French Provincial Parquetry Dining Table

When I bought the chairs for my dining room, I actually bought a dining set of a french parquetry table and 6 chairs. I only wanted to keep the chairs so I decided to sell the table. The table surface was extremely damaged which doesn't really show up in the photos but it had coloured marks, scratches, water damage etc from a life of use. I wasn't happy to sell the table in it's damaged state so set to work......and work (and work and work) I did.

A week and a half later here it is ready for sale in my booth.

and close ups although these make it seem a bit darker/redder than it actually is.  I stripped and sanded it right back to the bare wood then gave it 2 coats of walnut stain and then varnished it. I decided to use varnish as wax just wouldn't cut it for a dining table. I didn't want heat or water to mark it (which it will with wax).  I actually did the whole process twice as I wasn't happy with it first time around as the stain had gone on a bit patchy. After doing everything a second time it's perfect. I'm beyond happy with the finish.

 

Gorgeous scrolly feet

The sweetest carved apron

and a beautiful parquetry surface. What more could you ask for?

Here is a midway shot showing how the stain didn't go on nicely the first time around. It's a bit marked in the middle. I'm not sure if you can notice but I thought it was worthwhile spending a couple more days on to get it perfect.

and once again in my booth

Full before shots:

So what do you all think? If you weren't perfectly happy with a finish would you go back to square one?

cheers Fiona

PS forgot to say the guy I bought this from said his parents had been using it recently as a table in their laundry to stack stuff on. No wonder it was in bad condition.