It's $20! Buy now. Decide later.

For $20. I'd get it!

Here's a picture:

Classic, curvy sexy -- get it! :)

$20? Absolutely!

All the way...

Yes! A little TLC and it could be a gem!

Grab it!

Did you get the buffet?

Thanks guys! My hubby is out doing the honey-do CL pick-up work for the second time in as many days. He's on his way home, and I can't wait to see it. I guess the CLister purchased it at auction and wanted to refinish the wood, but never really got around to it. $20! Woo-hoo!

celticmoon - I got the buffet too, and it looks awesome in that spot in our living room! I love it! I was so hesitant about it - not sure if I'd care for it in that location, but it is beautiful. The top has a couple of scuffs, and I'd like to fix them, but I'm not sure how. The rest of it is in nearly perfect condition.

Pictures, please! I am enjoying watching your progress. I have recently started reading the HD forum after years and years hanging out elsewhere. At 52, it is time I actually decorate, instead of just making do. I enjoy seeing the progress each of you make, and the reasoning behind your choices.

I am a CL junkie, too.

Oh I'm so glad you've already got it. As Dee said, it's $20, buy now decide later. LOL I'd have grabbed that baby quicker than a cat pukes on a new rug.

nancy_in_mich - Okay, I'll set it up near our sitting area by the fireplace and post pics later today, hopefully. Keep watching the thread. The buffet is also located there.

justgotabeme - LOL - seriously, I have a cat, and that's a phrase I won't soon forget - Ha!

I was going to say "grab it" too!
Like the saying goes..."If you snooze, you lose"!

Seems like a STEAL! Can't wait to see new pix.

Okay, so my DH brought the table home, and it does need some TLC. The wood needs refinishing, and the marble needs buffing for some superficial scratches, but maybe with a little love, it will be gorgeous again. For $20, it's still a great deal, I think.

Here is the before picture (includes "new" CL buffet), but the old leather ottoman, which could me moved to the couch/loveseat area, on the other side of the room.

I have a nice picture that I was using on that wall. Do you think it could still work over the buffet, maybe with something on either side of it? I have no clue why the photo shows some light colored speckling on the drawer. It's not there IRL. My camera is getting old.

Not to get too far off track here, but the buffet has just a little scuffing on the top. Does anyone know how I would go about fixing this? The rest of it is in near perfect condition.

Here is the area with the CL marble coffee table (and pleast don't tell me to move it anywhere, because it is VERY heavy - I think I pulled a side muscle setting it on there!). IRL, the color is pretty light, not tan at all, when read from a distance.

I'm not sure how to go about buffing marble. Does anyone know?

I'm not sure what I think about the table. Do you like it? If I keep it, what do you think I should do about the wood tone when I refinish it? Thoughts about buffing the marble?

Thanks guys! I better get out and rake a few leaves! DH is out there while I'm dallying! :o)

I like it.

Try some Restore a Finish on the top of the buffet.

ML

It's lovely. Though...if you don't want it...blast. You are in WI, aren't you? Too far for a road-trip to take it off your hands...

Both pieces are gorgeous. Good luck with the Restore-a-finish.

Both pieces look lovely. I second the suggestion to use Restore-A-Finish on the buffet (mahogany stain).

Jan, the new coffee table looks great! I like the lighter finish of the wood with the fabric of the chair. What a wonderful find.

Maybe others will chime in about Restore-a-finish. I used it on some scratches on a few of my stained wood interior doors and on wood wainscoting (wainscotting?) in my house. Initially it was a perfect match, but over time the areas that I swiped over with the Restore-a-finsh on a cotton ball bleached out a bit and are now obvious. Just my two cents. Maybe I didn't use it properly. I'm in no way an expert in restoring anything!

The buffet is magnificent. I'm not in love with the coffee table but it's a great buy nonetheless.

maddielee - Thanks, I've not use the Restore-a-Finish product before, but it may be just the thing so I don't have to get it refinished.

mjsee - Ha! I'm still not decided on the coffee table. If I decide not to keep it, you're welcome to it! :)

gsciencechick - Thank you!

val - I checked the Restore-a-Finish website, and I was wondering which color. The mahogany looks about right.

boysrus - That's good to know. I better do my research before I try the Restore-a-Finish.

Lucille - I do so love the buffet and am quite thrilled with it. I'm not decided yet about the coffee table. If I decide to sell it, I'm sure I can recoup my $. Thanks!

Jan, I just bought a new, luckily not an expensive sisal rug, and before the day was out our little Tommy kitty puked on it and has been puking on it ever since. If it doesn't come clean it's going to the garage. I've had cats all my life, but rarely did they puke. I have four now and two of them puke daily.
I love the table. I wonder if a bit of car wax would fix the marble? Just a thought.
As for the top of the buffet, I'd try a bit of Scott's Liquid Gold.

Here is a link that might be useful: Info on Scott's Liquid Gold

I love the coffee table with the chairs, and I think it was a steal. Love the round shape especially. But, I am not loving the table with the fireplace and the rest of that area of the room. It just feels too formal as it is.

However, this to me, if you are willing, could be a chance to bring in the red that we talked about in an earlier thread, pulling from the artwork over the fireplace. I think you could paint the wood a really rich red, and then antique it. It would take away that formal feel, and give it a more casual, tongue-in-cheek feel.

I think the buffet is nice. A perfect place for one or two taller lamps, to bring some lighting to that end of the room.

justgotabeme - LOL - Love your kitty stories, as only another cat owner could appreciate! I'm clicking the Scott's Liquid Gold link now - thanks!

Les - I've come to the same conclusion. The coffee table is too fancy for my space. I too love the round shape, though. I love, love using red and agree that area needs some. I'm still scouring around for better pillows, and I haven't found any or any fabric either, if you can believe that. The idea of painting it red is interesting and would definitely de-formalize the piece. I do like the curves of the table legs a lot. But, I think it's the marble that's averse for me. Even if I paint it, that may still be an issue for me. But, I'm thinking I should try Photoshopping it to get an idea of how it would look painted. I suppose I don't have a lot to lose - just a little time and some paint, right?

VERY nice and quite a deal! And if you decide you don't want a coffee table anymore, you have the start of an ottoman, and a very sturdy one at that. A little foam, batting, and fabric stapled underneath, and......"wala"(I couldn't resist auntjen). LOL

For scratches or scuffs on furniture, I have always used Old English. It used to come in three different colors, but now appears to come in only two. It is very good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Old English

pattycakes - While I've never upholstered anything before, I see what you're saying about an ottoman. Guess it would depend on the fabric and how well it could be done. Thanks!

walnut - I'm not sure what happened to the top of the buffet - if they are scratches/scuffs, burns, or what. I'm definitely not a furniture expert. Thanks for the Old English link. I'm excited that the piece may not need to be refinished. I'd rather preserve it's original state, if possible.

Les and others, what about a coffee table like this:

I'm thinking I could either paint it (maybe a creamy white) or stain it richly, like the buffet piece. I'd have to research the wood type. But if not this exact table, something like it.

I think the marble table looks just right there. Lovely.

When I inquired about buffing my very old marble top table many years ago, I was told to use pumice stone and an electric buffer. I bought the pumice, but never did the job. The marble is dull but not stained. I've gotten used to it after all these years.

I like the roundness of the marble table with the straighter lines of your buffet. It looks like it's the perfect size for your chairs.

I've had good luck with Old English for touching up scratches on my wood furniture.

I haven't used Old English but with Restore-A-Finish, I put it on with 0000 steel wool, rub in gently with the grain, then wipe off and follow it up with Bees Wax. It's best to clean the piece first with something like Murphy's Oil Soap.

How about this one from JCP?

linden street round table

You could also watch Craigslist for a used pedestal or other style dining table and cut down the height.

I like the coffee table better than the ottoman.

But then I'd start taking the room more in the direction of the coffee table.
Do you intend to acquire more antiques?

i love the buffet! and, i've used restor-a-finish on a table with good results...

and, i actually like the cl table as much as i would like either of the other suggestions...looks better with the fireplace and buffet than a painted piece would, imo...i would probably try to darken the wood (i have even inexpensively darkened wood by rubbing on acrylic umber to the depth i like! simple!) and i would scooch the chairs closer to it though-they look too far away from it to make 'sense' i think...

Les - I've seen that table from JCP before, and I'm always drawn to it. It's on clearance too!

biochem - I do love antiques, and we will be replacing our couch, loveseat, and end tables. I have another antique style (repro, not authentic) piece by Hooker for our TV that is distressed and really nice in the room. For the seating, the couch and loveseat will likely be replaced with the same or a sectional. It needs to be comfortable and not too fussy.

busybee3 - I'm going to give the restore-a-finish a try. We have a Home Depot about a half an hour away, so I'm hoping they carry it. I think the buffet is depression era, which isn't extremely valuable, but I love the size, wood tone, and charm of the piece. It's so pretty in that spot too. I agree about moving the chairs in. That's an easy fix. If I keep the coffee table, it needs something - either I need to try Les's suggestion with the red antiquing or I would need to darken up the stain a bit. I'm just not loving it as it is. It's okay, but it doesn't sing, if you know what I mean. I'm still wondering if it's the marble that isn't sitting right in my mind.

It's a pretty table and I like the shape of it but I agree it is a little formal. I also think it's the marble. I like the idea of painting it a deep red. I think the Linden Street table would look great in that spot and I think it would also look sharp painted a deep red. The cream is nice too. You could always add red pillows or other accents.

The buffet looks very nice and like it was meant for that spot!

I think if you gave the wood a good cleaning/slight stripping on the table, you might find a different tone underneath. I have a side table cabinet that has storage under it in the same round shape with a similar stone (is it really marble?). It had a factory finish yellowish brown caramel tone with flecks and almost black glaze in the ridges. When I semi-stripped it, it took on a more orange real wood color (I hope my cell phone pix do it justice). I can't remember what I used to get the top finish off it, but it looked so much better after. I'd guess it to be from the 60s and trying to look older. It still needs a top coat to add more gloss back. I am not sure if I will go a little deeper on the color, but this nice tone was hiding under the ugly faux treatment. I had taken off the top coat in order to stain or paint it and did not know I'd be uncovering a nice stained look.

Forgot to paste code for picture in previous post:

You might try putting some objects (books, candles, bowls) on the coffee table. These might reduce the formality of the lines, and lessen the presence of the marble.

The coffee table Les suggested is painted white. Maybe this one could be distressed white and the top would blend?

I really like the size and shape of the coffee table!

The top is travertine. Here's one with a top just like it. It's the third one down. Maybe you could find a better bottom and just use the top?
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee table.

Jan, you can purchase Old English at hardware stores and grocery stores. It is very easy to use - just put some on a lint-free rag and rub in - do not have to use steel wool or any other materials. Also, I have used the dark to darken wood before. It is very economical and so easy to use.

Good job Jan!

Red

shee - Hi there! Well, I think we all agree that the round shape of the table is great. Now, it's just the details. I think I'm going to try Photoshopping the current coffee table, as well as the other Linden Street one in red. Maybe I'll try a cream or stained version too, just to get a better picture in my mind. I'm thinking if I go red, that I should look for a very warm, deep, burnt shade, antiqued, as Les said.

dianalo - Beautiful piece! I like the wood tone on it a lot.

andee - Good idea to put something on top. I'm not sure just what yet, but that will help, for sure.

nicole - I like the antique white distressed look too. I'm thinking that Photoshopping will really help me decide. I don't want to paint over the wood unless I'm sure I should (no poem intended).

dee - It is travertine! The back of the top says "Made in Italy". It is extremely heavy, as in I won't be moving it ever again, if I don't have to - LOL. The table top you pointed out is identical.

walnutcreek - I've seen Old English in stores before, I'm sure. Is it better than Restore-a-Finish?

redbazel - Hey, thanks!

FWIW - I think your top is like mine and I don't think a white would go with it. I think the darker wood or a darker color would coordinate with the stone much better. I could even see a very dark olive green color for it to work in your room. A deep eggplant would also be interesting to go with your fireplace. That would be a more organic color than the red. The red would be too strong a statement for your room unless you wanted your table to shout "LOOK AT ME".

I'd strip it first to see what you are working with.

Sorry I haven't taken time to catch up on all that's been going on with the table, but if you decide to keep this table I thought of another way to update the wood areas using Minwax one step products. I don't care for polyshades personally, but many others love it. The other two products linked below are water based and might be worth trying out on an inconspicuous spot to see if you like them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Minwax Woodsheen and Express Color

dianalo - I hope to Photoshop some options for color. I definitely need some red in the area, but if not the table itself, for sure in some accessories, a tray or pillows, etc. I will definitely consider a darker wood tone too.

justgotabme - I've worked with polyshades before, and I didn't have good luck, but I haven't seen the others you posted. Do you know if those can be applied over an existing finish or if I would need to strip the current finish?

Hi Jan, I think if you can 'get the hang' of the polyshades, that would be your best bet~~IMO, the white would be too cottage-y.

Just an FYI~~when using the PS, don't put it on too thick but rather give a couple of coats~~stir well first. I've used it several times, and the furniture looks like it's gone thru more than just a one-step process. Patience girl! ;o)

If you're thinking of doing a red, hunt down dlm2000, who did an absolutely wonderful job of antiquing her living room armoire and coffee table in red. It's not "in your face" red, but more like a dark reddish brown (oxblood). Here's a link to her gorgeous armoire.
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Armoire

By what they say on the site Jan you just need a clean smooth sanded surface.