Stubborn Telephone Table

My Mom picked up this little telephone table when she was antiquing. We both agreed the details and fabulous legs would make for a fantastic makeover. It started out very chipped with gold paint. I imagined this table having a very smooth, polished finish. I wanted elegance. I decided green would fit this table perfectly.

I began by stripping this piece since I wanted a smooth look. The minute I started rubbing the paint off I knew this wasn't going to be easy. This piece of furniture had about three coats of paint on it. The paint got very sticky and was very stubborn in the creases of the turned legs. There was a time or two I wanted to throw this table out the window in frustration!

I actually walked away from it for a few weeks and then reevaluated what I needed to do to finish it. After getting most of the paint stripped, I had to go back with a handheld sander and chip off the remaining chunks of paint. I very quickly realized this piece was just NOT going to end up smooth and polished. I decided this table was going to have to look aged and distressed. I have always heard, "let the piece speak to you" and this was the perfect moment to listen to that advice.

BEFORE
(after it was stripped)

AFTER

I used a dark wax to get into the crevices the old paint left behind. I applied liquid gold leaf to the details with a small paint brush. This is when the piece really came alive...it gave it that elegance I was looking for in the very beginning.



BEFORE

AFTER

Not only did the piece talk to me... it had a better idea than I did.  Keeping this piece distressed really made it look like an antique. What do you think of the outcome?!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by!



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