So far this year, we’ve made some good progress in our living room! I’ve been able to check off a majority of my to-do list {and of course, added a few more items. that’s how I roll!}. After adding the new entertainment center, we also added new end tables. The top of the media console and the end tables are a chestnut color, which I love. The only problem is our coffee table no longer matched or coordinated with the other wood pieces in the living room. We were given the table by Tim’s parents when we got married and moved into the house. It’s a nice table – solid wood and made by Broyhill – so getting rid of it due to it’s finish seemed like a silly idea. I decided to try my hand at stripping and re-staining the table.

I’m a bad blogger and didn’t get a good before photo. I’ll go ahead and slap myself on the wrist for you. It was the typical oak color with orange undertones and a basic wooden knob.

I did a little research on stripping stain, and decided to try the CitriStrip spray. I just sprayed a layer onto the finish and let it sit for about 30 minutes. I came back and used a plastic scraper on most of the table and steel wool on the more detailed areas, like the legs. That stuff came right off…like butter. I didn’t put much effort into scraping it off at all. The fumes were also very minimal, which surprised me. Make sure to have plenty of gloves on hand and work over a covered area!

You could still see some rings that were left by hot drinks, even after the stain was gone {oops!}, so I did a very quick sanding job on the top of the table.

Would you look at that! Like a baby’s bottom! Smooth and ready for staining. I used two coats MinWax stain in Red Mahogonay, and then 3 coats of satin poly. I spread out each step over the course of a week. I am so pleased with how it turned out! I have a ton of the stain left, and I’m excited to used the leftovers on some unfinished furniture we have.

It looks so much better with the new furniture pieces and really pulls it all together. It warmed up the room and even helped it look a little more modern.

The wicker tray I’ve used on the coffee table blends in a little too much now, so I’m hoping to add something with a little more contrast.

{Tim’s mom brought me the forced tulip bulbs – aren’t they pretty??}

There’s another new addition to the living room! Meet my new precious!

I scored this West Elm rug for a steal at the Pottery Barn outlet. Holy wow. That place was like Disneyland to me. This rug was already marked down 50% and they were running a special for 40% off the already discounted price. I had heart palpitations over it.

The colors in the rug look beautiful with the deep wood tones. It looks a little lumpier in these pictures than it does in person, but I’m definitely going to be in the market for a pad. Does anyone else have any trouble keeping your flat weave rugs flat? Or any tips on how to keep them that way?

We’re well on our way to being done with this room! All I need to do is find a mantle for out fireplace, make a shade for the back door window, and then eventually exchange our old carpet for wood floors. I’m actually toying around with the idea of repainting {because I am my mother’s daughter and can’t leave well enough alone. hi mom!}. We’ll see! I’ll definitely let you know if we change it up!

Have a great Thursday! Keep powering through! We’re almost to Friday!

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