Not Your Ordinary Library Table {Dogwoods}

M&M Embellishments
by M&M Embellishments
5 Materials
An update on the library table my sister found for me. She didn't know what my design would be, but she grabbed it up before it was too late. I was pretty pleased when I saw it, but I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it. I knew I was going to do some stain art on top, so I went ahead and stripped the top.
I stared at it quite awhile, but it just wasn't speaking to me.


So, I consulted my friend Tammy from TheTatteredRabbit.com. She helped me to see a great plan with paint and making the details pop by painting with a two-color scheme.


I was excited because I wanted to use my Velvet Finishes paints again!!
http://www.velvetfinishes.com/shop.html#a_aid
While I was waiting for my new shipment from Velvet Finishes to arrive, I came up with a design for the top. I decided on Dogwoods. One of my mother's favorite trees. (still at my age, I always strive to do things that make her happy/ proud of her baby lol)



I was feeling pretty good about the new design and paint colors we chose!


AND. THEN. MY. SISTER. VISITED......



NO PAINT, she said!



She reminded me that people at the shows have proven to be more drawn to the artwork done on the wood. She is right {big sister knows best.... whatever!}- those are the pieces I sell better. So, now my whole plan changed!



I decided to keep with the dogwood image I had designed and got started with the top.
Now, I was done with the top, except for the finishing (sealing/ poly). I decided to use a sanding sealer first as I read great reviews about giving a smoother finish and not having to sand so much between coats of poly.



BTW, with this technique, I have to put a LOT of water-based coats of poly on before I can start sanding between coats due to the artwork underneath ~ don't want to sand any of the stained design away.



Well, here is where I got really disappointed! The sanding sealer says it is clear, but it actually gave an amber hue. ALSO, it went on so streaky -- still need to practice that application!
Here is the comparison:
I was pretty disappointed, but got some opinions from others here on Hometalk, and most others thought the SealCoat brought out the warmth of the wood. OK, so I guess I will keep going.



I sanded as much of that streakiness off as I could using different grits and tried very hard not to disturb the stain underneath.



I forgot to mention that I had stained the bevel around the top with Ebony stain (same as I use on my artwork) to give it a good border.
So now I have to decide what to do with the base.
I think I 'm going to go with a mahogany/cherry stain on the base, the colors would emulate this piece I have. I'm not sure if I will do the drawers in cherry or make them match the top.
I have to take a break while I go visit my family! YAY! Gives me time to stare at my pictures to decide for sure on the base.



Keep watching for the final reveal in a couple of weeks!



Hope you enjoyed!


Please check out the website for the final reveal and other unique and custom pieces!



~Michelle


A shout out to thetatteredrabbit.com


and Velvet Finishes


http://www.velvetfinishes.com/shop.html
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  • Millies_mom47 Millies_mom47 on Oct 28, 2018

    I have a real antique table with 6 leaves and I've been trying to decide what to do for the surface that would look good and the pattern would work no matter which leaves would be in or with none at all. It's an oval shape and I don't want to paint it, just stain or varnish it, but with something to make it unique and beautiful. Any ideas people? Oh I'm not a great artist I have to have a pattern I can copy.

  • Joanie Joanie on Oct 29, 2018

    M&M Embellishments,

    Thank you so much for replying back on your table. It is gorgeous. I looked through your collection of work. WoW!! You really have a lot of creativity in your blood.....I love them horses on the rustic wood. I'm a lover of horses. I'd love to see it in a different setting.....larger or alone? Thank you!!

  • Debbie Rimmel Debbie Rimmel on Dec 10, 2018

    Where can I find a table like this? Not painted or anything. I love this table because there are drawers on it.

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