We have had this coffee table for 12 years. It was the first piece of "grown up" furniture we bought as a couple, so it is quite sentimental to us. It has inlay detail on the top, and we had glass custom made to fit it so that we wouldn't scratch it (I always referred to the glass as the giant coaster).
In recent years, the table was looking increasingly orange (I think because the rest of our decor is slowly leaning towards 50 shades of gray). So a couple of months back, I re-stained it with a black varnish and did an atrociously bad job of it. Last weekend I couldn't stand looking at the badly stained table any longer and so attacked it for a second time. I painted it using Benjamim Moore "Secret" AF-710 semi-gloss and then sprayed the underside of the glass using white spray paint. I added glass handles from Home Depot.
We are very happy with the fresh, clean look and the inlay is untouched underneath the "giant coaster".
Thanks, Ellen!
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(Images: Ellen Walsh)
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I love it! White can sometimes look too cold and modern, but this whole thing just looks chic and luxurious, and I love how it contrasts with your dark floors.
Fabulous job!
It's amazing how much lighter it looks. A fresh coat of paint did ownders for it.
Something else I've just noticed... the white painted underside of the glass somehow makes the glass top luminous, as though it's lit from below. I don't think it would have that same quality if they'd left the glass clear. This is a very cleverly done update.
agreed with all of the previous comments. GREAT do-over!
Definitely one of those pieces where painted is better. It looks so fresh and new. Good job!
I agree with everyone, this is a case where the painted job really brings out the character of the piece. And I am terrified of painting old furniture. Very beautiful!
great job!!
Is the "before" picture before the stain job or after? I may be the only one, but I like the way it looks in the before photo. I'm picturing a giant piece of fake coral or a big quartz crystal sitting on it...
Absolutely beautiful! And I love the glass knobs.
looks great! good job!
I think I prefer the before photo.
Since I love the rustic vintage look, I actually prefer the before look...but obviously, the painted version looks pretty awsome too...very chic.
Good job - love the painted finish. I like cold and modern.
I like the "before"...has more character and could look pretty cool in the right setting. Not that I don't love painted furniture, I do...just sometimes it looks like shiny plastic.
One word: AMAZING!
Auugh. I was so wanting a great refinish of the wood and was startled by the white. I much preferred the banged up wood to the painted white. Oh well, thanks for working with what you had instead of going out and buying a new piece of furniture.
I looked up the paint you selected and the result is a warm, grey tone. But from the photo, it seemed to be a white in low-lighting, so I was surprised. I can see how the white sprayed glass really stands out on top then. :)
Ignore the naysayers, I think it looks fantastic. White is a much better choice against the dark floors and brick fireplace. Well done!
When the time comes for somebody else to take this piece, they're going to be thrilled to lift off the glass and see the marquetry. It's like you're giving them a treasure map if they want to refinish it. Painting the glass was a great idea.
I don't have any problem with the after, but vastly prefer distressed character of your "atrocious" stain.
Great idea to paint the glass instead of the cover- so someday this table can be restored if desired.
I'm normally against painting wood and often pick out wood pieces for the imperfections, but this looks so great. I love it!
Nope, not loving the before! Looks great now! I appreciated the story about you didn't give up after the first attempt at fixing it up. Nice to know that second tries aren't doomed!
love it!
Oh my gosh. You must have done this before. The result is very nice.
I think it looks wonderful!
I think it looks wonderful!
I am a firm believer that if a piece isn't of historical or extreme monitary value, do whatever it takes to make it loved and kept from disposal. I can't imagine anyone ever falling out of "love" with this piece. It is stunning. You've created a beauty!
both versions are pretty cool for different reasons. Sometimes I wonder though if the before images don't always show how bad the pieces really are. But the picture looks cool of the before. I really like the glass top on the after.