Updating Ideas

Question

Here's a pair of end tables my dad pulled out. He can't remember how long ago he bought them and I was surprised at how heavy these were. I really like the look of the legs on these and the double-handed drawer pulls.

They stand 21' tall. They're 28' long and 20' across. They need updating and I need ideas. I'm open to using them as end tables or turning them into something for other functions. Any ideas out there?

Z · Answer

Wow those are awesome Sherry! Can I come to your Dad's house? Will he send all these great finds home with me too? 
I would say these are from the late sixties or early seventies. Just a guess though. Are the tops real wood or Formica? The reason I ask is the tops seem to have a slightly difference sheen to them than the rest of the pieces. 
Since I love furniture of this era I'd leave them as the are. It looks as though a little polishing with Old English, is all they need. At the most a once over with Restore-A-Finish. Please don't paint these!
Look underneath them or in the drawers and see if you can find a makers mark. They could be Lane.

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Sherry McBride nice find, the peices have a great character. As for refinishing it would depend on where you plan to use them. Sofa end tables can be used for bedside tables as well. The fact that they have drawers makes them great for that use. If it is wood, I would at least sand and refinish the top portion of the tables and then perhaps add some colour on the drawers and legs. Update the handles ore spray paint them to update them somewhat. Thanks for sharing.

Sherry McBride · Answer

Becky, I thought they were 60's tables also. The tops are solid wood with a formica top. I looked for a maker's mark and it says Mersman. According to my internet search, they could have been made anywhere from the late 1920's to the early 1960's. They were mass produced so they don't have much value for collectors, but the research says that by today's standards these tables are very well made. I did find someone's blog where they are selling a pair that they refinished and they look beautiful all cleaned up. I'm excited now!

Nina Jordan-Smith · Answer

I would paint them, change the hardware or paint them a nice silver and possible add some cool wheels for height and character. I would need the height because my bed sits really high.

Z · Answer

Oh great. I'm glad you were able to find some good info on them Sherry. I was pretty sure they were from the sixties though some of that 'look' carried over to the seventies. They look very well made. I would personally would not paint any part of them. I'm very much a naturalist when it comes too wood, stone and other natural finishes. 
 I thought about bedside tables as did Gail, but since they are pretty deep I didn't mention it. I like my night tables on the shallow side for ease of getting in and out of bed. Since I read when I first get in bed I want to be able to sit down where my seat will be for reading. 8^D Nina brought up another reason I don't care for end tables as bedside tables because mattresses are so deep anymore than your bed side lamps are too low for reading and you have to reach down for your books. It's just not as comfortable for me. If your beds are low and you don't mind the depth then they work great.

Patricia M · Answer

I agree with Nina, I would paint them a deep turquoise and edge in what would be used spots, edges and buy nickel hard ware.

Ananda S · Answer

I would refinish the wood with a much lighter or much darker shade, and cover the top with something completely different. Perhaps create just enough of a lip around the edge so that a piece of glass could be added on the top. Then under the glass, paint the base -- perhaps with a faux finish. Or you could decopage, or add photos or artwork under the glass, leaving them loose so you can rotate the photos or art.

Jane Burkhart · Answer

I would sand them down and spray paint them black. Then I would change the hardware to brushed nickle. Thar should do it.

Barbara I · Answer

I would sand them down and make paint them a off white. I like the shape of the hardware and would keep that the gold.

Kimberly Barney · Answer

Great find!!! I like them the way they are but I like vintage furniture. The hardware that is on the tables really works well with the wood work so if they were to be changed, I would spray paint them and put them back on the tables. The tables could simply be refinished unless there are a lot of dings. If a lot of dings, I like the idea of painting them black or white.

Ilene D · Answer

I am curious too know where they will be placed, and what is the color scheme in the rest of the room.  Can you post a picture?

Debra Morrow · Answer

I have those tables, they were my mom's. One has a drawer and one doesn't. they are heavy and still using them in my living room.

Cath windmueller · Answer

They are wonderful tables! I would do a darker stain on the drawer fronts and tops and use a lighter stain on the body, the drawer indentations and legs of the end tables. The hardware is wonderful and could possibly be cleaned up or spray painted or buy new if you don't like the hardware.

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