Would Mama Be Happy Part II

Pamela Field
by Pamela Field
Some of you may remember my post "Would Mama Be Happy" when I painted an old chest for a sweet disabled lady. She was so happy with the chest, she asked me if I could do something with this old coffee table to coordinate with the chest?
I told her, "I'll see what I can do!". Took it home with me, knowing I didn't have anymore of that paint I'd mixed together and have to come up with another solution. Shoot!
Oh Lordy! What have I gotten myself into?
This old table had some condition issues with the leather top as well as a broken leg. There was a chunk of wood missing from the leg of the table. After drilling a couple of holes, I reattached the leg with wood glue and long screws.
Now it was sturdy again and I started on the leather top. I figured if an iron would take off veneer, it would probably loosen that old leather top too. Yes! It pulled right up!
Ugh! Mold was under that old leather. Using a bleach/water solution, cleaned it up and set out in the sun to dry to get rid of the mold. Lightly sanded and wiped down, preparing it for a base coat.
I painted a base coat, then lightly went over the entire table with a damp cloth, being careful not to rub the paint off for a smooth finish.


(wet sanded )
Painted the details gold.
I thought this toile fabric remnant had just enough of the same blue I'd used on Mama's old chest would work to tie the two together.


Added the same pearl glaze all over like I did on the chest and allowed it to dry before laying out the fabric to estimate placement on the top.
After ironing the fabric with liquid starch, I applied Mod Podge to the tabletop before laying it on the table., careful to make it smooth and stay within the trim without stretching it while it was wet with the Mod Podge. After it dried, I trimmed the edges using the straight edge of a scraper and an exacto knife.
Two heavy coats of poly and she's ready for the sitting room with her old friend, Mama's chest.
Do you think they will go together okay?
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 8 questions
  • Suzanne Brodie Suzanne Brodie on Sep 06, 2016
    Do you have a blog?
  • ANA ANA on Sep 06, 2016
    So you placed modpodge directly on table top, then the fabric and MORE modpodge?
  • Autumn Hall Zink Autumn Hall Zink on Sep 08, 2016
    Id have loved to be there when the lady saw it! What did she say?!
Comments
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  • Moma Walker Moma Walker on Jan 15, 2017
    Thank you Carey and God Bless you as you are a very sweet person. My sweet Moma had Alzheimer's Disease and I took care of her the last 2 years of her life, the last one I moved in with her. Against her will and everything else. But I wouldn't trade that last year for anything in this world. We sang, danced, I got to cook for her and take her places--until the Alzheimer's kicked in real bad. She started sundowning (staying up all night) would walk around the house in the middle of the night looking for her parents. It was the hardest thing I have ever done mentally and physically. But I would do it again if I had the chance because she was my best friend as well as my Moma. I promised her I wouldn't put her in a nursing home and I kept that promise. Elderly people need extra special attention that they deserve. I did everything she wanted me to do for her. She forgot that I had 7 surgeries on my back and couldn't pick her up when she got to the point that her legs wouldn't hold her up and she didn't want to use a wheelchair. I tried my best to hold her up but both of us ended up on the floor. I made sure she fell on top of me and she thought it was so funny. But I couldn't pick her up from the floor so I had to call 911. The1st time she got mad, the 2nd and 3rd time she carried on a conversation with the firemen. 3 days later she fell into a coma. About 2 days later God sent His Angel to get her while I was holding her hand talking to her. I miss My Moma so very much. Please be kind to elderly people. Go out of your way and do things for them. I bet they would for us if they could. God Bless all of you and have a nice night.
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    • Moma Walker Moma Walker on Jan 17, 2017
      Thank you Lindy for your kind words. And you're right, I have so many beautiful memories from living and taking care of Moma. I hope I never forget any of it. She had 2 brothers and 1 sister to pass away of Alzheimer's within 1 year. All of her siblings passed away from that terrible disease except for 1. She didn't live long enough to know if she would have had it or not. There was 9 of them in all. One of them is doing ok so far. She's the youngest. The oldest just turned 95 and she doesn't recognize anyone. She's the one Moma use to play scrabble with a lot. My oldest Aunt has always said that she would be the last sibling to go. She was always joking when she said it but now its just her and my younger Aunt.
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