How to Update That Old Plain Looking Coffee Table

Kelley MacKay
by Kelley MacKay
6 Materials
This was a custom piece that the customer thought it was solid wood. It is actually a veneer and takes bit more work but I was very pleased with the outcome
Before
the top Before
I sanded the top and found that it was a thin veneer and the edge was not even wood! I was determined to make this into the piece my client wanted.
I stained the top using General Finishes Java Gel stain. I suggest always using a wood condition. I did not this time and the stain will tend to go on splotchy. I used mineral spirits to the the even application. After a couple of coats of stain, I top coated with General Finishes Gel top coat.


After cleaning well, I painted the base with Annie Sloan Old Ochre, lightly distressed and top coated with Polyvine Wax Varnish.
My client had seen another table I did with the raised stencil, so she asked me to do the same for this table. I am so glad she did...I love it! I used wood icing to fill the stencil and the removed stencil and allowed to dry.
I lightly sanded til smooth the dried stencil and applied some stain.
Once this dries, I will now put another coat or 2 of theGF Gel top coat.
Resources for this project:
Annie Sloan Old Ochre Chalk Paint
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  • Maria Vivier Maria Vivier on Aug 08, 2018

    I would love this on my kitchen table because the finish has come off where we sit the most. The problem is the table has 2 leafs. How would I continue the stencil pattern on the leafs? We have been using it mostly with no leafs but the split is down the center of my rectangle table. Any suggestions??

  • Kathy Hudson Kathy Hudson on Aug 09, 2018

    not pertaining to this project but I have a table that the top has several bubbles. How do I get rid of them?

  • Harriette Harriette on Sep 17, 2018

    How many coats of paint did you give the base? I am redoing an old table with a veneer top as well, so will probably do the top the same, but I have given the bottom already 2 coats of Fusion raw silk chalk paint and will need to do another. What if anything am I doing wrong?

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