Dear Jenny: What would you do with this coffee table?

One of my old clients, Sheila, emailed me with a photo of this coffee table she had purchased off Craigslist for her mom's home a while back. I saw it in person the last time I was visiting. The tortoise shell bamboo is really cool, but the glass panes are really bad (a completely unfortunate bird scene).



Sheila wanted advice about what to do to replace the bird scenes. I think just regular old mirror would be bright and pretty. Antiqued mirror or leafed glass would be nice also.

Another option is painting new glass panes a pretty color. Recently I saw this really (REALLY) expensive but incredibly beautiful credenza at John Rosselli at the D&D. It's a brass frame with reverse painted glass panes (the aqua parts) by Lona Design.


I love the effect of the reverse painted glass! It's glossy and watery and has great depth. These are the color samples Lona Design offers. And you can see better here how pretty the aqua color is (to the right of the card) on the credenza. Wouldn't this color be amazing paired with the tortoise shell bamboo frame on Sheila's table?



To achieve this look with Sheila's coffee table, I would get glass cut to size (Lowe's does this for super cheap!) and then use spray paint, or regular latex paint and a foam roller, to apply color to the underside. I would add glaze for a more transparent look.

The technique would work on paned cabinet doors, glass shelving and any glass topped tables. Which, lucky for us, Craigslist and thrift stores are absolutely chock full of!
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11 comments:

  1. pve designMay 5, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Funny, I would do pretty much the same thing...I was thinking painted back glass....
    There is a new vanity at waterworks like this with glass that looks so sleek.
    pve

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  2. Alicia@ eco friendly homemakingMay 5, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Wow what a great idea! There are just so many possibilities using this technique.Love reading your posts because I always come away with such great ideas and tips!

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  3. Style Never SleepsMay 5, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Great DIY tips - that Lona glass is so expensive (I saw it at John Rosselli/Salibello? in the D&D). I'm glad to know that you can paint glass yourself instead! Thanks for sharing :)

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  4. Maggie RoseMay 5, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I was going to suggest mirror too. Either way, I hope she shares after pictures! Um, and I had no idea Lowes cut glass!

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  5. Splendid SassMay 5, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    This couldn't have come at a better time, Jenny!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  6. Katie @ Noodle and BoofMay 5, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Such a great idea! I love the bamboo too!

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  7. Naomi@DesignManifestMay 5, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    love the bones of that piece! Would it be possible to take the top off and replace it with clear glass? Maybe a subtle pattern on the bottom shelf.

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  8. SheilaMay 5, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    How am I ever going to choose just one? I love all of these ideas! :)

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  9. natashaMay 5, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I love that table!

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  10. ItsJusMeMay 6, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    No, no, no, no...Do NOT use glass that you can get cut at Lowe's as a table top...it MUST be tempered glass. AND tempered glass cannot be cut. The difference between regular glass and tempered glass is that regular glass breaks into VERY large, VERY dangerous shards while tempered glass breaked into little pieces that are less likely to cause injury. And for a better idea of how to back paint glass, check this out http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/01/back-painted-glass-backsplash.html

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  11. Christie ChaseMay 11, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    This post reminded me of my painted glass desk top, so I posted about it today. I used a foam roller, and my desk is so much nicer now : )

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)