Thanks, lascatz! Good idea about bumpers, I didn’t think of that. :)

Wow! It is beautiful!

Wow Jinx! That is amazing. I was not expecting such a unique piece when I saw the before. What great talents you have!

Well done! And what an amazing transformation. Very impressed with your willingness to try the Oven Cleaner method too - that was a lot of work.

Thank you, roarah, ak, and maire!

A good friend of ours in NJ wants to buy it, but I’d rather make her one that has more sturdiness to it. This table is pretty fragile. So I’m on the hunt for Project Table New Jersey Bound. :D

(Shipping costs would be exorbitant, of course. That’s all we’d have her pay, no charge for the piece itself.)

Wow, the table turned out great, and props to your DH for the checkerboard work.

Never had heard of using Easy Off, but a friend who used to appraise antiques told me about using GoJo hand cleaner to clean antique or fine furniture. It does work to remove heavy buildup of wax and dirt.

Thanks, Outside! And for that tip, too, I’ve never heard of it. Will try it. :)

Very amazing transformation and artsy cool look!

Thanks, terrilynn!

Beautiful. You and Mr. Jinx are very talented!

Thank you, czarinalex!

OMG. That is amazing! I had never heard of using Easy-Off on furniture. How much time did it take to complete the entire project, including painting the checkerboard?

ilikefriday!! Where have you been?! I’ve been wondering about you!

Thank you. :)

It took a couple of weeks, but only because I didn’t work on it every day. It took a couple of hours for the checkerboard (doing the grid and letting the stain dry before doing the next part.)

I literally just got the chess pieces at my front door! They’re really cool.

I’m so glad to see you!

Wow, looks great, nice work!

Thank you, mdln!

You all are so kind, I really appreciate it. :) ❤️

That's incredible! I Love the finished table!

Thank you, nicole!

Just seeing this Jinx— what a transformation! Well done, and the little trunk is adorable!

Thanks, kswl!

Gorgeous job! I love chess tables

Thank you, mtn!

It looks like it was worth all the time and effort! It is so satisfying spending time on a project and having it turn out as fabulous as this.

Thank you! Have you been working on anything? I always love seeing your house.

Jinx,

I have used the Easy Off method for removing paint many times. It works much better than stripper. The key is either using it on a hot day in the sun or in a very warm work area. Make sure the piece is warm before starting. I normally use a warm water hose to rinse the paint off. The pressue helps remove the Easy Off. There are a few caveats: Don't use it on veneer or soft woods; rinse using as little water as possible; watch for woodgrain lift and stopp if you start to see any. Rags and hot water also work well but it tends to soak the piece too much.

Thank you, moosemac! Great info. I bought some old indoor shutters recently and might use the method again on them. Gel stripper would be a nightmare on something louvered, I think. And I don’t want to sand it, just strip part of the finish off.

Really appreciate your help!

The shutters, love them:

The knob is missing on one, so I’m going to find white porcelain ones for both:

@moosemac I will have to try using it for paint removal. Now I must find a project for it!

@Jilly I don't think I have been on Houzz for several months. I have spent a lot of time painting. For a time, I was trying to paint every day. Then life got in the way and I haven't done a thing for a few months. I have not completed any house projects since the last time I posted here but I have several on my list of things to do. You have given me some needed inspiration.

That makes me happy to hear! :)

That's an adorable table, Jinx and I love shutters. Can't wait to see what you do with them.

Thank you, Arapaho!

I wanted to give my DD the shutters for her apt (circa ’40s), they’d look great in her living room window. But the measurements aren’t going to work.

I have two big windows in this house with very deep seats … I might just set these up in one for looks. I have a strange obsession with old indoor shutters. :D

A little update — we’re keeping the table. I know, call the newspapers! 😂

DH thought it’d be too busy in our sitting area (aka tract house dining room that is too small to be a dining room). Jen said it looks vintage British West Indies which, boom, made my decision to keep it. :D

I think it’ll get used. My 10 yr old nephew loves checkers, and we’ll have to learn chess together.

Beautiful vignette, and fun for the future!

Thanks, miniscule! I can’t wait for my nephew to see it. :)

Love, love, love it! ❤

Kaya, thank you! I showed DH your input, he totally agreed. 😁

It's the perfect spot for the table. Love it!

Thanks, friday!

That is such gorgeous space! Love your style Jinx. I am glad you are keeping that gem of a table! It fits there perfectly.

Thanks, Ak!

Now I need to do a project I don’t keep. I’m out of room for anything else. :D

Jinx, I just love your room! The zebra chair, the curtains, the plants...the new chess table is perfect in there. Your china cabinet is beautiful.

Glad to see you and ilikefriday are still going strong. I haven't talk to you ladies in so long, but you both were inspiring to me with your creativity and work ethic.

Hope everyone here has a good start to the new year!

Bluemarble, thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️

ETA: The china cabinet belonged to DH’s grandfather, it made the trip here from NY. I just love it.

The zebra chair is one of my most treasured possessions, has to do with my late husband. :)

Jinx, I think we are going to need a house tour!!! Pretty please??

Oh that is ONE SWEET room ! Just my kind of eclectic. I love it !! c

Ita with @amykath

You ladies know how to make a gal feel very good! Thank you so much. ❤️

A house tour would be disappointing, I promise. We are renting this house for now (long story concerning needing to be near family) and it’s very modest! It’s frustrating not being able to do exactly what I want. :)

Well if that is your rental you have made it your own! I understand about modest... I live in a super plain apartment. I kept thinking I would be moving and every year that just never happened. That is why I am finally making my very small modest outdoor space as cute and cozy as I can! Who knows... I might be here for a very long time!

I totally understand from where you are coming Jinx. I feel the same.

jinx, hanging on to those treasured items can be so good for our well being, and I believe wood somehow keeps on living through the generations.

ilikefriday, my condolences for the loss of your mother. My grandmother also fell from that awful disease.

Is that a rug on a rug on a rug? Or just a rug on a rug? Either way, you are my hero!

Thank you, Pink. ❤️

It’s one rug on awful beige carpeting. :D

I used to have a vintage cowhide there (was on our family ranch when I was growing up), but, well … cats. It’s rolled up and being stored for now, they damaged it pretty bad.

I really like this current rug, and it was very budget-friendly!

https://www.rugs-direct.com/Details/LioraManne-Marina-TribalStripe/140280/225896

So perfect, Jinx. Your DH did great with the checkerboard, and it looks great in the room.

Thank you, Outside. ❤️

I’m thankful he’s good with grids! We have a sofa table we did a harlequin pattern on years ago. I’d never be able to map these patterns out like he does. :)

Here’s that one, this past Christmas. It was a beat-up vintage French provencal piece we found. The cowhide ’stool’ underneath is actually the seat of what used to be a director's chair my dad had custom made for the ranch. Our last name was on the back — I don’t know what happened to it! I just drag this chair seat from house to house. :D