Sunday, January 8, 2012

Compass Coffee Table

Oh, coffee tables…how I have missed you…

compass 007

After my coffee-table-painting-spree last spring (all beginning with the French Chocolate table), there has been a dearth of coffee tables in my life.

It’s been very sad.

OK, that’s not really the truth.  The truth is that this particular coffee table has been sitting around half-finished in my garage for months.  But my post-Christmas don’t-know-what-to-do-with-myself-itis finally made me get it done!

I fell in love with Vintage Revival’s painted compass rug back in…let’s see, I think it was May—and promptly saved it to my “bookmarks.”  (See, it was so long ago, it was pre-Pinterest!)

image

I thought the compass idea would be great for a table, so I went on the hunt for a round coffee table and found this one:

selling 006

After sanding, I base-coated it white, but then I dry-brushed two or three (I can’t really remember anymore) other shades of white and cream onto it to give the color a little depth.

January 007

Then it sat…and sat…and sat…in my garage.  It got dusty and dirty; it got paint remover spilled on it…it got circles of stain from the stain can on it…

I call it “character–building.”

Finally this week I decided to just GITTER-DONE (ala Funky Junk)!  After touching up the paint, I generally followed Mandi’s tutorial, and with the aid of a yardstick and a 45-degree triangle, I drew my compass with a pencil.  (I also did a Google search for “how to find the center of a circle,” because I no longer remember.  I used the instructions here.)

Guess what?  You can erase pencil marks off of paint pretty good.  Thank heavens.

January 008

I painted the compass design with plain old acrylic paint, while crawling around on the floor next to the table.  My knees are still sore. 

I don’t really have too many intermediate pictures…sorry; my kids have to go to school sometimes…so let’s just jump in to the “after,” OK?

compass 004

The distressed the table pretty heavily, going down to the wood in places, but also showing off the layers of “white.” 

compass 013

I glazed the whole thing with Jacobean stain mixed with Martha Stewart glazing medium.

compass 010

I really, really love it!

compass 002

Hmmm…maybe I should try this on a rug!

compass 006

******************************************

This project has been featured at It’s So Very Cheri, Better After, Stylish Once Again, Elizabeth & Co., Bless My Nest, and…

*********************************************

Linking up here:

Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Elizabeth & Co.
Domestically Speaking’s Power of Paint Stylish Once Again
Hookin’ Up with House of Hepworths No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic 2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
Primitive & Proper Thrifty Décor Chick
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect {Primp}
Mod Vintage Life My Repurposed Life
Too Much Time on My Hands It’s So Very Cheri
Common Ground Artsy Girl Connection

70 comments:

Homeroad said...

Korrie.. I really, really love it too! What a great coffee table it was to begin with.... I love the story about it sitting in the garage getting distressed :) Nice job... again!
Susan

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Oh my gosh I love it! Your coffee table came out fantastic. I know what you mean by letting stuff sit in your garage, you should see mine. You have motivated me to get out to my garage and pick something to work on!

Happy New Year!

Allison@FabRehab said...

WOW! I was just thinking of doing a compass on a bench and now I see this! It's soooo beautiful!

Cassie Bustamante said...

oh this is perfect for my beach house! if i had a beach house anyhow.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

love it Korrie! great job. Going to check out that find the center of a circle...
enjoy your Sunday!
gail

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh Korrie, I really, really love it too! You really know how to make coffee tables special! Hope you'll share at my first party on Tuesday!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

You are the coffee table queen! I want to do some signs for my sons room that we are going to redo this year. Too bad you aren't my neighbor. I would be begging for help.

Jaime Costiglio said...

Korrie perfectly executed and expertly 'worn in' with all the added dust, stains, bumps and bruises! It turned out so PB worthy and yes please do a rug soon!

Full Circle Creations said...

You did a great job on it. Makes me want a coffee table!

Holly

foreverdecorating said...

This is so fantastic. Love the look. Imagine this in a lake home! Wow

Twice Nice said...

Spectacular! It really is gorgeous. I think you are the Queen of Coffee Table Restyle! Deb

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Fantastic job, Korrie! I love it! You are just so talented and must have the patience of a saint to do such intricate painting.

laurajayne said...

My neighbors have a table like that laying in their backyard.....I'm gonna go offer them some money so I can play with it! Thank you for the inspiration
:)

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I really really love it too. Worth sore knees for a bit I think ;) I am craving a coffee table in that shape but I have yet to find one and I don't know if it would fit our narrow room. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

Super nice, Korrie! Now you just need to point it north, so you always know where you are!

Emily said...

As always Korrie, this is beautifully done :-) You never fail to disappoint!
I would really love to feature your project in the February edition of "DIY Saturday" on my blog. Would that be alright with you? :-)
Keep creating!

Emily
emilysummers-designer.blogspot.com

Aimee said...

Gorgeous! My thrift stores are not awash in round coffee tables. :( I am so loving the compass rose. Great job!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

This is unreal. I love your table and the compass is just perfect. Hugs, Marty

Rachel said...

I really really really love it too!! That turned out fantastic!

Karina Russell said...

This is definitely a WOW! coffee table and a great job on the finish. I love it!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love it and I love the idea of trying it on a rug.

Kelly B said...

I am new to your gorgeous site-I just love your style! I thought I was in love with your clock table, but being a geocacher I love any thing with a compass and this is awesome. I can't believe it is all freehand-you're so good!

pasqueflower said...

Great job!

Laurie said...

Oh, how funny! I painted a compass table today, too!

http://toughkittypuffs.blogspot.com/2012/01/another-furniture-piece.html

I didn't draw mine out, though-- I just found a nice compass rose that I liked and projected it on to my table top. Love your coffee table!

Laurie

Proper Prim said...

Absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe you drew that out. I would have cheated and found a stencil or something easy. Awesome job. Love it.

Hope you have a great week.

Hugs, Deb

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

That table is absolutely amaaaaazing!!!

Heaven's Walk said...

Fabulous job, Korrie! Wow! I love this! That'd be a thousand dollar table in a high end store, girl! :)

xoxo laurie

Shannon Fox said...

Ah-Mazing! Came out so pretty. I love it. Enjoy, it's a beauty.

Anonymous said...

We need a love button on here...love it!!
patti

sheerserendipity said...

Your coffee table came out gorgeous! I have a little side table I was going to paint a compass on also, but like you, it's been sitting in my basement for months… You just inspired me to get it out and start working on it! Thank you!

Biała Korona said...

it's wonderfull!

Cindy said...

That looks fabulous, you did such a perfectly wonderful job on it.
Cindy

Karyn said...

I wish it was warmer here, I'd love to be painting furniture right now. *sigh* Your table looks great and I love the depth and aged look you achieved with the layers of paints. Great Job

thistlewoodfarm said...

WOW! I love this coffee table! I have been looking for the perfect project for upstairs. Thanks for the inspiration and I pinned it!

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

I Love, Love, Love this! So pretty! Hey, thank you for the visit and the sweet comment @TheDedicatedHouse. I think you're right, I am the Queen of Stripes. lol. Hope you're having a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn

Miss Charming said...

I love how it turned out. Very simple and cool.

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

Well that is one impressive transformation! Looks like it was professionally done, straight from the factory! Love it!

Thanks for visiting my blog and for the kind comment! Now following your blog! :)

pcb said...

Just what my table needs! It's been needing just a little detail. It's already a repurposed table (http://ewbpcb.blogspot.com/2010/06/everything-old-is-new-again.html).

I'll be doing a negative of your version (cream on black) but THANKS so much for the inspiration (and thanks to Pinterest) and the link back to the tutorial!.

Completely Coastal said...

Turned out absolutely fabulous!!

Jamie said...

Wow! Great work and I love the design... it's always hard to determine just how much detail to include in a compass. You nailed it!

Danielle said...

This is gorgeous. I love it!

Cheapchick said...

One of my favorite furniture redos to date! I love it.

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is incredible!! love your design and technique! xo

aimee said...

amazing it looks so good thanks for the inspiration xxx

My Cottage Charm said...

Hi Korrie :)
Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my laundry room..I absolutely LOVE that room! :0) I remember when I first finished it, I would go stand in the doorway and just stare. lol
Your table turned out lovely...I really, really like it. I have some pieces that are developing character out in my garage too...just waiting for a warm up to work on them. :)
Have a blessed day!
Missy

debbie refresh restyle said...

Korrie, I love your table and thanks for all the detailed directions! It looks amazing!
Debbie

Highpoint Circle said...

I just simply love it. I have coastal elements in my home and this is a perfect idea to copy--hope you're flattered.

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I really, really love it, too! It's fabulous, Korrie! A keeper for sure.

Bliss said...

Yet another beautiful table from Red Hen Home. You have a gift!

~Bliss~

Rachel said...

This looks great! The design is perfect for that table.

Unknown said...

Wow! What a great project. I can even imagine this on a table for the outside.

So glad that you decided to join Pin'Inspiration Thursday this week :-)

Unknown said...

Awesome Korrie! I can't believe you did this by hand! Actually, I can!

Taunnie said...

Your table is gorgeous! The compass design is brilliant for it. Thank you for the tip about mixing stain with the glaze. I have only mixed paint with glazing medium. I am definately going to try the stain/glaze for my next project.

Heidi said...

I love your coffee table! I saw your link on House of Hepworths...I liked your stools too, but clicked on the coffee table. BEAUTIFUL furniture.

I am in a similar position of looking for a house. I wish I had a brilliant answer for you. I am a bit frustrated about the whole house hunt personally. Fortunately I am not in a hurry, so I THINK that works in my favor. Good luck on your hunt!

Heidi@HomemadeBeautiesByHeidi

Brooke @ Spruce Your Nest said...

I LOVE it! Great job! I am your newest follower :-)

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Beautifully done! That table would work well with any style of room. I recently donated a similar round pedestal table to a needy couple. It's a good thing I didn't see your table makeover first!!

Pudel-design said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
This coffee table looks fantastic!
Great job;)

Lovely greetings...

http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I love it! Great idea!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Fabulous! You gave that table new life! I love that you measured and drew it yourself! Inspiring!! Thanks for linking up to the 1st Project of the Year Party!

Deana@ said...

That is so pretty, I love it.....Please share this post at my "Link & Greet" party over @CountryMommaCooks...and have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Hi-just wanted to let you know I featured your compass point coffee table on my blog today! You have an amazing talent!

Kim @ Too Much Time said...

I LOOOVE it! I just found some big cable wooden spools and this would look so cool on top of one of them!I would love for you to come link up at my party going on now through Sunday night!
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-schooled-saturday-6-and-e-book.html

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Korrie this table looks AMAZING!!

Toodie said...

Wow, looks so awesome! Super work!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Good Morning Korrie!

The compass rose is a favorite design of mine. Yours turned out Spectacular!!!! Love the washed look of the table top and the graphics are beautiful.

Well Done!!

I recently posted about a compass design I did on an old dried up dresser. I wrote a little story to go along with the compass theme...come visit ;->

http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/2011/12/when-little-gypsies-take-to-sea.html

Have a wonderful week

janet xox
The Empty Nest

Kim@todayismysome-day said...

You definitely hit it outta the park! I love everything about this piece! Now off to find an old round table to paint a compass on :)

KimMalk said...

Korrie, nobody has vision for pieces like you do. Nobody! This is just stunning.

Chrissie said...

I absolutely love this! Just awesome!

Anonymous said...

Korrie! That table + your design = match made in heaven! Just shared on my fb page!

Teri said...

Beautiful!!!