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Home » 1 Hour C.R.A.F.T.'s » DIY Coffee Table

DIY Coffee Table

July 20, 2012 By Jamie Dorobek 45 Comments

I got my craft skills and my maniac need to finish what I start as quickly as possible from my mama.   Typically, my mom does big crafts like building a glass block wall in her shower and stenciling entire rooms. A few weekends ago, she bought a new wood coffee table, and decided it needed a little spunk. She made that table over in a night’s time.

table makeover

 

She was inspired my desk makeover that we did together a few years ago. If you’ve been reading for awhile, you might remember this sucker. We used stain to create the diamond effect. It happened because we bought the table for super cheap partly because of a ring stain in the lower left hand corner of the table… you can still see it a little:

table makeover

My mom achieved a similar look with a way different process. Here is what she started with:table makeover

And  here is the end product. Pretty awesome, huh? You might remember the minute by minute updates on C.R.A.F.T. facebook. My mom was loving the comments and likes 🙂 I finally got her on facebook! (The Smith family got caller ID 2 years ago, and my parents don’t do cell phones!) Anywho, I asked my mom to put together a tutorial, and here we are!

Here’s what you need to  create this look:

  • Fine or medium sandpaper
  • Steel wool
  • Mouse sander
  • Cloths
  • Vacuum
  • Tungsten oil finish
  • Blue painters tape
  • Ruler
  • Yard stick
  • Pencil
  • Pickled oak stain

My mom says, “The table needs to have a rough finish with not much sheen. My table was made of pine with a dark finish and lots of distressing. Measure your table and create a diamond that exactly fits. (I goofed up on this.) I thought I had it configured correctly, but I should have laid it all out first. I did this project in my house, but it would have been better to take the mess outside. Not only is TX 100 degrees outside, but I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate power tool rucks in the middle  of the night!”

Here are the steps my mom used to give her coffee table the checkerboard look:

1. Create diamond pattern out of thin, stiff cardboard.
2. Use pattern, to lay out your design on the table
3. If you are confident the design will fit, begin in a corner marking lightly with a pencil where the first diamond should go. I marked about 4 diamonds at a time.

table makeover

4. Then using the blue painters tape to carefully place the tape on the outside edge of the diamond, overlapping the tape.
5. Now, using the steel wool begin roughing up the finish. Next, use the vacuum to pick up the sanding dust.table makeover

6. Use the mouse sander and be careful to stay within the blue tape marks. Use the vacuum to get rid of dust so you can see what your doing. Once you begin to see raw wood you can quit and move to next diamond. I constantly wiped with a clean cloth and used my vacuum.
7. Continue this until all diamonds are made.
8. Once your pattern is completed, thoroughly clean the top of the table with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely. This could be the end of the process for you. Just add tung oil and admire! This is the table before any stain or oil…

table makeover

9. I wanted my diamonds to be a little more subdued so I put pickled oak stain on top of the whole table. I applied this with a clean cloth. I first used some old English and totally screwed up a few diamonds. It was way to dark. I had to go back and re- sand a few diamonds. The pickled oak stain worked great. Next, I used the tung oil.

She loves it, and I do too! What do you think, better after?

table makeover

 

Have you ever used steel wool to take paint off in a pattern? It’s certainly less expensive than staining and way less smelly!

Filed Under: 1 Hour C.R.A.F.T.'s, DIY Home Projects

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Comments

  1. Sahana says

    August 31, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Wow, awesome makeover. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have you again next week.

    Reply
  2. Kelley says

    August 27, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Way to upcycle an existing piece of furniture. It looks great, and it is a great way to change things up with just a little bit of elbow grease.

    Reply
  3. Carole West @ Garden Up Green says

    August 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Great looking table love the two tone natural wood, this piece makes a wonderful statement.

    Reply
  4. Brenda Young says

    August 23, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    My sister approached me on how to complete a coffee table with this technique, I tried explaining it to her, now Ive got a tutorial to share so she can create one on her own, great post thanks for sharing ! Your Mom’s table came out wonderfully!

    Reply
  5. Theresa @DearCreatives says

    April 30, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Looks like it turned out great Jamie! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Party. Pinned & shared. Hope to see you again soon.

    Reply
  6. Cydnee/Tampa Cake Girl says

    April 29, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Great makeover! Very clever. Excellent tutorial! Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee

    Reply
  7. Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Jamie ~ Just popping by to let you know I have featured you on my Tuesday Treasures post today! I loved this table your mother created. And I love that you two share together! Hope you can join us again this week at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
  8. Cathy says

    April 27, 2015 at 7:32 am

    This turned out amazing – you explained the process so well. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

    Reply
  9. Katherines Corner says

    April 25, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Brilliant, I love it. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo

    Reply
  10. Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says

    April 25, 2015 at 10:44 am

    I love this coffee table and the step by step tutorial you included! Your mother did a fantastic job making it her own. Thanks so much for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!

    Reply
  11. [email protected] Interior Frugalista says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:58 am

    Hi Jamie, I love what your Mom did to this coffee table. I’m featuring it this weekend at the DIY Sunday Showcase Party! Hope this puts a smile on her face for all her hard work 🙂

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      April 26, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you so much Marie! My mom will be thrilled!

      Reply
  12. Kim @ The Cookie Puzzle says

    April 21, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    This is AMAZING! Pinning it now! I can not wait to try this. We would love for you to share with us at Party in Your PJs, our weekly link party.

    Reply
  13. Kita says

    February 1, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    This is great! Thanks for the info. It’s given me a great idea…think I’ll try using a stencil around the edge of my round table. Very cool.

    Reply
  14. Bretta Kirby says

    November 20, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Table is BEAUTIFUL !!!
    Very talented & created ladies !!!
    I will be sure to keep this in mind when I’m out and about… ; ))

    Reply
  15. Laurie says

    February 13, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    I have a question. I have started this and so far I have measured and taped everything off. I have started sanding though, and I am wondering how you take off the finish without taking off the blue tape and keep your line? Every time I sand near the tape it shreds it away and I am afraid I will not be able to get a straight line. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  16. Funky Junk Interiors says

    February 5, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    I LOVE the outcome of this table! And the method couldn’t be easier. Sold!

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      February 5, 2014 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks, Donna 🙂 My mama is one smart cookie!

      Reply
  17. TiffanyJane says

    November 2, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Awesome!! I love diamond patterns….looks so cool~ 🙂

    Reply
  18. Karen Ploransky @ The Decorated Nest says

    August 22, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    I love the table, it looks amazing, never would have thought of this technique. Kudos!
    Karen

    Reply
  19. [email protected] says

    April 19, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    This is an awesome idea!! Your mom is BRILLIANT!

    ps found this over on a site that scraped your photos, I had to do a google image search to find your post. The blog I found it on is called cosylittlehouses.com. Thought you’d like to know.

    Reply
  20. KsuhaK says

    March 25, 2013 at 5:27 am

    This is sooo Neat! I love it!!! Can’t wait to try something similar.

    Reply
  21. Laura says

    November 30, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Little nervous to try this but…..

    Reply
    • Jamie Dorobek says

      November 30, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      do it! do it! and send me a pic when you’re done 🙂

      Reply
  22. Desiree says

    September 17, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    I LOVE this! Ran to my kitchen to get started on my table….but apparently I’m not smart enough to figure out what size of diamond to make 🙁 any pointers??

    Reply
    • Jamie D. says

      September 18, 2012 at 1:05 pm

      My mom had issues with that too. Try to do the math, and then make a stencil and pencil it out on the table to make sure it fits.

      Reply
  23. Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says

    September 14, 2012 at 8:57 am

    hi Jamie, I’ve never used steel wool at all! I absolutely love this project. It’s something I would never have thought of. I found you on Hometalk.

    Reply
    • Jamie D. says

      September 14, 2012 at 9:54 am

      I’m happy you found me 🙂 Steel wool is awesome. You’ll love it!

      Reply
  24. Pandora's Box says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:36 am

    This is brilliant. I have had a dining room table in my basement for months, while I have been waiting for some inspiration to hit me – It just hit me like a brick…I will be doing this project this week!! THX for the great idea

    Reply
    • Jamie D. says

      September 11, 2012 at 9:32 am

      I’m happy you like it! Good luck!!

      Reply
  25. janet says

    September 10, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Beautiful table and very creative. I’m going to try this one

    Reply
  26. Susie @Bowdabra says

    July 22, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Oh my this is beautiful!!! Mom did great!
    I’d love for you to link up in our Crafty Showcase. It runs from Sat-Thur and then our designers will pick their favorites to be featured on Friday.

    Have a super week!
    Susie @Bowdabra
    http://bowdabrablog.com/2012/07/21/saturday-showcase-craft-projects-11/

    Reply
  27. Rachel (Lines Across) says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    Beautiful! I love the pattern and the idea. So original!

    Reply
    • Jamie D. says

      July 20, 2012 at 5:10 pm

      Thank you 🙂 My mom is good!

      Reply
  28. Holly says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    This turned out fantastic! Great job!

    Reply
  29. Jessica says

    July 20, 2012 at 10:13 am

    This is great!! What a outcome!

    Reply
  30. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    July 20, 2012 at 10:06 am

    This is awesome! I love the diamond pattern.

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Jamie!
I Create Really Awesome Free Things for your home, wardrobe, kitchen, and kids in Austin, TX with the sometimes help of Andy!
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