French Postage Table

I found two very similar coffee tables a day apart at two different garages sales for $5 each.  I couldn't pass either up.  I wanted them to look like totally different tables.  So after slapping some paint on the first one, I decided to strip the top of the second one.  I had no vision of where it was going, just started stripping.

After getting it almost stripped, I really liked the worn plank look with the uneven finish remaining.   I quit stripping.  I sanded it smooth.  I decided to try to continue the aged look by trying the "steel wool/vinegar" stain.  I placed steel wool in a glass jar, added 1/2c of distilled vinegar and let it sit overnight.  In the morning, I added 1/2c of water to the solution.  I then brushed it on.  The solution soaked right in.  It took  3 applications to get a nice suddle gray. 

I distress sanded the legs and table top edging.  I then used General Finishes Gel Stain in ebony over the whole base.  This turned the distressed spots a dark gray to match the top, and darkened and spruced up the old finish on the legs.  

I decided to add the Graphic Fairy's french postage image (here) to the top.  I sized and printed the image.  I rubbed pencil on the back of the printed image, and then traced it onto the table top.  I used a paint marker to fill in the traced image.  I sanded down the image to wear down the crispness of the image.

Glossy poly  finished it off to match the finish on the base.  I liked the contrast the gloss finish created with the planky, aged surface.

 

As for the other table, it's still a work in progress,  will get it done soon.


Done any pieces with no paint recently?  I would love to hear about them.  Leave me a link.  This one was really fun, might need to do another "no paint" one soon!

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