Refinished Two-Tone Coffee Table

I took my mother's garage sale find and turned it into a two-toned modern coffee table. This piece regularlly gets compliments from visitors and is destine to become a family heirloom.

Project Overview

This project started when my mother purchased this coffee table at a garage sale for $40. She started seeing similar tables that were two-toned in color and asked if I would be able to refinish it like her inspirations.  I saw the potential in a dated, but well-built coffee table so, the goal was to give it a complete makeover, creating a modern, two-toned design that was both elegant and rustic. The main challenge was to combine a modern, clean look with the original rustic details of the piece.

Key Features & Details

Every detail was carefully considered to transform this piece from dated to modern and elegant. The final result is a beautiful and meaningful piece that has family and visitors raving and some offering more than three times what she paid for it.

• A new two-toned design with a white-painted base and a refreshed wood top.
• The original metal rivet details were kept and cleaned to maintain a rustic feel.
• The entire table was finished with a classic satin polyurethane.

The Process

What started as a simple refinishing project turned into a full scale tear-down. This part of the journey is what makes the final product so much more rewarding.

• I had to fully disassemble the table into it's major parts.
• I had to remove each decorative nail around the top carefully.
• Stripping the old finish was done slow and methodically to get the pieces ready for a new finish.
• Properly prep of the base for the new coat of paint was crucial for a smooth, durable finish.