Fixer Upper House: A Coffee Table Makeover

Our coffee table had seen better days.

We purchased this furniture from Value City back in the year 2000 or so. American Signature Sea Island Pine. I still love it, too. But the table really took a beating. Kids scratched it, husbands used it as an ottoman, little boys who shall remain unnamed pushed a knot of wood out of one corner. It was a mess.

And then we brought home a puppy who is part mountain goat, and things went downhill from there.

My husband started talking about getting rid of the table completely.

I began to think "If it looks this bad, then anything I do to it can only improve it, right?"

For starters, I cleaned the whole table with Simple Green.

Next, I got some DAP plastic wood putty and got to work.

I over-filled the missing knot hole, then  let it all dry.

This stuff goes on pink and dries natural.

The next day, I sanded everything.

Including the filled knot hole area.

Then I cleaned the surface, removing all grit, and laid a coat of Minwax Polyshades in Mission Oak.

First coat came out a little drippy, so I let it dry overnight and then lightly sanded and applied a second coat.

Here you can see first coat next to the old stain color.

And then second coat, which is darker and richer.

Now, it was time for two coats of Caromal Colors ReClaim paint in Licorice. I love that stuff!

And voila. A totally transformed coffee table!

My husband could not believe the difference when he came home!

The table, paired with our rug that we swapped out last week, looks so nice! It gave the room a coziness that is perfect for the colder days ahead.

Now, the table has a classic yet updated look. A little rustic, a little traditional combined.

The licorice black color of this addition to the family room now ties in with the kitchen chairs in the adjoining room. A big improvement!

I figure I saved several hundred dollars when compared to the cost of a new table. Hooray for savings!

Thanks for visiting the cafe today! And don't forget to visit Sunday's post for a chance to win some blog candy!