Before & After: Jim’s “Diamond in the Rough” Nightstands

Written by

Jennifer Hunter
Jennifer Hunter
Jennifer spends her days writing and thinking about decor, food and fashion in NYC. Not too shabby.
published Feb 4, 2014
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Post Image
(Image credit: Jim Morehand)

Today we have an envy-inducing makeover you have to see to believe. Jim bought a pair of mid-century bedside tables at a flea market for $50 each. The tables were heavy and obviously well-constructed so he had an inkling that they were quality pieces worth some love. How right he was!

(Image credit: Jim Morehand)

The seller thought they were a walnut laminate but after stripping off the old paint, Jim discovered that they were actually walnut veneer and the drawer fronts were 1″ thick solid walnut. Surprise! Says Jim, “No way was I going to re-paint over that!”

He stripped off that chipping white paint and gave these beauties a coat of Danish oil to enhance the gleamy, honey-colored wood. To add some detail and update the look, he added brushed steel drawer pulls and used silver leaf to cover the conical legs. Jim says, “I figured that would give them the contemporary details I desired while remaining true to its mid-century roots.”

Thank you Jim!