You would think by now I would have learned my lesson that there will be true gems that pop out at me at a thrift store. It’s happened time and time again, and this particular time was no different. If you remember in my recent post, I scored an antique library table and refinished it – see in this post. Now it’s time for the other find that followed me home that same day. These vintage nesting tables are too cute to leave behind, right?
They were buried under other items for sale in the thrift store and I almost missed them since, as I mentioned in my other post, my kids were doing a thrift store scavenger hunt. I had no intention of coming home with more furniture. But…as you can see that quickly fell to the wayside.
This set was sturdy for the most part, but did have ample wear to the top surfaces. The part that got my heart palpitating were the beautiful turned legs, and the gorgeous heirloom maple tops. I spy potential!
DIY TIME
Although there are not obvious manufacturer markings, I am 99% sure these are Ethan Allen tables as I’ve seen these exact tables in other places. First, I wanted to uncover that delicious wood grain in that heirloom maple. Funny (not so funny) thing is during the restoration of the antique library table I just refinished, I killed my favorite sander, a DeWalt random orbit. It is a beast of a workhorse that lasted me for ages, so of course I bought another.
Apparently my old sander was in rougher shape than I thought because when I started this new one up I was like…ooooohhhhh… I couldn’t believe how smooth it operated and took the finish off lickety-split.
When I saw that wood coming to life, I couldn’t help but touch it. This maple was so fun to work with. I had no intention of covering the tops of these vintage nesting tables, rather wanted to showcase them. For the color selections I choose 3 different colors: a dark gray, a light gray, and a soft blue green.
BRUSH FUN
I begin with working on the skirts and legs.
While letting the paint on the first table cure, I turned my attention to the largest of the set. It had some wobbly action going on, so I just removed the skirt and legs and reset them with wood glue. Easy enough to do, and now stable and ready to go.
NEXT STEPS
While the larger table was drying, I painted the second table. Then it was the larger table’s turn. All of the bottoms of the tables were done in short order, and then it was time for the table tops to get some lovin’.
I’ve said it before, but I like a low-sheen, durable finish on most of my pieces, so I again turned to a poly as my topcoat.
I apply two coats of the topcoat,then let it cure. Done!
Oh what fun the kids and I had seeing these vintage nesting tables come to life. We were telling each other which table was our favorite. I must say that we were all pretty smitten with each color as they individually make us smile. Which one is your favorite?
I went with the subtle tone contrast to make it more fun than just painting them all the same color. As a mama to 6 kiddos I know how fun it is to, “get the green table, or the light gray table”. We’ve all been there, right?
ALL DONE
The vintage nesting tables came out as I had hoped – showcasing the grain in their natural state and solid as a rock. I wish I could show you how they shimmer. mmm…
It was super fun to style all this with pastels and all sorts of fun colors. However, these tables have the neutral tones and would look good in almost any setting. How cool is that I even got to use my new Luggy Basket? I’m so lovin’ that thing!
I really debated on keeping these until our family room is done, but since I have no idea how we will be able to finish it out, I am listing these in my shop. I guess I’ll have to find another set to redo when we’re done, won’t I? That won’t be any fun…hahaha…not.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
Do pin and share this vintage nesting tables makeover to inspire others to make their house their home. DIY is affordable, fun, and keeps your brain happy.
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Also, more fun projects like my vintage nesting tables:
Wow, Larissa, I am betting these sweet tables are going to be snapped up in a heartbeat. They look gorgeous! Another great makeover! 🙂
I got some free wood the other day, so I am going to try my hand at making some signs. 🙂
PS I have lived in Ohio and in Florida… people react the same way to winter storms and hurricanes. 🙂
Thank you for the smile, Christina. Sounds like you’re going to have some fun! I get it about the weather, just silly. 😉
Another great makeover Larissa. The tables look so good. I love the colors you chose. I know what you mean about “weather”. I lived in Houston for 20 years & people always waited until the last minute to do grocery shopping when there was a hurricane in the gulf!
Thanks, Karen! Yes so many are unprepared…makes me wonder.
Simple but beautiful! Also in my fave colors:)
Great minds pick color alike! Thank you, Deb. 🙂
Cute tables! Glad you found them to give them new life!
Thank you! Yes, so glad the peeked out at me. Fun to do!
These are really pretty. I love all three but my favorite is still the duck egg blue. Oh the possibilities with those brushes. I have an old rocker with spindle backing I would love to redo with those brushes. Take care Christy!
Mine too. Love grays in any shade, but blue for the win. Woot!
I would use them to repaint a few bookshelves.
Sounds good.
I really love how you refinished these! So creative! I would not have thought of it!
Thank you for sharing your passion with us! xo
My pleasure to do and share. Thank you, Alicia. 😀
My kitchen table needs updating badly. These brushes would make it so much easier!
Easier for sure.
Larissa, I love the idea of painting the bottom portion of the tables different colors. They look amazing!
I love a good mix. Glad you like it, Michele!
I am always so inspired by your makeovers, and would LOVE to do my own makeovers with brand-spanking new Zibra brushes! I have a set of folding wood tray tables that are just waiting for their update…thanks for the chance to win a set!
Yahoo! That’s the spirit, Linda. Hope you win!
Nice little project. I have some similar tables and might copy your idea.
Thanks! If you do show us, we’d love to see. 😉
I just love nesting tables and yours are gorgeous! The colors are beautiful. Duck egg is my favorite!
They are so fun to have! I really wish we were done with our space so I could keep them, but if I need them I’ll have to hunt some more. Half the fun anyway!
Super cute look Larissa! Love the different colours!
Thank you, Anne. I needed to mix it up and have fun – cabin fever here! 😀
I love the tables, the colors are great and so glad you left the tops the natural woodgrain
I’m happy to hear you like them, Susan. Thank you!
Love the tables. Love Dixie Belle paint!
Wahoo!! Me too!
I have some dining room chairs I’d like to paint. Thanks for the chance to win!
You bet!
My bathroom door needs to be painted so that would be my first task. The nesting tables came out great. Thanks for the giveaway.
That would be fun to tackle with these. Sounds good!
Love the makeover! I would update some of my furniture.
Thank you, Carly.
THOSE are cute tables. Sweet & dainty. I love how you stage each piece that you do. I would love a tour of your home & warehouse! ?
I just love the design of these for those reasons. Thank you. You’re so fun!
love the color choice! Excellent! And about people going crazy over a winter storm – they do that too here in upstate NY. We have 4 seasons people and one of them is WINTER!!!
So happy to hear it! Thank you, Cathy. Yes, so very true! hahahaha…
What a find!
So glad they peeked out at me. 🙂
Love these. I’d call dibs on the aqua table every time!????
You and me both! hahaha!
Cute tables. I’d paint my office desk with the brushes. I’d love to win them.
Another beautiful transformation Larissa! I love that you did each a different color on the skirt and legs!! It looks like your new sander works well indeed!
super cute tables and I love the colors that you chose with the natural wood tops! Great job! Stay warm!
Woot! I love these colors. Fun to see!
I especially like that you painted everything but the tops in different colors. Very pretty. I am just wrapping up the pre-prep to repaint my kitchen cupboards. That mean I am buying paint and painting supplies today. That means I will probably start without Zibra brushes. All of the retro fitting for the new walloven Santa brought and all of the other prep is going to take quite a while.
Sounds like you and I are in the boat and will have a blast. Either way, I hope you win! I have another giveaway later this week you can surely use. 😉
Nice.
Thanks.
I have a bookshelf that needs painting. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
You bet!
❤️ what you’ve done with the nesting tables!
They were meant to be found. 😉 Thanks, Lisa!
your tables look great! i like the legs in different colours. I have a sofa table that needs redoing.
Had to change it up a bit and make it fun. Thanks!
Again, I am so amazed by your vision! Using the three colors and just on the skirts and legs make them look more like a set. It gives them dimension and a whole lot of interest. I love wood and I love paint. I am constantly tickled by how you can bring out the best in a piece by utilizing both. My heart beats faster when you pull out that duck egg blue, but oooh those grays….they really set off that delicious blue. I have a pair of nesting tables (I say a pair because there are only two–one for each kiddo I guess, but hey they nest). I have not considered painting them, however, If I win the Zibra brushes, I will paint the skirts and legs of them. I may let the boys choose the colors; I can always repaint them right?
I’m happy you think so. Making a change like that is exciting to me and always a fun job. Thanks!
Love the table make overs! I’m getting ready to refinish my dining room table paint the legs and stain the top! The brushes would be a huge help.
Those are always fun to redo because you can enjoy your work daily. I know I love mine!
I have 2 book cases and a kitchen table and a small table to start. I love the nesting tables. They are great. The maple tops are soon pretty.
Thank you, Frances.
I have Ethan Allen tables in my family room that I’ve been thinking about doing something to. My Mom bought them in in the late 80’s or early 90’s. All three have drop leaf sides but each has a unique shape. The smallest table has a lamp in the middle. The lamp needs to be rewired so the that one is in the garage. The finish has held up well–which I expect from Ethan Allen–but there are some chips in the coffee table. The legs and cross braces are square. The wood is beautiful so now I’m thinking I’ll try sanding the finish off and go from there!
I think I’ve seen those. They would look awesome redone. Hope you win!
Nice job. I have a dining table that I want to do similar to this by leaving the top wood and painting the skirt and legs. I think I would like to paint them gray as I haven’t used this color before. Thanks for the giveaway and your inspiration!
Your table will look amazing, Debra. Show me when you do!
I also have some nesting tables that I have considered painting. They are a dark stain and you have inspired me to go to some fun colors. I owe the round Zibra brush but would love to owe more! thanks
How fun is that?! I love to hear it. Thanks, Linda!
Great job, as usual! I learn so much from you on refinishing , painting and what to buy . Thanks so much.
Mary, hearing that is why I do what I do. Thank you. 🙂
These tables turned out really cute !!! I’ll bet you’re glad you didn’t miss seeing them. I know what you mean about not being able to pass up a great looking piece………..even though you really don’t have room for more furniture!! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I actually gasped when I saw them. I’ve always wanted to redo a set. yay!!
Beautiful tables! I plan to get some Dixie Belle paint and work some magic ( I hope) on my secretaries desk.
You can do it! Thanks for the love, Debbie.
I like how the tables turned out. You have a great eye. I really would like to give the Zibra brushes a try.
You will love them, Sandy!
My favorite is the duck egg blue! They all turned out so great though – I think people pass these up not knowing how cute and useful they can be.
Good pick! Fun color and so many ways to use it. Glad the pass and I get! hahaha. 😉
I love that these tables are different colors. Very cute. I am about to build my house, so probably would paint my kitchen cabinets with these brushes.
Kitchen cabinets would be a breeze with these. I wish I had them when I did mine. Particularly the triangle one. Oy!
What a fun makeover! Like all the colors, my favorite is the light grey. I am getting ready to start a wardrobe project and these brushes would definitely be helpful, but first I must get my makeover decisions decided on. How do you go about deciding on colors?
That gray is just the right tint and goes with so many colors. The brushed would knock out that wardrobe in no time.
I love seeing how you revamp so many items that can be intimidating at first sight. I do eyeball your tools quite a bit haha so it’s awesome to be able to participate in this giveaway! Thanks!
Yay! I’m delighted to hear it. It’s fun to share and inspire, as well as give gifts! Hope you win. 😀
Once again an Awesome job. I have a cute little antique cabinet that needs some love and these brushes would make the job much easier.
Thanks! Love those cabinets – so useful for most any room in the house.
Accidently wrote my email incorrectly! ?
No worries!
I love the gray table! I’m planning to paint a small vintage desk for my boys this Spring & would love to use brushes like these.
Woot! They would come in handy for sure.
What a clever color choice! I love it!
Thanks!
Always enjoy your blog and all your projects. Would love to win the brushes as I don’t have a good set. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you, Janet. Happy to hear it. 🙂
What a great set ! They look nice. Thanks for another giveaway opportunity ! You rock !!!!!!!
happy dance!! You are so fun, Charlene!
Love the colors and maple is beautiful. I just found a maple cutting board that I can’t wait to bring back to life.
Ooh…those have so much life in them. I snag them when I can too. Enjoy!
The tables are beautiful but as usual I’m interested in your staging. I love the floral painting. Do you know anything about it or is it something you did? Thanks!
Thank you, Deidre. I found the painting at a thrift store along with others. I just loved the colors and vibrancy.
Outside the vanity you did a year or two ago I think these tables are my fav!!! Love the mix of colors!
Fantastic! I’m so glad you love them. Thanks, Maura!
I really love these tables!
Awesome! Thank you, Erin.
The tables look fantastic! You’ve inspired me to finally get to work on a table and some chairs that have been waiting for their facelift for waaay too long. Those paint brushes look like they will make the job much easier! ?
Allie, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy to hear it. Wish I had brushes to give to everyone!
Well, I picked up some dining room chairs for a refugee family, and I think they need some paint. Might be just the right project for the new brushes! Thanks for a shot at them, Larissa! Love these little nesting tables!
You are awesome, Patty. That would be the best gift!
Who wouldn’t love those tables! Beautiful as always.
My thinking too as I had to have them. 😉
I Love the brushes I already won!!!! Whoever wins will love them too!!
I’m so happy to hear it, Maria!
If I see any stacking tables in my future shopping endeavors I will certainly pick them up. They are Wonderful!
You go girl! 😀
The tables are gorgeous. I have a side table I have been meaning to redo for a really long time. I would paint it first.
Thank you. Those get so much use that you often don’t realize how much TLC they need.
The tables would ok perfect in my home. My exact three colors. Love these. Also what wood glue were you using? I’ve tried several and they weren’t working .well. Thank you
I use Titebond Wood Glue. Best I have ever found anywhere. It’s also Amazon’s Choice for best glue: http://amzn.to/2FR8Lqo
I love these nesting tables Larissa although I think if I had done them I would have stuck to one color for all three. I truly admire how you always attempt to keep the natural wood exposed but add some fun color to!
As far as these Libra brushes I adore them! I currently have 3 of them but am missing the one I really would love to try (and need lol!) the round brush. I just finished painting my stairway railings using the square brush instead because I cant seem to find the round one in any local stores and I was too anxious to get it done to order online and also have to pay the extra shipping fee lol! It worked pretty good but I’m guessing the round one would have been much easier. Wish me luck! Have a lovely and warmer day. (i’m in northern Illinois and it will be a balmy 32 degrees today, yay some warmer temps!)
Painting chairs & a hutch soon We need these brushes so badly. I volunteer with a nfp that teaches women in recovery how to redo & renew thrifted items that are then sold to support the program. Having the right brushes makes all the difference. Love my round zibra brush & have used the Sq brush before
What a wonderful program! I so hope you win.
Love the tables!!
Thank you, Melanie. 🙂
I would never have thought to use 3 different colors! I love how your brain works. Thanks for sharing.
You made me giggle! Thank you. 🙂
I’ve tried many brushes as we’ve been building our own home and restoring vintage furniture for years. Anxious to try these brushes on a dining set I inherited from my parents. Plan to restore the lovely maple tops and paint the base and legs similar to your nesting tables!
I have too and I had about completely given up hope. I am not kidding as I was praying about what to do, Zibra contacted me to give them a try. My kids thought me nuts when I was dancing around after giving them a test run. I was sold.
My kitchen table has been waiting for these brushes! I keep hoping to win some, but I may have to break down and buy them.
I hope you win, Carole! Don’t forget you can use your subscriber discount on your first order if you ever want to purchase some.
I have an old magazine rack that was my husbands granny’s and I am wanting to bring new life to it through paint. New paint brushes would be wonderful!!! Thank you for such great projects and ideas!!! ?
That would be a sweet way to update and keep a memory.
Love thes nesting tables! So cute! I have this beautiful antique dresser that needs a little love. Those brushes would come in handy! 🙂
Thanks! They sure would help you in your job.
Do I have to choose one?!? I love all three tables…but that dark gray! Oh, I just love it!
hahaha…I love it!
I just love the nesting tables. I will have to find some to do this with! Thank you for blogging and sharing your work with us all 🙂
There creative design has made me always want to find a pair. Thank you for the kind words on my work.
I’m such a fan of nesting tables! So handy 🙂 I would have scooped these up too Larissa!
I really love how you transformed them. Don’t make me pick a favorite colour!
I hope when the time is right, you find the perfect set for you. 🙂
Thank you bunches, Kim. I’m sure the timing will be just right when it’s meant to be.
Absolutely love these darling tables. Sorry if I missed it in the post, but I am wondering what the two grays are that you used. I saw the reference to the Duck Egg Blue, but not the others. Many thanks.
Thank you, Sandra. The paints were a mix of colors I used that I don’t have the name for.