Enhancing the Character
When I saw this table on Kijiji I really liked it and definitely thought I could work with it. I was told it probably was made in Newfoundland which is interesting I suppose. There is some worm damage to the table top that adds to its character which I just love. I found the original colour was boring and made this table fade into the background. It deserved much more than that.
I chose to strip the finish off the top and stain it dark walnut. The surface of the table is a little uneven, whether that is from the fact it was hand planed to give the appearance of being very old or the maker just didn't notice, it made for a difficult job of staining. When a surface is flat it is easy to wipe a surface with even pressure, not so easy when it isn't even.
The legs and skirt on this table are bold and substantial so I wanted a strong contrast between the table top and the rest of it. Two coats of Pure White was my choice. I then used 220 grit sand paper and gave a light sanding along the the edges or where natural rub from hands or feet would be.
I decided to use a clear satin polyurethane to finish the table. Four coats over the entire piece with wet sanding in between coats gives a smooth low luster.
Finished and ready for a bay window, grand entrance or maybe a card or game table in the family room. The table with character now stands out and doesn't fade into the background.
http://redwindstudio.ca/store/2014/02/26/enhancing-the-character/
Comments
Join the conversation
1 comment
-
love it really turned out nice
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?