Antique Table Restored. Pics

15 years ago

We have this table that I love next to the sofa in the LR.

I love the size and the legs, all hand carved.

It belonged to Cliff's Grandfather and is 100 years old plus. We inherited it with about 9 bad (deep) cigarette burns, and the top was dull and you could hardly make out that it was a chess/checker board on top, the tiles were so blackened... Over the years I managed to do further damage to it by keeping plants on top.

There were about 12 tiles that were completely up from the water damage, 4 of them bucked beyond repair. I said to Cliff, "we need a new top." He said, that he had some nice mahogany downstairs, and would I like a mahogany top? I said, whatever he wanted to do was ok, as long as the top was the same size and same thickness.

Well, he bought this up last night and was I surprised beyond belief.. He repaired and refinished the old top. Glued the old tiles back and had to make 4 new tiles. Refinished the top to a beautiful bright luster. There is just a hint of two cigarette burns, but they look like natural marks in the wood. You can't tell the new tiles from the old tiles as a matter of fact, he couldn't remember which ones he replaced. The color of the top and tiles is so bright now and looks so wonderful in the corner. Before I had to keep books on top to hide the top because it was in such bad condition. IF I knew he was going to restore it, I woul'd have taken pic's of the old top to show the dramatic difference.

Please tell me if you like the way I accessorised the top, I am open to change. The wood piano is a bank Cliff got for his 3rd birthday. I usually keep it on our piano.:)

Here's a better shot of the legs.

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Comments (30)

redbazel
15 years ago
Always look forward to the renovations of experienced woodworkers like your DH. He does a beautiful job and has skills that many of us truly envy. It looks wonderful!

Red
yayagal
15 years ago
Wowsa he did a gorgeous job!!!! I like everything that you put on the table. They're interesting and have meaning to you. You have the kind of room that people love to see as it reflects the two of you so well and keeps an energy that makes one remember days gone by. A very comforting room indeed.
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Thank you everyone and yes, I am grinning from ear-to-ear. Even though I did one new kitchen and two baths, somehow this does it for me in a way they never did. My 14-year-old DS who helped us pick it up and load it, got it right away. This set has HISTORY. It will definitely be an heirloom set. Sad part was that it belonged to a woman with early onset Alzeheimers and her daughter who is only 24 and doesn't have room for it, sold it. Wanted to get rid of it quick and because I had been looking at antique stores I recognized right away this was a find. I even offered her extra to hold it for me, but she declined as it was taking space in her dad's house where she was to move back (mom and dad divorced). Lucky, my DH also knew it was a find after seeing the stuff in the antique stores and was able to take off work and treak up 70 mins. to check it out. So, last night I said a prayer for the previous owner and her daughter. As for the chair, I will look into having it professionally restored. Until then, it's on the side and we won't use it. The only reason I was debating refinishing it, is because I do want to reupholster/recover the chairs. I much prefer to keep the finish as is as we have kids and so I know anything I get will develop it's own patina. However, I've made a note of all the products johnmari and jejvtr have suggested and will work on that after the holidays. I want to take my time and not do anything rushed. In the meantime, I'll just polish it woth the Guardman. jejvtr, yes I would like the detailed instructions. There is a small gouge on the table (maybe 1/20" deep)--would probably need to be filled, but I'm OK leaving it, it shows it's an antique as my DS said. One more item is the leaves are all darker because they were stored away which I understand is common. One also looks to have some water damage to it--though I don't even have room to extend to it's full length so not too concerned. I was wondering if I were to put the leaves in the sun, would they lighten (like reverse of cherry)? I am also in need of advice on how to do the chairs. Is this a DIY job or should I also have it done professionally? The chairs don't have too much padding in the seats. Is it possible to make them thicker or would that interfere with the backs? I like all the ideals for the sideboard. I'm wondering if a nice large antique china tureen wouldn't look good there in the center since it curves out slightly. Still not sure about what to put on the wall, but I am going to take my time and let the room evolve piece by piece now that the bones are there--perhaps look for some more vintage items--like old botanical prints? Most pressing will be the floor rug since my flooring is new and don't want the chairs to scratch. I was thinking of some type of Oriental rug similar to the rug posted by jejvtr--though will see what the Ethan Allan designer comes up with. I do want to pull in some color here in there--bronze and accents of burgundy. I haven't told her about the dining set yet, but she did tell me most likely she would not be able to get me my wood items by Christmas, though I could get the sofa/chairs/drapes so hopefully she'll still help me out. With all the money I've saved here, I feel like I can splurge on the drapes as I like the ones I saw in the Ethan Allan store better than JCP. The drapes will match the living room and what she suggested is to do silk roman shades (3 in the bay window, 3 for 8' wide window in living room). Then tall silk panels 96" long) hung on rods to either side that would "kiss the floor". We were thinking of doing the roman shades in a solid and the panels in a stripe. If I were to go custom, the panels could be hung with rosettes; but due to budgetary reasons, other option she recommended was a reverse pinch pleat which I could buy in stock. She recommending doing a long rod across the width of the window, but I'm leaning towards two narrow rods to frame the windows since the panels will be decorative. Or is that look too "trendy"? I did like the rosettes, though, will see what she quotes me; but seems excessive to do custom just to hang with rosettes.
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laxsupermom
15 years ago
Wow! Do you loan out your DH? I've got a whole houseful he could tackle. A beautiful restoration! As to the tablescape: I think the little piano and story are adorable. I'd lose the candle just so I could see more of the table.
parma42
15 years ago
Great job!

I just love old chess tables. Pretty lines on your lamp, too.
love2decorate
15 years ago
Very, very pretty.
jrmom
15 years ago
I love the table, very pretty.
brutuses
15 years ago
As usual, a beautiful job. Very cute table.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
15 years ago
Now you need to collect some vintage chess pieces or checkers.
ronbre
15 years ago
the table is very pretty, it is the perfect size for a game of chess or checkers, i can imagine it sitting in my family room by the fire place with two comfy chairs and a lovely lamp and the chess pieces on the top, the checkers in a pretty little wooden box..
Honestly, you have given me an idea..i'm going to watch for a base that i can build me a small game table on top of..thanks...
teacats
15 years ago
What a fantastic restoration project! Your DH did a brillant job! Well done! :)

Yes -- an excellent thought above! -- I would move the EITHER the piano OR the candle so that more of the top does show ..... And the thought about adding a pretty box with vintage checkers is wonderful too!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage
threedgrad
15 years ago
Great work as usual from you and your DH!! I always look forward to seeing your lovely home!
Oakley
15 years ago
I think it looks great! My dh also makes chess boards, I might see if he could make one in a table!
levelyn42
15 years ago
Beautiful work your husband did on the table, I will have to show my husband, he also appreciates good work. I have a couple of pillows I made out of the same red elephant fabric you have in your drapes.
Evelyn
cliff_and_joann
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you everyone...Oakleyok, Cliff made a chessboard from QS white oak, walnut and maple. Right now, it's in our family room, but it's going to move to the Living Room as soon as he finished the new coffee table he's making.
He watched a episode of David Marks making a chessboard,
and made it like his. I get you a photo of it later.

ronbre, two years ago i went to a chess store to buy my kids chess timers, and saw beautiful chess boards. If you find a nice chessboard and a nice table base, then just make a round table a little bigger than the chess board.

In the meantime, I lost the candle, should I loose the little box and the extra hummell?

I forgot to tell you guys, there is a small thin drawer under the top that holds the checker/chess pieces. There is a bunch of black and red checkers in there...
cliff_and_joann
Original Author
15 years ago
ronbre, Here's the chessboard, we started with the chessboard and made the tables tops to match, with both QS oak and walnut.
If hubby wants details, you can email me and I'll get Cliff to explain to me how he made this board,
or hummm...maybe if you search UTUBE for David Marks, and look for the chessboard eposide... Oh, I just remembered you said your hubby makes chess boards, sorry...
southernheart
15 years ago
Very nice! You both amaze me with your talents!
leahcate
15 years ago
What a beautiful job. I love the 'little people' playing atop...just so whimsical! Chess pieces wold look fine, but more serious...I like this vignette!
saltnpeppa
15 years ago
Beautiful, Joann. You both are so incredibly talented & inspirational as I sit on my lump!!

Smiles:)
teacats
15 years ago
Well -- I really love the box -- because it works so well with the tones in the lamp. Perhaps if you add a chess timer OR perhaps a nice book on chess (if it has one -- remove the dust jacket and just let the book show its colors) UNDER the box (if it is a small book!)

I do like the three Hummels -- but then remove the box .....
stinky-gardener
15 years ago
Don't you two ever sleep? Great job as always...just lovely!
cliff_and_joann
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Ladies,
Teacats, If I remove the hummel with the cello, do you think I can keep the box? The box looks so pretty. It's exotic woods and the inside is signed by the artist.
Stinky, I sleep very little...most of my ideas come to me in the middle of the night.

Oh, Teacats...You did give me an idea about a small chess book, I'll be on the lookout for one, but not for this table, for the new table we're working on now. I am going to put the chessboard on the new table.
sable_ca
15 years ago
C. and J. - Whenever I see your name I always open the thread because I know there will be something wonderful there. I love your musical grouping! I would play a bit with the figures, try the singer back on the piano, and if you must remove a piece, put the accordian player in the bookcase.

The little box is darling. But I prefer the horn and tealight, for the juxtaposition of shapes. Then perhaps keep all three Hummels.

You probably already do what I do - play with tabletop settings, sometimes this, sometimes that, a revolving display. If I am longing for a favorite, I just put it out for awhile.

Not that my place is *anything* like yours. You two are masters!
brutuses
15 years ago
I love the little hum's too. So cute. That last photo looks perfect to me.
cooperbailey
15 years ago
What a lovely surprise from your DH! You both do such meticulous professional work! Move to my neighborhood please! Will bake cookies for lessons!
Cyndi Charney
15 years ago
That is a very pretty table and well worth the effort to restore. Your Cliff is a true craftsman!
cliff_and_joann
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you sable, brutsus, oldhouselvr, and cooperbaily.

Cooperbaily, Chocolate chip cookies are Cliff's absolute favorite.
He's easy to please..."He'll work for chocolate chip cookies!" :)

After he surprised me with the table, I made him chocolate chip cookies...LOL... I made the ones in the
bag, 'Betty Crocker,' you just add a stick of butter and an egg. They're pretty good and fast too.
I forgot to put the nuts in them though, he loves them with nuts.
I bought another bag yesterday, when he finishes the coffee table, I'll make him another batch! :)

Joann
yborgal
15 years ago
I'd keep the lamp, piano and wooden box. How about opening the drawer just a little bit to reveal the checker pieces?

I usually do things in 3's.
Robbi D.
15 years ago
Good thing we don't live near you! My dh would be sneaking that table and board out of your house! He has a thing for beautiful chess boards and pieces. We always keep out eyes out looking for nice ones. This on is VERY nice :-)
cliff_and_joann
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks lafonda, Cliff wants to make three more chess boards for each of our kids. :)
Mona, Here's the drawer. Cliff must have the checker pieces downstairs. I doubt that they're all there, or that they are the orininal 100 year old pieces.
Here is the drawer.
{{!gwi}}
I did what you said, I put away the cello boy and just left the two. I also have another girl playing a banjo
that's very cute. This actually makes 4 pieces.
Feng shui, is either three or five pieces....so, do I put back one or leave it alone?
Joann
simpletaste
15 years ago
Wonderful refinishing. It is lovely.
The lamp is a good addition it doesn't take away for the design.
You could add a basket or an interesting old container (glass) and fill it with chest pieces, or checkers, or both. Vintage and they wouldn't have to be a set. I think it could look nice on your table. Just an idea.

Antique Table Restored. Pics

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