Vintage Magazine Rack Facelift

A few weeks ago I found this vintage magazine rack table at a thrift store. It was in terrible condition, especially the leather inset and top with some structural issues also but I couldn't pass it up!

The top was a total mess and the leather inset was stained with paint, water and who knows what else.

After cleaning with 3 parts dish soap to 1 part water and gently rubbing, and rubbing, drying and repeating, most of the stains came out. I then applied layer upon layer of leather conditioner for several days and it's almost like new! The wood required lots of sanding and stripping to reveal this lovely wood grain. One trick I learned is to apply the stripper, cover with aluminum foil and wait FORTY minutes no matter what the stripper says. I read that stripper stops working after 40 minutes but the 10-15 some say to wait is not enough. (Thank you again Google).

I kept the little hardware pull just as it was and lined the drawer with some vintage-esque papers.

I used spray paint to TRY to get way down into those narrow magazine openings . . . I was somewhat successful.  I applied A.S. Old White over the whole piece, a coat of clear wax, some distressing, a touch of dark wax and a good buffing.

I knew from the start this piece belonged in our living room . . . Ava agrees!