Friday, July 18, 2008

A Tale, A Tutorial, & A Tease

I thought I'd tell you a bit about my table. I found it at a thrift store last year. It's old and very sturdy. Years ago someone put a stain/varnish on top of the existing finish, probably to hide scratches, but it made it look like a really bad faux wood finish (the picture shows the drawer with the original finish). The drawer front was broken, fortunately all the pieces were inside the drawer. The trim around the top had a chunk cut out of it, probably to make it fit into a certain area, or to have a spot for electrical cords to run down.
A well built piece of wood furniture always melts my heart, especially if it's an orphan that needs a home. So, even though I had no clue where I'd put it, it came home with me. I used a heat gun to take off the "faux" finish, which peeled off quite nicely. I pulled off the trim and replaced it with a decorative moulding. Then I gave the whole piece a good sanding, still leaving some of the signs of wear. I choose to paint it by hand because there is just a feeling I get from brushing on paint that I don't get with spray. I feel kind of like I'm bonding with the piece and honoring it's craftsmanship (I know, I'm strange!). I painted it black because black is elegant but neutral, and I know this table will probably move around my house.

After finishing the mirror, I noticed that the moulding on the table had a similar detail (a happy coincidence), so I decided to use my silver Rub 'n Buff to add detail.
Since some of you asked how to use this product, I made a tutorial:

Squeeze a small amount on your finger.
A little of this stuff goes a looong way!
(Ignore the fat fingers!)
Lightly RUB your finger over the area you want covered.You can add a small amount of R'nB on a
stiff bristled brush to help with the details.
(Notice that I cut down the bristles
on the brush to give me more control)
After it's dry, you can go back over it with a soft cloth 'N BUFF to make it shine.Oooooo, looks like I'm almost done with my table.
Can you guess what Monday's post will be?

18 comments:

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Ok can't wait to see that table and mirror together. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I'm loving it already. Such a teaser! Can't wait to see the final reveal.

Laura said...

I can just see that this is going to turn out beautifully!
I also love Rub'n'Buff! Can't wait till the reveal!

Laura :)

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Ohh....waiting a whole weekend? Such fun! I had never heard of Rub 'n' Buff. Guess I will need to be heading to Home Depot.
Can't wait to see the final project.

Valarie Lea said...

Seriously, I am jealousy of your craftiness. Is that even a word. :)

Darlene said...

Oh you are such a tease making us wait....and oh no, I will be on vacation. Oh my gosh I will have to wait even longer to see the magnificant table. Can't wait!!

Anonymous said...

I'm loving your table and thanks for the info on Rub'n'Buff. I'm going to get some this weekend.

Gretchen

Anonymous said...

I dont know but I cant wait to see... Thank you for standing behind me and those dead animals... You are a true friend, smile... I did think about that and I so didnt want to offend anyone... Susie H~

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!!! I love your table and how you refinished it!! I love black furniture too and I love hand painting also!!! I have not tried Rub and Buf before though.

Mrs. Jones said...

I just bought a tube of that stuff, and I love it! It's going to last me 10 years, too!!

~Heather

duchess said...

Can't wait to see the completed table. It's looking beautiful.

Bonnie the Boss said...

I have family members who complain about random pieces of furniture I bring home. Maybe if I turn them into awesomeness at its finest they won't complain so much. Thanks for the tutorial!

Shannon said...

Loved looking through your blog! That looks like great stuff! I need to try that.

Heather Anne said...

What a lovely table - you are bringing out the best in it, for sure! I had never heard of Rub 'n' Buff either, but I must give it a try. Black is such a unifying color for odd pieces - I need to think about some ways to use it to advantage in our home!

Tausha said...

you my dear are a fabulous tease! Can't wait to see how gorgoeus that table is!! i am going to get that stuff. i have a couple of peices that I would look awesome on!

Lincoln and Alisia said...

mom, your fingers don't even look fat. They are beautiful just like you.

Unknown said...

Well, I'm lovin' the effects of that Rub 'n Buff! Does it come in different tones? That silver looks fabulous against the black!
Sher

Trixi said...

I can't wait to see it!!
Blessings~~

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