Table Update: It's Standing Up To Wear & Tear
I've enjoyed hosting many dinners at the wonderfully long table selected for our dining room last year.
After considering many options I finally hit the purchase button on the Grand Baluster table from Restoration Hardware, made of solid wood extending to a truly grand 10 feet long! (It didn't hurt the decision making process that it was on sale with an additional 20% off at the time...you know me by now, I don't like to overpay!)
Imagine my disappointment when it arrived, not with a beautiful gray, washed wood finish, but instead a rather nasty looking green tinge...something like drying moss - to be generous. When the delivery men carried it into the house the first thing I thought was, "well now, that is one ugly table!" I won't go into detail about the options for returning, but as they included losing $ over shipping costs I decided to jump in and refinish the thing. I know, refinish a new table! But the table top was a bit rough and sanding down the finish would accomplished two things; getting rid of the green while creating a smoother surface that wouldn't result in guests leaving the table with splinters. Besides, the table with its gorgeous lines, solid wood and sturdy construction made it worth the effort.
After sanding and exploring a few products to seal the wood I opted to go with Briwax in clear. The wax resulted in a beautiful natural tone with a subtle sheen and a surprisingly "soft to the touch" finish.
In the last year I've gotten a few inquiries as to how the table, and particularly the finish, is holding up to wear and tear. Wonderfully, with this one exception. I think I put down a hot bowl or something...which left a mark.
So the other day I pulled out the can of Briwax to reapply a bit to this section. The mark was 99% gone within seconds. Pretty great for a table that has gotten a lot of use!
I don't know if there is a lesson to this story, except to buy solid wood furniture whenever possible and don't be afraid to tweak things to make them into exactly what you want...such pieces will last for years and years!
12 comments:
I'm glad to hear that it's holding up so well. It still looks beautiful.
Durability is so important! Spending a little extra money in the beginning will actually save you money later!
I love how you made lemonade out of lemons concerning this table. In my opinion it took guts but paid off big time. Well done!
That table is gorgeous. I'm glad you got the color you wanted, but it's a shame that it didn't arrive how you expected it too.
I just bought a similar table through Joss & Main. {In fact JUST posted about it today!} I was all - let me jump over and see what Janel did to seal her's because my definitely needs to be sealed. Lo and behold...! Love that! Off to track down some Briwax!
I have loved your table for ages now- it really is beautiful. But I had no idea you did the finish yourself! Girl, you have a gift for that, I think.
A HUGE disappointment about RH, though, you'd think when you spend that amount of money- you can expect customer service o match. Bummer.
xo Becca
I'm surprised RH would charge you to send the table back. If it wasn't as they portrayed it, you would think they would pick up the tab. That's bad customer service.
After all the work you put into it, I'm happy you still love it.
It's a gorgeous table, and I love the finish! Looks like it was a good investment!
Jenna
LUV it...I have the exact same table and had considered putting a glass or marble top on it, but I'm still undecided.
I started following your blog because of that amazing table, so I'm glad to hear it's holding up welL! It turned out so beautiful!
I bought a used 30+ yr old table on craigslist, drove to Tucson 1.5 hrs away to get it because it was solid oak with similar lines to the gorgeous RH tables I admired at a fraction of the cost. The finish is a tiny bit worn and prime for refinishing. Trying to decide to go with briwax clear or the lime wax which adds more white to it. I love how yours turned out. Gotta get this thing sanded down. But it is our daily use table with a busy family of 6 - coloring, play dough, punting, in addition to eating. I am considering another layer on top of the wax. Linseed oil perhaps? I think that is something I have read about to go with the wax.
Uck, that greenish-orange of the original color is just awful. You are so brave for refinishing it yourself. I'm in complete agreement, unless it's Ikea/Target or the like (read: inexpensive and replaceable), it's better to go for quality that can last and be changed as needed.
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Post a Comment