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Painting And Stenciling A Coffee Table

Will we ever grow tired of seeing a piece of furniture that has been completely transformed with a little bit of paint? Probably not. At least not as long as we’re getting emails like Jesse’s. Here’s an excerpt from his blog about the whole hexagon-tastic transformation of this coffee table that he sent our way:

You can see in the photo that this was one of those over-lacquered tables that was pretty beat up. But the curves are all there, and they are nice!

Jesse Before

The top had really pretty woodwork, a nice diamond inlay. So, continuing with my recent love affair with wood AND paint rather than one or the other, I stripped this table to the bare wood. I stained the top “dark walnut” and then went hexagonal with it. Here’s the after:

Jess After

I love the dark wood flowing in between those hexagons, and then the contrasting turquoise underneath. It’s actually a light turquoise that I spotted in the mishap aisle (so I can’t be sure of the name).

Jesse Side Close Up

Jesse Hex Close Up

Didn’t Jesse do an awesome job? You can check out more pics and details here on his blog. We love the play between the traditional shape of the table and the modern color and pattern. I’m sure we’ve walked past many a similar table at thrift stores or yard sales before. Now we might give them a closer look!

Psst – Got your own awesome before & after project? Send your story, pics, and related links to [email protected] to be considered for a possible Reader Redesign feature. You know we love a makeover.

Comments

    • Serena says

      Actually, under the “View My Complete Profile” link on the right side bar it lists the blogger’s gender as male…so I guess you can leave those feet right where they are :-)

    • Serena says

      Argh! I totally read Cherri’s correction backwards and thought she was telling you Jess was a girl (since you all had already changed the post to read he by time I got here). So, your comment back to me totally confused me just now-then confusion was rapidly replaced with embarrassment.

      Oh well, that’s what I got for hanging out at your blog instead of doing one of the many projects I should be doing for grad school. Punishment accepted, now off to work on that paper some more.

    • Jesse says

      haha! Thanks Cherri! You know, this isn’t the first time this is happened.. it comes with having an androgynous name! Happened on the front page of Design*Sponge a few months back, hehe.

      I’m SO flattered to here on Young House Love!! Thanks so much!!

  12. Loves Moose says

    Great job, Jesse!! These poor old coffee tables often get overlooked and cast aside. Your transformation is fun and creative and really, really charming. Nicely done!!

    Reply

  14. Stephanie says

    It looks so great. But, what I really want to know is some more info on this “mishap” aisle. Where would you find these lost paints?

    Reply

  15. Michelle says

    Hi guys! Love your blog and all your great ideas. But today I’m having such a hard time even looking at your post because I’m so distracted by the background! Please change it back…..it’s too hard on the eyes!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry- something must be loading wrong on your computer/browser. The background has been the same for the last few months, so it’s still solid white behind all the text and a soft gray heart pattern on the sides. Maybe try clearing your browser’s cache or viewing it on another browser? Wish it was something we could change on our end!

      xo,
      s

    • suzanne says

      Mine has been doing the same thing. The the text is on the grey background, but after a few minutes it changes back to the white.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry guys! I bet you’re both using the same browser (ex: Explorer 7). Sometimes a certain browser gets glitchy but usually clears itself up in 24-48 hours!

      xo,
      s

    • Stefanie says

      Sometimes when I read it on my mobile, the lovely heart-design is replaced by never-ending “tweetersiks”… makes it super hard to read! No idea why my phone does that because it never happens on any other device.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry about that! So strange. Wish it was something we could fix on our end but it seems to be a random glitch since we haven’t changed anything!

      xo,
      s

  16. Stephanie says

    Hah! That’s fabulous! I’d never heard of that before. Thanks!

    P.S. This is my first-ever comment after many months of reading your blog. Thanks for all the amazing inspiration!

    Reply

  19. Matt says

    Mmm, I don’t really see how the hexagonal shapes are complimenting the table’s character. Everything about the table is about curves, the seashell, the trim/legs–where is this hexagonal coming from? Or is it just a great shape that you like to put on anything? Also the colors are a very odd choice: a turquoise, pale sea foam, and a dark brown/back. I would have switched to have the turquoise on the top, and the legs be the paler green. That way you are highlighting the top, where would be more attention to your hexagonal design rather than the sides and the legs (which is why there’s so a visual battle of ‘hey, where should i look?’ Nice attempt though, would like to see a redo though.

    Reply

  20. Kathy says

    I don’t wish to put a damper on things, but I think this one missed the mark. The hex design doesn’t relate to anything on the table–especially the curved legs, apron, and carved shell on the front. While I really like the idea, maybe a better shape could be chosen for the top? That being said, I really like the choice of colors.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      John and I both loved the contrast of the modern hex shape with the traditional table silhouette (we thought that’s what MADE it!) – but it’s definitely one of those personal preference things! We just love sharing other makeovers and ideas so those who like ’em can take the ball and run with ’em!

      xo,
      s

    • ashlee@238windsor says

      i personally think this table is a real conversation piece. while i wouldn’t necessarily copy this idea (okay, i wouldn’t at all) it does inspire me to do something a little more bold with a similar table that i have. it’s a definite conversation piece. that’s kind of why i like it.

    • Jesse says

      John and Sherry hit the nail on the head! P.S. thanks SO much for featuring my table, this is awesome and I’m flattered!

      I really was going for polar opposites. Good ol’ French Provincial needed a modern slap, and I love hexagons. It is one of those personal preference things though, for example: some people just CRINGE when they see I dared to paint on a wood piece… but in my opinion, there’s enough furniture to go around, right?

      Thanks again for all the feedback!

  24. Teresa says

    Seriously, that is quite the transformation… and if you check out Jesse’s blog there are all kinds of neat transformations!!! Love how you find so much through blogs!

    Reply

  25. Becca says

    Great table makeover! Seriously rocks.

    PS. I heart that you guys don’t discriminate against small blogs when you do our reader features. Totally rad and just one of the many reasons I love you guys.

    Reply

  26. GretchenF says

    I peeked in his Etsy shop and there is a bar cart there that I covet, but I’d want to do the improvement work myself. He either has a good source or good luck at buying furniture that is in rough shape but can be nursed back to health. He did a great job!

    Reply

  30. [email protected] says

    HOLY SMOKES! doesn’t even look like the same table. gives me inspiration for the table my sister gave me recently – heavily lacquered, wood so dark it’s almost black. but the curves are definitely there. it’s very sleek looking.

    Reply

  31. ashlee@238windsor says

    hi guys,

    i’ve been having trouble posting a comment today. it keeps saying ‘duplicate comment’ but nothing is showing up. so…i’m trying again, one more time.

    what i was wanting to say was that this table is incredible and it gives me hope for this awful table my sister recently gave me. heavily lacquered, dark dark dark stain.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry Ashlee! Not sure why and this is the first we hear of it. We didn’t change anything on our end so here’s hoping it clears itself up soon!

      xo,
      s

  32. Matt says

    What kinds of stain and paint were used here (oil and latex?)? I thought it would be a problem painting over a stained surface, but it appears to work.

    Reply

    • Jesse says

      Here I am! Sorry, I got home from work to a full inbox and to my surprise was featured! I’m actually in the midst of doing another table similar to this one by request, maybe I’ll do a tutorial for you guys :D

      In the meantime, here we go. Yes – painting over an oil stained purpose can be a problem, because the oil will leach up into it. A water based stain should be fine though.

      For this, I stripped the table, and stained the top in a dark walnut oil stain until I was happy. Then, I did a coat of water based Minwax Polycrylic (LOVE!) to creat a seal. Then I taped my design, primed, and painted with a few coats of a latex grey. Remove the tape, repair any weirdness, and coat the whole top in minwax poly 4-5 times since coffee tables tend to get beat up.

      The base was a simple sand, prime, paint, seal and deliver (haha, kidding about the deliver… you know, the song…!)

      Let me know if you have any questions!

  36. rachael says

    I just painted a piece and it is still sticky/tacky. It doesn’t feel it to touch it but if you put anything on it it sticks and leaves marks.

    What can i do to stop this? without having to go back resand, prime and paint…because at that point it wouldn’t be worth my time or money.

    any tips for next time?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  37. Kasey March says

    It took reading the post to realize the top surface of the table was stained and NOT black. My monitor must need an adjustment. After the shocking realization I am a much bigger fan!

    Reply

  42. Amy says

    Amazing, I love it. When I looked at the picture of the original table, I was REALLY not expecting what I saw when I scrolled down!

    Reply

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