She has an alcove in her apartment that she thought would be just perfect for a little desk area and work space and asked me to help with a piece of her furniture in the attic.
It started out as this wonderful old butler's table. It was given to her (as in free of charge, woohoo...) by the same generous neighbor who gave her the dresser that we refinished in THIS POST. What a wonderful neighbor we have! She is such a blessing to us
Here it is.
The top comes off.
It has one drawer in what is supposed to be the front.
And some good looking legs.
Now, if you've been reading here long, it won't surprise you in the least
that I love this piece.
I don't just love the lines of it.
I love the whole look of it pretty much just as it is,
I love the whole look of it pretty much just as it is,
scratches, cracks, finish, and all.
If you love old things the way that I do, you'll *get* that.
If it were mine, I would give it a good sanding and a gentle refinish
to retain as much of its worn glory as possible.
But this table wasn't given to me.
It was given to the Practical One. While she appreciates old things, she would rather things look what she calls a little cleaner and younger.
I think she was afraid I would get an attack of the vapors when she hinted that she wanted to give it a little makeover. I surprised her when I enthusiastically agreed. The important thing is that she love it.
I did suggest a little compromise, though.
I gave the bottom a new face with some white satin and wax, but I sanded the top as much as it would possibly sand and gave it several light rubs of stain.
Here's how it looks right now.
The top still needs some tung oil, but I'm waiting for the go ahead.
She has yet to see it so the jury is still out as to whether the top remains dark or joins the bottom in more white or some clean, young, color.
Plus, we have to audition chair makeover candidates
since it's going to be a writing desk.
since it's going to be a writing desk.
Of course, I couldn't help noticing that it can also do double duty as
a table for two.
Yep, just enough knee space for the future
Yep, just enough knee space for the future
48th President of the United States to sit comfortably at dinner.
Hey, you have your blog dreams... I can have mine.
(And by the way, it is absolutely possible to see someone
roll her eyes from 532 miles away.)
*****
Sharing this on Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.
38 comments:
I love it...great job. I love re-doing furniture...I have some pieces in my garage I could use a hand with. This is a great piece.
Yes, dream...that is what mother's do...dream and pray and God moves heaven and earth with our prayers.
She will love it and all the purposes it serves!
Oh forwarded your Sunday post on to my sons and daughters...great, great post...I hope that is what I have instilled, now God!
Good job Debbie! What a wonderful neighbor you have. But I'll bet your whole family has been a good neighbor to her, as well. It sounds like she's very fond of The Practical One. :)
This surely is a wonderful table.
It reminds me a little bit of one that we have (which will soon be getting a makeover, too). You did a nice job, and I hope your daughter will want to keep the top as it is. I like the contrast. I would love to see your daughter's apartment with the charming little writing alcove.
Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day and enjoy your week.
Denise
This piece looks fantastic! You did a fabulous job and I'm sure our Practical one will love it. Dinner for two at this table sounds great to me, especially if involves a future president. I like these dreams of yours. Maybe the two future big wigs will need some suits? In the words of a favorite friend and sister, a mom can dream can't she?
Be sure to let us know what Miss Practical decides about the table and which chair she picks.
BTW, loved your Sunday post.
wow... you are amazingly creative. I looked at the first pic and wondered what could you do with that???/ and then the last pic and am amazed.
And Debby I love what you wrote on my blog...how much you love your girls and like me...your love for them sometimes feels like you're heart is just gonna burst. I feel that too. Hugs to you. Have an amazing day.....
This is beautiful! Wonderful makeover Debbie.
That is a wonderful piece of furniture. I, actually, like it both ways (how is that for being diplomatic?). No, really, if a piece has great lines, I think it will look good, no matter what you do to it!
This is a wonderful acquisition, and I hope she likes it like this -- it has a lot of character.
I used to be a decorator, and sometimes I give unsolicited advice, so here goes: surprise her with a little trip to IKEA and get two very contemporary chairs of her choosing to go with it! They have some great knockoffs of midcentury modern styles like the wire Bertoia (sp?) chair or Saarinen pieces.
At any rate, you have done a fantastic job on the table.
What a beautiful transformation - how did you learn to be able to do all that? I have no clue. sandie
The table makeover is lovely, but the before, oh swoon!!!Wouldn't it have made a perfect kitchen island?
Re. your comment on my gratitude post and my comment about my mama's willingness to change...her love language was acts of service, I craved words and hugs. When my brother and I were teens she attended a "Basic Youth Conflicts" by Bill Gothard seminar, (do you remember those?) and something he said clicked with her, and she began to purposely verbalize her love. :)
Well, I loved the Before, but when I saw the After I was totally sold! SURELY the Practical One will love it, too 'cause it's definitely fresh and young -- and perfect for the 48th President. I'd even let him rest his weary elbows on it at dinner. ;-)
How I wish I knew how to refinish furniture like this. I have a couple of pieces I'd like to throw in the car and head south with -- so you could teach me how to work your magic...
By the way, fabulous Sunday post. Absolutely fabulous.
What I love most about this post is your willingness to go in her direction over your own. I would still be cranking trying to get her to see it my way. Either way, that piece is wonderful. Perfect. May I join you in echoing a dream?
LOL!! Yes, it is possible to see those eyes roll from miles and miles away!! I do love the look with the clean, fresh legs and the worn, lived look of the top. Beautiful job, Debbie! I'm going to hold that dream for you, too. I think that's just what this country needs! blessings ~ Tanna
Debbie, this table is adorable. I love the white legs with the darker top. It would work as a small "island" in the kitchen too, I think. xo
Beautiful table, Debbie. Great job. I know I would have personal preferences for color, finish for the table, but I think I'd like it in any finish!
I love the white legs and natural wood top. I hope she agrees and it stays this way because it is beautimous!
I love the way you have refinished the table. It is the perfect size for all of the purposes mentioned so far. I picture it as a wonderful place to put together a puzzle or play a board game together, too! Whatever its function throughout the years, I'm sure it will be appreciated.
LOL! You never cease to amaze me Debbie! Oh, I do understand that eye rolls are seen hundreds of miles away, too!
Gorgeous redo on the old table.
Cheers!
I think the further away a child is in distance, the more a mom can actually feel the eyeball roll.
Good job, Mom! Tell your daughter her eyeballs look positively svelte with all that exercise.
I like it both ways...the cracks, history...and it is beautiful refinished!
You did a great job on this little desk. Love the before and love the after. I hope she loves it!!! Your such a good mama.
What a good looking piece Debbie. Have I seen you makeover furniture before...NO, I can't recall. I think you are onto something.
Wonderful job.
Love it just as it is, but I do *get* the idea of leaving it as it was. Yep, I love-love old furniture, too.
I'm smiling about the 'table for two'. I'm a dreamer, too.
LOL, I can see my son roll his eyes over the phone. My kitchen table is like that where the top comes off, I think she will love it and it was the perfect compromise....Now you have to drag it 532 miles
Carol
What an amazing transformation. It looks wonderful.
I'm a fence sitter on this piece Debbie, I love both looks too. I think I would probably choose the natural look of push came to shove though. I'm sure she will be thrilled with what you've done. Happy Monday.
Fabulous! You did a great job! Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie
Love the table and your dream! And yes, I do believe you can see the eye roll from afar:@)
Gorgeous - love the top!
Dropping by from Met Monday.
Allison
Atticmag
I think she will love it! What a great job you did. And as to the blog dreams and eye rolling so many miles away. It all sounds so familiar, I'm just a few steps ahead of you on this road, and probably am still getting some eye rolls!
Great job Debbie, you just wait, she will be thrilled!
It just looks great Debbie and you get my mom of the year award! Every time Ms Pres. sits down to write something she will be inspired by you.
I really like it Debbie. You are good at this furniture stuff. I sure wish you lived a little closer as I have a project or 2 that would be right up your alley.
My husband and I were in DC this weekend and I thought of your daughter ~ and you:-)
~and, thanks for the sweet words you left on Mother's Day. Your Sunday post was spot on.
Not only does the table look great, but the story was quite entertaining! :) Thanks for sharing the whole thing...I DO hope she likes it just as it is. :) ~Zuni
Oh, be still my heart!!!! How is it that a piece of furniture can call to you? This is WONDERFUL...my vote would be to leave it as it, but then again, I have two at my house who are quite adept at the eye rolling thing.
Lovely work, my friend!
xo
lynn
So glad you were able to compromise on this one and retain the weathered appearance of the top at least - oh - the stories that table could tell! They are etched there and ought not to be lost! Love the white underbelly and legs - really great job.
You seem to get the deal, my friend! I have a friend who is a coupon queen and can walk out of a grocery store paying $2 for a cart full. You get free furniture and refinish them into works of art. I get the occasional deal . . .
Ah, me . . .
Joy!
Kathy
I've been scrolling through all the posts I've missed while on vacation. You've been a busy girl. Love all the pieces you've transformed to white beauties. What a lucky daughter. I hope I live long enough to be able to say that I "know" the President's Mother-In-Law! laurie
You didn't see ME roll my eyes, girl!
Love this deeee-lightful desk!
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