1960's Coffee Table Into 2020

Nan W.
by Nan W.
4 Materials
$35
2 Hours
Easy

I found this $35 solid wood table at a thrift store. (this photo taken AT the thrift store)

I wanted to transform it (time travel!!) -- to 2020.

Table at thrift store. $35.

Solid wood!


I was looking for inexpensive ways to "stage" my studio condo for sale.

Got table home of top of my car!

I was really drawn to the "carved" detail of the table. This will be FUN!

I propped up legs on the corners of a box... so that I could paint all the way to the bottom (off of the drop cloth)

I used leftover grey paint (that I had used on my fireplace... see other project). Satin finish.

Uh oh... no going back now! (after giving table a light clean with WIndex.)

Before and after first coat of paint. ...I could see the possibilities!!

...after first coat

...after second coat

...after brushing on Valspar Dark Wax -- especially into all of the crevices... and then wiping down with old pieces of cotton flannel. (Work quickly -- before wax hardens!). (Or, you could put a coat of clear wax first... giving you more time to play with the darker wax.)

Love it!

(um--- some paint drips on the floor... better clean that up! ...latex: no problem!)

"Carving" detail

Close up! Love it!

Here is the table in living area!

(I'm staging this mountain studio condo for sale.)


(...It SOLD!) ...with the table! ;-)

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Frequently asked questions
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  • Wishy washy maybe Wishy washy maybe on Jan 30, 2020

    Re: the sofa in the first pic?

  • Judy Judy on Jan 30, 2020

    You didn’t say anything about stripping or sanding the original finish before painting. Why did you skip that part?

  • Barbara Barbara on Jan 30, 2020

    What is the mat on the car roof?

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4 of 29 comments
  • Garry Garry on Jan 28, 2023

    Oh well, that's perfect Nan! I just simply concerned you might run into issues if this was to be a more permanent piece of furniture. It does look very nice. I hope my furniture turns out the same. I might distress mine a bit and use the darker wax for more depth. Thanks for your posting. It gave me more motivation. Cheers.

    • JH JH on Jan 31, 2023

      I agree Garry, too bad some of these DIY bloggers have such an attitude when offered good advice. If you cannot take good critique, then you should not post your DIY.

      You posted this without stating it was just for staging. Many beginners will put primer and then paint. We all know that will not hold up 70% of the time or less.

      Folks, sand and prep your surfaces before painting if you want it to last.

  • Npp9117642 Npp9117642 on Feb 02, 2023

    It's plainly stated in the initial post that this will be used for staging.

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