We skipped last month (this summer has been crazy!), but we’re back with another edition of our monthly Thrifty Style Series. This series is where I team up with some blogger friends to show you thrifted finds styled in our homes. We are using the term “thrifted” loosely, as this can include anything we got for free or for cheap, including family heirlooms or hand-me-downs. (You can see my last thrifty style post here.) This time, I’m sharing something I haven’t even given you any sneak peeks of! It’s a Mid-Century Modern coffee table that I scored from my grandma’s basement when I was in Indiana visiting this past April.
It originally belonged to my great-grandmother, and I’m told it was painted pink at one point in time. It’s since been stripped back down to the wood, but you can see a faint whisper of evidence that it’s been painted before. I haven’t done anything with it yet other than plop it down in my mom cave, but I’m thinking I will sand it and maybe use some tung oil or just clean it up and keep it natural. I really love the natural wood.
I’m not sure what I’ll do with the glass display case top. Maybe add some pretty fabric and toss a collage of family photos inside? I’m really not sure. I would love to hear your ideas!
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My grandmother doesn’t have anything even REMOTELY MCM. 🙂 The glass would give me angst with my kids, but… I LOVE it! I’d totally leave it as is and hide it in a grown up room somewhere!
Thanks Charlotte! It’s in my mom cave which is off limits to kids unless I’m in there with them. I wouldn’t ever buy a glass table, but since it was free and an heirloom I made an exception! 🙂
What a gorgeous piece, Erin! I think fabric and photos would be super cute inside it!
Thank you Kristi!
Oh, I love this! I think keeping the wood natural is a great way to go. As far as what to put in it, I have a map table in my craft room and I have some pictures of my boys, a beaded purse from the 1920’s and a few momentos from my parents…they are great for displaying seasonal items or meaningful items.
I would put a light stain and some tung oil on after that. It’s going to bring out the grain in the wood. And what ever you decide to use the glass display case for will stand out even more. Good luck!!
Thanks Andria!
Erin, It would be good to identify the type wood the coffee table is made from. The slant of the legs make it appear to be from the 1950’s or 1960’s. Can you tell if the legs are original or replacements? The showcase top makes it possible to utilize the piece in many different ways. Your suggested use of fabric and photos is an excellent idea. The table deserves to have the beautify of its wood seen so I think painting it would be an injustice. Sanding with find sandpaper to bring out the wood grain and using tung oil should suffice. For a more durable and protective finish you might also consider a satin finish polyurethane. Beautiful piece of vintage furniture!
Thanks Danny! The legs are original and it’s definitely Mid-Century. I think I will try the tung oil and see how it goes!
What a gorgeous piece!! Fabric and photos would be too cute!!
Thanks so much, Amanda!