This is our family room table. It serves many needs: crafting area, shipping station, computer desktop, homework central, regular meals, and family gatherings.
The top had seen better days, as someone had permanently disfigured it with marker, paint, glitter, and stickers. And it wasn't me.
The children were in tears when Mr. VJIMT told them he was going to paint/distress the table. These are the same two who bawled relentlessly when we finally junked our big, ugly, ratty sofa bed from the living room.
The sofa bed they had named Sofalomew and mourn to this day.
My kids are weird.
Anyway, we discussed a variety of ways to go and then Mr. VJIMT had an epiphany. We have an antique general store counter in our kitchen that is topped with zinc, which we think is pretty fab.
So after some research, he ordered some sheets of zinc online and did this:
After adhering it to the top of the table, he distressed it and put a solution on it to make it look more worn. So easy, and way cheaper than the (gulp) $6000 he was quoted for someone to come out to do it. Seriously? I think he’s in the wrong business.
We think it looks pretty cool. And a direct quote from my handy man: “Over time, it will also get darker and develop more character. Just like me!”
Our kids? They HATE it!
How did you finish the edges so that they are not sharp? I noticed that they do not bend around the side of the tabletop. Thanks
Posted by: Brandi | 30 May 2012 at 05:18 PM
Hi there Gina! Thanks for the inspiration -- your table looks awesome! I've just bought some zinc sheet metal to try this myself. The only problem is I don't know much at all about copper solution. Could you please send me some additional details about where to obtain and how to (safely!) use the copper solution on the zinc in order to get this effect. Thanks so much!
Best,
Xiaolu
Posted by: XL @ 6 Bittersweets | 26 March 2012 at 03:20 PM
Really nice job you have done
Posted by: glass dining table | 18 July 2011 at 04:12 PM
This is a GREAT idea!
Posted by: Pam Gray | 06 June 2011 at 03:01 PM
I big-fat-love it. There is a cool metal-topped table in the Ballard catalog that I drool over. I think my dh would flip!
Posted by: Korrie@RedHenHome | 03 June 2011 at 01:03 AM
I agree with Cassie, your kids don't know what they're talking about ;) haha. Well done!!
julie
Posted by: julie | 01 June 2011 at 10:39 AM
your kids don't know what they are talking about! it looks awesome!
Posted by: cassie at primitive & proper | 31 May 2011 at 06:20 PM
Hey, PS, I have a fun link up party that starts every Friday and runs through the weekend. I would LOVE it if you would start popping by, it is really fun to showcase what other talented bloggers are doing.
http://www.redoux.blogspot.com
Posted by: karen | 24 May 2011 at 08:58 AM
I saw this before, and Wow, I am loving see it again. There were two fab tables listed that I have seen round the blogosphere. Great work!
Posted by: karen | 24 May 2011 at 08:56 AM
What a neat idea. And wow-$6,000? Yes, tell hubby to switch careers asap. The table turned out fantastic.
Posted by: My Beautiful Life | 16 May 2011 at 01:46 AM
Where do you buy the Zinc Sheets at? Can you please give us the source?
Posted by: Sheryl D. | 13 May 2011 at 03:11 PM
Great job! This is gorgeous. My husbands been pressuring me to do this to a table we found in street pile, but I was lacking imagination, because the result is amazing! :)
Posted by: Jenn | 12 May 2011 at 01:31 PM
That is GORGEOUS... no matter what those kids say!
Posted by: Jenny Joy | 12 May 2011 at 01:11 PM
I LOVE that your kids named and mourned your old sofa! They sound like my kind of sentimentalists. When I was about five, my parents announced we would be moving from the only house I had known. I tried to entwine myself in the bannisters so we couldn't leave! :)
Posted by: Maureen O'G | 10 May 2011 at 10:00 PM
This is awesome...where did you order the zinc sheets? I need some!
Posted by: Lisa | 28 April 2011 at 11:40 AM
Wow this is great!
Posted by: Kathy | 24 April 2011 at 07:48 PM
love it!
Posted by: Leah - moxiethrift on etsy | 24 April 2011 at 06:38 PM
I love zinc, I think is the most under-appreciated metal! Your table turned out great, what a fantastic idea!
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 23 April 2011 at 05:50 AM
Beautiful! That husband is pretty handy to have around, a real keeper. Your kids are funny! But sofalomew? I'm half asleep and not up on my kid pop culture, a little help please.
Susanne.
Posted by: Susanne | 22 April 2011 at 10:47 PM
If it makes you feel any better - I think the table looks great - and my son didn't speak to us for a couple of days when we had a (very dead) tree cut down. (This was some time ago - he's 19 now, so it would be very weird if it happened just recently.)
Posted by: Barbara | 22 April 2011 at 09:35 PM
Love it!
Posted by: Colleen | 22 April 2011 at 08:40 PM
It looks awesome. What do kids know?
Happy Easter!
:)
Posted by: Laura @ 52 FLEA | 22 April 2011 at 06:22 PM
Oh what a great idea...love it!
(You are so lucky that Mr VJIMT is so handy...there's no do-it-yourself-er in my house!)
Jan
Posted by: Jan | 22 April 2011 at 04:39 PM
LOL on your kids and the sofa. And the project, am so jealous I am seriously thinking of getting tin foil and making my own cheapo version just so I can pretend to be as cool as you! Love it.
Posted by: Annie/Helen Hartman | 22 April 2011 at 04:16 PM
I LOVE it...great project...I have table envy!
Posted by: Linda | 22 April 2011 at 04:11 PM