A Sanding Surprise and Questions

I brought home this practically free table from an estate sale.  It looked very unloved sitting in the front yard in the rain.

I wasn't quite sure where to start.  Strip? Paint? Sand?  A lot of the paint was peeling, so I decided to just start sanding.  Under all this ugly brown, was a hint of bright red .  I loved it. So I kept sanding.

Before...

After...

Now that's a patina you just can't reproduce.

I did have to use some paint stripper on the top.  Then I just followed with clear wax.  Beautiful.  So much character.  Can't you just see this on a farm porch?  Wish I had one.

So this leads me to the "questions" part of the post.  When is something beyond saving?  Or when is it just too much time to invest in saving it?  Is it that I love giving new life to these pieces or am I just too anxious to find a bargain?  This table definitely seems to have been worth saving, but what about the time I put into it?  I just can't seem to pass up a sad, neglected, often beyond saving, piece of furniture.  And sometimes there is a smell that just does not go away, and no one wants that in their home.

While I'm trying to answer these questions, please go enjoy the parties I will be joining.  You can find all the links on my sidebar.

Furniture Feature Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Saturday Nite Special
Farmhouse Friday