too.
First, I use a micro foam roller and pan to soak the wood with the stain. No worries about toxic stinkyness because this stuff is 100% awesome. Just roll on in even coat following the grain lines, and let it do its thing.
There’s no wiping it down once applied, so that’s a bonus too. I love LOVE to sit and watch this stuff work.
TYPOGRAPHY FOR THE WIN
Next, I set about creating a typography graphic to use on the top. You know I love working with typography and this big ol’ round top was begging me for some whimsy. That’s where my $10 thrifted overhead projector comes into play again. No joke – this is one of the best ten bucks I ever spent. I love this thing! You can see how I’ve used it for other projects in these past posts.
I am aiming for a farmhouse style drop-leaf coffee table, so that meant an old advertisement would fit the bill. Since I enjoy creating my own, I did the layout in my software, then printed on overhead projector sheets.
Here is my table ready with graphic projected. Do you see how that stain perfectly aged the wood?
All I needed to do was spend about 15 minutes transferring the graphic, and then paint it in.
Then once the paint was dry, I apply a gray wax to the table’s outer edge to add depth. For the rest, I added two coats of a matte poly to seal it all in. To ensure a good bond, I let the first coat cure, then used super fine steel wool to create tooth, and then a tack cloth to clean off debris. That preps my surface for the second coat.
PAINTING THE BOTTOM
Now that the top is finished, it’s time for the base to get a new look. Since I’m, again, aiming for that rustic farmhouse drop-leaf table, I went with a red milk paint. It’s the same paint I used on this antique desk and will add that pop of fun I’m after.
I apply only one coat of paint and then am ready for the finishing touches. Next, I use an older brush to apply the same gray wax I mentioned above to the base.
THE REVEAL
My curbside find is now ready to debut the farmhouse drop-leaf table I was after. Ta-da!
I’m so pleased with the outcome and can’t say enough how glad I am that I found this little gem.
The red isn’t RED, but rather a rustic, time-worn look.
Was the typography needed? No. However, it sure makes it a fun conversation piece, doesn’t it?
Here it is so you can see in full view the work I did. However, there isn’t a meaning behind it. I simply tried to pick up a vintage vibe.
If you’d like to own this table, you can find it and much more available in my online shop. (SOLD) Sign up for my newsletter below for instant discount on your first purchase.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
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Also, more projects like this farmhouse drop-leaf coffee table makeover:
Wow is the word that popped in my head first. I agree what was up with the mermaid? She had to go.
I love the graphic and how much character it added. The stain is amazing too. I can’t believe no wiping and the wonderful look of the wood it leaves.
You rocked it.
Cindy
tee hee! I think maybe a kid had some fun. oy! Thanks so much, Cindy.
Gorgeous! Another great makeover!
I had such fun and I’m tickled you like it too. Thanks so much!
We had that same coffee table in my mom’s house growing up! It was a hand-me-down from her sister, and was finished in a similar medium maple color. When my mom re-married, she and my stepfater compromised on very different decor styles by sending a lot of their furniture to the basement rec room, and getting new upstairs, in a dark pine, but there was no cpoffee table and we missed one. When he was a teen, my brother stripped and refinished that table in a dark pine as a wood-shop project for school for mom for mother’s day. I couldn’t bear to get rid of it, but have no idea how to lighten it. And apologies in advance, but I die a little every time a wood piece is painted. I LOVE that you left this one in a wood finish!
What a fun story to hear. Thanks so much. 🙂
Great job! So glad that you rescued this little gem and made it shine. Looking forward to your next endeavor. It looks “sew” fun!
Thank you, Paula. This was fun and I’m super excited to introduce you to my friends and our fun projects. Yes, sew fun! 😀
Love it Larissa! i was just spying my TWO o/h projectors yesterday – i definitely need to use them!
You have treasure, Gwen! 😀 Good for you. 😀
Wowzers!! What an awesome transformation!! Love your clever idea of the overhead projector and the gray wax is a stunning finish!!
How fun to hear. Thanks! Have you ever tried the overhead projector, Sam?
Oh my I must try that weathered stain! I’m a typography lov’n gal too and I love how this vintage farmhouse typography plays so well with that gorgeous weathered top! Of course red being my favorite color, I’m swooning over the base too. Pinned 🙂
Yes, you should! The easiest thing to use and it is chemical free. Thank you for the love, Marie.
Beautiful!
Thank you for the love, Tammy. 🙂
SO awesome! love this low round table. As always, you never disappoint with your creativity and drive, Larissa!!
Patty, you sure do know how to make a gal smile. Thank you bunches!
Oh my gosh that is amazing Larissa! I love the graphic! I’ve gotta try the projector method on furniture, I love to hand paint!
You will LOVE it! I bet you either have or can get your hands on a projector easily, miss teacher thing. 😉 Hugs!!
Um… well, no surprise that THAT sold instantly! Gorgeous!!! You did an AMAZING job on this one! Everything about is is A#1!!! I love how the top came out!
haha! You made me giggle. Thanks! I needed that, Becky. 😉
Hi Larissa,
I love what you did with this poor ole curbside castoff! I love the stain color and the red milk paint with the wax!! Looking forward to your new group post too!
I had to giggle when I saw the stenciled mermaid. Just too funny! Thanks so much for showing me love, Kaycee.
Another stunning project, Larissa!
Just when I think you can’t get any better you turn out projects like this!
I picked up an OHP at a garage sale recently so that I can try something like this myself, now I just have to figure out how to make the sheet that is used on it, lol. I don’t suppose you feel like making a post on that?
Well, that’s fantastic to hear…I try! Thank you for that, Wendy. You can do it!
Love the make over. I also grew up with that same coffee table. I have a scar from it on my leg where I bumped into the corner of it when it was dropped down. When it was new, these maple table had very sharp edges. It would have been in the mid 1950s when my parents had this furniture. Maple was the rage, even the movie stars had it.
Oh no! Yes, maple was quite the thing, then oak. haha. Love some wood furniture!
❤❤❤❤❤
Wow, I love how this came out!
Thanks so much! 😀
Wow! Where did you find the graphic ?
Thanks! It’s my own design I created. 😉