I decided to work on Rich's old night stand that he'd had for years. It is a simple piece of furniture with nicks, scars, and chips on it. The top of the table is a nightmare of circles, scrapes, scratches, and water damage from his CPAP.
I find it actually quite charming and a good reminder of what we have gone through for so many years. The top will be preserved like this with scars, scrapes, scratches, nail holes and layers of dark old varnish finishes that had been used over the years.
The water marks from the CPAP will remain as it gives the top a certain charm.
Gnarly. Just like my pet name for Rich.
I didn't want to toss this table with so much character and history. So I decided to paint it.
It will take more than a coat or two. But the top will stay the same with a coat of acrylic on it's surface to preserve the scars.
I can hear Rich telling me that it is not worth my time and effort and that I can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
But here it is. A fun little project to keep me busy. I'm not sure I like the feel of the chalk paint after it has dried, but I can deal with that in a top coat to seal it. I do like the soft pastel colors though.
The table will end up resting at the end of the new cabinets I built for storage. I'm using one of the cabinets for organizing my craft supplies.
I have my eye on the next two paint projects to keep me busy through the next dark months when I may be stuck inside with poor weather.
I'll start work on the first chair pictured here soon and leave the other one until after Christmas when I use it as the Christmas Tree Chair.
In the mean time while paint was drying, Charlie and I took a nice hike. Life in the fast lane sure is exciting.
When I saw the top I was so hoping you would preserve the memories! And you did! What a wonderful piece and the "gnarly" is the best part. I do like that color, kind of a vintage green.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you mention the green as it was a topic of discussion last night when a friend came over with her construction boyfriend. He mentioned that old chair with the brown and the green paint underneath and then said that old color was coming back.
DeleteAnd he liked that same color on that old table.
The consensus was that preserving that beat up top told a good story.
What a good project! It turned out really cool, good that you are saving the top as original:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you didn't paint the top. It tells a story, one to be loved.
ReplyDeleteI like keeping the character of the tabletop, good choice. And the nostalgic green paint.
ReplyDeleteLove that you preserved the top!!
ReplyDeleteThe table looks great....glad you left the top alone and I am looking forward to the next two chairs. And as you already know....I am especially fond of your Christmas chairs!!!! Lori
ReplyDeleteLife in the fast lane! Good work.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance, I thought the table top was of burl wood. Nice to keep it. I've used a piece of masking tape under some of my stuff. Then the kid can read when I got it, where, how much, and decide if he wants it. He better keep the 3-legged milking stool I sat on when I talked to my grandmother. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteGreat to preserve the history of the piece. I am sure that very often memories are lost.
ReplyDelete