Top... uggh
Where to begin?
This little end table (at least 40 yrs old) belonged to my parents , but sat on 'Dad's side of the sofa'. As it got older he moved it to his workshop area in the garage. Mom passed 5 yrs ago & Dad is in an assisted living facility several states away. He is 92, has dementia, Covid 19 positive and has been on lock down for 4 months. He was a master carpenter; I am just a amateur diy daughter. It took me 18 mos to repair & refresh my parents house so it could be sold ; the money is being used for his care.
I cannot part with Dad's little table though it is basically 'trashed'. I want to 'fixer'up' as best I can...but I need help. I don't even know where to begin. How to 'fix' it (or at least make it better). What could I use it for (ideas)? Should I paint or refinish? IDK anything other than it will break my heart to set it out to the curb.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. (Pictures of similar items or completed projects would be great too... for inspiration!)
Stained and feels kind of 'eroded'?
Corner lifting
Front has 'character'
Related Discussions
Old Safe.....Now What?!
Like the crazy I am... I bid successfully on this old safe that hasn't been opened because the combination is long since missing. Now what do I do with it ha ha ha...... See more
I have a beautiful cherry wood entertainment center I cant use anymore
Do you have any ideas on what I can do with my beautiful entertainment center? Its tall and holds up to a 40" TV. I have a small home and have a new 50" TV that wont ... See more
Advice for what to do with my Singer Sewing Table...
I found a GORGEOUS singer sewing table that I'm dying to bring some life back into, but I'm terribly afraid of ruining the original charm and character. Here's the ma... See more
Can antique bed be saved?
This antique bed has been in storage for the last 20 years. I recently pulled it out and it's seems so damaged I'm ready to throw it away. It's cracked, warped and di... See more
Antique Steamer Trunk into Coffee Table - should the interior be lined
We have distressed, stained and used poly on this antique trunk and then added legs. The paper was stripped from the interior and then lightly sanded, stained and cle... See more
Any ideas on how to re-purpose the top part only of this hutch?
I just got a fantastic deal on this hutch for a $100.00. I bought it really for the bottom part only. I plan on using the bottom part in our family room as a TV stand... See more
What should I do with my Grandmother's 1930's vanity table
My Grabdmother's furniture sat in her house for a long time after she passed away without air conditioning or heat. By the time I got to it a lot of the veneer was c... See more
I think the wear from your dad using it is really interesting to look at. What about just conditioning the wood? I like using Howard Feed N Wax on old wood to freshen it and keep the patina.
It can be sanded and repaired. You can stain it or paint it. It will take some glue and clamps, sanding, maybe some stripper if you plan on staining it. Chalk paint would look great too. So many ideas. Don't throw it away or sell it. Sounds like it is important for you to keep it.
What you do depends on how you want this piece restored. Do you want it to look like what you remember your dad sitting next to - or just that 'this was dad's?' Refinish for the first one or 'make it your own' for the second. If you decide to make it your own then choose a place in your home where it fits. 25 X 25 inches is rather large. If you could use it as a coffee table, then consider replacing the legs with something shorter. If not, then leave as is. Then, use your own color scheme to either paint or stain to your liking. The drawer pulls can be replaced with something that goes with your decor, too. For the wood issues, you can either pull off and replace the top veneer or glue it back down. And for the separation near the leg, determine what has happened and repair, glue and clamp it back in place. Whatever you do, use a nice clear finish (from matte to gloss, your choice) and enjoy the old/new table.
Hello there,
To remove the varnish , try using Metal Polish (YES) Metal polish. Rub in circles all over. Once removed then use Mayonnaise rubbed in the same way (in circles) leave to dry, then buff up. Hope that helps.
Cindy: this is how I refreshed a coffee table...
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/1960s-coffee-table-into-2020-44255352
1960's Coffee Table Into 2020
Use fine steel wool to “sand” it. Clean with tsp and see how it looks. You might be able to stain it but you could definitely paint it. I would keep it as well. Sorry you are going through this. I fear this is my near future.
I have got to believe this is salvageable. Try a good sanding and wood fill for the damaged areas and then paint or stain. Even if it's now perfect the history is what makes it beautiful.
Sand it with a small orbital sander. Go through three stages of grit, finest last for a super smooth finish. If you are going to restain it, use a wood conditioner first. Then stain away. You could also do a cool white or black antique look using chalk paint and then sanding a couple accents after it’s dry.
Too cool
Take some sand paper and sand the top down to get all the old stuff off I can’t see the legs if you don’t like them sand them to then I would just put clear varnish on after .
Use wood glue to repair the raised corner and weigh it down until the glue dries. Squeeze some glue where it's separating and pound it back with a hammer and block of wood. You can clean the hardware.
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/furniture/make-it-beautiful-with-vinegar-and-salt-27744535
Then you can paint it. To much wear and tear to refinish it
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20end%20table
Make It Beautiful With Vinegar and Salt!
Remove/clean the hardware, and clean the wood really good as per suggestions above; wipe with a soft cloth. Glue down the raised corner as well as the separated spot with wood glue. Let everything dry, then evaluate. (For sentimental pieces, i only paint what i must.) You might be able to stain the top a deeper shade which could be acceptable even if not perfect. OR only paint the top-- use a dark/black paint to keep it close to original ,or use a cream paint to complement and refresh. The legs and drawer look to be in good condition, so i would not paint. This table is destined for greatness whichever way you go! It must have been quite a nice piece to have survived all these years, and there is a lot of life in her yet. Best wishes to you and your father!
Follow your heart and keep it! You can do the repairs with wood filler, glue, and clamps to sturdy up the leg(s). Have you thought of locating more pics of your relatives, making an arrangement for the table top and having glass cut to size for the top? Do what makes you happy and feels right!
wow beautiful piece of furniture ...lots of sending and then reinforcing ... please share after pictures ...so curious how it will turn out
Quite honestly, I’d do a light cleaning then seal it up as is, personally.
This is terrible, did the builders ruin your sofa ?
Two choices. Sand and restain and seal or chalk paint. You could add a few photos of Dad and have a piece of glass cut and slide the photos underneath the glass in random order. You can put silicone dots at the corners to keep the glass from slipping and will always be reminded of Dad
Hi,
Sand it down and use a coloured wax on it. Preserve the look with glass. Best wishes
Hi Cindy, why not chalk paint it? I lover the look of chalk paint, and you can still distress it to "age" it a bit!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3NWvRAyYZ8