And I’m back my lovely Friends, with my Tuesday Trash to Treasure Transformation!
I almost didn’t see this library table at yard sale because it had a ton of clothes piled on top of it:
It almost looks like one of my after shots with it being painted already right? That’s what I do…I slap paint on stuff. But if you look closer, you can see this is in really sad shape:
For $20 it was a steal though, so I dragged it home.
This time instead of slapping paint on it, I decided the paint needed to come off…
The previous paint job was just a hot mess, not done very well at all. Besides that wood was too beautiful to be covered…
I used Citri-Strip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel
I applied the Citristrip with a brush, and let it sit overnight. You can let it sit for up to 24 hours. The next morning, I used a plastic scraper and it slid right off. It works really great on horizontal surfaces since the Citristrip stays in place. It’s a bit more work on vertical surfaces. I have heard of some who cover the piece with saran wrap to keep it from drying out. I didn’t do that.
After the paint is removed, clean the surface with mineral spirits. I didn’t have any, but my brush cleaner worked great too.
Then I lightly sanded, prepped with Minwax Pre Stain Wood Conditioner (affiliate link)
I didn’t sand the base like I usually do because I didn’t want the blue to show through. Instead I added dark wax to age it a bit. If you want to dark wax, be sure to clear wax first. If you use too much dark, you can remove some simply by working in more clear wax.
There was originally no hardware on the drawer, so I added this one that I removed from another piece long ago:
Hope you enjoyed this pretty makeover!
But wait…today you get five makeovers for the price of one!
Isn’t it so fun to see a good before and after? Here’s what my treasure hunter friends are making over today!
Click the links below the graphic to take you to each makeover!
If you missed my Christmas Home tour yesterday, you can see it here:
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing my entry table as part of the One Space Three Ways Challenge!
Update: See it here now!
See you then!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
{{applause}} Yay! I am an avid fan of paint/stain combos, especially when the wood warrants it. Great job, Christy!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Larissa! I do opt for paint a lot, but every once in a while, you just have to let the wood be the star. 🙂
Cheryl says
What a great find and you did a wonderful job redoing it!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cheryl! XO
Sue says
WOW!!! Looks so good. Christy, do you think you can use the stripper on metal? My friend wants to strip some door knobs. Thanks for your help. xoxo
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue! Yes…it works on metal too! 🙂
Catherine says
Love your makeovers! While I’m not usually a fan of the painted furniture, I’ve come across some pieces where the wood just couldn’t be saved but the bones were good. I think your stuff is lovely! I just had to comment on the Citristrip – what a great product! We fell in love with those 1950’s metal kitchen cabinets and have several partial sets that we were lucky enough to find for either free or way below what they’d be selling for in Los Angeles, where I used to live. A small town nearby was built for the mining industry and the neighborhoods all had the metal cabinets. As they are being renovated the cabinets are showing up on Craigslist. We were going to have them professionally stripped and resprayed but the cost was a bit overwhelming so we took over the stripping part (not easy). Citristrip has been a lifesaver after the horror of the noxious paint strippers I’ve used. While its not a job for the faint of heart (or for those of us with old carpal tunnel issues 🙂 we will soon have at least the uppers ready for spraying!
Thanks again for a great blog, I enjoy seeing what you’ve come up with! You have a great imagination, saving things that others would pass by and taking the time and a little cash to transform and give new life.
Merry Christmas!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Catherine! Sounds like you have a pretty awesome project in the works! Citristrip is such a great product…love that it has no strong odors, and kudos to you for saving what others are getting rid of, and giving them a chance to shine again! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well! XO
Jeeannie says
Wow! That piece is just gorgeous now and I love that you chose to highlight the natural wood. The drawer pull looks as though it was made for the table. Wonderful job.
Christy K. James says
Thank you! I’m glad I made the choice to keep the natural wood as well. Happy Holidays! XO
Vicki says
As you know, I am a huge fan of your work, but in my honest opinion, that library table outshines them all. It is so beautiful.
Hope your holidays are wonderful!
Christy K. James says
Oh thank you so much, Vicki! I really love how it turned out as well. Thanks for the Holiday wishes…hope yours are filled with wonderful moments as well! XO
mechelle says
Hi Christy,
I have scoured your blog for a year now, mesmerized by how you transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. I have drawn inspiration from many of your projects, ie… kitchen cabinets, dining table and chair re upholstery. I thought you may like to take a quick view of how my kitchen came together for Christmas under your tutelage. With much appreciation and admiration ~ Merry Christmas Mechelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfdsEsj7U2I
Holiday Kitchen Decorating 2015
by DesignsbyMechelle
Christy K. James says
Wow, thank you so much for your very sweet comment, Mechelle! I am so excited that you shared your gorgeous kitchen with me!! It is so beautifully decorated for the Holidays, and I just love the silver accents throughout. The silver table and bench are stunning, the cabinets look great, and the dining table is perfection! I truly appreciate you following along with me! Have a very merry Christmas! XOXO
Paul @ Eco Stores Direct says
This is very lovely, you were so lucky to find such nice wood underneath all that nasty paint!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paul! I was surprised it was so beautiful that I had to keep it 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That is stunning Christy!!! Truly!!! I adore the wood top. 🙂
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! XOXO
Nanette says
Beautiful turn out Christy! Do you have the best results with the wipe-on poly? I have used both methods (brush on and wipe) with different application techniques and still usually end up with bubbles (even sanding between). What is your secret? Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Nanette! I like the wipe-on because it’s easy, but I haven’t experienced trouble with bubbles. Did you shake it first? That might create bubbles. Wish I had more advice to offer. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well! XO
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
What a beautiful table Christy and what a score at $20.00! Good thing you looked under the pile of clothes before walking away. I love the makeover – the dark stained top is stunning.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! I can’t believe I almost missed it…I was paying for a cheap barstool when it caught my eye! 🙂
Rebecca says
LOVE IT!! Great job!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Rebecca! XO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Christy you had the right idea- the wood is gorgeous and you restored it beautifully. So chic! <3
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jen! XO
Shelley says
What brand/color is the white paint?
Christy K. James says
Hi Shelley…I used Behr’s Cottage White latex enamel.
Paula@SweetPea says
What a beautiful piece! I really like the combination of the painted base and stained wood top.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I really considered keeping this one. 🙂
Fotini Roman says
Oh my goodness, this turned out beautiful!!!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Fotini!! XO