My Facebook Marketplace Coffee Table Transformation

I used paint and some Rub ‘n Buff metallic wax to add classic coastal Maine style to a far-less-than-perfect Facebook Marketplace coffee table purchase! Today I am sharing all the details!

A New Coffee Table

I did a thing.

A few weekends ago, I made a trek to New Hampshire to pick up a Facebook Marketplace purchase.

A coffee table to replace the ottoman in the living room!

I know, I know — some of you won’t be happy about this switch.

But I have my reasons.

Today here on the blog I am sharing the vision that prompted me to make a change.

The far-less-than-perfect coffee table I found.

And how I transformed it using paint and Rub ‘n Buff.

Here are all the details!

The Vision

I will start by saying that I still love the large ottoman I have used as a living room coffee table.

And I know many of you do too!

I bought it years ago from Calico Corners. It was a major custom-order purchase for me, and has served me well. I have had it recovered three times!

In fact, I chose the blues and tan paisley fabric specifically for the house here in Maine, while it was still under construction. Those colors were the inspiration for my color scheme for the downstairs open living spaces. And you have seen how I have run with it!

Oh gosh, now I am starting to feel nostalgic…

You see, I am not a change-for-change’s sake person. I actually tend to get very attached to things and have a hard time letting go. You would understand if you could see my basement (which I will never share…). Or my clothes closet that I am trying so hard to clean out.

But recently my beautiful ottoman had started feeling a bit “bossy”. I still love the fabric, but as I was changing out my pillows and throws seasonally, I always felt like I had to make sure they looked good with the ottoman. And while I love to mix and match, its bold pattern was just making too much noise. Right in the middle of the room.

Plus it was a little too small for the space. The carved legs had started to seem a bit fussy. And the tufted top was uneven, making anything I put on it crooked or wobbly. It also couldn’t serve as a perch for a beverage while relaxing on the sofa.

I started to envision something larger, with cleaner lines, and a lighter, less bossy, feel to it.

Oh, and I didn’t want to spend a lot on it.

The search was on!

The Find

I actually have never had a proper coffee table.

Instead, I have used upholstered ottomans, trunks, and benches.

What kind of coffee table did I want for this space??

I started by poking around online for inspiration at websites such as Serena & Lily, Wayfair, Etsy, Chairish, and Pottery Barn. Did google searches and looked at what some of my favorite IG accounts use.

I started to narrow down some elements I liked — bamboo, glass tops, brass, maybe some color. I am also always drawn to things with a combination of unique character and traditional lines.

Then I headed over to Facebook Marketplace.

I don’t have much experience with FBMP. In fact, this was just my third purchase through this popular site.

And it doesn’t seem like there are as many amazing deals to be had in this part of the country as I see on social media.

But I started searching and scrolling.

Eventually, one caught my eye.

Truth be told, though, I wasn’t totally sure it wasn’t ugly…

But I liked the size and height.

The metal accents and textured detailing.

The crossbar on the bottom.

And the lines of it, which somehow seemed both delicate and masculine at the same time.

Though it needed a replacement top, the glass would make it disappear a bit in a room that already has a lot going on.

And it was definitely unique!

I messaged the seller and arranged to go have a look!

The Transformation

And that was how Maddie, Cisco, and I found ourselves driving to New Hampshire one Saturday.

The FBMP post described the piece as a “vintage brass and wood coffee table frame”.

When I saw it in person, my suspicion that it was not actually wood was confirmed.

And vintage? Well, we all know that term is relative.

But I liked the look of it. It felt slightly nautical, while not full-on ship-wheel-turned-coffee table. At the same time it was airy and elegant, without being too formal.

So I loaded it in my car, with the hope that I could work some magic on it.

And if not, well, it wouldn’t be a huge loss.

Paint and Rub ‘n Buff

When I got the coffee table home, I put it in place and had a closer look.

It seemed to be made out of some kind of dense plastic-type material with a finish on it that was supposed to mimic leather.

And the textured bit around the inside of the top? I think that was supposed to resemble lizard or snake skin.

As you can imagine, I was beginning to seriously question my purchase at this point…

But I placed some of my things on top, and I liked the way it looked in the space.

I lived with it for a couple weeks, then decided to give paint a try. Because, really, it was mostly the finish that was bothering me.

I went with a blue to match the two chairs by the windows.

Fun side note: Did you know that I can match paint colors even when I don’t have the object I am matching with me? I call it my ordinary superpower… It comes in handy when I am matching something that is not easily portable!

The color is Benjamin Moore Hudson Bay.

I went with their Advance formula in a Satin finish. This is the formula that is recommended for a “durable factory-finish smoothness” for cabinets, woodwork, and furniture. This product really lived up to its billing! When applied with a Purdy Nylox SOFT nylon brush, I ended up with virtually no brush strokes.

As a primer on the questionable base surface, I used Insl-X Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer. This is a “urethane acrylic”, recommended for the “most hard to coat surfaces”. It worked great and cleans up easily with water. This is the primer I used when I painted my kitchen floor too.

There was some small detail work to do around the metal accents. For that I used a small craft paint brush.

Lastly, I touched up some of those accents with Rub ‘n Buff metallic finish wax in Antique Gold. Just rub on with a paper towel, soft cloth, or your finger. Spread and buff it with a clean cloth. A little goes a long way, so apply gradually. It really made the metal corners of the tray top pop!

Easy and done!

Painting supplies:

The Result

I really love how the table turned out!

I think it has an elegant airy feel. The brass-tone details give it a little nautical flair. The blue color looks sharp with all the neutral tones in the room. And that faux snake skin around the rim adds a basket-like texture to the piece.

My ugly-duckling definitely turned into a swan with just some paint and a little metallic wax!

I held off ordering a new glass top for the table until I saw how it turned out.

I thought about getting a wood board cut and painting it the same blue. It would have been faster and much cheaper.

But I love the airy feel of the clear top. It makes the piece feel clean and light!

So for now you can see I am using a tray and a framed print as a partial table top. The new glass top will be here probably sometime after Thanksgiving.

And in case you are wondering, the old ottoman is still hiding behind the loveseat. I told you I have difficulties letting go of things…

I will move it to the basement soon. Who knows, it might make an appearance in the living room again one day!

This Week Into Next

In case you missed it, I published a blog post on Thursday with some fall comfort food recipes: harvest vegetable soup with wild rice, mushrooms, and apple; cheese scones; and grilled cheese sandwich with apple and arugula.

I often find myself late to the show-streaming party. I didn’t watch Gilmore Girls until the series had ended. Same for Schitt’s Creek. Ted Lasso was a couple seasons in before I tuned in.

I just finished bingeing the first three seasons of The Bear this week, and I was blown away. I felt like I was watching people just living their lives, and not actors playing roles. The show is intense, but SO good. Now, sadly, I will have to wait until sometime next year for season 4.

Fortunately Hallmark holiday movie season has begun, so there is plenty of viewing for me to enjoy. Very different from the Bear, though! Do you enjoy Hallmark movies or can you just not stand them? Seems it is either one or the other…

I have no real plans for the weekend, and I am good with that. I could do with some book time. And there is a 120-minute Power Zone Endurance Peloton ride I have my eye on.

It is also time to start planning our family’s Thanksgiving menu. I will be sharing that next week! Would it be best if I share it during the week instead of Saturday for those of you getting a jump on things?

Have a great week!

Peace and love,