How I Saved a Damaged Vintage Table

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thrifting for furniture vintage white painted table
While thrifting for furniture I found a table that needed work. I’m going to show you a simple way to save cracked and damaged wood furniture.

How I Saved a Damaged Vintage Table

detailed dark wooded table

The price tag on this little table was $15 so of course I bought it!
It has a by gone charm I couldn’t resist so I hauled it home and styled it as soon as I could.

The top of the table is not one large slap of wood. Instead it was made by putting smaller boards together to form the table top. In the photo you can’t see just how badly the the boards had warped, but the cracks were large enough that you could see light through them. It was in need of some DIY love.

thrifted wood table top with wood glue

The simple tool I used to repair this table.

Wood Filler

Wood filler does wonders! I appreciate how very easy it is to use and what a huge difference it makes when restoring furniture. I used this kind here. Because I was painting my table I used the white wood filler but it comes in several shades of wood tones as well.

After you fill in your cracks, nail holes or deep scratches you let the filler dry and then sand it down so it’s level with your piece of furniture. It took a lot of wood filler to get the cracks filled but it did a great job.

What else did I use to make this table into the beauty it now is? Why paint of course! Specifically, spray paint for this furniture flip.

As you can see there are many curves and crevices to this table. Painting with a paint brush would have been a perfectly good option however, I chose spray paint for three reasons.

  1. The table is dark wood and I wanted it white. Painting over dark wood with lighter paint takes many, many many coats of paint. Using spray paint is just faster than using a brush. This is why I want to invest in a paint sprayer like this one. But I digress!
  2. Painting the curves of the table base that drew me in and I love about this table are super time consuming. The spray paint gets to all the nooks and crannies so problem.
  3. The third reason is a big one here in Michigan. It’s nice enough weather to work outside. When spray painting the temperature cannot be below 35 degrees F or the paint won’t hold.

white kyrlon spray paint furniture diy

Due to the fact that I’m flip furniture regularly, I like to experiment with various brands of paint. For this project i used this spray paint. It really gave great coverage which is saying a lot because I was using a white paint over a dark surface.

diy spray painting wood table

 

> WATCH the VIDEO HERE

 

It always amazes me how much a a difference paint can make.

Such a transformation!

I just love reimagining a piece of furniture and then seeing the difference it can make in a home. If you’re interested in seeing more furniture flips go here and here.

white wood table vignette

curvy table with flower bouquet

old white ornate wood table

The imperfections of this little table are part of it’s charm.

Part of it’s long history.

That my home get’s to now be a part of.

country style white painted table

table top with metal box and flower bouquet

The scalloped front has to be my favorite part.

Do you think a newly wed couple may have used this as their first table? Maybe it was a wedding gift.

base of vintage drawing table painted white

Those curvy legs! I’ll definitely use a feather duster to keep them dust free, but worth the extra time invested for sure.

This table holds two brass boxes circa the 80’s that hold pretty things I do use once in awhile. The design books I like to read while in bed and the faux flowers are a welcomed pop of green in our white bedroom.

What I really love is that the table turns into a desk whenever I have a video meeting. I simply pull up a chair and push a few things out of the way so my laptop fits.

Hope you enjoyed this quicky Before and After as much as I did. Furniture flips doesn’t have to be horridly time consuming or mundane. Those quick fixes are out there. You just need to find them and fix them!

Follow me on Instagram where I share my thrift shopping trips and latest finds.

Wood filler like this one here is a great way to bring back worn and damaged wood furniture.

Have you ever used wood filler before? If yes, how did it work out for you?

 

Thank you to Cindy of Reinvented Deleware for featuring me on the

Tuesday Turn About Link Party! So many great projects and articles to check out there.

Click Here to see!

 

-Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

 

 

 

Disclosure: Affiliate links in this post allow me to receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

14 Comments

  1. Donna

    Wow! I love how you took something in such bad shape and gave it new life! That cute little table has so much character and charm! You did a fabulous job transforming it! I know you’ll enjoy it for years to come! Happy day, Donna

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Thanks so much Donna! It was super satisfying to see it come together.

      Reply
  2. Aliya

    Maria! This table flip is wonderful!! I love the way it turned out and I completely agree. Imperfections only add to an item’s charm! Love it!

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Thanks so much Aliya! It’s really nice to connect with others who appreciate vintage pieces. Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  3. Rachel - Tea and Forget-me-nots

    I respect how restrained you were with the wood filler. I literally go to town with it and start filling every little crack. I do find it quite addictive though!

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      LOL Wood filler to the rescue! It does do wonders. Have a great weekend Rachel!

      Reply
  4. Cindy

    Wow I love this piece so much! You gave a great piece new life! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Thanks so much Cindy, I appreciate it!

      Reply
  5. Cindy

    Old furniture is the best! Especially when it’s only $15! You did a great job on this piece. I’m excited to tell you this post will be featured on Tuesday Turn About Link Party this week! Thanks for linking up and I hope to see you this week at the party!

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Oh thank you so much Cindy, I’m honored! Headed over there now.

      Reply
  6. Carol Hieronymus

    That looks like Eastlake furniture(1880’s ). Could be valuable in natural wood. I have three pieces…a chair, a marble top side table and a marble top dresser.

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      No marks as such, but perhaps? The top is not solid wood and had a peeling veneer. Your pieces sound lovely.

      Reply
  7. Mary

    Love this! Such an ornate yet classic piece of furniture. Well done.

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      It’s a beauty, thank you!

      Reply

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Welcome to Pure Happy Home! A home design and DIY blog encouraging and helping you to design spaces you love. Here you’ll find budget makeovers, design tips and creative ideas you can apply to your home. Follow along as our family of 7 works to make our home more beautiful and our relationships closer.

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