HERE’S HOW I TRANSFORMED THIS TRASH-BOUND TABLE AND BROUGHT ALL THIS GORGEOUS WOOD BACK TO LIFE! | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hi creative friends! This vintage table was heading for the dump—scratched up, neglected, and buried under layers of wear and tear. But I’m so glad I scooped it up and gave it a second chance! With a little gel stain goodness, it went from trashed to timeless… and you’ll never guess what I used on the legs! In today’s post, I’m walking you through every step I took to bring this beauty back to life. If you love a good before-and-after, and want to see just how easy it is to revive your tired furniture, keep reading… I can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!
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Here’s the vintage table that my sister’s colleague/friend spotted roadside. There were a bunch of other items alongside it so I’m guessing there must have been a yard sale over the weekend, and these were the items that did not sell. I loaded this table into my FUV (along with a framed painting + 2 mirrors) and headed home.
When I brought it into my studio and took a look at it, the obvious things that needed fixing were the decorative trim that was the focal center of the table…
… the veneer finish on the top needed a total redo as well.
And some glue-up repairs.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Vintage Table – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Sanding Sponge
Carbide Scraper (20% OFF as of writing!)
Titebond Wood Glue
Glue Applicator Syringe
Lint Free Bag of Rags
Dixie Belle Mud Brown
Golden Ash No-Pain-Gel-Stain
Bronze Gilding Wax
Shop Towels
Gator Hide Topcoat
CURBSIDE TABLE MAKEOVER
Here’s how this roadside table all came together. I hope you enjoy this DIY before and after as much as I enjoyed working on it!
CLEANING
I grabbed my heavy-duty furniture cleaner that I mix in a convenient spray bottle, an automotive sponge, and started scrubbing. After cleaning the top, sides, and legs, I flipped it over to give the underside a thorough cleaning as well. Once I had gone over this table a few times with the degreaser, I used clean water and wiped down any remaining residue.
REMOVE OLD FINISH
To remove the old finish I used my carbide scraper. This carbide scraper is AWESOME! I have a full post on how to strip stain from furniture using a carbide scraper and I would not be caught without this tool now that I’ve used it. The blade runs across the finish and scrapes it off effortlessly.
Once I had the bulk of the finish removed, I gave everything a nice sanding with my orbital sander and a 220 grit sand paper. The veneer was very thin and crumbly in places so I was very gentle with the sanding.
GLUE UP
This is another vintage old table so the goal of the glue-up wasn’t to make it look new or perfect, but to salvage what I could. I like using these Glue Applicator Syringes. They are very inexpensive and get into tight areas like the one in the pic below. These syringes are amazing for gluing down loose veneer.
FIXING THE CENTER PIECE
Here’s where things went a little sideways on this makeover. I removed the decorative medallion from the table. Using a salvaged drawer bottom, I traced the entire design onto the wood. Then using my Dremel Tool, I slowly started chiseling out the design. Slowly being the operative word here. It was taking forever! I switched gears and tried using my router and ended up making a BIG MESS. It looked horrible, lol.
Now I’m not sorry I tried because it was great practice, but the results could NOT be used.
TAKE #2 – DOLLAR STORE IMPROV
I headed to Home Depot and then the Dollar Store in hopes of finding something I could use to create a decorative focal point. In the dollar store I found this wire plant stand holder that was a ‘close enough’ size. I used No More Nails to adhere it and then added a few staples with my staple gun as well.
FILLING DINGS
Because the table top and veneer on this piece wasn’t in the best of condition, there were a few glue-ups and wood fills required. After gluing down all the lifting veneer, I used this Dixie Belle Mud (Brown) to fill in the remaining cracks, dings and holes. This wood filler is super easy to sand and comes in white, black and brown. I love the color choices – especially when staining because it makes it so much easier to blend in.
STAINING WITH GOLDEN ASH
After the repairs were dry and sanded, I stained the top, sides, and front in my NEW favorite Golden Ash No-Pain-Gel-Stain! If you were with me earlier in the summer when Andrea and I refinished Dad’s Garden Bench, you may recall it was my first time using Golden Ash even though it was in my inventory for over a year.
Like every stain, it will look different depending on the wood species you’re applying it to, but this is such a gorgeous warm wood tone – I LOVE it! I used a soft lint free cloth to apply it, and another clean cloth to wipe it back. One coat is all it needed to give this table a rich-warm tone.
BRONZED LEGS
Now this was a happy accident!!! I wasn’t sure what color to paint the legs so while I mulled it over, I brought out some Bronze Gilding Wax to add a few details. I loved it so much, I ended up using the gilding on all four legs and feet! It gives a vintage vibe to the table while adding an interesting sheen. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the final look!
FINISHING DETAILS
For the finishing details, I added a little Bronze Gilding Wax to the center design aka Dollar Store wire plant stand and buffed out the gilded legs. As a rule, gilding wax does not require a topcoat; however, if I give this a spray finish, I’ll be spraying the entire table. I’m sharing how easy it iss to apply the gilding wax on the legs in the Youtube video at the end of the post.
PROTECT WITH TOPCOAT
This is an oil-based stain that requires dry time before topcoating. This stain is too fresh to topcoat, but in the next 48 hours, I’ll apply Gator Hide to protect this gorgeous stained wood.
Pro Tip – If you’ve waited the 48 hours yet you’re still unsure if your stain is ‘topcoat ready’, here are 3 tests…
- Touch Test – Lightly run your clean hand across the surface. It should feel totally dry to the touch, not tacky or cool.
- Wipe Test – Lightly wipe with a clean white rag. NO stain or color transfer should be seen.
- Smell Check – If it still smells like a solvent/oil-based product, it needs more dry time.
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think?
The warm stain brought this table back to life, and I’m really liking the center focal detail. I don’t think anyone would know it was a dollar store plant stand!
And just as a reminder, here are the issues we started with…
Center piece – fixed!… well, swapped out. 🙂
Here’s a view of the newly stained top. There are a few areas where the veneer chipped/flaked off, but overall, it’s a night-and-day difference.
And here is the corner where the large glue-up and repair was required. This table isn’t perfect, but it looks perfectly vintage!
Another piece salvaged from the trash. It’s a beautiful, solid piece of furniture that will last for years to come. They don’t build them like this anymore.
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 53.8K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
Here’s another look at this curbshopped table before and after. I hope it inspired you and gave you some ideas for your upcoming furniture staining projects.
Thanks so much for joining me for today’s makeover. I’ve included some Related Posts below. Let me know what you think of this one, or feel free to ask any questions you may have. I always love hearing from you. It makes my day!!
Happy painting, my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS:
DRY BRUSH SALVAGED TABLE MAKEOVER
TRASH TO TREASURE LIBRARY TABLE
REPURPOSED DESK INTO NIGHTSTANDS
ORANGE TO WALNUT STAIN IN ONE EASY STEP!
DIY RESTORATION HARDWARE FINISH
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Gorgeous
Thank you Rebecca!
WOW!!!! I keep going back to the big reveal and just stare at it. It’s so beautiful. Did you just sit and stare at it and think, “who’d a thought…”
And great job with the video too. I appreciate both – the posts and the videos. Thank you, thank you.
I’m so glad you like the reveal! And yes, sometimes I sit back and think, I wish I had room (in my house) for this one as well.🤣 Thanks for chiming in re the video. I’ve been focusing on getting both written and video tutorial out for each makeover so I’m so happy you find it helpful! Have a great week Joanne!
Such a nice save! I never have an issue with something that is refurbished not being perfect. I like the burnished legs and the focal point is also a great save. I don’t think anyone would guess where it came from. Great job!
I wouldn’t believe it was a dollar store SAVE if it wasn’t me who picked it up!😉😆 Thanks so much Sandy! XOXO
This is definitely a one of a kind table and you did a fantastic job as usual. I like it when you admit that things don’t go quite right and you find a way to improvise. The result is beautiful. You are inspiring!
Things often don’t go right😆 but I guess that’s expected when doing DIY’s. I’m so happy you love the table Mary Jo! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! XOXO
WOW, I love this table! Your vision and creativity are off the charts Denise- who would think to use a plant stand holder on a vintage table??? 🤯
Aww, thank you Nicki! I’m really happy with how it all came together as well and thank goodness for the dollar store find otherwish I’d STILL be routering away!😂 Enjoy your week my friend. XOXO
That table looks so beautiful. I am going to try and fix a old desk. Hopefully it will turn out good.
Thanks Patsy and have fun with your desk!☺️
That is a freaking cool table!!! Beautiful!
Hi Kelllleeeeee!😃 Thank you so much – I was lucky to find that center piece otherwise I would have felt ‘stuck’ and not quite sure what to do but I love that it all came together. Have a great week my friend. XOXO
The table came out beautiful! I’m loving that stain color too. Your posts are such an inspiration because of your creativity and willingness to try new techniques.
PS – I totally would have grabbed that table too, and the chair behind it!
I was thinking of grabbing that chair as well! Instead I went for a few lighter items. I grabbed 2 mirrors, a painting with frame and this table. I’m guessing you’ll see my other ‘grabs’ in a future post. 🙂
Love the gilding wax on the legs! Did you stain them first? The dollar fee find was perfect!!
Thanks Susan! And no, i didn’t stain them first but I did give them a sanding. 🙂
So happy you saved this one. She is a beauty! Shows what a bit of vision, love and hard work can accomplish. Thank you for sharing what didn’t work out and how you fixed it. Gives me hope that I too can do these projects!
Thanks! I was really hoping to recreate the original design and I’m not sorry I tried — but it did make me realize I could use more practice on my router and dremel tool! 🙂
Gorgeous, Denise !!!!!!!
Brilliant, as usual !!!!! 🙄
Congratulations !!!!
Awww, thanks so much – you put a smile on my face! 😊
This piece turned out gorgeous! The center piece you found at the store fits perfectly. I think you just have that touch!
That dollar store find was a LUCKY find!!! And you can’t beat a $5 fix, right!? 😆 Thanks Leslie – have a great week!
The metal plant stand repurpose is brilliant!
Thanks Matie!😃 i didn’t find anything at HD so it was dollar store to the rescue!
Genius! Replacing that center piece was a great idea and the bronze added to the legs is the perfect look. It really ties it all together. I love this one, Denise! Pinned!
😘
It was improvising, for sure😉 but I’m pleased with how it all came together as well, thanks Do! XOXO
Absolutely amazing. Thank you. I find I quite often have to use alternatives because can’t get the products here in England but still looks good. Our son has recently bought a house in Italy that is in need of renovation so will be looking to source second had furniture so I will be able to use your ideas and techniques. Thank you so much.
Hi Susan and thank you! And house in Italy, omygosh how amazing! I can only imagine the furniture pics there and what you can create with them. Have fun! XOXO
Hi Denise. This table turned out beautifully. I love the round metal decor piece, and to think it was a plant stand!!!! Your creativity is amazing. The warm wood matched with the copper on the legs is gorgeous.
Thanks my friend!🤗💙 I’m so happy I found something that worked because the original design just wasn’t going as planned.😆
I ADORE this piece! Beautiful and truly one of a kind. Sidenote: I now want bronze gilding wax somewhere — maybe lots of places — in my home.
Same!😆 I can’t believe it took me this long to try it on wood as a finish. This entire time I’ve been using it to ‘highlight’ details more or less but now I see it can be a fabulous finish in itself! And it really doesn’t take that much product either… it spreads really nicely.
Very well done! That table is beautiful.
Thanks so much Mary!🤗 Enjoy the rest of your week! xo