Reader question: Where did you buy your coffee table? I need one just like it!
I get that question a lot. The truth is, I found this table on Craigslist for $50—one of those thrift-store or online bargain finds that’s nearly impossible to replicate. The upside is you can often transform a unique, inexpensive piece into something special with a little creativity and elbow grease.
This coffee table was one of my first furniture makeovers, and it’s far from perfect—which is exactly why I like it. It’s lived in, been scuffed by our daughter Olivia, and still holds up. It’s functional, stylish, and keeps our living room organized.
Supplies used
- Annie Sloan Duck Egg paint
- Annie Sloan Pure White paint
- Minwax Clear Paste Finish Wax
- Annie Sloan Dark Wax
- Purdy 1.5″ angle brush
- Wax brush
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Circular saw
- Medium and fine grit sandpaper
- Wood graining tool
- Sample paint pots for base and glaze colors
- Clear mixing glaze
- General Finishes Gel Stain (Antique Walnut used)
- Dry paint brush
- Paper towels or clean, dry rags
- Matte polyurethane
- Card catalog label pulls for the drawers
The Base
I mixed equal parts Annie Sloan Duck Egg and Pure White to create a soft, muted base color. Two coats of that mixture covered the entire table base nicely. Once the paint was dry, I applied a layer of clear paste wax and then a subtle coat of dark wax to bring out depth and give the piece a slightly aged, lived-in look. Applying clear wax first helps the dark wax blend more softly so the effect is not overpowering.
The “Planked” Top
I decided how many faux planks I wanted across the top and marked the layout. The hinge on the table conveniently sat right at one-third of the width. My top was 30 inches wide, so I marked faux planks every 5 inches and snapped chalk lines to guide the cuts.
With a circular saw set shallow—about 1/8″ deep—my husband cut grooves along the chalk lines on the top and down the sides. These shallow cuts create the illusion of separate planks without compromising the table’s structure.
To accentuate those grooves and give them an aged appearance, I worked dark wax into the lines and immediately wiped away the excess. This brings attention to the planked effect and adds a touch of contrast.
The Faux Wood Finish
Creating a believable faux wood grain takes patience, but the results are worth it. In hindsight, I should have sanded the top thoroughly first to smooth out dents and old paint imperfections. A clean, even surface makes the grain treatment look far more convincing.
Start with a solid base coat, then mix a slightly darker paint with glazing medium. Brush that glaze mixture over one plank at a time, leaving some of the base color visible so the finish looks layered and natural. Work while the glaze is still wet.
Use a wood graining tool to drag and rock through the glaze to create realistic grain patterns. Practice on a scrap board or poster board until you feel comfortable with the speed and pressure. Use a smaller graining tool on the sides so the scale matches the top.
After the darker glaze dried, lightly apply a second, lighter glaze in random areas to add highlights and dimension. When everything is dry, I applied a wipe-on gel stain (it’s thick, pudding-like, and easy to control) one plank at a time, wiping away the excess to achieve the tone I wanted. The gel stain deepens the grain and gives the surface a reclaimed-wood appearance.
Finish the top with a matte polyurethane for protection. The combination of paint, glaze, graining and gel stain creates a convincing reclaimed-wood look without needing new lumber.
To make the table truly useful, I added card catalog label pulls to the drawers so DVDs and small items can be neatly labeled and stored. That little organizational touch keeps our living room clutter under control—most of the time.
We’ve had this table in our living room for over a year and a half, and it’s still one of my favorite projects. It adds warmth and a subtle pop of color to our neutral space, and it’s survived daily life with a toddler—scuffs, spills, and all.
And yes—Olivia loves climbing on it and dumping out the drawers sometimes, but that’s part of the charm. This table proves a little makeover can turn a bargain find into a functional, stylish anchor piece for your room.
Below are a few other blogger projects featured in our “Best of the Archives” roundup (listed here by site name): Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Prodigal Pieces, Girl in the Garage, and Artsy Chicks Rule.
So that’s the story of the little coffee table that could: inexpensive, imperfect, and transformed into something that works beautifully for our family. If you’re tackling a similar project, take your time, practice the graining technique on scraps, and don’t be afraid to let the piece age naturally—those marks and scuffs add character.