the checkered table

This table has been through the wringer.  It started out like this...

It was kind of a strange finish, almost more like paint than stain.

So we sanded it down (luckily my husband helped with alot of the sanding) to it's naked self, and I beat it with a hammer and a screw driver.  That's always fun :)

And then I started to stain it.  It went much darker than I had hoped.  I have always wanted a "farmhouse" table.  That was the look I was going for but it wasn't turning out how I had hoped.  I knew my husband would be less than thrilled if I said I wanted to sand it down again. 

Here it is after I finished it off with three coats of Polyurethane.  Not too bad but still dark :(

Over the next few days I noticed the finish was scraping off.  I'm assuming my poly was old.  Inside I was kind of glad....I had plans Mwah ha ha ha! 

I sanded the finish off and decided to try out this checkerboard pattern I had seen, otherwise know as "my plans".

This is the picture I had saved and hoped to try.  This is actor Hank Azaria's children's playroom.

I love the whole room!

via Ohdeedoh

and here is how mine turned out....

I love the way it turned out!  I know it's not a look for everyone (that's kinda the point) but what do you think?

linking to:

Miss Mustard Seed

Perfectly Imperfect

Blue Cricket Design

The Shabby Nest