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Coffee table: before and after

I had been looking for a new coffee table for our family room. The one from our old home was just too big for our new space. I couldn't find one that I a: liked enough to buy or b: could afford. So I did what I usually do when I'm in that situation. I search the thrift stores and consignment shops.
Here is my table as it looks now. A nice deep brown and sturdy enough for me to stand on and dust my ceiling fan blades.






This is what it looked like when I brought it home from the Salvation Army. I sanded it down and filled in the pain-in-the-neck grooves on the top with some wood filler. Then I sanded it again. I wiped it all down with a damp cloth and gave it a few coats of gel stain and a few coats of poly.




Now I must tell you, this finish has held up well. We really use(abuse) our coffee table. We put our feet up on it, we use it as a laptop holder, and we play board games on it. We don't baby it at all and it looks pleasantly rustic and informal.
I've linked up with Jane at Finding Fabulous to show off our projects. Check out her blog.
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  1. Jane @ Finding FabulousOctober 5, 2009 at 2:25 PM

    Kelly,

    Thanks for linking up to Frugalicious Friday! Your coffee table is gorgeous...you did such a great job! I actually featured it on my Frugalicious Friday recap! Stop by and check it out when you get the chance! I hope to see you this friday...for another great day to share our fabulously, thrifty finds!

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