For ages I've been looking for a small side table to have at my end of the sofa -- one that has drawers in it, so it can store whatever knitting or sewing I have on the go. Since we moved in I've been using an old table found in a skip, which was pretty good but it had no drawers and was very lightweight, so was very vulnerable when doglet came barrelling through. It's really difficult to find something small and neat though, especially (unbelievably) for under £350. So I've been watching and waiting, and holding out til after January, which needed to be austere after an expensive December.
Then fortune fell my way -- out in the street someone left a perfect side table. But it was very, very sorry for itself, having spent several days out in the pouring rain. It was very scratched, had paint marks all over it, and generally very tired and worn. But it was such an ideal size, shape and style (my mid-century favourite) that I went for it anyway and brought it home.
I would be thrown out of blogging school for forgetting to take a 'before' picture, and I'm annoyed I didn't. But in any case, here are the 'afters'. I worked it all down with sandpaper and white spirit, and then painted the drawer fronts and the top with magnolia (for the 60s feel) gloss paint. I tried filling in the scratches with brown ink, but it didn't do an awful lot for it and I thought it would just have to be shabby chic. But then I found this miracle product, which I can't recommend enough. Pledge scratch restorer. And a restorer of faith too. I worked it carefully and slowly into all the scratches and gradually over the entire wooden surface and... the result was amazing! It feels as though it really nourishes the wood, and the finish is as smooth as french polish. I love it so much. It's turned out brilliant, and is just ideal for a glass of wine, and a store of threads, yarns and scissors.
Frugal, but it feels like a treat. Very happy.
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