Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Restitution

Have you ever screwed up? I mean, really screwed up…on something that didn’t belong to you?

It’s one thing when a project of your own goes south. That’s bound to happen once in a while, and it’s no fun…but what about when it happens on a project that belongs to someone else?

Well, those are the days when you just wish you never got out of bed!

You can see where this is going, right?

All I was supposed to do was a simple refinish job on a table top while my friend was between houses. There weren’t even any legs to worry about. She just wanted to resuscitate her hand-me-down table and give it a few more years until they could afford a new one. Easy enough….so easy, in fact, that I called in one of my handy-dandy short helpers in to do some sanding for me!

Remember this guy with the mischievous smile?

kidpicsAugust 108-1

Turns out he could have used a little more supervision on the sanding process, ‘cause this is what we ended up with:

Aimee 011

Let’s look a little more closely, shall we??

Aimee 012

Yep. All those arrows point to spots where he sanded right through the veneer into the plywood base. Ack!

We all know it wasn’t a great piece of furniture...

…but it wasn’t MY furniture to wreck!

It wasn’t fun for my boy or me to confess our mutual misdeed to my friend, although you couldn’t have asked for a more understanding listener. Since these weren’t the types of flaws one can hide on a stained table-top, I could only feel better about offering to replace the table. Strictly to ease my conscience (and trust me, it was a battle), my friend agreed to accept this table that I had waiting in my garage “in trade.”

selling 002

It’s solid oak, and I liked the legs! Plus, it has a leaf.

selling 003

(You can see I already had sanded the table top in this picture.)

After looking at some pictures of other tables I have refinished, my friend chose a lightly-distressed black base and a dark stained top (like this one).

black farmhouse table

Her new house has dark, reddish-brown wood floors, so I tried to give the wood top that tone, by using alternating layers of English Chestnut and Antique Walnut stain—two each.

doily table runner

I finished the table with four coats of Varathane, to keep up with her young family.

farmhouse table

So that’s the story behind the table “Resitution.”

black farmhouse table

It went to its new home last night!

And now my conscience can rest! Winking smile

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Linking up here!

40 comments:

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Those things happen. The table you painted as restitution is beautiful!

Grammy Goodwill said...

I bet your short helper felt bad. (I love that description.) The table you traded her looks fantastic.

LKB said...

Wow, somebody lucked out big time! I bet she is happy for the mistake. You do great work. I love your blog.

BumbleBeeLane said...

Looks like your friend made out fine on this.Your short helper was just trying to do a extra good job..smile..Warm Blessings!~Amy

SImple and Serene Living said...

I think your friend should be doing a happy dance 8-)

Mimi said...

I just bet she adores the table you "traded" for hers. And love that cute little short helper.
And, is that a runner made out of doilies? It's gorgeous on the table.

Unknown said...

We had that happen on a coffee table we were going to sell so I just painted the whole thing. The trade is a lovely table, they may not want to get a new one now.

Megan Gunyan said...

What? Come and ruin one of my tables so I can get a beauty like that! I'm glad your friend was so understanding! Cute kid.

Thrifty Crafty Girl said...

When I was in the seventh grade I was in the play "Huck Finn" in school. I was lent an antique handbag for the play. My mother accidentally ran it over with her car.

I wish I had a table like that one to pay that woman back!

Cassie Bustamante said...

yes, those things do happen and in the end it was a happy accident with a beautiful table!

sharing1 said...

Wow you really made up for your booboo.The table is beautiful and I am enjoying all of your projects. it's inspiring me to get busy.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

funny you should mention this. I had a similar incident today. Not fessing up quite yet, it may be fixable. :)
Surely you have plans for the OLD table! I know you do!
The new table looks awesome. That's a really nice looking table! (even before you got your hands on it)
gail

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Those things happen. Glad your friend was understanding. That was a beautiful table you gave her in trade. I LOVE the job you did on it.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Well, the new table is definitely a beauty!

Ali Richardson said...

way to turn a frowny situation into a smiley one! That new table is gorgeous!! I bet she's tanking her lucky stars that this happened :)

518Interiors said...

Ohhh..hasn't happened to someone else's piece yet but definitely to my own. Glad it worked out ok!

The Painted Parlor said...

She scored!! What a great 'trade' for her!! I haven't completely ruined a piece yet, but I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. Now I need to knock on some wood, no pun intended ;)

Karyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karyn said...

Oh dear. Well I have to agree with the others, your friend got a really good deal in the trade. I can't wait to see what you do with the piece that got a little too much love!

Bonnie Long (Bonnie Inc) said...

I bet you did it on purpose so she could have an even more beautiful table! JK Well done; it's gorgeous. And your business practices are commendable!

Rachel said...

Korrie, ACK! I'd have been sick to my stomach! I'm glad this has a happy ending. Are you going to Swiss Days??? :D

eleven-o-one said...

I think she got the bettter end of that deal! That is beautiful! Your little helper shouldn't feel bad...even big helpers mess up sometimes.

said...

UGH--thank you for sharing this story! I am just starting to get into redoing furniture and I just know this will happen to me at this point. You did an amzing job on the replacement table and I'm sure your friend is thrilled. :)

Unknown said...

It is wonderful to see someone act with such honor! That is in short supply these days.

jerri said...

Oh you are too kind. You were just doing a favor and those kiddo things are life events that we all will miss one day. You'll be doubly blessed in return.

Anonymous said...

Hey things happen! I'm just glad you were able to make it right and there were no hard feelings. Your friend got a gorgeous piece of furniture in the end. I'm sure she loved it.

Gypsy Heart said...

How fantastic that you had another table! I'm sure your helper won't do that again. The "restitution" table looks gorgeous ~ as usual.

xo
Pat

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Ha! Oh, yes I have! Made me a nervous wreck, too!
I'm sure your friend was very happy with the beautiful table she received.

Kara @ June & Bear said...

This is why I'm so afraid to agree to do some work for friends. Looks like she got a fabulous table in the end.

bj said...

ooo, Korrie...my gosh, honey girl..the table you gave her is BEAUTIFUL...BEAUTIFUL, I SAY.
I am sure she was dancin' a jig all the way home.
And, I don't give a flyin' flip WHAT that precious little boy did to that ole cheap table...he meant well. But, then....YOU know that. :)
All's well that ends well and....
I am going to start looking for a table like that...it sure is pretty.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

What a great friend. If I send you a yucky old table runner and you have your son "mess" it us with like paint and stuff...could you ease your conscience by sending me the doily table runner? I love it!!

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is one gorgeous table! love it!
and yes, it happened with calligraphy and a Christmas card. last time I did it! thanks for linking up with VIF, xo Debra

Darla said...

She came out on top of your little guys heavy handed sanding. Gorgeous table.

Inspired by you said...

I think your friend has a pretty darn good looking replacement table. I am finishing up a second project for a friend. I definitely don't like to work on someone else's piece. I get too nervous about ruining it. Unfortunately, I found this out after I already promised another project. Live and learn I guess.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

It's gorgeous~ love how it turned out!! Thanks for linking up at my party!

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Lovley Job :)
and do not miss.....


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Håkan ( The Roseman)

Nancy said...

Wow! That is Beautiful!! Dis she ever luck out, but I agree at least you are getting a good nights rest!!

Huggs, Nancy

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What a beautiful makeover!
I hope your helper doesn't give up, live and learn!

Sarah Yoder said...

I'd say your friend got a great deal! I've got all kinds of "not great" pieces that little guy can ruin! :)

Kitchen Benchtops said...

This is a breath taking transformation! I honestly, cannot stop looking at the pictures. Congratulations!