side table re-finishing

i know this isn't the round tables below.  sigh.... i forgot to take a before picture so i took a picture of their ugly step sister still in her original form.  if you can picture her circular instead of a rectangle then you will know exactly what my two round tables looked like before they were made over.

i started with sanding. (actually my kind hubby did it for me.) thanks b.  got all of that lacquer finish off of there for a nice clean surface.

i then mixed 1/2 cup paint and a little less than a 1/2 cup water. 

i slowly brushed on the paint.  waited for it to dry for about 20-30 seconds and then took a lint free cloth (you can buy them at the hardware store.)  make sure to get the ones that say lint free as you don't want lint rubbing off on your paint.

you take the cloth after the paint has dried for 20-30 seconds and rub down the paint.  the goal is to rub it into the grain.  it gives a nice patina look to the furniture.

i did this on each piece twice allowing 30 minutes between first and 2nd coat to dry.

after two days of curing i sanded down the edges on the top and some areas on the legs to make it look a little more worn.  i used 220 sand paper.

i then sprayed three coats of poly urethane on to keep them in good shape for their next owner.

i spray painted the bronze hardware with rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint.

they are up for sale now on craigs list.  hoping to fetch a good price so i can redecorate the boys playroom and add shelving to hold all of their loot. :)