I like the paper or tile in the center but I would also do the entire inside (Sides and under the top) love the table.

it would be cute if you put those cloth, solid colored storage boxes/ open top containers. You could use them for your remotes!

Sorry :)
I meant if you put them in the shelf area to use as drawers.

Sand, stain and love it. Find a funky pottery ashtray, bowl whatever, plop it on the top and enjoy!

I like it! Just show off the bottom with some silver leaf and lovely stacks of books.

Great lines on the table that make it workable in so many styles. Tile might be a interesting way to finish the inside shelf as well - it would add color to coordinate or contrast and a different texture. Or even break up tiles/china/ceramics and create a mosaic - colorful or neutral, that could be really fun. So many options.....

Depending on the historic value of the piece, this may be a fresh approach for you...

The end result would certainly not be your "average" table; it would require some good deal of preparation and work, and could definitely be considered an 'eclectic' addition to your space. Depending on your skill and diligence, this may turn out looking very professional...

Again, not being aware of the surrounding decor, nor your personal tastes, my initial inspiration is taken merely from the form of the table itself.

I would suggest a partially distressed, tight chinese lacquer faux finish, with accents in deep black, and gold/silver leaf.

The oxblood faux finish would be created in several layers on the main of the table (top, large sides), while the filled-in grain would receive a black treatment on the thickness of the boards itself, in other words, the edges of the opening. The interior of the table, as well as the legs, could be gold or silver leafed, after scrupolously filling in the grain -- this could, depending on your lifestyle, go with or without a very slight protective varnish, although it will take away the shine... another option is to tarnish a faux-gold leaf finish.

I would leave the black area matte, while the deep red/brown hues of the main of the table receive a slight, crackled gloss. Clearly, one could go without the black altogether.

Just one of many thoughts, but I thought this piece lent itself well to the chinese-inspired overhaul... again, depending on the value of the piece...

If for example, the woodgrains here are precious or exotic, or of high craftsmanship, then I would probably suggest the staining route others have, to bring about the restored beauty of the grain.

-enzo

PS
One version of such a finish is visible as the intro image to my webpage, q.v.:

www.enzoselvaggi.com

if the power tools scare you, try howard's restor-a-finish. while not a proper refinish, it should make those discolorations and water spots blend in nicely. think of it as the "healing brush" in photoshop. if it doesn't work, you can sand and refinish.

http://www.howardproducts.com/restora.htm

paint it a nice SHINY white.

I like how simple it looks, I dont think you should do anything too fussy with it.

yeah, paint it white - you could even spray paint it and it would look great. get rid of the liner on the bottom.

A little bit of Howard Feed-N-Wax (beeswax and orange oil) will fix that. It doesn't look like it need refinishing. The wood just looks a bit dried up. Looks like it would make a nice TV stand.

"Paint it shiny white" is starting to sound like a joke looking for a punchline. IMHO, if you paint it white, it will look like an old Ikea table.

Paint it red.

I think that some silver leaf on the inside with a nice refinish would be great. The contrast would be a nice juxtaposition. Very good find with the table. I wish that I had one like it.

Stripes! Do it a great varied strip, like a Paul Smith shirt. It would look fabulous. Paint the edges and inside white.

or something simple and big and graphic and fun like this:

http://www.therugcompany.info/designer-collection/marni/kimono.htm

good luck!

I agree with the first posts, stain it the similar color, I think painting it will take away from the midcentury quality. I have a very similar side table that I love!

Well, what do you think about this: http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photos/032709saralov/images/DSC00044_small.jpg

Wow - what a great find - that table's got beautiful lines. I'm a fan of wood, so I'd probably just refinish as per the original. And then, as a previous poster said, find a funky pottery bowl and enjoy it.

But if I was going to paint it, I would probably go for something that popped, not just white. I'd go for red, or black.

Good luck, and enjoy!

high gloss white

I agree with the poster above about a high gloss white, but only on the inside similar to a White Attic piece

http://www.thewhiteattic.com/gallery17.html

http://www.thewhiteattic.com/gallery18.html

This is so beautiful. My first thought was also white (with pale gray, tile etc). Then I read rosenatti's comment about how it would look 'Ikea' if you did. I agree with that. Leave the natural wood finish, it is timeless and classy.

I would do a super dark stain, it covers up wear and tear. Minimal shine. On the inside, perhaps a high gloss paint. Good luck!

stain it a dark walnut and remove that wallpaper or drawer lining paper. It has nice lines keep it simple.

Looks like the perfect size, shape, and height to be a TV stand and stereo cabinet.

I would paint it a deep teal with shellac and put it in my art studio. Great piece!

Yowza. I would refinish it. No high gloss white. It's a classic piece with classic lines. Keep the wood and pay someone to refinish it professionally inside and out. This a piece of furniture you will never want to part with. Do it right.

DON'T PAINT IT!

you might be shocked at how much of a difference a few treatments of teak oil will do . . . . . you might not even have to sand/stain.

DONT SAND IT!
That's a veneered piece, and you could go right through the veneer to the substrate.

Just use Howards Restor-a-Finish and Feed-n-Wax to clean it up.

I'm definitely in the "DON'T PAINT IT!" camp. I would try to restore it to its original look by trying the Restor-a-Finish and wax trick to clean it up.

Also, I don't like the idea of papering the inside. Just leave it wood. Wood is so lovely. Why ruin it by covering it up? The idea that lexixd had to put some orange cloth boxes in it as drawers is a great one. Definitely don't paint it white. UGH! It's a beautiful piece. Just needs a little TLC. Remember that less is more.

Have you always had this piece? I have one that looks *exactly* like it, down to the two-toned wood in the middle. I believe mine was made by my Grandfather, but I'm not sure. I'm eager to see the final results!

But I would veto painting it...

Griselda here-

OMG thanks to everyone for your suggestions, I am a bit overwhelmed at all of the ideas.

nikosaur to answer your question: This was a craigslist find. The guy i got it from said it is a Beatnik style. I tried to search info on it but I couldn't find much. This table was a steal at only $25 dollars so I don't mind spending a bit to fix it up.

I can see how a large majority of you are opposed to painting it. I agree that maybe restoring it a bit and keeping the wood can be lovely. I will definitely try to post a picture of the final product.

If you paint it gloss white it won't look remotely like IKEA's stuff. The lines are too bold, and the shape is far more MCM than anything IKEA sells. They also seldom if ever use high gloss finish, because it doesn't ship well packed flat.

You can try to refinish, but I agree that it's probably a wood veneered piece, so sanding's not an option. Will you be able to get rid of all that damage without sanding? Will a piece that dark - or darker, following refinishing - look good in your space?

If refinishing fails I think it would look great in a high gloss white, with a brightly-colored interior - orange, blue, red, or yellow - depending on what works best in your space.

Restor-a-Finish is great stuff. I inherited a chest from my grandmother that I abused in my younger years. My mother is still none the wiser. I'll be very sad if you paint this great little table.

Keep it wood finish, with the stain of your choice. Reminds me of this style of table:

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/modern-coffee-table/

And one at Urban Outfitters with a link way too long to post, but it's in their "Apartment" area.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

It's such a great style. Plenty of room below to keep books, magazines, etc. And the top can be free for other things. Great deal at $25!