I stalked that ottoman every single day and watched the rip get slightly bigger and bigger. Oh and my smile grew wider and wider with each added inch. And no I did not rip it myself, although the thought did cross my mind sometimes ;)
So the day came when the rip finally reached the point of no return. My husband had hoped that it would just stay small but it didn't! Yes I could have fixed it but it was also ripping in other places as well. He knew that he was losing the battle and finally gave in....yipee!
Since we are some broke folks I knew that finding a coffee table might have been a bit challenging but I was wrong; thanks to the awesome and fantastic website known as craigslist! It never lets me down. It took me a few days to search through what was for sell but I finally landed on this beauty...
Okay I know most of you are wondering where the beauty is but I saw past every scratch and dent! I was in love and the best part....this baby only cost me $15. Yep you read right. I said fifteen smackaroos! Awesome, I know! I couldn't believe it myself. But first I had to see if it was even available and I needed to see if it was sturdy enough to make it through the tornado known as the Hart house.
It was available (obviously) and this sucker was ridiculously heavy! It took both Anthony and I to pick her up. I knew she would stand the test of time :). So now I had to think about what to do with her. I didn't want a fancy coffee table because fancy doesn't even fall in my vocabulary. I knew that it would get beat up in my house so whatever I did it needed to be thought out. Well if you know me, I do not like to think things out so I just went for it. I love love love the color red and when it is a deep red I am even more in love. So that was my plan. Sand, prime, and paint!
Well like I said before I didn't want a perfect paint job. I wanted something that would wear but look good. So I scratched the sanding and just went to cleaning. I wipe her down with a wet rag and then used this...paint thinner!
I read a few tutorials on painting without sanding and they all suggested cleaning with a paint thinner to get all the dirt and whatever else may be on it off. So that's what I did. Once that was dry I proceeded to paint.
I totally forgot to take "during" pictures. I wish that I did because the first coat looked awful and I was praying that it would turn out. Oh but it did and I was smiling from ear to ear. It isn't the perfect paint job and I know it will chip and wear but that's exactly what I want to happen! I love it in our den and I think it just adds so much!
Welcome coffee table, welcome!
And she has proved to be an awesome place of storage. I have since placed three baskets on the shelf hiding toys, books, diapers, and so much more. She definitely was worth the seven years of begging! I think my husband actually likes her too :)
