Hello, amazing friends, and welcome to another edition of Furniture Fixer Uppers! My project piece for today shows how you can update a french provincial coffee table with a transfer.
I get together with four of my favorite furniture flipping friends on the fourth Thursday of each month to bring you five new furniture makeovers. Be sure to look for my friends’ posts at the bottom!
The coffee table I am sharing today was offered to me by a lovely local reader who was getting ready to post it on Nextdoor. I had no idea how large it was by the photo lol:
This thing is HUGE at 63 inches long!
It looked like it had definitely seen better days, but it was a solid piece and for free, I was not complaining!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
The top was definitely going to need to be sanded smooth or every little nick would show through the paint…
Sand
I kicked off this makeover by sanding down the top with my Ryobi rotary sander using 100 grit sandpaper first:
Then I followed up with 220 grit. I have the cordless version of this sander which is usually great if I’m just sanding the top of a dresser or a small piece, but I went through four battery changes on this thing. The corded version would have been a better option for this large piece.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to paint the top or leave it stained after doing all that work, but I just didn’t love the pattern on the top:
It was distracting from the pretty lines of the table.
So, I sanded all the remaining boo boo areas just to smooth them out in prep for paint…
Clean
The next step was a good cleaning! After removing all the sanding dust with my shop vac, I cleaned well used White Lightning. I mixed one TBSP into a tub of warm water.
I had also considered just sealing the wood, but it would have taken on this awful orange hue you can see as I was cleaning it…
Paint
Paint, it is!
I had a transfer in mind for this piece and Fluff was the perfect backdrop:
I was actually painting in my office because it was so dang cold in the garage!
Two coats and done! I love the coverage Fluff gives.
Sand
Next, I sanded all over to smooth and distress just a bit using 220 grit sandpaper over an old sanding sponge:
Transfer time
I needed a larger scale transfer and this gorgeous Royal Bouquet transfer was perfect!
I couldn’t use it all, but the sentiment was still intact by cutting away the last few lines.
It translates to: “From the bottom of my heart I promise you we will never drift apart.”
If you haven’t used a transfer before, they are pretty easy when you have a flat surface like this.
HOW TO APPLY A TRANSFER:
- Remove the white backing
- Position the transfer where you want it
- Use the burnishing tool included to burnish (rub with pressure) the transfer to your surface
- It is best to start in one corner and pull the clear plastic layer on top away from the transfer as you go.
- If you get any pieces that stick to the clear plastic layer on top, lay it back down and burnish some more
(You may need to cut your transfer into smaller pieces and match it up to make it easier to apply if you have mouldings or trim you are trying to work around.)
Seal
Once I had the transfer added, I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue applicator sponge:
Gator Hide is Dixie Belle’s toughest topcoat and perfect for pieces like coffee tables, but it can cause transfers to lift. ALWAYS seal with the Clear Coat first if you plan to use Gator Hide to seal a piece with a transfer.
The big reveal
Here is the big reveal of this BIG coffee table!
Staging this table required large pieces and these thrift store baskets I painted long ago did the trick.
Here’s a peek of the top…
This transfer is the perfect size for this table…
Only having a design in the center, allows for it to be decorated without completely covering up the design.
Those curves on these French provincial pieces get me every time!
Another reason I chose Fluff is that I need this to sell quickly as it will take up all the space in my booth ha ha!
Here’s a peek without the transfer obstructed:
This is a very well made, solid wood table that was surely not cheap to buy, and I am so grateful to my local friend for giving me the chance to love it back to life!
Let me know what you think down below!!
Then go visit my friends!
**SHOP NEWS**
Bonding BOSS is finally here and you can find it in my Etsy shop now HERE!!
It should be the very first listing!
All seven BRAND NEW national park-inspired SILK colors are listed as well!
Find them at the top of my shop HERE also!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with these frames:
UPDATE: See how you can make a frame GORGEOUS HERE now!
Enjoy your weekend!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Mary Kaiser says
Oh La La! It is Exquisite now! It turned out amazing! Love the color, and love the transfer, it is perfect! That will sell quickly! If I lived near you it would be already sold!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Mary! Hoping for a quick sale on this one for sure! XOXO
Janina Fisher says
Hi Christy, Just letting you know that your link to “My Repurposed Life ” doesn’t work.
Great job on that huge coffee table. I bet there’s someone who really needs a big one like that!
Christy says
Thank you, Janina! It must have been a glitch on her end as it is ok now, but I appreciate you letting me know! This is a huge table lol…hoping there is someone out there who has a huge sofa to go with it! XOXO
Julie Laidlaw says
Absolutely beautiful! Well done!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Julie!! XOXO
Nana Diana says
I love how this one turned out, Christy! I love the curvy lines and it’s lovely. Great job. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! I am loving having it out of my workspace ha ha! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Wow! You pulled this one off beautifully! I was surprised to see the pattern in the table top – didn’t say “French Provincial” to me; but I agree, those curvy lines……!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janice! Right? I didn’t think it went with the beautiful lines of this piece at all! Paint to the rescue lol! XOXO
Jackie C says
Was it as heavy as it looks? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a coffee table that long. It turned out lovely. I agree, those curves!
Christy says
Yes! This thing is heavy! I sure hope there is someone out there with a huge sofa who needs a table ha ha! Thank you, Jackie! XOXO
Linda Selvidge says
Your work is beautiful! I’ve been following for a very long time. I wish you would tell us how you price things to go in your booth. I know prices are very specific to area but if you told us what price you put on an item, it would give us a starting point! Thanks for your GREAT posts!
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Linda! I like to hang onto pieces for a week or so before taking them to my booth so I usually have not priced them yet when writing my posts, but this post on pricing items for resale may be helpful: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-price-items-for-resale/ That post links to another on pricing the smalls. Thank you! XOXO
Jeanne says
Hi Christy,
You know how much I love what you do and appreciate how you reduce, reuse and repurpose. It’s just sad that the beautiful top on this table is gone. I know the orange stain is not popular but to cover it again with paint made me feel a bit disappointed. I came across a set of side tables like this and stripped/sealed the top stain and painted the bottom of the piece. I admire how brave you are at times so don’t think this is a criticism. Keep on showing us your creativity. Differences in opinions don’t mean they divide us.
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! It would have been easier to just stain the top and call it a day for sure, but I just did not like the odd pattern on the top at all with the beautiful lines of this piece. I mentioned that in the post. I found the top very distracting. Otherwise, I would have leaned towards a stain/paint combo with a stained top and painted legs, especially after all the work to sand the top down. You just never know what will be under there! And I truly appreciate your thoughts and the very kind way in which you conveyed them! Thank you for that! 🙂 XOXO
Charleen says
What a table!!you have given it a new life. How did you lift that?Beautiful as always. Enjoy all your work.I am the less is more person,and I think you have a discerning eye with everything you do. Have a blessed day,happy hunting for the new haul.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Charleen! This thang is heavy! My hubby helped me carry it inside, but I had to move it to another room for photos by myself, so I lifted it up on one end and slid it on a towel lol. I hope you have a blessed day as well! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Ohhh myyyy, that table IS HUGE and so gorgeous now. I have a soft spot for French Provincial curves too!😍 I’m sure it will be a fast seller. And that new Bonding Boss is awesome. I’ve used it on a couple of pieces and its amazing!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! I do too! I keep saying that I hope someone who has a very lorge sofa needs a coffee table ha ha! I just got my Bonding Boss in yesterday and can’t wait to try it!! XOXO
Robin says
Stately, Frenchy, perfection! It won’t stay long!! ♥️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Robin! I hope not! XOXO
Cecilia says
I love the curves on this table and the sentiment of the transfer! That’s one big coffee table! But it looks so much better all refreshed and prettied up! Be sure to include the translation of the saying when you put it in your booth. That will grab someone’s heartstrings, for sure!
❤️Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! Great idea to include the translation…I’ll be sure to do that! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Yes! Just in time for Valentine’s Day..
Sue says
I love the coffee table reveal! What a lovely sentiment as well. Simply Beautiful!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sue! I’m so glad you like it! XOXO
Lizzy says
I love everything about it! It’s beautiful.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Lizzy! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, this is lovely! The transfer is perfect on the fluff color and on this size of table. Separately, is the flooring a herringbone pattern? I see that in one of the photos. Can you tell me about it. Thanks! Give a pet to Layla, from Laila & Luci in California! 🐈
Christy says
Thank you, Liz! I took these photos in our kitchen and the floor is actually tile that looks like wood. We had it laid in a herringbone pattern…the only project in our home that we hired out, and I am so glad we did! Lyla says hi back! 🙂 XOXO
Cyndi says
Wow. It went from dated and dingy to fresh vintage (if there’s such a thing as that). Lovely!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Great description…fresh vintage is exactly the vibe I get too! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I love anything French and this table is right down my alley. Another pretty piece and you never disappoint me.
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Janice, thank you so much!! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Aww, another Janice who loves French decor (and French food), especially older refreshed pieces (furniture not foo d, lol). Christy never fails at beautiful, luscious updos!!
gail says
Beautiful!
That table is a monster! Kudos to you for sticking with it and getting it sanded so perfectly Christy.
The transfer (and the sentiment) are lovely on your project.
I, too, use a wet solution to see how the wood will look if sealed or stained. That’s a great tip.
Pinned!
gail
Christy says
Thank you, Gail! It is humongous! I almost donated it to the thrift store, honestly, but I am SO glad I didn’t! And yes, wetting the wood is a great way to see and this one was just way too orange. I’m off to see everyone’s projects now…can’t wait to see what you did with that table and chairs! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
So pretty now!
Christy says
Thank you, Debra!! I almost donated it, but I am so glad I didn’t! XOXO
Ellen Shook says
I LOVE this one! It occurred to me before I finished reading the post, that this would make a great ottoman in front of a large sofa. But you could still do this by having a lift off cushion made to fit in the top, don’t you think? People do put their feet on a coffee table (or is that my uncouth people?), so it could come and go as necessary. Looking forward to trying the new product. I need to find another piece to work on.
Christy says
Thank you, Ellen! It sure would, and the lip around the outer edge would hold the cushion in place nicely too! I love that idea!! (And we put our feet on the coffee table ha ha!) XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
That is one big table, Christy! I didn’t realize how big until the last photos. As is often the case with your “before” photos, I had my doubts 😁 but it’s so lovely now, I’m sure someone is going to snap it up.
Christy says
Right? It’s a biggin for sure! I knew this would be a lot of work and I almost donated it, but I’m so glad I didn’t! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh she is a beauty now, Christy.
Je te le promets (I promise you)
Jamais nous ne (we never)
Nous eloignerons (will move away)
I promise you we never will move away. ♥
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! XOXO
Petra says
Fabulous makeover 🙂 and gorgeous coffee table – they sure don’t make them like that anymore!!!
Christy says
Thanks again, my friend! This piece is solid! XOXO
Patricia Marshall says
Love love love it. Another great piece!
Patricia
Christy says
Thank you so much, Patricia! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! Very pretty. That is I enlarge coffee table
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! It sure is ! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Oh wow! Isn’t she a beauty now! From trash to Treasure, literally. Great job on the choice of transfer too. Kudos.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Caye! I am so glad I decided to redo it as I was actually considering donating it! XOXO
Addie says
WOW!!! I thought that piece was hopeless…..BUt….once again you hit a Score!!! Happy weekend!!!….Go 49’ers!!!……xoxo
Christy says
Aww thank you, Addie!! I was not looking forward to this one at all, but I am so happy it’s done! And yay! Your 49ers made it to the Super Bowl!! XOXO
Addie says
Yes, I am a former SF Bay Area person ( life long resident)…..so I am loyal to my teams…..but…..seriously!!! I cannot take one more minute of Taylor Swift!!!….lololol
Christy says
Oh wow…we used to live on Treasure Island back when it was a military base! Small world! I have another friend who is a 49ers fan, plus I like Kyle Shanahan, so I’ll be routing for your team. Mine is the Commanders and finished 2nd to last this year…we just can’t seem to get it together lol. And yes, is it a football game or the Taylor & Travis show ha ha! XOXO
Natalie Dayton says
The new look is so fresh and clean! I love it! And great pick of transfer for this one! Thanks for sharing!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Natalie! I sure am glad to have this one done lol! XOXO
Cindy says
I have that table and the 2 matching end tables. Should I do them to match and would you add a transfer to them too?
Christy says
Oh how nice! They are solid tables. I would paint them all to match, but only add the transfer to the coffee table if they were mine. XOXO
Holly says
So beautiful now …. swoon! That wood was disgusting – not all wood deserves a spotlight – yuk. Love what you did much better 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you! I did not love that wood at all either! XOXO