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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Plugging away

It may seem as if my furniture projects have ground to a halt lately, but that’s not exactly true! There are actually a few I’ve been working on, but for various reasons they aren’t quite ready to show off yet. I have slowed down, though—while most of the summer has been unusually mild, the last couple of weeks have been unseasonably HOT! Blechh. I don’t like to sweat! Then I managed to catch a summer cold (that’s got to be an oxymoron), so I’m moving slowly.

One project that went home to a new owner this week was this little table. I’m not certain when this finish was wildly popular, but it wasn’t that long ago!

selling 002

The owner wanted the dark-top-white-bottom look instead, and I was happy to oblige.

The top was stained with Minwax Antique Walnut stain (3 coats). The base is Behr Ultra paint (color-matched to Sherwin-Williams Creamy), and it is glazed with Minwax Jacobean stain mixed with Martha Stewart glaze.

bedroom 019

I really did intend to “stage” the table and take prettier pictures! It turned out getting my hair highlighted (a first for me) took much longer than I anticipated, so there wasn’t time before the owner came to get the table!

bedroom 021

So just a couple of shots in my mostly-bare front room.

Thank you

to all of you who have offered constructive ideas for what to do with that bare room! I do think I’m going to attempt the “library-feel” one more time. It probably wasn’t clear that my front door really does open directly into this room—there’s no entry way, and no way to section it off, so a craft room or game room is not an option for me. And I’m afraid knocking out the wall between the front room and our main living area is out of the question—it’s a load-bearing wall, and my construction-minded friends tell me I don’t want to go there!

A couple of you reminded me of the beautiful tiny library space at Maillardville Manor:

image

…sigh…

I love it. I think this is the kind of look I want to create! I envision the low bookcases and two comfortable chairs on the wall opposite the front door. Next to the front door is the one and only window in the room, and I think a squashy loveseat would be nice there, facing the chairs.

So to begin with, I am scouring the classifieds for a loveseat and chairs! Wish me luck!

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Linking up here.

38 comments:

  1. That little table has a great uodated look! And I love your library inspiration photo!

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  2. I love your table! I'm working on a table right now and am trying to get the top dark like this one, thanks so much for the tips! You did a beautiful job. :)

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  3. I am so excited to see how this table turned out! I have two exactly like this in my basement that definitely need an update! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Great job on the table makeover!

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  5. Great save on the table! It turned out beautiful. That library looks very inviting, can't wait to see how yours turns out.
    Deb

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  6. Table looks great (as usual!). I think it was popular in maybe the 90's. My mom had (and still has) that furniture finish, I believe it's by Broyhill. It's the same as my girls' headboard makeovers I posted a few months ago. The beds were mine and my sisters in the early 90's. I painted them pink and now my girls get to enjoy them :)

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  7. Looks lovely! I haven't been brave enough to attempt to stain...but I LOVE the look of white paint with a dark wood top.

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  8. That table looks great. Can you explain the mixing of the stain and the glaze. I have both and didn't know you could mix them.
    Kat

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  9. That little table looks great, Korrie! I can tell you it was a 90's thing for that piece. My coffee table was just like that until I painted it black a couple of years ago. I'd like to find a couple of desks to fix up for our soon-to-be home office and do this type of treatment. I think the stained top would appeal to my hubby and I, of course, love the painted base.

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  10. I love the look also, great job. How much prep work do you do to the piece such as sanding or priming??

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  11. So I HAVE TO weigh in on your new project.... Mainly because I have made a mistake MORE THAN ONCE when purchasing furniture for this type of thing. The MOST IMPORTANT thing here is COMFORT!!! COMFORT COMFORT COMFORT!!!!!

    I have purchase way way way too many chairs only to realize that they are not fall into pieces. Everyone sits in them in the beginning because it is something fun and new. But eventually, The lack of comfort makes them become the most unused chairs in the house!!!

    If you sit on the sofa/loveseat/chair and NEVER want to get up, they are keepers....Otherwise, move on! :) If you really really want people to use this room, this is a key.

    The chairs in the photo look like they might be Lee Industries.....once of the best manufacturers of amazingly comfy stuff!!!! Good luck!

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  12. Your table redo looks fantastic. I am loving the dark top! I have a side table almost exactly like that one (in the "before" state).

    Good luck finding just the right pieces for your reading nook!

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  13. I love the white legs and dark home and I am sure the new owner is very happy. I love the picture you are inspired by, the bookcases are great! Thanks for sharing.

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  14. LOVE this! I am trying something similar with a GW find, but wishing the top were just a bit darker like yours! Way to go!

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  15. It looks gorgeous now! Great job! Thanks for finding my blog today. I'm a new follower! :)

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  16. Love the little table you did.

    You are going to have an awesome room when you are finished.

    I am about to do a post on my little library area...I've done it before but...oh, well....:))

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  17. Hey, I just got an idea. Why don't you have a little one time meme and have everyone show their library area of their home. Give 'em maybe a week to take photos and create their post...Not only would everyone love showing their spot..it would give you tons of ideas...:)

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  18. The table is lovely! I love the dark tops. I'm sure your room will be beautiful ~ can't help it with your talent and creativity.

    xo
    Pat

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  19. Whoa! SO much better! I love that look!! I can't wait to see what you have planned for your bare space. I dream of having a "library" in my home one day.

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  20. oh and I have a summer cold too :( so i totally understand!!

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  21. Gorgeous! I have one of theses out in the garage needing some love. Thanx for the inspiration!

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  22. Really great job with the table, it looks lovely. Your photo inspiration is gorgeous too :)

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  23. I have a whole set of pine furniture and I'm trying to get up the nerve to paint it. This little table gives me courage! I don't really want the whole set (coffee, side, and sofa tables as well as an entertainment center) to be matchy-matchy. Any suggestions?

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  24. Your side table looks so beautiful with the dark top and white base! I love the look!

    xoxo
    Amanda

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  25. Ooh. I love too! Someday, I'm going to have a home with a library, furnished by Red Hen Home! :)

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  26. Great table! I love the idea of the library look! Good luck creating it. :o)

    Please feel free to link up to my new Make Yourself Blog Hop!

    -Jamie

    http://forloveofcupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/make-yourself-monday.html

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  27. Great job on the table! It sure looks nice.

    Good luck on the library. I'm sure it'll look fabulous!

    Have a great day.
    Pam

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  28. It looks lovely! No staging needed. Great job!

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  29. Your really gave brought that little table into this century! Your creativeity amazes me!

    I hope you will bring one of your projects to my first Potpourri Friday Party this week - Friday, September 2. Link-up starts on Thursday afternoon. Without a doubt, your participation will help make the party better!

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  30. Spotted this over at Coastal Charm... love the dark stain on top!!

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  31. that does NOT even look like the same table! it looks so so much better and has much more character!

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  32. I love love love it! My favorite color combo of stain and paint:) I found you through The DIY Home Sweet Home Project:)

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  33. Your table looks great! Pop over and see what I linked up... http://artsyvava.blogspot.com/2011/08/coffee-table-redo.html. It is almost the exact same table!!! Mine is a coffee table that once looked just like your table. When I saw your link on Someday Crafts, I stopped because I thought maybe I had actually linked up my coffee table already!

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  34. Love how this turned out. BRAVO!

    I wanted to let you know that I've got a great giveaway that ends Friday. It's for $100 to wallquotes.com, and trust me they've got something I know you'll love!

    Stop by and enter ASAP. I'd love to see what you would do with their products! See you soon!

    Artie
    http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com

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  35. I used this as my inspiration for my Sunroom coffee table! I gave you credit (of course). Check it out at http://afabulesshome.blogspot.com/2011/09/coffee-table-makeover.html

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