My Craigslist Coffee Table & Distressing Tutorial

I love distressing furniture...probably a bit too much, but that's okay. Nobody's perfect. I'm always humbled when I'm asked for my method...because it's almost too simple. I did it years ago with the china cabinet in our breakfast room (pictured in a couple of photos in this post). And on a few other pieces for our home and friends' homes, too.

I thought I'd try it again...but with a twist. 

I've been looking for a coffee table for....forevahhhhhh. We've used an ottoman that has slowly becoming a diving board platform between our couch and love seat for our kids. Mama not too pleased. Plus, our home is not open-concept, our kitchen is on its own. So, when kids wanted to draw or do a simple project, they were booted to the isolation of the kitchen table. Now, they have a spot to do those things. (Although, homework is still isolated to the kitchen!!)

Found this table on Craigslist for $20. Actually paid her $25 since she helped me haul the thing from her apartment to my truck on the other side of the parking lot. And it's real wood, so it was HEAVY!

We started with a major sanding. Truth be told, it was similar to sanding a large cigarette.

 It apparently *did* come from a smoking home. Grrr. And bringing it into my non-smoking home, it needed some serious TLC.

Here's the hubs banging out a random piece of wood that made the middle part into a cubby. Wasn't a big fan of that.

Get ready to shake your finger at me. I brought it inside to paint. It's already in the 90s here, and I knew this would be a bit time-consuming. Don't judge me, please. ; )

I painted it pure white. Not antique white....plain old white-white. Once it dried, I measured off 5-inch stripes across the area within the groove detail of this table. I taped them off with painter's tape. If they look uneven, that's the taping procedure. You're taping the outside of the stripe, so the other stripe will appear smaller as it's taped. It'll all even out when the tape is gone.

THE TRICK!!

I seal off my tape when doing any kind of pattern, to avoid bleeds and create very crisp, clean lines (even though I go and distress 'em & mess 'em up later). This is fool proof. I've done it on a nursery wall of harlequin diamonds, a dining room of stripes and many other patterns. I LOVE this technique with wild passion!

Compete the sealing on each piece of tape....it doesn't take too long.
After the sealed tape dried, I painted the black paint inside the stripes.

Yes, I then hauled the thing back out to the garage for distressing (my priorities are kinda messed up sometimes....I honestly just wanted to watch Friends while I painted. And not sweat.)
Now, the FUN begins. Take your sander and mess the thing up! (Some people may not LOVE this look, so it's okay to skip if you really want to). I like to sand the edges and leave some fun marks on the main areas, too.

When done sanding, use a tack cloth and thoroughly wipe the dust off. 

This is all you'll need to antique the distress. I do this instead of glazing. Seems a bit easier and cheaper. Takes a little longer to dry, though.

Add your stain in smallish areas....like pictured below. It won't stay on long and you don't want it to dry before you can remove it. (Sounds weird, but it works).

Now, remove the majority of the stain with your paper towels. Don't be shy...just make peace with the fact that you're going to use lots of paper towels. The stain will leave behind a lovely glazed finish and some of it will remain on the bare, sanded wood. I adore that look!!

Here's what the first section looked like when done. Proceed with the rest just the same.

After all the staining and wiping. And wiping. Seal the table with polyurethene. Use non-glossy...unless you like the wet look. And there you have her!

And meet the functional side that she introduced into our lives....no more leaving laptops on couches for little people to sit on. No more books all over the living room. Remotes....controlled!

Come back next week for a quick tutorial on the wine crate pictured above.
(It helps to have an older brother who sells wine. And has boxes. Or maybe you can hit up the liquor store.)

Happy Distressing!

Partying here:

Tatertots & Jello
Chic on a Shoestring
Serenity Now
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Romantic Home
Whipperberry
Making Monday Marvelous
Momma's Kinda Crafty
The Shabby Nest
Creation Corner
504 Main
Lovely Crafty Home
While he was napping
Funky Junk Interiors
Along for the Ride
A Vision to Remember
Be Different...Act Normal
I Heart Naptime
The Tattered Tag
Masterpiece Monday@ Boogieboard Cottage
Dittle Dattle
The More the Merrier @ DIY Home Sweet Home
Craft-O-Maniac
Marvelously Messy
Keeping it Simple
The Girl Creative
Apron Thrift Girl
Tip Junkie
Hope Studios
Get Your Craft On @ TCB
Show Me What Ya Got!
Eisy Morgan
Homemaker in Heels