Coffee Table- Turning NEW into VINTAGE

Changing my coffee table, making the new look vintage!

As you can see my coffee table didn't match my den.  There weren't any other light wood colors in the room.  This coffee table was a hand-me-down therefore it was FREE (my favorite price). 

I wanted to try something different and funky.  I started with sanding the top of the table with a palm sander, it was quick and easy.  The legs were going to be the hard part...

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the legs so I left them for the timing being.  Once the table top was completely sanded down I stenciled the top using 4 different paint colors.  I used small sponge brushes and regular craft paint.  

Believe it or not, the stenciling was easy and it went by fast.  

SIDE NOTE: If you try to stencil and don't like it, you can start over by sanding the table down again.  

Next I wanted to stain the table top.  I had no clue how it would turn out but I was thrilled with the outcome!

I used a dark wood stain to match my side tables in the den.  I used a kitchen rag to apply the stain, remember to wear gloves!  I applied 3 coats of stain.  

SIDE NOTE: Depending on the stain color you may choose to do more or less coats.  This is for you to decide how dark or light you choose to make the stain color.  More coats = darker color

 (I just got out of the shower, looking sexy with my wet hair...)

In between coats make sure sand down the DRY stain with a steel wool pad.  

Be patient, this process takes a few days, or 4 days...

Finally I had an idea for the table legs.  I wanted to "antique" the bottom half of the table. 

I had to sand the legs down by hand because they are curved and a palm sander would not get into all the spaces.  This was a lengthy process but lucky for me I didn't have to sand the legs down completely because I was only painting them not staining them.  

SIDE NOTE: Look at the returned paint at the hardware store for discounted paint.  You might find the  color you want.

I found my paint at Lowes in the returned paint section.  I wanted a creamy-white and I found it for $1.50

I found an antiquing gloss cover that I would use... for the first time ever! I always get nervous trying a new product for fear that I will ruin everything.  I followed the directions on the bottle.

After sanding down the legs (enough so that the paint would stick and not peal) I coated the legs with 2 coats of paint.  

Once the legs were dry I had to sand down areas of the legs to begin the "antiquing look".  To apply the gloss I used a kitchen rag. I had a handy wet towel to use for wiping off excess gloss.  The gloss was easy to work with and it was easy to apply. 

(Painted without sanding or gloss) 

(Sanded and glossed)

After I completed the look I wanted I applied 2 coats of polyurethane

(gloss finish for the top of the table and satin finish for the legs)

Finally! Complete and it matches!!