Monday, August 16, 2010

My Craigslist Table ~

This is a story about my over priced, no good Craigslist table. It started off great, I picked up my old new table and was excited about giving him a new lease on life...in Behr Black. He looked a little like this -



I instantly loved the base...

But soon after his arrival, I noticed his base had a sever nick and the top had been broken (and fixed). So at this point, I knew I paid too much, but I was still happy to start painting my new lovely table. Since I was planning on painting the table, I decided to simply prime the surface instead of stripping it first. 

I used Zinsser 123, and it covered great.



Priming was done, so onto the paint. I turned to the great Behr Premium Plus in black  - I heart this paint and it lasts forever!
 Now the base looked great, but the top was horrible and I think it was due to the brush strokes from the primer. I just kinda slopped it on - clearly that was the wrong technique. And I decided at this point, that a stained top and a black base would look the best. I must say I was starting to lose a little enthusiasum, but I kept on going. I turned to the great Citristrip (I heart this stuff too) and stripped off all of my hard work.



 Now, here is the part that made me want to burn this table. So I will make it brief (for your pleasure and definitely for mine)! Here is my newly stripped table. Ready to be stained.


Unfortunately, I couldn't quite find the stain I liked and ended up staining and stripping this table about 5 times - and mind you, I had three leaves to go along with this wonderful top. I would stain all the pieces and then strip all of the pieces...

Stain 1

Stain 2

Stain 3

And after that, I just stopped taking photos. The tears were too overwhelming and I just couldn't see clearly...So after the tears and the rage, I took a few weeks off. And diverted my eyes every time I walked into the garage. At this point, I really disliked this table and my enthusiasum was completely shattered. I have learned through this process, I don't like the grain in oak furniture. I decided one more time, and this time I turned to black stain - Minwax Polyshades in Classic Black Satin.

And it was great! So great.

 So picture me now, happy, smiling and I can't wait for it to dry so I can bring it inside and begin to enjoy my hard work. 

And what does my darling hubby say when we bring it in? "I don't like it." Agh...really, are you kidding me! I must say I value his opinion and I am happy he has one, but at this point this was the last thing I wanted to hear.

After a days of saddness (or maybe just anger for buying this table in the first place) I prepared a few photos for Craigslist. 



But I soon realized, I did love this table. And I loved all of my hard work I put into it. And even though I spend weeks days on this baby, it was my time and I was able to get lost in the project - you know that feeling where you can forget about everything else and just focus on one thing?

So now, I am thinking about making it a table for my kiddos playroom. Stay tuned to find out how this horrible great project turns out!





19 comments:

jjjschantz@msn.com said...

Wow, I love your table..and especially your website! I check it frequently and I am looking to do this exact project in my home! LOL! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work! You are my inspiration!

Unknown said...

That table turned out fantastic, but I think I liked it better with the stained top.
Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca said...

I have a quick question for you. I have used the Zinnser primer before and it leaves brush strokes and roller marks. I have tried sanding them down, but it basically sands down the primer. How did you get rid of this issues? I am trying to get the smoothest finish I possibly can. Help.
Rebecca
rgjacobtcu@hotmail.com
www.mypaintedperfection.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I admire your "stick-to-itiveness". I may have burned it.
I love how it turned out though. The black looks great.
Brooke

Terrell said...

I love the transformation!! It looks stunning! Great job as always! Have a sunny day!
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~

Lori E said...

At that point I would have put my husband on Craig's list and kept the table. I love it. I can see it with a lovely table runner across the middle and those hydrangea blossoms in the center.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks great, Chelsea! So black was the way to go, it was just a different type of product. I would definitely see if you could keep it somehow after what you went through with it. If it works for the playroom that would be great.

Michelle @ Dream Home DIY said...

Oh my goodness I love you hahahaha. We inherited an oak dining room table that I was dying to paint and stain....after reading this I might just leave well enough alone :0)

Becca Ross said...

Hi Chelsea,

I think we may be fighting over the same tables on Craigslist!

I did a presto-changeo on my own table and chairs here:
http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-new-old-kitchen-table-and-chairs.html

Last week I sold this set of Craigslist finds for $150:
http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/2010/08/sold.html

Your table looks beautiful! Don't you just love black paint?

Becca

Blessed Mommy of 2 said...

It looks great! Fantastic job!

Irma@CosasBellas said...

I can totally understand how you can become attached to something you've worked so hard on, it happens to me all the time. By the looks of the pics it seems that your hard work paid off. It's beautiful!

BTW I can't stop laughing at Lori E's comment.

Sarah said...

it turned out great! I understand about "misadventures"! It happens to all of us :)

The Little Red Shop said...

I think that your table looks lovely. I'm sorry that it has been such a hassle, though!

I hope you're having a beautiful week!

: )

Julie M.

KimMalk said...

Oh, I feel for all of your hard work. I think we've all been there. If you do love it, I hope it works well for you. I <3 your new header.

Angie said...

You poor thing!! I know exactly how you feel. If it helps I think it looks fantastic but I know what ever you do to it will be great!

Teresa@magazineyourhome said...

Love your table! I have a table that I am also planing on painting black. My friendly Home Depot paint mixer told me to use an oil based primer instead of water based and you won't get the brush strokes. He also said an oil based primer should be used when painting over a stained piece due to the oils in the stain. Hope mine turns out as beautiful as yours did.

Designs on 47th Street said...

You definitely have more patience than me. I'm afraid after 2/3rds of what you went through I would have put a sheet over and it, tucked it into the garage for "another day" never to be looked at again. I'm proud of you and it DOES look great!

Donna

Michelle Wilkes said...

Turned out fabulous! I think I'm going to do the same things with a coffee table I found!

Kris said...

It's gorgeous! Well worth your efforts. You did a fabulous job on it too!!!

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