A simple and sweet and oh so charming antique round table.
Shopping Vintage
Does anyone else shop vintage during the holidays? Surely, I can’t be the only one that all the thrift stores call to even when busy decking the halls. And so, it happened. Though this was another online find at Marketplace- and also another find that was marked FREE.
Antique round table
I am slightly obsessed with tables at the moment it seems. This is the 3rd I have brought home in the past year or so. It probably has something to do with a couple projects I am working on this year – that require a couple different style tables. So, this one is round and is perfectly full of patina and old wear and when I saw the listing -the first thing that caught my eye was the shape and the legs details. So charming and full of character. Then I saw it was listed as Free and though well, it is almost too good to be true. So, I messaged the seller. I wasn’t sure if it was a usable table, missing parts or if the top was veneer and it was majorly damaged. They got back to me and said it was solid wood- no veneer, needed to be restored but good condition- and that someone was already planning to pick it up and they would let me know if they didn’t come.
Next day- they messaged that the person didn’t show up and if I wanted it- it was mine. I replied yes and where to pick it up. They were going to be out of town for over a month so, we waited to coordinate and when she was back- we arranged to meet.
Chippy and Charming
You know, I am going to probably surprise a couple of you with saying that I love the dark finish on this table. Love it, love it, love it. It is a dark brown almost black in person in areas. The legs have a lot of wear, but not in a bad way if that makes sense. I am a fan of well loved authentic patina- this one definitely has that.
That said, I know it would look incredible in a bleached wood finish but for now, I am leaving it dark, cleaning up and tinkering with a few things like a couple pieces that came loose. The size is perfect- not too big to tuck in the entry for flowers or a tabletop Christmas tree- and it also has 2 leaves to be able to expand and make the table longer. Even more of a bonus- it is on little old wheels so very easy to move by myself. (remember the story of us struggling to move that heavy farm table? haha)
Fresh flowers
My husband brought home some fresh flowers for a photoshoot and set the buckets on this table while they opened up a bit. The mix of the blush and white blooms with the dark table – so darn pretty. As I am sure you can tell – these photos aren’t staged and perfect big camera photos. I just grabbed a few quick iPhone photos (and screenshots of a video from Instagram too) of the table in the gloomy weather to share but I am excited about playing with it more when we get Christmas packed away and have some time to do some redecorating.
What do you think of this antique table? Would you pick it up and use it as is with all that chippy patina? Or strip the finish and bleach it for a different look?
Ashley says
absolutely leave it! I think both looks are so charming – dark and deeply worn or bleached. this feels like it’s identify is already lovely and authentic.
Suzy says
I love it as it is!
Cynthia Cleary says
She is a looker alrigHT!! YOU are meant to be together. I love how your husband brought home flowers to adorn your NEW/old treasure..he knEw how much this table meant to you. That is the real takeaway From your story. So sweet.❤️
meg says
I’d give the poor girl a break and leave it for awile. for some reason Im not convinced bleaching all this FURNITURE is timeless. What a great find! its very graceful!
Ashley says
absolutely leave it! I think both looks are so charming – dark and deeply worn or bleached. this feels like it’s identity is already lovely and authentic.
Elizabeth says
Im into bleach it! 🤓. Never liked dark finish wih “character” and i still dont, looks old and dirty, yuck!
Sherry says
I love it just like it is!
Nicolette says
Use as is in my opinion. Old world charm!
susan knight says
Strip it and paint it or bleach it! I do not like the current look
Andrea says
I think it is beautiful the way it is and it would look beautiful with a light sanding leaving old patina and lighter wood showing through.
Lovely find❤️
Donna tagliaferri says
I love it!!!! And I do exactly what you do, I look for tables, love the patina,and here is the thing, furniture comes to you. Its What is supposed to happen. I have found perfect pieces because I waited For the shot. Xxoo
Paula says
Its Beautiful…PAINTING it wouid diminish the lovely chAracter of it…
Its a treasure just liKe it is.!
Patty says
I would consider bleaching the top but leave the legs – I like their finish. Wonderful table – can hardly believe it was free 🙂
Cynthia says
i love its present look. time patina character Enjoy
Nancy says
This is just what ive been looking for!! Everytime i find something like it, it costs a fortune. Its awesome! I would’nt Change it at all. I want to load mine up with lots of different vases at different heights and tons of flowers…wish i could add my inspiration Pic.
Mary says
Love the romance of the current look. Leave it Be to add it’s antique story to your beautiful home.
Nancy says
Love it both ways! What a find!
Deborah Holroyd says
love it..tradional..
you have a lot of beautiful style..good for you to have a choose…
Valeri Johnson says
It perfect!
Mary Alice says
I think, knowing you, that whatever you decide to do will be perfect. CaNnot wait to see what you do with it. Personally, I do love the raw, bleached Look.
alda ellis says
Darker finishes seem to be trending once again…but I never left the trend. I love the timework finish that tells a story. Melts my heart…love the finish as is.
Stephanie says
I would lemon oil it and leave her as is!Great find❤️
Lina says
I think it is quite lovely as it is!
GraN says
I never paint my antiques. That said, it’s yours to do with as you wish. The trendy thing to do right now is to paint antiques or strip them to bare wood.
Just remember that once you paint or strip, that original finish is gone forever.
Gina says
The round finials on the legs are cool. if it were mine, I’d bleach it and give it a second life to freshen it up. so great that you found solid wood with character for free. 🙂
Emily says
I ABSOLUTELY love it as-is! Of course, i have all dark orIginal wood antiques in my home, so that might be why. 🥰
Bonnie says
The table is BEAUTIFUL !!!
Linda Shukri says
Looks like you have both opinions here! I love the dark. 🙂
Gail says
I love the table and it’s beautiful both ways. I love it that you live
with your finds before you decide To change it
Sharon kaekel says
Very lovely. You have a good eye for quality!
Phyllis says
after a good cleaning,I’d leave it as is….it’s a pretty table that found a loving home..
Shelley Humpal says
Courtney it is a wonderful table. Wish it were mine!!! I would do exactly what your doing. It’s a table that needs time and space. You’ll know when the time is right to make a decision. I would do the same.
Meg Daly says
AbAbsolutely leave it as Is! SoSometimes it’s just nice to let the furniture remain its age. I equate this to a home I’m looking at now that was built in the 1920s. It’s been passed down through a couple of generations and hasn’t been changed. One contractor said to me thank goodness! No one ruined it Yet! 😃
Ruth A says
What a great find!
ROxanne says
Love it dark!!!! Beautiful table, great find !!!
Darlene says
Love mixing and matching both.
My vote on this beauty iS strip and bleach
Jeanie says
What a find. I’ve restored many antiques. I would try giving it a good rub down with l cup of olive oil/ 1 cup white vinegaR first to see how you like it, then decide to keep it the way it is or bleach. It will be gorgeous no matter what. Yeah you!
CAROL IBERGER says
A bleached table can be any table. But if you love the history of a well loved table, this is it! Beautiful.
Susan says
Love the table! Depends on where you use it what to do with it. I always love a painted pretty piece.
Anja says
Love it the way it is. Amazing find
Olga Economos says
I love the table. Let it BREATHE a little like a bottle of wine. The right answer will come to you. I love bith dark and bleach. Depends on atmosphere. Pause. For now it looks wonderful.
Kay Lee says
So pretty!! You should leave it.
Margo says
Love the dark but not the scraped up look. Strip and stain is what i would do.
Cc says
Id leave it as is. Im not a fan of the Bleached look.
Karen B. says
I love it! It has plenty of stories to share and it’s not gross, just used through the years. I trust you will make the best decision and I will still love it. I sure hope you are planning another book. I could look at the rooms you style every day. Maybe a Christmas book? 😊🎄
Karen B.
Robin says
I love it as is with all of it’s original dark character! Beautiful score!
Jackie Wild says
i LOVE IT JUST THE WAY IT IS! sO MUCH CHARACTER AND WHAT A GREAT SIZE!
Nancy Brantley says
Definitely leave as is!! Patina is great..what a find for free??!!
Tish says
I’d leave it. it shows a life well lived!
Karen L says
Sand it bare, then see if it needs bleach.
Gracie says
I love it just as it is …beautiful.❤️
Deb says
Oh my heart! What a beautiful find and for free! I have been scouring all avenues for a beautiful table like this one for my kitchen. It is just my husband and I and would be perfect! The design is to die for. It has that English look i could see that had been in a cottage. I am sure it will be beautiful no matter what finish you eventually desire,❤️
Deborah d says
This is exactly the table I’ve been searching for. I want to change my breakfast room table from a rectangle farmhouse to a round with leaves to expand. Gorgeous find.
Kym says
Great find! No matter what finish you decide, it’s darling!
Diana says
Great find. Maybe you can sand it down and see what you think. You can always stain it again.I can’t wait to see what you decide.
Debbie says
Love the ole giRl just the way she is. She has so much character and the patina is amazing. The decorating possibilities are endless. You pickup the best finds, love your blog posts and everything you do. Looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us.
Aussie Jo says
A bloody lovely table
Michele M. says
Great table. Either would work but in your world I bet bleaching would be out of this world awesome.
Mary says
Love this table just the way it is! I bought a drop leaf solid english oak table some 15 years ago needed a home to love it and thought i would refinish it but didn’t. the table graces my library and still love its charm!
franki says
Well…my pulse quickened…WHAT A TREASURE!!!! It truly is a gem…GOOD HOME IT HAS NOW!!! franki
debbra says
I love the table as is. Incredible find. Looking forward to see what you do with it, stle it!