I feel positively ridiculous writing this post, but I’ve received enough emails about the coffee table that it warrants a quick mention. Here goes: Not new. Not special. Seriously, not that big a deal.
That said, I’m happy I was able to pull the wool over your eyes!
Our previous coffee table (also not new, special, or a big deal) was a leftover from my college days. I’m notoriously picky about coffee tables and accepted long ago that I will never find one I like and can afford. When it comes to coffee tables, I have a defeatist’s attitude.
The “new” white coffee table is the Imfors from IKEA, now discontinued. We bought it about five years ago because it was round and somewhat indestructible, the two sad, generic prerequisites I held on to despite knowing coffee tables are hopeless. I bought that table with the same jaded acceptance of a woman who, after too long on the scene, narrows down her requirements in a man to (i) penis and (ii) breathing.
We used it for a few years until we unearthed my college coffee table from storage. It sat under old blankets and a painting drop cloth in the garage ever since.
I knew the coffee table from college wouldn’t work with the Ektorp, so I decided to pull out the white one from the cemetery in the garage as a temporary measure. Originally, the legs were chrome, and something about the chrome and white made it look the cheap price point, especially when placed in front of the white sectional. I decided the solution would be to paint the legs a soft gold or aged brass. You know, put some lipstick on that pig.
It couldn’t have been easier. In fact, I did right before I had to pick up Nicholas from school while wearing heels and talking on the phone with a friend. It really was stupid easy. I was pressed for time, or I would have taken apart the table and spray painted the legs with surgical precision, as is my call in life. Instead, I taped everything off and used a ripped piece of cardboard to block the spray of paint.
Which reminds me, I used spray paint. I won’t describe the time I wasted in several craft stores reviewing my paint options and debating the pros and cons of each, except to say that time is gone forever, never to return. Ultimately, I relied heavily on this post by Kate. I chose the Gold Leaf spray by Krylon. It turned out nice, considering it was a beat up old coffee table.
As for how to spray paint, well, I think John and Sherry have that covered.
Here is a close look at all the dings and a water ring I forgot to wipe down. No idea why I feel compelled to share this image, but there you go. Overall, I really like the table. It’s open and airy and can old Skylanders, which is leaps and bounds ahead of round and indestructible. I feel like my relationship with coffee tables is moving in the right direction. Nicholas even calls it the “nice-ee table.” Of course I asked him why.
“Um, mama? Duuuuh! The legs are made of gold. And that is nice. Nice-ee table.
Oh, to be five.
Even though the Imfors line is no longer available at IKEA, you can achieve the same look with the Klubbo coffee table. In fact, I think that’s what Jordan did in these pictures of her old living room in San Francisco.
Aaaaand, that’s it! The story about my coffee table is officially told. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I haven’t gazed at my navel in at least twenty minutes. I need to get on that.
Wow! That’s an amazing upgrade thanks to the spray paint and your skills. It really looks very posh/glamorous!
It definitely looks better than what it is, at least in pictures. ;)
Hey, what a great idea! I love the gold-leaf look, and Ikea hacks too, especially ones that are easy and look this good.
Thanks! All I need now is some sort of pretty basket for underneath.
Well done, I say. Well done!
Thanks, Amy. :)
Always nice to get a reminder that some old thing can have a whole new life with a little sprucing up. Coffee tables, houses, middle-aged women. (Oh wait, that was me gazing at *my* navel! :-) Get the whole coffee table thing (still waiting for something perfect in our living room) and love your solution.
Haha! Too funny, Rita. :)
I love it! This is a good reminder (to me) that you can change things if they’re not absolutely perfect–usually pretty easily, with some paint and a vision. I’m often falling half in love with something but leaving it behind because it’s not absolutely perfect. Ask me how long I’ve been looking for a coffee table. Actually don’t, because I might cry.
My limitation is that I don’t buy something I love, even when all it needs is a simple tweak. It rarely occurs to me to change something brand new. Or, maybe it’s just an issue of courage!
ha ha ha ha! Oh you are a witty girl.
I feel like this will be my conundrum as well, only with a little kitchen table. All I want, All I’ve been asking the universe for about 3 years now is a simple clean lined wood 42 inch round table (with no drop leaf). IT DOES NOT EXIST. I cannot believe Ikea or West Elm doesn’t have this mythical beast. Room & Board has what I want, but at a $900 price tag. So I might just get the Ikea Docksta table, which I have been fighting with my husband over (he says yes, I say…must I?) Why am I burdening you with this? I’m sorry, I don’t know. I feel defeatist too. But your table looks great in your room!
I think the coffee table is a great match for your new set up, but I have to confess, I was in love with your old coffee table. It’s almost my dream table (if I can never afford the giant cushioned storage ottoman I really want). I don’t know if it was a huge tray on top of a plain table, or what, but it was so beautiful and unique.
I know that this is terribly forward, but if you EVER want to get rid of it, and haven’t already promised it to somebody else, I’d LOVE to buy it from you! I visit the I.E. from time to time to see my parents and in laws, so I’m close enough to pick it up – wink wink!
Anyway. I’m so glad for you that you are enjoying your transformed room. I’m eagerly awaiting that feeling when I finally finish my bedroom!
:D The table really did deserve it’s only little post. I am so happy (in a good way) that someone else is on a (hopeless) quest for the perfect (affordable) coffee table. I settled on the IKEA KLUBBO when we moved over here, but the top is really starting to look like crap. I have considered painting it before, but now I may have to add it to my list.