Real Mahogany Side Table- Before & After

One of my projects this week was to refinish this cute little mahogany table. Originally we had thought to just paint the whole thing since it has some animal damage on one of the legs and the top was a hot mess. 

This photo is not the same table because I forgot to take a picture before I started sanding, I know, bad blogger. Anyway this comes pretty close to what the top looked like. 

So here in lies the big furniture refinishing question... to paint or not to paint. I decided to give the top a shot to see if I could restore it. It is mahogany for goodness sake! I spent about 45 minutes total to get the top looking like this. First with 100 grit to remove the old finish and stain and then 220 grit to smooth it out.

I wish you could feel this table, it is so soft and smooth. I actually touch it every-time I walk by. I know I am a dork. 

To finish off the table top I stained it with Minwax's english chestnut. I used one coat of paste wax and buffed it to a nice shine.

I think that was worth the time, what do you think? 

For the base and legs I started with a light coat of Valspar's antique white using a dry brush technique. 

Then a very light coat of Rub N' Buff in silver leaf, followed by Valspar's antiquing glaze. 

The details I highlighted with Rub n' Buff antique gold. The base was also sealed with paste wax.

This table will be for sale at Repurpose.

Don't forget to enter my Rub n' Buff giveaway! 

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