Entry Progress: Update & Refinishing the Console Table

The entry is coming along. I’ve purchased everything for the room and I’m just waiting on a three items to arrive! I’ve also made progress on the console table project. I briefly mentioned last week that I ordered this entry table but wanted a natural wood finish instead of a painted one. Overstock sells a wood-finish version of the table but it’s been sold out for months.

I was nervous about sanding it down–how would it look? To my great relief, the finish sanded off easily and revealed beautiful natural wood. The drawers really caught my attention. The elm wood REALLY stands out!

The front of the console cleaned up nicely, too!For this project, I used the Black & Decker Mouse Sander with 60 and 80 grit sandpaper. I purchased this variety pack of sandpaper from Amazon. The sandpaper is slightly larger than the Black & Decker brand, but it works perfectly fine and it’s more affordable.

I was pumped with how everything was coming out, but when I started sanding the top I realized that the center portion of the table was actually a veneer and sanding exposed particle board. If you look at the picture below, you can see the particle board exposed at the corners of the center piece. At first, I just tried to be really light when sanding hoping that I could salvage it, but it became clear that I was going to have to come up with a way to fix it.

I emailed the manufacturer of the table and asked if I could purchase the veneer from them. They wrote me back and said they don’t use veneer on this product. Okay…so I checked with a few local hardware stores and none of them sold large pieces of veneer. After searching online, I ordered raw Elm wood veneer from a store that is run by a husband and wife. I’ll share all the details after I received it. Honestly, I’m pretty nervous about this part of the project, but I’ve done my research and I have a plan. Fingers crossed.

Besides installing the new furniture and hanging things on the wall, we need to change out the outlet covers and switch plates. Just like in the bathroom, I ordered these white metal covers. The light switches and outlets are currently an almond color which has yellowed over the years, so they look a little gross. I hope by next week the table is ready and the outlets/switches are updated, so we can put the room together! Fingers crossed.