Go Bold with Orange Painted Furniture *Redesigned Coffee & End Tables*
These vintage coffee and end tables were originally made by Mersman and are from the 1970s. The end tables each feature a dovetail drawer, while the coffee table merely has a faux drawer. The hardware on the trio was not at all original to the pieces but was thrown on at some point before they came to me, and they weren’t even the correct size. 
Materials Needed / Source List:
Disclosure: This orange painted tables post contains affiliate links. This post contains sponsored links from Knobs.com but all opinions are my own
- White Taklon Brush
- 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Cartier Hardware Drawer Pulls
The Before – Unfinished Vintage Mersman Furniture
These three tables sat in my unfinished inventory for at least a year, ignored and avoided. No one had any interest in them. I suppose they were waiting for me because they are a perfect fit for our living room makeover project. 
The first thing to do was remove that inappropriate hardware before thoroughly prepping the set. This is my full process for How to Prep Painted Furniture. I was able to find amazing hardware on Knobs.Co. They truly carry a unique and diverse array of hardware. These ornate Cartier pulls are going to look amazing! 
Adding Stain to Vintage Veneer Tables
While prepping the tables I realized how pretty the wood on the table tops are, and it took every ounce of me to not attack them with the electric sander. The tables were all solid wood, except the table tops which were merely a wood veneer and sanding them so aggressively could’ve damaged them. No worries!
They were simply sanded by hand with paper sandpaper and cleaned to prep them for stain. I then darkened them up with a dark protective wood stain, which has to be my favorite stain to work with. Didn’t those table tops darken up beautifully?
Because the veneer is so super smooth I wanted to make sure that my wood stain went on evenly and smooth as well. So, as an extra precaution, I went over the stain with a white Taklon brush leaving the top smooth as a baby’s bottom. 
Plugging Holes on Faux Drawer
Remember I mentioned that the coffee table had a fake drawer? Well, I see no reason to keep a fake drawer, so I decided to plug up those holes with wood filler. Once the wood filler was dry I was able to sand the filled holes smooth. 
The Paint – Bold Orange Painted Furniture
Believe it or not my hubby requested that these tables be painted orange for our living room! Who is this man and what has he done with my husband? The trio was painted in bold orange followed by an ebony protective glaze. You can find great quality furniture paint online HERE.
The Result – Bold Orange Painted Tables
Who knew orange would be the perfect choice for these once avoided tables?
Gorgeous hardware from The Knobs Company! You can find these beauties HERE.
Checking Back
After a couple of years of daily use with a busy family including two young kids, the tops of the tables did not hold up well. The stain over the smooth laminate was in hindsight, not a great idea. But that’s ok. The tops have been repainted with a more durable product and are holding up beautifully now. You can check out the update here: Repainting Furniture with the Best Furniture Paint 
Care to See the Other Projects of the Room Makeover?
Like I mentioned these tables were part of our entire living room makeover. To see more projects related to this living room makeover, check out these other posts:
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Colette says
They look terrific.
I have to comment on your PURPLE sofa!
I AM IN LOVE ????
Ocean colors and PURPLE are my favorites.
I am enjoying your remodel!
Kandice says
thank you so much! We love it!
Alicia says
I absolutely love this color. I have always leaned towards earth tones in my decor. I find it difficult at times to add some of the newer deco pieces with lighter tones but this would b perfect with my colors. I love the Mersman furniture and have 2 end tables from them. They frequently had lots of groves and turns that just pop when painted.
Susan Loy says
Hi, I absolutely love your new makeover . I can’t get over that all of those bold colors are PERFECT !! Your china cabinet ! Well I’m crushing on that ???? big time ! I am curious on the decoupage back , it looks like the fabric does not go to the top . Is it the angle of the photo that makes it appear short ? I must say that fabric print is AMAZING ! I will be checking Spoonflower out . I think your paints are pure MAGIC !! You had posted a dresser that you had painted purple with a glaze or maybe it was more of a pearl type glaze . i am over the moon on that piece , I saved it to my photos , and look at it when I just want to see something Beautiful !! I would love to have it in my decor somehow ! Just afraid that , well I’m just afraid to make such a bold move . I am in the market of painting my living room walls , and I do love your accent wall . Maybe that would be a good start for me . My apologies for a lonnngg…. post ????. Have a GLORIOUS DAY ????
Kandice says
oh my goodness, Dont apologize! That is one of the sweetest compliments EVER! You have just made my day! thank you so much!!
Brenda Young says
Kandice can I must say, I love all the color choices and fab pieces you’ve made for this room makeover. All bold and lush and very well put together. It’s such a nice refreshing change from all the muted monotone room decor you see all over blog land! Lovin your style lady! Thanks for sharing your decor process with Fridays Furniture Fix!
Kandice says
thank you so much!! xoxo
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Kandice, I just love how you are not afraid to go bold. These tables look fabulous painted orange and don’t get me started on those gorgeous pulls. Another sweet makeover!
Pamela Smith says
I love how these turned out! I especially like the handles. Great job!
Kandice says
thank you! xoxo
Carol ("Mimi") says
Great job! The finish looks so smooth and professional. The color really is bold, but it seems to work well with the design of the tables. Love the new pulls. It all comes together. These would look really nice in a space decorated with warm earth tones and maybe something like cobalt blue for contrast.
Sherry says
What a great transformation! These are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Kathy Cox says
Absolutely gorgeous….orange, would’ve thought? One question …said you don’t like fake drawers…filled in….then added those beautiful pulls ! I missed something ?
kandice kullmann says
thank you! On the coffee table the drawer was fake so I filled in the holes and painted. The end tables do have drawers so they got the new hardware. Sorry for the confusion. 🙂