More Repurposing Ideas
I have a couple of other pieces my dad got out of his attic and gave me that I will be posting also for ideas. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with the suggestions for the tea cart I posted earlier. I am going to be a busy girl for a while if my dad keeps up with his "cleaning out the house" phase....lol
I promise to post before/after pictures as I finish these pieces so everyone can see the outcome.
-
Tudyrunningwater on Jun 22, 2013what a great sewing table it would makeHelpful Reply
-
-
Sherry McBride on Jun 22, 2013You're right, it would! I wish I knew how to use a sewing machine....lolHelpful Reply
-
-
Z on Jun 22, 2013Hi @Sherry. What a great library table you "found"! I love it. I personally would NOT paint it. But instead refinish in to a dark walnut. The current color is very nice too and I'm betting it would clean up with just some Restore-A-Finish. Though I agree it would work well for a mosaic work station, with the shelves serving as supply storage, my first thought was it would make a great kitchen island. The shelves on the side could be used for cookbooks, mixing bowls and/or small appliances you use often but don't want taking up counter space. It's a little short for an island but if you can attach locking casters to the legs and get a glass top cut to fit or add some Hardibacker and granite tiles for a better kitchen work surface the height should work.Helpful Reply
-
-
Sherry McBride on Jun 22, 2013Becky, that is a great idea!!! I'm definitely going to consider this one - thank you!Helpful Reply
-
-
Peggy Hazelwood on Jun 23, 2013I agree with Becky. I wouldn't paint this great library table. If you're going to use if for mosaics, be sure to protect the top when working.Helpful Reply
-
-
Sandy Harmon on Jun 23, 2013Great Mission Oak piece! I agree with the Restore-A-Finish but would not stain it darker. Actually an expensive antique and to paint it would diminish it's value.Helpful Reply
-
-
Leslie Austin on Jun 23, 2013I love Becky's kitchen island idea if you have the space. Even baskets would look great on the shelves for storing kitchen things.Helpful Reply
-
-
Kathryn on Jun 23, 2013Beautiful Mission piece, and I am sure it is quite valuable. Try giving it a good scrub with Soilmax (new name of Soilax) and then see how the finish looks. It is amazing how much dirt will come away, and quite often the finish is pretty decent!Helpful Reply
-
-
Melissa on Jun 23, 2013Try rubbing it down with Goop (not the sand/abrasive type), then wipe it clean. It takes off an amazing amount of dirt and grime, and does not harm the finish. Looks fantastic when done!Helpful Reply
-
-
Mary Schroer on Jun 23, 2013agree with Melissa it looks great now, just needs a little elbow grease. Mosiac Tile sounds good too.Helpful Reply
-
-
Cyndy chaszeyka on Jun 24, 2013I would not refinish it to anything but it's natural color. Simply sand it with a fine grade sand paper wipe it down with a tack rag and finsih it with a satin varnish. The piece you bought is an antique and actually is worth way more than you paid for it. I would look for a manufactuers mark on the drawer or take out the drawer and look up under it . It is in the craftsman style(Mission). I have collected antiques for 40 or more years. You got an excellent buy. It would make a great sewing table as it is.Helpful Reply
-
-
Cynthia on Jun 24, 2013http://www.etsy.com/listing/127224994/antique-mission-style-oak-desk?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage_mid&gclid=CIHv9pmR_bcCFVBp7Aod9AwALw This one is similar selling for $195 on Etsy. I'd check with Antique dealer/appraiser and see if it's worth alot more. That would determine if I restain or paint it.Helpful Reply
-
-
Cherie on Jun 24, 2013Sherry, I too, have a Mission library table. It was my grandmother's ... I'm from WV. You scored on this one big time!! I am a natural/stain finishing person; love the grain in all wood. Currently, mine is in the dining room bay window, facing south with filtered light ... topped with one of my grandma's handmade quilts and a sheet of cut to fit acrylic to protect the quilt and table top from the houseplants I keep on it ... violets, orchids, etc and a lamp. Sounds like you've some good ideas yourself and suggestions from our "Hometalk fraternity". Hope you will post with an update when you finish. Cheers! CWHelpful Reply
-
-
Wanda sinnema on Jun 24, 2013lovely wood grain, you did get a real find in the rough... I would clean it first, then see how it looks.I WOULD NOT PAINT, the graining is such wonderful part of this piece. I also like the idea of a kitchen island if space permits. If used for crafting I would top it with glass to make sure you don't damage the top... clean it and mostly I would enjoy it..Helpful Reply
-
-
TJ on Jun 24, 2013As others have said, I definitely would not paint it. Anything but a good clean and finish restorer would certainly devalue this beautiful antique. I have a big wood antique desk and the restore finish that was put on over 25 years ago has held up amazingly with daily use.Helpful Reply
-
-
Marci N on Jun 24, 2013That is a cool table! I too wouldn't paint it, but wold be tempted to mosaic the top. Or if you didn't want to permanatly change the top mosaic a piece of plywood Or glass to sit on top of it. With some cleaning and oiling this could really shine.Helpful Reply
-
-
Belinda Collins on Jun 24, 2013Wow! What a price for such a beautiful mission style desk. I would keep it the natural color and use it for a desk. These babies are getting harder to find. Enjoy it!Helpful Reply
-
-
Regina on Jun 25, 2013I agree with everyone who says do not paint or even refinish your mission style, quarter-sawn oak library table. It is worth about $200 as is, and painting/refinishing devalues antique pieces substantially. The original state should not be altered. My recommendation is to dust it with a Swifer type cloth, clean it with Murphy's oil (applied to cleaning rag--do not spray directly onto the table), and clean it again with Liquid Gold furniture polish (applied to cleaning rag--do not spray directly onto the table). By the way, don't forget to add shipping charges to the table listed on eBay for $195 if you're using that for comparison.Helpful Reply
-
-
Z on Jun 25, 2013@Regina, Sherrie's desk is not quarter sawn oak. The desk below is. It's also known as Tiger Oak because the grain looks a bit like tiger stripes. It was very often used in making furniture during the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century.1 marked as helpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
Should I paint or stain my oak kitchen cabinets?
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ... See more
How to match ceiling paint?
Can someone tell me how to match paint for a ceiling touch up job?I cut a small patch of dry wall paper out of the ceiling and had paint made at Home Depot TWICE! Sti... See more
How to stain wood deck?
Tips to stain my wood deck?
How to stain wood cabinets?
How do I stain my wood cabinets? Do I have to remove them and put them back, or can I stain them while they are attached?
Any ideas on how to refurbish this little side table??
I purchased this worn out little table that has side pockets for magazines at a sale. I am thinking about sanding it down enough to possibly repaint it but am stumped... See more
Any ideas how to refinish or coverup this table top?
I found this table and four chairs at Goodwill for 40.00- the chairs were easy to spraypaint, but the table top has "blisters" from the underlying particle board. Any... See more
How can I repurpose a computer desk?
I have a black laminate computer desk with pullout keyboard tray that is made of particle board. I have a country chic decor and want to incorporate it somehow.