Enamel Top Table I Fixed Up

[Old Mariner]

I didn't see any threads on enamel top tables so...

I got this table with 4 chairs at a local antique shop in 2018. Because the legs were rotten, I chose to "update" the style to what I wanted. This was a creative project that I had wanted to do anyway. So I got straight tapered legs and painted them black, as well as the sides of the table. There was a false drawer handle and wood piece (on the other side) that was removed and replaced with a new piece.

The 4 chairs were replaced with modern chairs that are more comfortable for me and fit the new style of the table. There is one working extension, but I really don't use it. Since this turned out so well, I took an empty sewing cabinet that was given to me, and painted it based upon the same type of color scheme. The cabinet has similarly straight tapered legs.

 

[Edward Reed]

wow! fantastic job! The modern updates are all aesthetically perfect! great restoration project making something old as new again and bringing it to today's design sense. well done!

 

[Old Mariner]

wow! fantastic job! The modern updates are all aesthetically perfect! great restoration project making something old as new again and bringing it to today's design sense. well done!

Thanks. This table, is the only one I have ever seen, that has the enamel artwork that mimics wood. It's really different and that's one of the reasons why I got it over one that was in better shape. I didn't want an art deco pattern...plus I wouldn't want to take apart one that was in better shape.

 

[Old Mariner]

I happened to be browsing through 1920s interiors images and came across this:



The table there (I guess it is an enamel top one) has legs similar to the ones I put on mine to replace the bad ones.

 

[Edward Reed]

I happened to be browsing through 1920s interiors images and came across this:

View attachment 241268

The table there (I guess it is an enamel top one) has legs similar to the ones I put on mine to replace the bad ones.

sweet find! always exciting to find photo or illustration evidence of an item you have and better yet, to see the restoration you did was a correct choice in design for a period look! you did well!

 

[Old Mariner]

Call it a "verified hunch" I guess.

 

[Bugguy]

I came across this thread and have this to offer:

Back in the early 80's, I'd take some alleys to get home from a favorite watering hole on the near west side of Chicago. I came across this table, beat-up, painted and so wet you could squeeze it like a sponge. Two blocks I carried it and put it in my garage to dry out. As the top was in pretty good shape I figured I'd salvage it.

After months it was bone dry and I took it to a dipper I used to get the paint off. A little sand paper, stain and light varnish... I was really pleased with the outcome.

Forty years and its made all the cuts. I still have it in the guest bedroom. Simple, clean, and aspiring to be nothing more than a solid table. When my time comes, I suspect this will be in my daughters house for many more years.

 

[Old Mariner]

Nice

Mine's still holding up well. I was pleased to find a newly made solid wood drop-leaf table to use as a desk that was done in a similar style - brown top with black bottom, and shaker style legs just like I had put on my enamel top table. I was curious to see more use of the shaker style legs in older furniture and it apparently does have some common use - as shown in the image above with the 1920's illustration. My style is based on pieces of the past in that despite being new (with the exception of the enamel table's top) if I were to take my pieces of furniture 'into the past', they would fit in quite well.