Table Happiness!When the large table arrived for our dining room I was thrilled with its beautiful lines and how well it was made. What came as a complete surprise was the green finish, very similar to moss...beginning to turn brown. Not a pretty sight!
Luckily a sanding job took care of that. The table top was also rougher than I had anticipated...so sanding fixed this issue as well. Perfect.
The wood tone now features a mix of grays and browns, just beautiful, and made from reclaimed wood this table looks like it has been around for years. Not wanting to alter the color or lose the worn characteristics, I tested several products to give the table a protective finish, finally having success with Briwax!
Below the right side of the table has a layer of clear wax while the left side does not. A subtle sheen is added, yet virtually no color change. What I was surprised by is how the wood now feels to the touch...incredibly soft.
As recommended by Suzi, I applied three layers of wax to the table top to provide protection from spills.
Afterwards I decided to test the repelling qualities of the wax.
Aren't these beads of water beautiful?
After letting them sit from several minutes, I wiped them away with no evidence in sight. Impressive.
The wood tones look great against the walls...
...and while the turned legs proved more difficult to both sand and wax, they turned out beautifully as well.
So despite all the work that was required, particularly on a new table, I'm thrilled with the result! I think it is better than I had even envisioned when selecting the table in the first place.
I'd say this adds up to table happiness, to be sure.
68 comments:
beautiful!
Gorgeous table!
Oh I knew it would be fabulous!! Congrats on one gorgeous table!
Janell, it looks beautiful! I have an old farmhouse kitchen table that has seen more than its fair share of spills, scratches, dings and messes. Refinishing it is on my to do list. Thanks for the inspiration :)
Congrats, Janell!! All that patience and perseverance paid off! It looks fabulous!
That table is BEAUTIFUL!! Great work at making it your own!
I love how it came out, Janell! The finish is so pretty - all your hard work paid off!
Turning lemons into lemonade! Looks beautiful and I love the turned leg detail. Now forthenextast..planning another fun dinner party!
Are those droplets actually beads of sweat?
For all the work you put into it, I wouldn't be surprised. It's beautiful!
That shouldhaveread..for the next act..planning a fun dinner party! Sorry!! ;D
This turned out stunning - I really like how inviting a big sturdy table is in an open space. This one looks great and your beading water shots are just fantastic - what a great product endorsement!
Nice Job
What a beauty it turned out to be..it did take a lot of effort ...but the result is every bit worth the toil....great job Janell...the natural color of the wood and its grain stand out so well with you efforts!! Hope you'll have many a memorable feast on your table. Cheers!!
Looks like your hard work paid off! Looks beautiful, looks old and gracious..like limed oak which I love. Briwax is great, have used several times..just have to be patient:) Enjoy the table!
Oh, the end result is wonderful. Love it!
The table looks great and so big! I love it and I can't wait to see the table set.
Zizette
Job well done. I spent my Sunday cleaning out my closet, pain in the ... happy with the results too ; )
I would have to agree - it looks beautiful! happy Monday! :)
sooo beautiful!
Love that table! What a good idea to add three layers!
Wow, you worked so hard on this! Hope you get to enjoy it for many years to come...
The table looks fabulous. I love Briwax and all the colors that it comes in. I used a really dark shade to darken my cabinets and I love it. A ton of work, but so worth it. Hugs, Marty
I love it! It really turned out gorgeous!! I love the rustic look. I have never heard of Briwax until you talked about using it. My interest is piqued. I have a Craigslist table I'd like to try this on.
I'm so glad you posted about your journey with this table. Looks great!
Thanks, I couldn't be more happy with the outcome! It is a piece I know we will have and enjoy for years and years...Janell
What a great find-I love the grey cerused look-so soft and elegant. You did a fantastic job lovingly restoring the piece-enjoy!
I don't remember how i came across your blog, but I am sooo glad I did! I bought this SAME TABLE from R.H. and had the SAME shock and awe that you did when it arrived. I got it on sale and couldn't believe my luck, but the disappointment when it arrived... sigh. I oiled it trying to rid some of the green, but now it just looks muddy and lost it's charm. I will get to sanding and find some Briwax!! Thanks so much!
Congrats! It looks amazing. The color is really unique and beautiful. I am in love with the turned legs. Way to get it done!
Yay! I'm glad you got the color and finish all sorted out! What great dinner parties you will host with that table!
Jenny...really?!?! So my table wasn't the only green one? For some reason getting your comment makes me feel better about the whole thing, I wasn't making it up!! I'm glad my process will help you get yours where you want it to be! Janell
Don't you love how wax makes the water bead up like that???
Love it!!
xoxo
Yes, crazy about the wax!
And Jenny, let me know if you have any questions as you get to work on your table. Don't oversand, that would be my advice...I didn't remove all the original finish (in the cervices) as I didn't want to sand down too far and lose the worn character of the table. I wasn't sure how this would go, but worked. Janell
So gorgeous!I was wondering where the reclaimed wood table came from?
Glad your hard work paid off big.
Nice post, love the beads of water shot,........ genius.
well, it was a long road to get here, but the table does indeed look fabulous. i just want to reach through the monitor and RUB my hands on it...it looks so smooth and pretty!
janell, i applaud your dedication to getting this right! it looks amazing. i'm not sure i would've had the same persistance, especially with a piece of new furniture that i had no plans for working on; i am so impatient! but the hard work always pays off in the end and it certanly did for you. love it. well done! ;)
It is beautiful! All your hard work definitely paid off!
Just beautiful! It looks like a table Restoration hardware is selling now for 2K.
Very nice job!
It looks amazing! Definitely worth all that work, right? :)
Love it! I wish you could work on a table like this from my grandmother's farm house
sara@papermojo.com
www.papermojo.com
I'm soooo glad this turned out for you after all that hard work. Love when that happens. :)
You must have gotten that new camera from santa this year? Your pics are looking amazing!
All your hard work paid off in a major way! The table looks great!
Yes, Santa was good to me, my Nikon is taking much better pictures than I was getting before and the benefit is I'm saving a LOT OF TIME! I find I'm taking less pictures with less editing required to get color right, etc. YEAH! Janell
Janell - it's a beauty. I am jealous you have the room for such a beautiful table. Now come back to SF and help me with my wood issues!
The table turned out beautifully! Your hard work really paid off for sure! :)
Congratulations on completing this herculean task. The table looks perfect now.
You couldn't have done a more beautiful job. The waxing job on my 10 foot table is key. I love every inch of it, especially with kids sticky stuff on it. Wipe right off.
Hands down, no one on this planet knows how to make good of a happy accident quite like you do Janell ;)
The table looks perfecto.
Kudos for all your optimism, vision and sweat equity.
Cheers, Alcira
nerochronicles.com
The table looks GREAT, janell! Love the image of the drops of water! And those legs...oh those legs are gorgeous!
That is table PERFECTION! Bravo girl for your vision, those beads of water are glorious to look at! Love love love.
xo
Kate
I know you are happy to put this task behind you! Now you can put the room together...the fun part :)
Great result! Phew! I want to try Briwax someday.
I'm new to your blog..but found it today over on My Blue Hydrangea with he post on the DIY lamp shades! This is next on my list! I've been reading your blog off and on all day and have accomplished ZILCH today. This is entering my daily Blog Love List immediately!
I'm so glad it all worked out. It really looks beautiful.
I knew it was going to look great by the time you were done with it! Love it so much!
It's gorgeous, Janell! That's a table you should be very proud of and to be treasured. You did a beautiful job.
Congrats, Janell, for a job well done. Take a moment to bask in the shine off your table!
It is gorgeous! And I totally understand having to rework a brand new piece of furniture to turn it into what you envision. You did a beautiful job. Can't wait to see the whole room.
Not only is it gorgeous (I can't even imagine all the work you did!!!)...but Im super impressed with your photography!! Nice shot of the water beads. :)
First, I want to tell you how elegant the table legs are. Second, I love that you find beauty in drops of water.
* Janell~ Was there EVER any DOUBT it would be " a wunnnaful-a-wunnnnaful"??? NOPE!!! Congrats on a swimmingly beauuuutiful result!!!
Hugs,
Linda
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Looks beautiful! You have put so much work into it...I might have given up weeks ago!
Janell, this turned out amazing. I love the turned legs and the finish is perfect for your home. You really worked hard on this table and it definitely paid off!! KS
What do you use to sand with. I tried sanding my table and it barely scratched the surface. Please let me know your tricks.
I used an electric sander (not rotary) and Norton 3X Premium 100 grit sand paper. It took only a couple passes back and forth to get the amount of finish off I wanted, as well as smooth the finish. Home Depot has a good selection of these sand papers. Hope this helps. Janell
I could cry! I have this table- and we have just moved into a new house, and had our first Easter dinner on it. The cups left rings. I have a 20 month old and he laid fruit on the table... stains. I have been sick to my stomach about what to do, but now I feel SO much better! It's funny, the green - noo ne quite understands it, until they see it.
(Im really scared to do it), but now I feel like I can save the table that I fell in love with ! Thanks!
Yes, the green! Let me know if you have any questions about the steps to take, and if you use Briwax it will protect the wood from future rings and the like! Good luck...Janell
Hi Janell. We just purchased a similar dining table from Restoration Hardware that has a similar greenish hue. My wife found your blog and has tasked me with fixing it. I've got the sanding down, but could you detail the steps of applying Briwax? She said you used steel wool.
Thanks!
Ha, interesting, you have no idea how many emails I've gotten about Green tables from RH!! You've got the hard part done, just dip a piece of steel wool into the can of clear Briwax and apply in sections down the length of the table, rubbing the Briwax into the table with the steel wool, going with the grain of the wood. Don't be afraid to use a lot of wax, and with the rubbing the wax will be worked into the wood and create a soft luster and finish. (will feel great to the touch.) You'll go through a lot of steel wool. The aprons and legs will be a little harder, but same process. Let me know if you have any questions...you really can't go wrong with the clear Briwax. At some point you may have to reapply, but the wax should create a protective finish that will repel stains and water, though will show scratches, etc. But, the table is meant to look worn, so it is all good.
Best of luck, Janell
I have just purchased and received this table and would also like to refinish like you have done. Can you please provide the specifics, ie steel wool grade, how much you sanded, etc so I can reproduce your success.
Thanks!
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