Scuffed Table Updates! (the middle)
Usually, I don't do a post about a piece of furniture until I'm all done with it, but since everyone is quite invested in this $5 Facebook Marketplace table, today you get a post that is neither a before nor an after. It's a...middle.
In case you are just joining us, I saw a $5 table on Facebook Marketplace, and hilariously, it was described as having a "scuffed top".
I joked that no one in their right mind would pay $5 for it.
And then...I bought it, just for the heck of it.
I had some free time to start tackling this project recently, so I got out my orbital sander and went to work.
Sanding really improved things!
I used a putty knife to scrape the veneer off of the top.
And I sanded the wood underneath.
That was a big improvement, but those broken edges on the front really were too far gone for repair.
Sooo, off to my dad's garage I went. 😉
When he started taking it apart, he found this inside. Hmmm.
In addition to the damaged top, there were some cracks inside.
And my dad, not ever being one to do things halfway, thought all of that should be fixed AND that the table needed a new top.
So, I left the little table with him, and an hour later, he sent me pictures of what he'd done.
Here are three pieces of wood he glued together to make a new top.
He had me look at his router bits to decide what edge to make.
We picked out the one that seemed closest to the original and we agreed it was the bottom row, second from the right.
Yesterday, my dad dropped my table off with this lovely brand new top!
Yay! Also, the table is so so much more sturdy now that the cracked insides are fixed.
Next up, I need to repair the damaged veneer on the sides.
And the drawers, which do have a lovely pattern in the veneer, also have some damage along the edges.
So those will need to be fixed.
My dad recommended this putty, so I went and bought a container at Home Depot.
Once I fix the veneer, there's the issue of what color to paint this. Staining it is totally out of the question; there is waaaaay too much veneer damage for that to be a possibility!
As far as paint goes, I felt like I wanted to try something other than the black/white that I typically go for. It's a small piece! Experimenting is a low-stakes proposition.
So, I went to a Benjamin Moore store, perused all the paint colors, and kept being drawn to the paint chips in the gray/blue/purple area.
I eventually decided to try Mythic, which is a grayish purple. I cannot manage to photograph the color accurately to save my life, though!
I stopped by and picked up a small can yesterday.
And it looks a little more gray than the paint chip.
I'm going to try it out first on a little item I rescued from the abandoned house, and then I will decide if I want to try it on the scuffed table. 😉
If you want to give me your opinion on what paint color would look good on the table, feel free.
But be warned: I may not listen.
Because even though Lisey specifically said that she didn't think purple was a good idea, I still went ahead and bought a purpley-gray color.
Oooh, also: I'm gonna need to buy drawer pulls. The table came with only one original pull, so I'll just replace both. I think I need to settle on a paint color before I can make a decision on pulls, though!
Whoa...is that a bullet? That table has seen some things...
@Becca,
Also, if you go with purple-gray for the paint, I think you should find something in a cheerful yellow for the pulls.
@Becca, Ooooo, great combo! Or maybe green?
@Becca, Well, it's stored some ammunition maybe, but that bullet's never been shot.
@Becca,
There are many people who believe in “cleansing” vintage and antique furniture of negative energy before bringing the piece into their home. There are articles that I have seen that outline different methods for doing this. I really don’t know if I believe this, but I have had my own creepy experience.
Many years ago, I bought a mirror at an estate sale in a nearby city. I did some work on this mirror and put it in my antique booth for sale. Even though, it was quite stylish and a great price. It wasn’t selling. It fell off the wall twice without reason. People seemed repelled by it.
I was speaking to another antique dealer when she told me that the reason the house where I bought the mirror was cleared. The man who lived in the house had been convicted of killing his wife. The estate sale company who had the sale said they had some strange occurrences also. I put the mirror in the garbage. The situation was too Stephen King like for me!!!!
@Becca, What like a bullet can undeceive? - Herman Melville.
@Becca, No! Too bright!
@Bee, That's a creepy story! I would have thrown that mirror out, too.
Purple gray looks great (although I agree the paint chip looks more gray). (As for me, I'd probably go for something like a bright orange or jade green, as I love jewel tone colors in my home!) Amazing job so far, and I can't wait to see the finished table!
@Brooke, Jade green sounds fun!
Purpley-gray isn’t the first thing that would occur to my neutral-loving brain. However, I had a friend who did her dining room table in that color and it was beautiful. Combined with whites and soft colors it gave them room a very calm, peaceful vibe. I’d go for brushed nickel pulls, or the bronzey-gold color that’s everywhere right now. Hobby Lobby has a ton of interesting drawer pulls. It’s looking great!
I tend to go with neutrals too! But since this is such a small piece, I thought it would be fun to branch out a bit.
@Sarah, fun pulls from Hobby Lobby was the first thing I thought of as well!
I love purple grey. That will be pretty.
“Mythic” is a very pretty color! Hopefully it dries closer to the paint chip once it’s actually on something.
Kristen, have you done a “You don’t need whiskers for that” tool primer/recommendation list? I’ve been shopping for an orbital sander and would be interested in knowing more about yours as well as your other most-used tools. That would also get you some sweet referral links for additional income. 😉
Re: knob pulls, I think either something metallic (Art nouveau, gold dinosaurs, fleur-de-lis) or a natural material like stone or mother of pearl would look amazing with the dark paint. After what it’s been through, that little table deserves some glitz!
@N, my favorite knob vendor on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/knobpologie . Whenever we can finally swap our too-short vanity out, I look forward to overthinking my choices here! 😛
This is the sander I have, and it is SO GOOD. https://amzn.to/3FGE5bT (affiliate link!)
@N,
Can I just say that I love that you have a favorite knob vendor? 🙂
@N, Re: "You don't need whiskers for that", I love this idea! Kristen, maybe you could get your dad involved since it seems like he is an expert around tools to help put together a starter tool kit for those of us (whiskered or not) who could use some pointers?
@Kristen, Thank you!
That table has a story.
@Jody S., As I read the post and looked through the pictures, my mind made up all kinds of stories and histories for this table.
Your Dad is the best!
I love the color you picked out! But in the pictures, it looks nothing like the paint on the top of the can.
I know! I'm slightly nervous about that, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see when I brush it on.
@Kristen,
are you sure they gave you the right one? I got given the wrong paint (marked with the right name on the can) once at a paint store..... Mixed up in the formula they use to mix the paint color.
@Kristen, it looks to me as if it was mixed wrong!
I laughed at the bullet in the table. Must have come from a house with lots of boys. I find bullets (and bullet casings) ALL the time, in the most random places.
@kristin @ going country, having grown up in a household where hunting small and large game was considered typical, I laughed, too.
Kristen, your dad is amazing. Wow. You will have a lovely table when you get done, and hooray to you for painting it a fun color. You are venturing out of your comfortable and safe decorating territory and enjoying yourself. I'm not going to offer opinions on colors and styles because you should do what appeals to YOU! I will say that I suspect that how the color appears on your table will be based on lighting and the colors surrounding it.
@kristin @ going country, When I was young, I hunted moose for our food supply. My husband, not a hunter and the one who does the laundry, regularly brought me casings he had found in my pockets while putting my clothes into the washing machine. The weirdest was when he found one in a dress I had purchased for a wedding. It had never been near my hunting gear...
@Lindsey, so casings are like glitter? Who knew.
Kristen, I'd like to offer up a big round of applause for your dad, and a hug, too, if you'd be kind enough to pass one along for me. He reminds me a lot of my husband, Alan, who can fix anything and everything - and often does. All of his work is done with integrity. There are no quick and dirty fixes; everything is repaired well, and whatever he fixes is often more structurally sound than it was originally. In addition, he has passed his knowledge along to our son and daughter, both of whom have become competent do-it-yourselfers because of it . Our son has fixed his log splitter, replaced the fuel pump in his truck and installed a water heater in his house. Our daughter has plowed the driveway, changed the oil in her car and built a cabinet for the barbershop in which she works. Knowledgeable dads who generously share their time and pass valuable skills on to the next generation are worth their weight in gold. No, I take that back. They're priceless. I know you know that. Please be sure that your dad does, too.
@Mary ~ Reflections Around the Campfire, I agree. My dad did things around the house, but never really said "here, let me show you how I do these things." Now I am asking my husband to help me with stuff around the house and to show me how to make the changes/updates. Last month I installed a ceiling fan! Next week, another light fixture. I just need someone to sit with me and show me how. You tube is great, but it's not a "dad"
I will pass this along!
@Mary ~ Reflections Around the Campfire, My father, bless his heart, could not fix anything and I mean anything. He worked as an computer engineer but had no DIY skills. I married a guy who is like your husband, he can fix or build anything and always does it without cutting corners. When we were first married, he would get frustrated because I would hire people to do stuff or I would replace broken or damaged things, instead of bringing them to his attention to fix. My father refused to believe he could not fix things, so we all learned to call a professional before my father took it in his head to try to solve the issue and made things even worse. It took me awhile to learn that I no longer had to do that except for electrical issues because my husband is terribly colorblind and still tries to fix electrical problems. It makes me cringe when he calls out, "Can you come tell me what color these wires are?" I am convinced those will someday be the last words I hear from him.
@Lindsey, I understand completely. My son and I are colorblind, also, so Ryan always asks Alan to work with him on electrical projects. If your husband consistently asks for a color check when he's working, it sounds like he is well aware of his limitations. As long as you don't leave him home alone when he's working on an electrical project, I think you're golden!
I googled Benjamin Moore "Mythic" and it's coming up quite gray on my computer, so the lid of the paint can doesn't seem too far off. I think the drawer pulls will depend on where you want to use the table . . . I'm leaning toward something brassy/gold or crystal/glass.
@Lynn, I like that idea, too - very classy and would go with lots of decor schemes.
They have beautiful pulls at Hobby Lobby and always run 50% off sales. I think a little table with a dash of color is just the thing!
@gina,
TJ Maxx can also be a good place to find drawer pulls. I often see them on the clearance shelf.
Wow. That’s already an amazing transformation.
I like that you are looking at some color. A “barely purple” is a nice subtle bit of color. I’m partial to blue. A few years ago, I painted my mantel navy blue using Sherwin-Williams Naval. It was just enough blue to stand out from the neutral wall and tile surround. Good luck with finding a paint color. It’s always a process to find the right shade.
@JenRR,
I'm partial to blue, myself. If this table were mine, I'd go for a navy blue, much like the color you painted your mantle. But I agree, Kristen should choose what works for her.
Amazing!!! This piece has beautiful legs.
I have used many different Benjamin Moore colors on projects, in my home and in my kids’ homes. I have used two colors that might work in your color schemes.
If you wanted something darker, I would suggest Gentleman’s Gray, which really isn’t gray. It is a darker blue like a man’s suit. If you want something lighter, there is a purple gray called Gray Wolf.
Whatever you choose, I can’t wait to see the results.
Out of all the pictured swatches, the one you chose was the one I liked best. And then read that's the one you chose!
What a fun experiment!!
I paint a lot of things white or navy blue.
CRYSTAL PULLS.
and paint it some fun, funky color. Green! Pink!
I am painting my kitchen cabinets green (they've been blue since 2000). And I have crystal knobs. The sink skirt will be Cath Kidston's pink mimosa, since the stove and fridge are both pink.
This.
https://ashleywildegroup.com/swatch/mimosa-flower-multi/?prod=14391
Oh yeah, I think this fabric screams you!
@Rose, I somehow wouldn't have pegged you for a Cath Kidston look. 🙂 But I love it!
@Kris, I had actually bought the fabric to make a dress, but then realized it would go fabulously in the kitchen with the green and pink. I'm a Cath Kidston lover from way back.
@Rose,
Love it!
@Rose, I love her vintage vibes.
That is a .22 bullet. Used for small game like rabbits and squirrels. Love the table! Can't wait to see the end results:)
Your dad is amazing! You are learning from the best! I love the color you picked out.
I love the wood grain pattern in the drawer fronts, but I don't think they are going to be salvageable, with the edge damage they have. I keep seeing painted pieces with the drawers left stained instead of painted, but I don't think that's going to work here.
Your dad did a great job. My dad was also very thorough. He would do it right or die, and he drove his sons-in-law crazy sometimes when working meticulously on a project they were doing together, but they all realized they needed to just let him do it his way, and exercised their patience.
Speaking as someone whose bathroom is painted a shade of white that has a subtle touch of purple in it, I love your paint choice. I'm currently looking at painting a piece of furniture myself, and deciding on a color is going to be harder than the painting process, I think.
I felt the same about the drawer fronts; too bad they can be stained. But I think those would not look that beautiful if I stained over a bunch of veneer repair.
The number of clamps your dad used made me laugh. I watch Home Town on HGTV and Ben is a woodworker. He has "you can never have too many clamps" painted on his workshop wall:)
Oh yeah, he has a big collection of clamps! And he is very experienced with woodworking so I feel confident this was the correct number of clamps. Ha.
On my monitor, "Mythic" looks slate-y blue, which I LOVE and think would look very nice! Especially with dark bronze pulls. Or black pulls.
This type of repair would be well beyond my skills. It's so great that you and your dad are able to save the table! When we have more space, I hope I'll get into the rehabbing furniture thing--just for us, not to sell or anything. It's neat to see how many things are totally renewed by sanding and a (few) coat(s) of paint!
That table is starting to look like My Grandfather's Ax.
Ha, well, that only applies to the top, really! I'm leaving the rest of it mostly alone except for repair and painting.
@Kristen, Uh-huh. That's the current plan. Who knows what will happen when the plan encounters reality?
For such a small piece of furniture, I would be tempted by a bold color . . . and then I would probably pick a neutral. I am excited to see the finished product.
Haha, yes, I feel that! Whenever I try to pick a non-neutral color, I always, always feel tempted to go back to my safety zone of Cloud White.
@Kristen, I picked out and my sister puchased a Maine Cottage Fiddlehead table (we both loooove that table) on eBay, used for an affordable price. It was school bus yellow, but I told my sister, just paint it. Well, she plopped the school bus yellow table in her living room and it looks GREAT. So it's never been painted.
Which is to say you never know.
When we painted our house gray I wanted to make sure we got the color a true gray. It was originally grayish blue, we called it blay, and I didn’t like it. So I picked out a few samples and painted them on the front. All purple or blue. Huh? So I want back to the paint store and picked out some different gray samples. Same thing. I did this a few times because I apparently can’t learn, til my husband told me — pick a color now, because all the prep work is done and we’re painting tomorrow. I went back to the paint store and finally thought to ask (beg?) for help. The woman said “gray is hard. It has purple/blue or green undertones.” I said “I don’t want a purple house!” And she sold me a color that looked totally green in the sample but on our house was absolutely exactly the gray I wanted. Color is weird!!
Anyways, you might find that when painted on the furniture it looks more purple than it does on the sample in the can. Especially depending on what other colored items are around it and the lighting in the room the table will be in.
Oh my goodness, yes, colors are so hard! And when you are making a big decision about the color of your whole house, that is a lot of pressure.
My table decision is sooo not high-stakes.
Brass bullet pulls.
Can you stain the top? The wood your father used looks nice. And then paint the rest?
@JEG, I thought the same, the wood has a nice grain and then add pulls that coordinate with the stain.
I so want to adopt your dad. Ask him how he feels about living in Southern California with a new daughter who is about his age. 😀
I think I see a promising business idea: "Kristen and Dad's Mission Impossible Furniture Restoration."
And since I leave for NYC at crack of dawn tomorrow, I want to get in just one Thankful Thursday item: DH's nursing home has just stopped requiring a COVID test before each visit. Woo hoo!!!
@A. Marie, That is wonderful! We have not required tests for quite some time.
@A. Marie, Hooray!! One less thing to worry about. Enjoy your trip!
@A. Marie,
No tests at last!
Have fun tomorrow!
That is incredible! Can't believe the difference already! I don't actually own any, but I love navy accent pieces! I like the idea of purple, too. That grey is also pretty, but I think it would be more fun to do a bit more "unusual" color like navy or purple. Also, Hobby Lobby has really fun/quirky handles if you want something different. They're pricier than like Amazon but since you only need two, it still wouldn't be very expensive if you found some there you liked. Can't wait to see whatever you decide to do!
Okay, I'm going to tell you about a product that changed my painting life!!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SureSwatch-9-in-x-12-in-Peel-and-Stick-Paint-Samples-3-Pack-10002/204957579
They are large clear stickers that you paint and then stick on your wall, furniture, etc. It's basically a perfect swatch without having to swatch the actual object. It also has a multi-color primer strip, so you can see what the color would look like with various primer colors.
The sticker isn't super sticky, so it doesn't hurt the wall, etc, and you can also move them around to try different walls, objects, etc. I actually keep all mine in a folder (I keep the sticker backing to replace), and if I'm looking to paint a new thing, I have a whole folder full of ready made swatches. I can also try colors against each other to check against other colors I've used.
I definitely found certain paints change color as you change the size of paint and light etc, but this has been the most helpful tool in my painting toolbox. Good luck!
@Rachel,
GENIUS!!!!!
The rounded corners of the new top suit it much better. That little piece has such sweet details. I love the legs!
The last big interior painting job I tackled, we found we got more accurate results by painting big squares of white posterboard with paint samples and taping them up around the room to see how the natural light changed the color during the day.
Amazing progress already! I think you can have a drop more purple added to that paint for no cost if it’s too grey for your liking. I’m so curious for the final result of the scuffed table!
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy with bronze or clear pulls.
Wow, just wow.
I really like the dark purply gray... Elegant but slightly off the beaten track (not just black/navy). And if you do consider glass knobs, I may have to email you a picture of some small glass drawer knobs we liberated from a doomed piece of furniture on our street...
I read somewhere a piece I think titled 'I love how men love" about things like a new top and a lot of clamps for the table from your dad. My dad is the same way.
looking at the pile my guts first choice was mystic and I'm excited to see how it goes.
Why not get crystal or iridescent knobs? Sounds like they'd look lovely with that paint color...
I have been thinking about my (probably) snotty question, asking you about food costs -- and if it came across as that, I apologize. Buying for 3 people makes a difference. So does adding in paper and personal costs. It was more about the meals you'd listed -- including eggs and a lot of leftovers. So I wondered if the extra meat, produce, etc. was going in the freezer, instead. I would have thought that produce box would have a lot more in it than you seem to be using. (Could you show us the contents sometime?)
I do take advantage of a lot of sales, clearance items, etc. to spend $35-45 weekly for Husband and me. (So, 2 people.) If you'd be interested in a post about this, I'd be glad to write it!
I'm sure whatever color you pick, it will be lovely. I would check out the greens.
Also, could you please show how you applied putty to the veneer areas that needed it.
I like the purple, but I like the color of the paint in the can, too. Why not go with it?
This made me laugh because after trying other cheaper paint we have made it a rule to only buy Benjamin Moore. *However*, I swear with them no matter what the swatch card looks like it always turns out a little bit grey!!!!
Haha, well, I'm glad it's not just me!
Your furniture rehab projects are always so inspiring, Kristen! Especially when I see something that so many other people would toss into landfill!
I inherited a houseful of old mahogany pieces from my grandmother. They are all beyond “lived in.” I’m very nervous about tackling paint though. Probably because I remember how much my grandma loved these pieces. I think it was the first new furniture she ever owned as adult!
Seeing what you can accomplish gives me courage though!
And apparently I can’t spell my own moniker this morning - sheesh!
I vote for something brighter - do you know what room you will use it in? A bright yellow or red or rose would look great in a grey room for example. Or purple, but brighter than a grey purple? I don't know, maybe I'm being risky on your dime (and time) but I feel like the little table is just crying for some colour!
What a great Dad!
Hon, You are rocking it!
Just my opinion, but I think the color is dependent on where you are going to place the table when it is finished. If you want it in your bedroom, will the grayish purple color go with your decor? Or if you decide to put it in your living room, what color works the best?
I think whatever you do will be gorgeous! I re-did an old desk and lined the drawer with fancy scrap book paper. Cost me about $1 held it in place with tape. Fun way to add inside color only you see. Your Dad is such a blessing!
As someone who does not have one white wall in my house, I'm all for any colour that you decide on. We are lovers of colour; all my doors however are white, as is some of the trim, and my ceilings are white.
Anything that you rehab always turns out beautifully! you are very talented.
Before you even mentioned paint color, I was thinking a nice sage green would look lovely on that piece. Your father is a real gem.
You and your dad are doing a great job with this! If you are going to paint it in a bold color, since it’s an antique, I think the knobs would be so lovely in white glass/ milk glass, like this: https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/vintage-knobs-medium-hexagonal?quantity=1&glass=4