What am I going to do with this coffee table?

10 years ago

Recently a sweet lady asked if I could paint an old chest of hers that was in bad repair. It was the only thing left from her mother, that had passed away years before. She allowed me to finish it however I wanted to, so I used her mother's favorite color. (before and after below)
My client is disabled and lives mostly in her bedroom, so I thought that is where she'd use the newly painted dresser. After delivery, she asked if I could also paint her coffee table to match, and plans on using them both in her living room.
She has an overstuffed dark brown sofa/love seat combination. How will I paint this coffee table to coordinate with the aqua blue dresser and brown upholstered pieces? As you can see, the table is in rough condition too. (before picture below)

Featured Answer

Amyzing

10 years ago

How do the legs look? Are they in better shape? I would keep them stained dark, paint the top blue and use gold on the raised trim work.

Can you please share how you refinished the bureau? I'm not normally a fan of painted furniture (that chalkboard paint trend is a joy killer) but this is GORGEOUS. You have inspired me!

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Comments (14)

PRO
Design Details
10 years ago
I'm pretty much in agreement with Amy but if the legs are in great shape I would leave them alone.
Pamela Field thanked Design Details
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Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
http://www.hometalk.com/18094955/would-mama-be-happy-or-not-
Thank you Amy, I have a step by step tutorial with pictures of this chest on Hometalk if you're interested. I'm not sure of the posting rules around here, so if this is not okay, please delete.
Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
http://www.hometalk.com/18094955/would-mama-be-happy-or-not-
Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
so using the same metallic finish on the table top is okay?
oliviag55
10 years ago
Wow, that's just beautiful!!

Perhaps you could protect the metallic finish on tabletop with a piece of glass cut to fit inside the decorative border?
Pamela Field thanked oliviag55
PRO
Flo Mangan
10 years ago
That chest you did is stunning. Yes, I think the treatment you did on the chest for the table top would be lovely. Might think about how to handle that relief edge? Maybe leave it too and just touch lightly with the gold? Hard to tell from pic but you can judge when you get it going. Beautiful work. She is lucky to know you. Also, kudos to your client! Even with her life challenges she wants to live with lovely things around her! Beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye!
Pamela Field thanked Flo Mangan
Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
thank you oliviag55. I really am not concerned about protecting the top as what to do with it since I had to remove the original leather top. I was thinking of maybe trying paintable wallpaper?

Thanks Flo.. this was a special project for this lady because of her reaction. :)
That blue paint was a mixture of leftovers I threw together. I hope I can make it again. I'd not planned on needing it. *smacks forehead*

thanks for your time in helping me with this project.
PRO
Endless Ideas Interiors Inc.
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
If you want the pieces to co-ordinate instead of match, it might also look nice to paint the table black, with the raised trim work in the same metallic finish you used on the dresser.
Pamela Field thanked Endless Ideas Interiors Inc.
baileysr
10 years ago
You can take a drawer from the chest to a paint store that has one of those color matching computers to get an exact match of the paint color if you need it.
Pamela Field thanked baileysr
Seajay Sparkles
10 years ago
Hi Pamela. I'm a fairly experienced woodworker and thought that if it would be impossible to sand the top smooth enough for painting, you could glue a thin (perhaps 1/8 in.) piece of balsam to replace where the leather was removed. This would give you a nice smooth surface with a very slight raised profile on which to paint keeping the carved relief around the edges. The chest is gorgeous and you should absolutely duplicate as much of the design into the coffee table as possible. One of the most rewarding things a person can do is put a smile on someone's face. Good for you.
Pamela Field thanked Seajay Sparkles
Amyzing
10 years ago
Pamela, thank you so much for sharing your link - I can't wait to try something like this....
Pamela Field thanked Amyzing
Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks so much seajagerns. I've never tried a veneer before, but when I looked at them in the past they were so expensive. I admit, I'm a bit intimidated with them.
Pamela Field
Original Author
10 years ago
Amy I'm so glad to offer some inspiration! :D