I spotted this ugly, square, boring, lonely coffee table in Goodwill last week and decided it needed to go home with me. I had been looking for a reason to use my awesome $10 overhead projector I scored from Craigslist a few months ago and this table would be perfect.
As you can see, the top had water rings and lots of trouble and I was going to restain it, so out came the stripper.
Not that kind of stripper…this kind of stripper.
Most of the varnish and color came off with the first application. A quick second one and it was all off.
Then I sanded it down smooth and stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut. (Oops…almost forgot to take a pic before I started staining). Oh yeah, and I took a hammer and a screwdriver and a hand saw thingy with really scary teeth to it first also for some distressing.
After that was dry, it was time to use the projector. Woohoo! I found this at The Graphics Fairy, and oh what a graphics fairy she is! If you don’t know about her, get on over there…its all FREE!
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| Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy |
I chose this French address for the table. I first outlined the projected image in pencil and then finished it off with a Sharpie. Yep…a Sharpie. Then I sanded it a little to look like it was old and worn.
I painted out the rest of the table in Annie Sloan’s Old White Chalk Paint and waxed and distressed it. Then put another coat of clear wax over the whole thing and voila…it was finished.
Quick reminder of the before.
Now, after.
And some details.
Another ugly, lonely piece of furniture saved. I already had everything I used, so my only out-of-pocket cost was the table – $8.50 and about 3 hours of time.
This went into my space at Buy the Season today.
Linking up to:
The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday
Thrift Decor Chick Before and After Party
House of Grace Twice Owned Tuesday
Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
Restore Interiors Restore it Wednesday
Green Door Designs Saturday Spotlight
Perfectly Imperfect DIY Furniture Makeovers
Potentially Beautiful 
Looks great! What a deal!
love love love it!!
Wow! It will be a lucky person who finds that treasure in your shop! Great job.
Just lovely! I hadn't seen this graphic before; it's perfect!
I love the new finish and the stencil! Stopping over from Wow Us Wednesday!
So beautiful – I do love a good before and after post! I'm inspired to check out my local Goodwill tomorrow. Kristenwww.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com
WOW! that turned out great, I now on the hunt for old tables, I've been seeing on the blogs the stencil projects, I gonna need to try this,love it!~JOLazyonLobolly
From an ugly duckling to a beautiful french swan! Oh, this table was given a new life even better than it's first! You did a masterful job. I wish you many years of love around your new table!This is such an inspiring post!Yvonne
Really nice transformation. Very creative!
Great transformation!!
Very cute. You turned that ugly old Goodwill thing back into a stylish table. Love the two tone look.
gorgeous job – I love the paris street addition addition! I would love if you would share this on Saturday Spotlight!http://www.greendoordesignsblog.com/2011/07/saturday-spotlight-19-features.html
Amazing transformation! Thanks for the detailed steps too. Love this GoodWill table!!!
AWESOME!Lou Cinda
i like
Oooh! This is uber fun- I especially love how you made it easier with the Sharpie! Ingenious!!! Thank you for sharing.