Shabby to Chic Coffee/Cocktail Table
I found this coffee table I think it is 40's or 50's definitely Early American style, for just a few dollars. I almost walked away until I noticed it had great fold up leaves which make it perfect for my living room. I can pop up the leaves on the end when entertaining. We brought it home and it has been sitting as is waiting patiently for it's makeover!
Definitely has seen better days but it has such great shape, I love the legs. So this week I have been working on giving it a shabby to chic makeover for an article I am writing for the new Make Mine Pink Catalog Magazine. I will let you know how it turns out.
Here is the finished project after a couple of appliques and a few coats of paint:
Posted by Modern Home at 1/17/2008 10:34 AM 
Categories: Living Rooms, DIY
Tags: diy decorating shabby chic shabby chic blog shabby chic decorating shabby chic decor living rooms furniture shabby chic diy
Categories: Living Rooms, DIY
Tags: diy decorating shabby chic shabby chic blog shabby chic decorating shabby chic decor living rooms furniture shabby chic diy
Ooooo, Sandra - I love your "drop-leaf" coffee table! I don't think I've ever seen one before! When I moved to Texas, I was allowed to borrow a drop-leaf kitchen table that was oh, I don't know, maybe 36-40" square, but with the leaves down was only about 6-8" wide! It was even perfect after I got married & we had a long, narrow kitchen in the house we were renting. Unfortunately, I had to give the table back, as it was a family heirloom. (My uncle's grandfather had made it, I think.) Even more unfortunately, I think he later let one of his cousins borrow it, and it was either damaged & subsequently thrown away, or it was just sold in a garage sale. I would have loved to have been able to keep that piece! (Of course, so would my uncle!) A piece (especially one with the family) with a history means so much more to me than any new one ever could.
Have you ever seen that show on cable, "Clean House", (with a team of 4 people - Niecy Nash is the host, & funny as the day is long; and the designer is Mark Brunetz, then there's another guy & girl who help convince family to let go of their excess items in the household to be sold at a garage sale to raise money to purchase new furniture, etc for redecorating the newly cleaned-out house). They seem to think that anything that isn't new isn't worth keeping - no matter what sentimental value is attached to it. There's no way they'd talk me out of my great-grandparents' dishes they got for their wedding, or the matching vases they received as gifts at their 50th anniversary. Or the only thing my grandfather had that was his mother's - I call it the 'ugly butterfly vase', which I've come to love. Or the mantle clock that was about the only thing another great-grandfather & his wife got to keep when they (twice) had to declare bankruptcy years & years ago. There's more, but like I said, they would not be able to talk me out of my 'old junk' in order to receive a new bedroom set or new seating for the living room. All I want is help getting rid of the clutter! Those pieces are NOT clutter! But - I do love the show!
But now I have a question - if you paint a piece of wood furniture, does that mean you can't take it back to the original wood finish? I mean is it possible to remove the paint later and just stain the wood, or is the piece ruined by the paint? I recently heard that on one of the decorating shows, and they didn't go into any in-depth discussion, they just said, "...once you paint a piece of furniture, that's it, it's ruined." Was this just a way of saying they didn't personally like it? Or is this truth? Thanks, Leslie
P.S. I just love this site, Sandra. It's fun, as well as informative & has eye-candy as well! Your pictures and ideas are great! Doesn't get much better than that, does it? Leslie
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I can't watch that show because of the same thing, they pressure those people into giving up their mementos and some of their family heirlooms in exchange for new rooms with new furniture that their kids will probably sell at a yard sale and I will be there to buy some of it...lol. I understand pack rat and some of the things really do need to go but it is a little overdone.
In answer to your question I think what they are talking about Leslie, has to do with value. Any painted piece can be returned to its original looks with the right stain and finish, but for antique pieces and vintage pieces that have value in their original state once you paint them the value is gone and you can't get that back. That is why I only paint pieces that are mistreated, abused and neglected because their value is already gone. It is best if you have a piece you are not sure about, to have it appraised before you paint it, especially if it has been in the family for a long time. Then you can decide whether or not you want to paint it. When I go looking for something I need and I already know I am going to paint it, my favorites are the beat up pieces, as long as they are sturdy, nobody wants them so you can always get a great deal. Paint, appliques and a little elbow grease can turn a junker into a chic little treasure for your home!
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I have an old trestle style table cut down with wonderful hinged leafs on the sides that expands the width. I LOVE IT and am betting you will love this addition to your room. Great blog! Devonia
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I think you should post now. Its being a long time to read from your latest posts here.Please add more valuable post for us.
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