True story: I was planning to write about coffee tables today, their strength in a room, and feature two in particular which I just refinished this week. As I sat down to write this post, an article popped up from Apartment Therapy asking readers for advice pertaining to a homeowners question about how to clearly define her living room.

Norma, I hope you don't mind my sharing your living room photo, (it's been seen by thousands anyway)!

When I saw Norma's living room I had two immediate thoughts: 1) Norma clearly has awesome taste as she chose the same IKEA rug that we chose, (Lappljung Ruta), and 2) Coffee table!!!

This space is fantastic and already has a great mix of pieces! As I read comment after comment, (some folks suggesting expensive new purchases and getting rid of some of these amazing pieces!), I was puzzled that no one simply suggested a coffee table, (I couldn't help it, I did throw my two cents in, along with a little furniture shifting idea). But seriously, stick a coffee table over that rug and Norma's got herself a cozy, bona fide living room!

Coffee tables are sometimes underrated I think. When planning a living room usually the first thoughts are of the seating. Deciding between armchairs and a sofa, sofa and a loveseat, loveseat and armchairs, (decisions, decisions). I'm not disagreeing with this, but be sure to save a bit of the budget for a clutch coffee table. Clutch, as in strong enough in the style of your room to bring it all together. Coffee tables carry a big responsibility and receive little credit.

So, on that sad note, here are two gorgeous clutch coffee tables I just finished this week and are now available for sale, (pick-up, only - I'm located in Northern Virginia): Duck Egg bamboo coffee table

My second bamboo piece in a month! I may be falling hard.. Piece has been painted in Duck Egg by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and sealed in clear wax. The herringbone construction pattern to the bottom 'shelf' is incredible; a truly unique piece!

39.5"W x 19.5"D x 18.5"H
SOLD

Paris Grey antique coffee table by Lane, (circa 1950s)
This beauty is a real rescue - constructed of solid mahogany wood and still sturdy as can be, the original finish was damaged by a handful of water stains. I painted it in Paris Grey, (also by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint), and distressed all the unique edges and corners to maintain the character and age of the piece. Sealed for protection in clear wax. (Sorry the floor looks blood red!? My new camera and I are still getting acquainted. This is the true color of the table, however).

48"W x 22"D x 16"H
SOLD

Thank you so much for reading!

~Chelsea

This post was originally published on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

Hi friends! I absolutely adore the piece I'm showing you today; in fact, I was so excited to begin working on it that I completely neglected a before picture. Shame, shame. I wish I could say it won't happen again...

When I found this amazing coffee table, (originally a messy dark stain with lots of nicks and scratches), showing off it's gold capped casters, I felt a little challenge to make it something exciting. After sorting through various colors that are more classic and sophisticated in nature, I decided on Duck Egg by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - a rich aqua that is playful and fun, but elegant and classy when distressed and paired with gold.

SOLD

The low-down:
-Cleaned the piece using a damp cloth
-Blue taped each gold cap to protect from paint
-Applied 2 even coats of Duck Egg by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint using a 3" brush
-Distressed every corner and edge with a medium sanding block
-**Sealed using Minwax Polyurethane clear semi-gloss

**I wanted this piece to really shine. Traditionally, chalk paint is sealed with soft clear wax, which works beautifully to protect pieces. However, you to will end up with a fairly matte finish, even after buffing. I love the matte finish, but every once in a blue moon I want to give a piece some real shine. If you want a shinier, glossier finish, there is nothing wrong with applying a clear gloss sealer over a chalk painted piece. If you are using a lighter color, just be sure you choose a water based gloss sealer, rather than oil based, which can result in yellowing the finish. Water based gloss sealers will keep your white pieces white. I've sealed chalk painted pieces in Minwax Polyurethane clear semi-gloss only a handful of times, but it has worked out really well each time I've tried it.

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.