A console table before and after

A few years ago I got a really pretty console table off craigslist. I was immediately attracted to its color (soft dove gray) and its beautiful lines. First I put it on my sunporch, and then moved it upstairs to hold our tv in the master bedroom. I was vaguely intending to put a stone or marble top on it, but that never came to fruition. Last week I met with a client who was looking for a tv console and this one had just the style she was looking for. About two months ago I found an awesome early 19th century rustic tall chest that just spoke to me- it will be replacing the tv console in the bedroom once the upstairs renovations are complete. So the dove gray console needed a new home anyway.
When I began working on console I realized that the top board would not sand down and stain up the way I wanted it to, so I put an antique barn board top on it. Can we talk about how much I love working with barn board??? It NEVER disappoints! I painted the case my favorite soft white (cotton whisper), and used two 19th century brass drawer pulls that I salvaged from some dresser drawers that were beyond repair. I wish I had better 'after' pictures, but I didn't get a chance before it sold.
also pictured is the 19th century chest that we'll be using in our bedroom soon. I've added feet so it's got much better height and a finished look.

before- and with nothing wrong with it, it just needed a new fresh look.

with the antique brasses and barn board top. It gives it so much more 'oomph'

right, so I know this looks rough, but trust me- it's sooooo pretty now with the new feet, and in person the surface is soft and worn and interesting. It's one of my favorite pieces I've gotten in a while.

and I should mention, I have all the drawer pulls re-attached, so it's fully functional.

The tag sale Gods were generous today

The tag sale season is definitely picking up now. I managed to hit up five tag sales and one moving sale this morning. I really need to remind myself not to bother going to moving sales anymore- people ask the most absurd prices for their stuff at moving sales. Tag sales are a million times better. So- I scored a great vintage marble topped candle stand. I love white marble. At the next tag sale I got a gorgeous antique china platter with a water lilly pattern (keeping that for myself), a fun vintage tray, which will be a gift for a friend, and a fabulous solid maple vintage hutch, probably dating from the 40s or 50s, and a little antique black side table that will be getting a new top. I'm just itching to start working on it. At the next tag sale I got a solid pine console table that has great lines and will turn out super cute. At the last tag sale I got a pair of matching vintage outdoor side tables. I love the tables, they're tiny and delicate and have just the right indoor/outdoor garden vibe I adore. They're even mint green. They're destined to be the night stands in my new guest room, if I ever get the upstairs done.
If you see anything you like or want custom refinished, don't hesitate to email me (kateaverydesign@yahoo.com)

Dining table before and after

So remember that dining table I showed you last week. Well, it's done. I think it turned out pretty smashing, but it was hard earned. I have found that the finishes used on early 20th century pieces, like this table, are damn near impossible to remove. You have to sand them for hours, weeks, years. Patience is the only remedy. Luckily, I made an important discovery in my furniture refinishing journey last week. I can read WHILE sanding. And so I managed to read books 2 and 3 of the Hunger Games series while sanding this table top. After sanding, I mixed three different colors of stain (mini wax ipswich pine, red chestnut, and dark walnut) to really capture the beautiful wood grain, and capture the age and feeling of the table. The legs are painted Martha Stewart's Onyx black. I put five coats of poly on the top, since dining surfaces need to be as waterproof as possible. The time commitment paid off though, and the table is bound for a new and loving home shortly.
Befores and afters below.

19th century Island

last fall I purchased two 19th century sideboards. They had great lines, fabulous wood, and were just begging for a second chance. I couldn't resist. One of them has already been re-done and found a new home as a sleek black sideboard see my post here. I knew the second one was destined to be an island, and I finally got around to it in the last two weeks. I love working on quality antique furniture, it's so satisfying, and they just don't make them like they used to. I sanded the top, which is beautiful- it's a wood I'm not familiar with, possibly chestnut. The case was painted my favorite cotton whisper (creamy white) and then waxed for durability. It still had its original ornate brass drawer pulls- so that's a plus. I added feet to give it a better workspace height (35 inches). All in all- a very fun project, one of my favorite to date.
Before and after pics below!

with the drawers out, during sanding

I love the scrolled columns on the side. So much character.

it's amazing what white paint will do! The shelf is made from salvaged barn boards.

Unlike modern furniture, this one is solid wood on the back, instead of that cheesy particle board cardboard junk that makes up half a dresser these days. Not only is it solid wood, it's paneled *drool*. I added the architectural element at the top to support the overhand.

look at that top! that's five coats of high gloss poly on a beautiful antique wood surface. It does not get any prettier, or any smoother. The trick is to thoroughly sand with 220 grit sand paper between each coat.

New Acquisitions

Well today was the big day. First Flea Market of the Season! Which, by the way, should really be a national holiday. All week the weather had been pointing to rain, but the Gods took pity on me, and it stayed dry. There were only about a quarter of the usual vendors there, but I didn't walk away empty handed! I got this amazing solid cherry antique dining table (look at those lines!) SWOON. Judging by the label I think it dates to c. 1910-1930. It didn't come cheap, but I simply could not leave without it. So much potential. And this set of bone white dinner ware. We currently have a terrible mishmash of various colored plates and I decided I wanted everything to be white. I love stacks of white dishes, so fresh and pretty. So this is the start of that collection. I want at least 10 more plates and six more bowls. But getting there. I'm going to refinish the table. I've actually already started sanding it and the top is stunning. This table's gonna be a showstopper when I'm through with it!