The Once ‘Toxic’ Coffee Table

by Lindsay on October 12, 2009

You may remember this jewel that entered my house about a month ago via the free section of CraigsList.

In fact, I’m positive that if you saw my post back then and my letter to the table’s original “creator”, then you most definitely remember it. How would it be possible to forget such a wonderful collaboration between Britney Spears and Kid Rock? It’s probably seared into your brain, and for that I am sorry.

But…did you ever think it could be reborn as this?

“Wait, what? That’s the same table?” you are asking yourself. Why yes, yes it is.

After stripping, sanding, rebuilding, priming, painting, distressing and sealing, my free Britney Spears coffee table as turned into one of my favorite pieces in my home.

I added new legs and used them to make the table a little taller. I added new dividers, covered them with wainscoting, and edged them with trim. I painted the table with paint left over from the playroom armoire redo. The whole project probably cost me about $40.


I distressed it with a hammer and some sort of nail-type thing I found in the garage.

When adding accessories to my coffee table, I tried to remember the tablescape discussion we had last week. I think I was able to pull off the books-natural element-bowl/plate/tray trifecta pretty well.


I cut some branches off of one of the bushes in our front yard, added them to a glass vase that had come with a floral bouquet years ago, and tied a scrap of burlap around the vase. The books are some of my favorites: a thrift store poetry book and a Texas gardening book on the top and a stack of Pottery Barn decorating books in one of the bottom sections. A little urn filled with acorns sits on top of the Pottery Barn books and a white tray filled with to-be-read magazines sits on the other side. I bought a basket from Target to put in the middle section to collect the random stuff that finds it’s way to the living room. I added a sweet Tiger Stripe pumpkin and a few candles to complete the look.

There’s plenty of space left for feet, board games, computers, dirty socks, school work, and all the other things you guys mentioned that are on top of your coffee tables. Believe it or not, but my child/dogs/husband have not touched ANYTHING on this table once in the past week. NOT ONCE. Go me!

(Please ignore the whole clock/DVR/DVD player situation going on over there. I have big plans for that area, but I have to find the exact right piece to make it work…so I’m waiting.)

What do you think? I LOVE it, and I feel like I have righted a wrong in this world.

I feel like I have earned about a million karma points with this transformation.
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{ 108 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jen @ Just for Rachel October 16, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Also, what do you use to seal? Thanks again! jen.justforrachel@gmail.com

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2 Centsational Girl October 17, 2009 at 11:29 pm

This transformation just blows me away, especially the little details you added like the wainscotting, trim and distressing. Seriously, one of my favorites ever !

Move over Pottery Barn, there's a new designer in town. Fabulous Ms. Lindsay !

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3 Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions October 20, 2009 at 8:43 am

I just saw this over at Better After and had to come by and tell you how great this looks! You're right ~ it does look like a totally different table. You did a fantastic job!

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4 Nancy November 23, 2009 at 9:52 am

OMG! That's amazing. I just read a post about you on Centsational and I can't wait to read through the rest of your blog.

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5 Anna November 23, 2009 at 5:41 pm

what a transformation, great job!

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6 Heather@PixieDust November 23, 2009 at 6:21 pm

wow, that gives my ballard design coffe table obsession {the La Roche} a run for its money!! the original is as shockingly horrifying as the transformation is simply sublime.

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7 Anonymous December 31, 2009 at 7:24 pm

I LOVE the after. Its so gorgeous! I would love to do that! :)
nancyalliston@yahoo.com

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8 Bee January 24, 2010 at 3:46 pm

This is hands down the most incredible DIY transformation I have ever seen. You are a crafting goddess!

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