Thursday, September 1, 2011

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

9 comments:

  1. I think the answer is different for everyone, Janet. For me, I might pass up something that smells where someone else might know that sanding and cleaning and painting will get rid of that smell. I think this table looks like it was worth saving. It looks great in your kitchen, too!

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  2. I love your table. I have one the same brown color sitting in the garage right now, just waiting for some love. It was in my grandmothers basement when we cleaned out her house. The top is natural grey, and I am thinking of painting the bottom a chippy white. You did a super job!

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  3. I love the table! I love that you took the time to save this beauty. Great job!

    Pam

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  4. I have yet had to trash something I saved. If the wood is punky, then it's rotten. If it is almost falling apart and can't be put together easily, then it's a no go. But that's my opinion. Smell can be taken care off with a couple coats of paint or some other kind of finish. I just hate passing something up. I now am using a beautiful sofa I found in the trash!!!!! It doesn't stink and had a few grease spots that I used Oxi Clean on. But, like Kathy said, it's all personal.
    Have a safe holiday. 8^)

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  5. Great Find :)
    and do not miss.....


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    WELCOME :)
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  6. Love your blog name! And the table turned out beautifully. I'm glad you didn't paint it =) I would love to have you share your talents at my VIP today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/vip-party-26.html
    Have a wonderful holiday weekend!! XO

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  7. Oooohhhh, what a WONDERFUL vintage piece!! Just LOVE that you kept its character!

    Deborah (happily visiting from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com)

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  8. It is absolutely a fantsstic table!! You made the perfect choice to just work on the top. Now it is functional and amazingly filled with character all at the same time. Great find and makeover!
    Thanks for joining HSH!
    Sherry

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  9. This is a question I have had to learn the hard way, too! Most of the pieces are truly a labor of love...so do what you love!
    Rene

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