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.
Liz says
I think gold leaf on either that edge of each leg like you mentioned or the entire inside (so it would just peek out at you!) would look amazing!
Stacy says
I think it’s beautiful as is! Great find, so unique…I think you might lose that if you paint it. But I could be wrong…you guys are always spot on!
Ally says
When confronted with a situation like this, I always ask:
What would my ceramic animals do??? :)
xox
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Good plan! Love all the ideas everyone.
xo,
s
Mekenzie @ interiors by kenz says
You’re morroccan me jelly! Sweet find.
Marie says
If you want to fill the cracks in the top you might want to try sanding dust that matches the wood mixed with glue(test the dried color first)or a wood filler in the appropriate color.
I’d do the inside edges with a silver leaf.
Char says
If it was my table, I would strip it down to the natural color and dip the legs (or “toes”) a fun color. Pink… or maybe white.
Enjoy your creative freedom!
Katie says
I love it! I like the idea of painting the edges…. like a lot. I may do that on a piece when I have a piece that it would work on! (So thanks for the idea! :) )Maybe the turquoise from the rug would look cute on the edges… as a little (but not super BAM! or anything) pop of color :)
Wrenaria says
Gorgeous table! Great find.I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be lovely.
Christie says
Love it as is, and with that rug! Nice find!
Tarnya Cook says
Gorgoeus little table. I haven’t commented in a while (still reading everyday) but I feel the need to say… definitely gold leaf would be so cool!
xx
Mary A says
I think Morrocan is overdone right now,but I LOVE this piece.
Amanda says
TAKE IT BACK!
Wendy says
Random thrift note…
We stopped at a thrift store on the way back from visiting the Hive Winery- http://www.thehivewinery.com/
and they had a snowman cookie jar with an Oreo hat for $2! We have no need, but we thought of you and the Oreo reality at times.
Hub scored a small bit of electronics to play with for $5 and I picked up two Christmas presents for my mom for $1.25 total! They also had a pink dinosaur cookie jar for $3 and many other dirt-cheap-with-huge-potential finds.
Good Thursday afternoons before school and work resume!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that I’m now associated with Oreos. Hahahaha.
xo,
s
Katie L. says
I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but Real Simple magazine featured a bedroom makeover in June, with the same rug (or very similar) as you have in your bedroom. You scored a much better deal than what they have listed :)
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/room-makeovers-00100000080537/index.html#16
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah isn’t that so funny?! Such a small world!
xo,
s
Danielle says
My husband’s hobby is woodworking(he makes me anything I want) and he comes a family of woodworkers. I am not allowed to touch any wood with paint. He cringes if I even mention it. I say it is a small price to pay for being able to point in a magazine and say I want that and he builds it :)
Jessica @ The Desert Abode says
I love this table! :)
I am looking for something similar to place between two chairs in our living room. It’s so much fun and unexpected to have a shaped table instead of the traditional square.
I’ll have to check my local thrift shops!
Tina Bland says
I think waiting for a while sounds like a great plan. I love it as-is too! Once a few weeks pass by, you’ll see it more clearly and a plan will form, if need be. That’s what I do at least. I hate rushing into a project only to regret it later and have to do twice the work. Yuck! Love the piece, it’s so so sweet!
Eliz says
What kind of mrs. Meyers do you use? Hand soap or dish soap??? I have a craiglist kitchen table that I need to try something different on- can’t get the yucks off of it!
YoungHouseLove says
We use the all purpose cleaner in the big bottle. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Erin says
I was going to suggest gold or silver leaf on the inside edge instead of white, but it looks like I’m late to that particular party!
Diane says
Honeycomb won’t you be my baby?
Honeycomb won’t you be my own?
What a darn good life
When you got a wife, like honeycomb.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, hilarious.
xo,
s
Carol says
So many great ideas…you really can’t go wrong. It’s a great find! I like the warmer tones in the top with the dresser on the other side of the room. How about painting the underside that pretty yellowy-green color in the headboard fabric?
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that’s another fun idea!
xo,
s
Kelly says
I just posted on my blog today about my recent thrifting adventures (http://wp.me/p1TJh3-Q7), and then I jump over here tonight and see your great finds! It must be a thrifting kind of week all around…
I absolutely adore that cute little table you found! Love it as is, but I think highlighting the edge with a metallic paint or an application of silver-leafing (to tie in that lamp of yours) would be pretty awesome! I would have suggested you tape of the edge to see the contrast in real life, but I see that you’ve already had that suggestion a million times. Looking forward to seeing what you do!
Katrina says
ahhhhh please don’t paint the whole thing!!
i think white will be too harsh. maybe light brown or gold instead? something a little more subtle.
robyns says
Love the idea of the accent color, maybe something metallic? or a pearlized white? You know Martha has all those great little pots of paint at Lowe’s now.
Evelyn says
Leave it as it is!! That is a beautiful side table. I love the exotic accent it gives to the room.
karen says
I love the table as is and think white wouldn’t be the color to go with. Maybe a red-brown or rust color or gold leaf as mentioned?
I love the top! :)
Sarah says
What about doing a light coat of gold instead of white?
Kim says
I don’t know how you find such awesome things thrifting! The thrift/craigist market in NYC area is just total junk, nothing like the stuff you seem to find! I love that table and I’m literally staring at the Marrakech side table in Ballard which is a similar style for 379$!!! And ps I forgot to comment about this on your last post- but, really!?!?! And ob-gyn exam table?!?!?! That thing isn’t going to help save Jesus at all, lol!!! Yikes that is still giving me the willies!!
cara says
I am usually a fan of painting but not in this case. I love it the way it is. Maybe paint the inside edge but that is it.
Lilly says
Great find I’m so jealous our thrift stores around here suck. Love it, love it, love it, would have totally bought it myself. I cant believe it was just $25.
Laura says
Looks a bit that design in your rug.
Jeff says
I’d keep the table as is. I wouldn’t paint it. It’s a beautiful rich wood color!
You guys are so lucky to have so many cheap thrift stores. I live in SoCal and even the thrift store prices are through the roof!! Love your posts. :)
Luci says
Vinegar?!?! I cannot believe that I never thought to use it. Yep, there’s a nightstand who’s over there peeping at me, trembling at the thought of my Dremel fitted with sandpaper and some white vinegar in full de-smink mode. BWwaahahaha, you sminky nightstand!
As for the table, it’s gorgeous – I’d leave it.
Julie says
I was going to suggest gold too — it could be a little more subtle but definitely add some kick! Jealous that you always seem to find such good stuff at thrift stores!
Bre says
I’m sure it’s already been suggested, but I lean towards painting the inside of the piece, instead of the edges of the legs… could be fun! What a great find, I hope I have as much luck with the VA thrift shops when we’re visiting in October!!
Caryn says
Cute table but I wouldn’t touch a thing!! it would be too much and ruin the soul of that table
Margaret says
This is just my 2 cents, but I think I would paint it. The wood doesn’t look really classy enough to showcase (but maybe that’s just the picture and it’s better in person), so I think I would paint it something fun, like a turquoise and red combination. Turquoise overall, red on the leg outline (like you suggested)…Maybe some cool red Moroccan-type stencil pattern on the top?
Sevi says
Hmm, being a member of the eastern culture all my life, I should say that the legs would probably be highlighted with golden shades. But maybe a golden tone that it would look old and used, somehow… Just like this piece, maybe..
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6RuB-MyU_O4/SHkAz8-npKI/AAAAAAAABdQ/9CGw1yAeePg/s400/Third%2BInlay%2Bby%2Bicelight%2Bfrom%2Bflickr%2Bcreative%2Bcommons.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
So pretty! Love all the ideas everyone! Thanks for sharing all the tips and suggestions!
xo,
s
Natália says
Hello!
It’s a really beautiful table!
I agree with your idea of painting the inside edge of each table leg, but instead of white, I would paint it in turquoise.
But, I already know that anything that you guys decide… I’ll love the result…
Xoxo.
Rachel says
super cool table. It’s so interesting and at solid wood a steal for 25 bucks!
Amanda says
We must be opposites, because I would not touch those legs! However I think something really cool could be done on the top, like a colorful mosaic. If you search moroccan mosaic on google images it’s just WOW.
Aneta says
I would totally do what you are thinking or paint it all. It would be a nice way to put ‘makeup’ on it.
Gretchen says
Love it. Why don’t you try the white edge accents with some plastic tape before you paint to try it out? I use half-inch plastic tape on edges of shelves – it’s really easy to apply and then if you change your mind you can just remove it.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the ideas everyone!
xo,
s
Kathy says
AS is…is my vote! If you have to paint…not white! Something earthy and thus subtle. A wood table…which is perfect for your spot…for $25, you got a great deal!!!!!!
Cheryl says
Love it–as is! Perfect size, perfect color for that spot.
Misty says
I actually really love this little guy as is. I’m usually all about painting, but there is something special about this one that i think should just be left to what he was meant to be! My vote is to refinish him back to his glory days.
Patti says
Very cool table! There’s a product called Rub ‘n Buff that I’ve seen recently that will give the inside of the leg a metallic finish, that might work really nice. From what I’ve read, it’s easy to apply. I’m thinking about using it just on the legs of my living room end table.
Lynn @thevintagenest says
Love the table next to the rug…..a great designer
touch! I love the “Jesus” store. Was just there and
bought some fabulous old books
Olivia says
If you decide not to paint it, and don’t want to lose the aged look, you should try a stain pen for touch ups on scratches, dings, and discolorations. I have used it on almost all of my thrift store wood furniture- it makes a HUGE difference, and it is super easy to use.
Jasanna says
That’s a super fun table! I love it. Definitely paint it!!! :)
Willa says
Great table; as is, pretend it’s been in the family for generations! If you want to highlight the legs, why not a great saturated jewel tone blue or red, etc. instead of white? Find a Moorish tile or two for inspiration, and then plunk the tiles (loose) on the top of the table to cover the imperfections?