This morning we shared pics from our recent thrifting trip and I promised you more details about a certain table that we adopted (along with my cleaning/restoring ritual for old musty wood) so here’s the rundown. We really liked this cool Moroccan accent table that we found at the first place we went (Love of Jesus Thrift here in Richmond). Especially since it reminded us of a few designer ones like this that are selling for $260+. So at $25 for a solid wood table with awesome lines, we took it home.
Boy was in rough shape, so I:
- gave him a wipe down with a damp cloth with a tiny amount of Mrs Meyers soap on it, just to remove the crud in the cracks, cobwebs, etc
- let him dry completely outside in the sun for a few hours
- gave him another wipe down with a damp cloth moistened with white vinegar (that helps to get rid of musty odors)
- let him completely dry out in the sun for a few more hours (vinegar + sunlight is the best way that we’ve found to get that musty old smell out of wood)
- brought him in and introduced him to our bedroom
Another optional step is to apply some sort of wood conditioner or oil to gloss things up if the wood is dry/matte, but I usually only do that when I’m sure we’re leaving something as-is (more on that in a minute). He’s still definitely not mint looking (his pretty ornate top is gorgeous in some areas, but still a little beat up in others) but a lot of the items that we bring home are in what we call a “trial phase” at first anyway.
That means before we rush to refinishing them or painting them or somehow adapting them for a certain spot, sometimes we like to leave them as-is, just to think things through a little more and see how we like them before doing anything too hasty slash hard to undo (like painting something we’d later wish we had left well enough alone). Hence waiting to oil or condition the wood, just in case we later decide we want to refinish or paint something, which is then all greased up and glossy.
Although his top wasn’t perfect when it was bare, once we added a stack of colorful books and a small potted plant, you could hardly tell. Totally works for now during his “trial phase,” right?
Here he is from afar. Don’t mind the weird rug placement, we’ve been meaning to shift that so it’s less awkward. I just need to ask John before he sinks into the sofa late at night, never to stand up again. Haha.
It’s kind of cute how the legs of the table tie into the pattern on the rug. We like that it’s subtle so we don’t have any plans to paint the table turquoise or anything too obvious. It’s actually really nice to have some dark hits of mocha in the room (thanks to the big leaning wall mirror and some oil-rubbed bronze frames around the rest of the room, which you can see here).
My favorite thing about the whole piece is that ornate wooden top. So I went picture happy and snapped another close up for all the wood-loving folks at home. It almost looks like a big Moroccan puzzle.
One idea that I had was to paint just the inside edge of each table leg white, so it would highlight the shape ever so slightly.
See how in this picture the legs sort of turn into one big blob because they’re all the same color and you can’t make out that cool keyhole shape as well from afar?
Now imagine just the lip on the inside of each leg being a clean white color? Might be a fun mix of old and new.
What do you guys think? Is it crazy to touch this guy at all? Would you paint the whole thing? Or just refinish it to clean things up a bit more?
Psst- We picked this week’s giveaway winner – click here to see if it’s you.
Jennifer A says
I’m moving there. You all have the best thrifting luck!! Maybe I just don’t know what is around here in Nashville. LOVE the table.
Wendy says
I have no idea if this will work or not (never tried it… the idea just popped into my mind…)
Would it be possible to paint some frog tape or painters tape the colors that you might consider painting the inside of the table legs and then tape it to them to see if you like/don’t like it? That way you could try various colors if you are set on going that way.
Of course, I don’t know how much this could/would cost given what you have (or not) of possible paint that you might want to use for this project.
It might also work if you are looking to highlight (paint) other areas of the table.
Again… who knows, this idea just came to mind.
Good Luck with it!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that tip!
xo,
s
Margaret says
Great minds think alike, that’s exactly what I thought!
Melanie says
If I were going to do anything to that little edge, it would be introduce it to a little thing called rub ‘n buff. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Another fun idea. Thanks for sharing everyone!
xo,
s
Erica says
I’m all for painting things BUT NOT THAT LITTLE TABLE. It is a find and perfect as is. It would seriously cheapen the look if you paint it. Love it, am jealous, DON”T TOUCH IT!
Ashley says
When I think Moroccan, I think gold accents….instead of a stark white paint, what about trying an antique gold color? Then if that’s not contrast enough try the white. But I just really like the idea of gold on the inside.
Sue says
How bout sanding some of the dark finish off the inside edges (so it does’t look newly sanded) restaining in a lighter shade? Would highlight the edges a bit, tie in to the ligher wood parts on top, but not be so obvious or permanent as paint. Can always re-stain dark, or paint later if you don’t like it.
Second vote would be for a distressed gold leaf finish.
Donna says
This table already has such great lines to it, I would sand it down and refinish it. Too much adding to it and it could end up looking tacky. Nice find!
Deb says
I thought the same thing about the inside edge of legs! I have a box from Morocco and it has the same design done in different tiles all over it. It also has some slight imperfections and I just think it adds to the character. my vote, you know ’cause you asked for it ~not! is to leave it like it is other than the edge or the underside of it. Fabulous find!!!
Meghann@HolaMatrimony says
Just condition the wood and leave it as is. She’s a natural beauty!
Alice says
I really like the idea people had about gold leafing or gold painting the lip of the leg. Maybe add some of that gold to the top in a couple of the “puzzle” pieces to tie it together. It’s stellar as is also.
I love anything Moroccan. Great find!
Nikki D says
Love, love this table, especially since the top looks kinda beehive-ish. What about using upholstery studs on the edge of the legs??? A bit of bling without changing the colour!
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
What a gorgeous table! I love it when people paint things brights colors but I do love old things in their natural form. I think your idea to paint the inside of the leg is a good one! I love Vicki’s idea to do a trial run with tape!!
Brigitte says
I do like it the way it is but if you are really wondering what it would look like with the lip white…buy some white decorative tape and tape the inside lip!
Jeanna Walton says
What a cute little side table, and it goes so well with the rug, right? But it looks like it’s missing some of the veneer from the top. I would try to repair that, then either oil it or apply something to make the top shine. The pattern would really pop then; it would be so pretty to see. But I’m sure that whatever you end up doing, it will be just right for you both :)
Ashley Reid says
Sherry, back away from the spray paint. Put the spray paint down. ;-) It’s a gorgeous little find all by itself. I would leave it alone and enjoy it just as he is, just give him a good polish.
Diana says
That’s my reaction, too. Leave the paint away, Sherry!
Nikki Kelly says
I love the idea of lining the insides of the legs with white. But that got me thinking that maybe it would look even more amazing in gold/brass leaf! It makes me think of those chunky wooden bracelets with golf accents.
Nikki Kelly @ the ambitious procrastinator
Sophie says
To be honest, I’d probably leave it exactly as it is. I think it looks cool being a little beat up and rough around the edges – it’s kinda charming. I do think that the white paint inside the legs would look great though :)
Liz says
I don’t think you should touch it at all. It’s got such a gorgeous look already.
BUT it could look good with the inside legs painted to look more distressed. Not bright, it’s exotic/old feel is what gives it its charm, but maybe a dark red? By distressed I mean like your CL find by the front door. I just don’t think it needs a bright pop! to stand out.
Karen says
Before you even mentioned painting the white, I was already picturing gold or silver leaf on the side of the legs. I love keeping the wood true and just adding a pop. What a great find!!
Missy says
As is! I love the different colors in the wood. In order to keep it from being damaged further, I would have a glass top cut to fit the table top. Love it!
janetl says
I’d refinish. I have a hard time imagining the inside legs white. It’s such a great find…lots of character!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
That table is great! I almost do not want to see it painted.
GreenInOC says
Sounds like a job for Photoshop Man!
Elisa @ What the Vita says
Great find, I love anything moroccan!! If you’re still thinking about painting, maybe this will help – we found a cute side table that is very similar to yours and it was already in orange: http://whatthevita.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/orange-love-from-philadelphia/ Just to help you visualize what it would look like if you painted it!
Leave it as is or paint it, either way, it looks GREAT in the space.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
jp says
I vote no on the white. But I like the idea of silver or gold leaf. I would get a piece of glass cut for the top.
BrassyDel says
Clearly he needs some yellows, oranges, and gold, because from above the puzzlework is very reminiscent of honeycomb AND WE ALL KNOW HOW Y’ALL FEEL ABOUT BEES.
candicemcc says
I’m NEVER a gold person but that was the first thing that popped into my head. I vote for something more subtle than white. Gold=subtle AND I’m suggesting it? Crazy.
Amy says
I love the wood, it’s so pretty! Others have suggested masking tape for a trial run, but my first thought was to use cloth or ribbon as a solution that would look finished enough to keep, but not be irreversible like paint. I have had good luck with dipping fabric in liquid starch and applying it like wallpaper. It’s quite durable but completely removable!
Lindsay says
I like the idea of painting an accent color. I’m not sure if I’m a fan of white though. What about a silver color (to kind of play off of the walls & art that are already in the room)?
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the ideas everyone! Thanks for sharing them!
xo,
s
Amanda says
Definitely leave it. It truly is beautiful. I have a problem remembering to mix in natural wood sometimes because I love how fresh painted pieces are. Although love the idea of just the inner leg painted white!
Michelle says
I would love to know where you got the tripod floor lamp. I have been looking for one just like it but having trouble finding something that works.
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Marshall’s a while back! I would look at HomeGoods and TJ Maxx too since they all have similar lights.
xo,
s
Jeri says
My vote is live with it for a bit, but if it needs a change, I kind of like the idea of a tarnished brassy highlight. White seems like it might be too jolting of a contrast.
Melissa says
I think the inside edge would look really great in black, rather than white. It would set off the shape in a more subtle way and would be relatively neutral. – That said, I’m looking forward to seeing what you do to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t morph through a couple of different stages.
Taylor says
What about gold metallic on the inside? So you would see the color on the inside of the legs to update it
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the ideas everyone! So much fun to read through them all!
xo,
s
Julie (from Pocketful of Joules) says
I’m normally the first girl to say SPRAY PAINT IT — but in this case it’s beautiful as it is. I’d just shine that baby up with some oil and call it a day. However, if you’re set on doing something to it — how about keeping with the Moroccan theme and doing the inside a metallic gold-ish kind of thang?
kris says
Noooooo! Don’t paint it!!!
Justin says
Keep on Moroccan me baby?
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahaha, how did I miss that pun?
xo,
s
Sarah says
What a cool table! Thrift stores are the best, just have to go regularly to find the good stuff. I like the idea of painting the inside of the legs, but white might be too jarring. A fun Mediterranean color would be beautiful.
Anna says
I kind of love the idea of just leaving it as it. Maybe paint it with a clear varnish to shine it up a bit. I also like the idea of painting the entire underneath with an accent color. Maybe a teal like color or even throw some orange in there . Love the table!
Bunny Hipps says
I think if you paint the legs’ inner rim, it should be a subtle gold, which would be in keeping with the Morrocan vibe. Love the table!
Christina says
Wow wow wow; I LOVE this piece! So much that if it were me I’d just clean it up a bit; no paint. Of the paint-it suggestions here in the comments though, I’d have to side with the golden folks. Gold — or copper!! — might look like it was original, and would contrast enough to highlight the edges, but still be subtle enough so as not to draw TOO much attention. I think white would be great with a blue table; not so much with such a dark brown one.
Laurie says
Clean it up a bit more and then leave as is. I think this is one of those things you would regret (in my humble opinion and in my “I like to tell everyone what to do way!”). The beautiful detail would be lost if you painted it and I am not sure it even needs refinishing because I love that it looks like it has been in your family forever. Sometimes old is new again!
Janelle D says
Great find. Sexy legs for a table!
Yancey@Ysquared Life says
I like the idea of leaving the top as is with some conditioner to bring out the wood tones and then painting the legs a fun color. I am totally digging the two tone trend these days…
Laura@JourneyChic says
Looove it! It’s a perfect complement to the design in your rug. A similar (but more ornate) one is on sale at One King’s Lane today and I’m in love with it. I’ll admit – I’d be tempted to just paint the whole thing to mask the flaws, but I bet it could look really great if it was glossed up or re-stained. Regardless of what you do, it’s definitely a great find!
Stefanie says
Leave it! I think it would lose it’s charm if you painted it. I even like the imperfections.
leah says
Dont know if anyone mentioned this yet but PS this is totally your favorite bee/honeycomb shape!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s so true, I didn’t even realize it until a few of you guys pointed that out. Love!
xo,
s
Heidi S. says
First I have to say that I am totally jealous. I totally agree with the metallic gold idea (either gold leaf or paint) and then oil the top.
Jane H. says
Such a great find, Sherry! The table’s a lovely colour as-is, but I like the idea of “lining” the legs – maybe even a different colour than white. I saw quite a traditional, very plain metal-frame “school style” chair in mid/dark stain, the kind with a big space between the back panel and the seat, where the top edge of the backrest was painted a hot orange – just a little punch of colour really made a difference. Although white would probably compliment your room better than orange, lol!
Looking forward to finding out what you decide :)
Jane x
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
I LOVE the table. What a find! I think the pop of white or color on the inside of the legs is a fabulous idea. Really make the shape stand out.
Cheers
~ Jillian
http://www.hersplitends.com