dream coffee table

I've never been a huge fan of Disneyland (no disrespect Captain EO), but let's just say I'm beginning to believe that dreams can come true. 

I've been trying to put the finishing touches on my family room for 6 years and in that time, I've been through 4 different coffee tables.  Finally I decided the perfect table would be round, with a marble top, and a wood base.

I also wanted it to be more stream lined since I currently have lots of French inspired pieces and curved lines in this room.  Naturally I started my quest looking at CL, thrift stores, and garage sales.  After about 5 weeks of searching, I hit the jackpot. 

 OK well, when I got it she looked more like this.

Please tell me why on earth you would spray a coffee table with thick, foam like, textured paint? 

Stripper to the rescue! 

Yes, you will find this at your local gentleman's establishment, but it's The Home Depot.

Apply it in small amounts, wait 15 minutes, and lightly scrape the paint right off.  It's magic.

In less than an hour I had stripped it down to it's natural, raw wood and it was everything I had hoped for, and more.  The residue from the spray paint actually left a crusty, white stain in the grooves that created the look of an old, worn patina. 

And the best part, it was $30.

I placed it in the center of the room and stared at it for the rest of the afternoon. 

Here's another "before and after" that currently resides in my family room.  I found this chair at a flea market in CA, and I bought it because I loved the lines and couldn't say no to the wood trim. 

Then I sent it over to a my favorite upholster, Jorge, for a makeover.  I made the white pillow out of an old grain sack and the peacock blue, ruffled pillow is right from Home Goods.

It sits next to this chair with curved arms and tufting on the seat and back.  A couple days ago I found part of a candy bar down in a tuft, a much needed pick me up.

Our family room and office nook.   

This room flows right into the kitchen where I have a long, farmhouse table from an old barn in Texas.  It comfortably seats 8 and somehow, it's always full. 

My next purchase is going to be different lighting over this table.  Anyone have an amazing fixture collecting dust in the garage?  I'm also kicking around the idea of a new window treatment.  I made this one 5 years ago and it's about time for an update. 

Our family room is not large and we always have a group over, so maximizing seating is important.  I bought this smaller scaled, low sofa (from Jilly) so it would seat three to four people and not take up a lot of visual space.  This pic was taken right after G painted the wood at {Club Project}. 

This couch was a must have.  It's dark, worn leather is durable and comfy with down filled cushions.  Very important for my man in case he has to sleep on it:)  



The leather couch sits next to this ten dollar, re-purposed patio table from CL.  I love the way natural elements soften spaces and invite the outdoors in.

So what is your latest and greatest find?  If it's as good as my new coffee table, we MUST hear about it.  Send your pics to us at meandjilly@gmail.com and we'll show them off in an upcoming post.