my new coffee table

When I first moved to US, I had no idea about the furniture stores. My husband and I desperately needed furniture so we rushed to IKEA, Thomasville, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and then we found Arhaus and etc. We paid tons of money for furnishing our town house and the result was not very satisfying . If only had I known thrift stores and online auctions before, I wouldn't spend a dime for the furniture I now have. Yet, I've lived enough to learn that life is too short to have regrets.

 I have upgraded some of the furniture that we bought and also the ones my husband owned before we got married. This coffee table was one of those that I have saved for future upgrades. It is a solid wood trunk style coffee table. Although it is not clear on this photo, it has the rattan/wicker look on the sides.
I ripped off the paint on top with a sanding machine (I also sanded the feet) and left the bottom unsanded/in its original color.  Here you can see the color difference between the top and the bottom.

Then, I painted the bottom part with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint/ Old White 

and distressed it. For the top and the feet I used Varathane stain+poly dark walnut stain.

I used three coats of stain. It was good to have the stain and the sealer together, yet I wouldn't do it again. Despite the fact that I chose a semi gloss stain, the finish was too shiny. Still, I love my new coffee table.