It was the legs that got me. Leaning, without their tabletop, in a corner of a filthy, rundown garage apartment formerly inhabited by a very disorganized old person and what must have been a dozen cats. Or so it seemed, from the clouds of cat hair collected in every nook, every pile of neglected furnishings, everywhere I turned. But there they were. Killer curves, charming little wood wheels.
After a short search, the rather disheveled table top turned up nearby, leaning against another wall along with old plywood and a nasty cabinet made of MDF, which was fraying from moisture exposure. I left that. But now I had this:
The leaf was nowhere to be found, but the table would serve me well until I figured out another use for the legs. I needed someplace to lay brushes, rags, tools, and paint cans while I used them, and to prop smaller projects on to work. So, for several months, that’s what it did. But I kept seeing those legs. And, after awhile, I began thinking in earnest how nice that table would look all painted up. So that’s what I did. So now I have this:
I wanted to make an expressive statement on the top and the gorgeous, killer legs had to be highlighted. But it still needed to remind me of its age. It is an antique, after all. So the top got painted with a freehanded swirl pattern and sanded to give it the time-worn look of so many elegant dinner parties like my parents used to have, and the legs got a very colorful, heavily distressed treatment.
I think it will look amazing with any color or style of chairs. What do you think?
UPDATE: SOLD!
Linking up with: Elizabeth & Co., Miss Mustard Seed
Your table tuned out awesome. I would like to ask some advise. I can’t seem to find what type of finish to use on pieces painted black. If I use a wax finish I can’t get a good satiny finish and if I use polyurethane it scratches easily. What do use?
Thanks, Gigi. Try using flat latex paint, rubbed with fine steel wool. Turns out velvety. You won’t necessarily need a sealer, although wax will actually soak into flat without a lot of shine, I have found.
Your table turned out awesome! Love the swirl design on top, that’s quite some talent ~ I don’t think I could pull that off!! Great job, love the distressing on the legs too!!
Shelly, I’m honored that you noticed my piece. Thank you. I get ideas from you!
Those legs are awesome! Lovely table.
Small House / Big Sky Donna / White Oak Studio Designs / SW Michigan
Hand-Painted Vintage Furniture Transformations
Blog: http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
Facebook: donnaallgaierlamberti@facebook.com (for portfolio of chalk painted work)
Love the swirls and those pretty legs!
Thanks so much, Sharon, it was fun to do.
What an awesome end product. I had a table similar to that and it had iron table legs. The table turned out awesome once we decided to do some touch up to it. Thanks so much for sharing your new table!
Very cool table, love the distressing!