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Making Trash (literally)into a Treasure:before and after photos

Reblogger
Home Stager

 

This is great blog by an extremely talented mural artist named Susan Gonzalez located in the Atlanta area. I thought this table turned out so well and just think, it was in the neighbor's throw away pile!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! That's why I'm posting it to groups it wasn't posted in originally.

 

How many times do we drive by a pile of trash and say to yourself.."With a little fixing up, that could be a nice piece".

Well, my sister had the eye that day for a table in her next door neighbor's trash pile.  She asked if she could take it (proper trash etiquette)and brought it home. It sat for a year until this past week when I made a trip to redecorate her kitchen (please look for that blog later--it was amazing!)

I immediately saw the potential!

This was the table before:

painted table before and after picturesThe legs were cracked and had been painted dozens of times, and the top was marred and had stains on it. This was an old metal table top. It had a metal tag on the side where the drawer was. Looks like about 1940's.

With furniture, I like to work from the top down.

  • The first step was to sand the top with a coarse sanding block. Then I applied a Faux Effects product called "Prime Etch". This is a wonderful water-like products that makes any surface paint-able (even glass)
  • After the prime etch was set (about 2 hours) I painted it with zinser bin primer using a foam roller to get a nice smooth finish
  • When that was dry, I sanded the surface using a fine grit sanding block (you could also use 220 sandpaper) I prefer the blocks because they are easy to hold and they form to any surface because they are foam inside

painted table before and after picturesThe right side is etched and primed

  • After a second coat of priming and sanding, I painted the top with 2 coats of white latex paint. The lower sheens grab the paint better than gloss. I used Benjamin Moore's eggshell finish, which is bit duller than other eggshell finishes elsewhere.
  • After painting I decided to decorate the top with some nice nature designs. I found a modello which is a wonderful, sticky-backed, stencil-like product that comes in a plethora of designs. I went with a dandelion and painted some splatter with latex colored paint before I applied the modello.
  • After the design was applied, I top coated with Faux Effect's Aquathane polyurethane. This was applied with a foam roller as well. Two light coats work well and will protect from any tabletop use (even cutting) Let the coats dry about 2 hours between them.

painted table before and after pictures

The table legs were sanded with a coarse block, two coats of primer, and two coats of black latex paint. the legs were sealed as well like the top with 2 coats of Aquathane.

painted table before and after pictures

painted table before and after pictures

The finished product was a treasure! My sister was thrilled, and her neighbor was jealous!

Please see my web site for more ideas

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Comments (27)

C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Barbara, I think Susan did a fabulous job too. I'm coveting this table even though I have no where to place it!

Jun 03, 2009 01:12 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Cynthia, What an amazing transformation and wonderful pictures to show the progress.

Jun 03, 2009 01:28 PM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Cynthia, Cool.

Jun 03, 2009 05:19 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Very clever transformation of this table, Cynthia....I envy your artistic talents!

Jun 03, 2009 06:39 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Barb, It was an quite an amazing transformation, Susan rocks!

Hey Jack, I couldn't agree more.

Hi Maureen, This is actually AR's Susan Gonzales work and she quite the talent! I just loved this table and had no choice but to reblog her work.

Jun 04, 2009 04:26 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Terrific transformation - amazing what a little ingenuity and elbow grease can accomplish!

Debi

Jun 04, 2009 10:56 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Morning Debi, Thanks for the visit. Susan had a great vision for what could be, I bet that vision follows her in everything she does!

Jun 05, 2009 12:41 AM
Laura Warden Nordin
Century 21 Camco Realty - Albuquerque, NM
30-year Top Producer in Greater ABQ Real Estate

All it takes is vision.... and lots of work!

Jun 05, 2009 05:22 AM
Amber Hornsby
Bonnie Mull Realty, Inc. (North GA & Beyond - Habersham, GA

You most definitely have the handy talent to complete to crafty vision. Restoration is an incredible process. You can create some awesome stuff, Obviously.

Jun 06, 2009 10:40 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Cyndee thanks for sharing this great transformation.  I have a large quantity of items that need this type of updating and renovating but I just don't ever seem to find (or make) the time.  I love doing it but the thought of the necessary prep work seems daunting.  I love this little table and the decorative painting on top...very creative! 

Jun 08, 2009 10:49 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Yikes, I apologize for not answering the replies here, been hyper focused a project non-stop.

Hi Laura, I think project of Susan's took a lot of hard work, not mention her creative vision! Thanks for the visit.

Hi Amber my GA neighbor, This actually a reblog of Susan's hard work. Thanks for commenting!

Helloooooo Ginger, Don't feel bad I have so many projects but I like to enjoy my life too. I don't make time for lots of things so don't feel guilty my friend! I think this table is so cute too. Your comments are always welcome.

Jun 09, 2009 03:02 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

That is an amazing project.... I wonder what our local trash etiquette is.... I think I may Re-Blog Susan's project too....  I mean the post.

Jun 09, 2009 03:51 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Morning Maureen, I was so WOWED by Susan's talent on her sister's project, I have no place for that table, but I want it!!! LOL, you are so funny Maureen w/ your last sentence.

Jun 10, 2009 12:54 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Wow, wonderful! I didn't see this the first time around, and was a bit late to see your reblog. That is just way to cool! Thank you!

Jun 10, 2009 01:27 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hello there Andrea, well I'm glad you caught it this time! Susan is a gem and her fabulous work speaks for itself. Thanks for the visit!

Jun 10, 2009 07:01 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Vivian, This project of Susan's turned out so well I had to re-blog! Thanks for your comments.

Jun 12, 2009 07:27 AM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Great idea to reblog in groups Susan did not post in originally, Cynthia! (I've seen re-blogs, that I wondered, why?) Susan created a great table from trash, thanks to her, and to you, we get to see!

Jun 16, 2009 12:52 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Cheryl, My thoughts exactly, more exposure in different groups. Her project certainly deserved it. Thanks for the visit!

Jun 16, 2009 03:02 AM
Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team
Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

Cynthia how cute is this table I love making trash into treasures.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Aug 01, 2009 03:00 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hey there Lynn, I think Susan's table turned out terrific, thanks for stopping by my Texas friend.

Aug 02, 2009 12:29 PM