This morning we shared photos from our latest thrifting adventure and promised a follow-up with details about a particular table we brought home — plus my go-to cleaning and restoring routine for musty, aged wood. Here’s the full story. We fell for a Moroccan-style accent table at our first stop, Love of Jesus Thrift in Richmond. It had the same sculptural lines as some designer pieces that sell for $260 or more, but we snagged this solid wood find for just $25.
The table arrived in rough shape, so I followed a simple, effective routine:
- wiped it down with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap (I used Mrs. Meyers) to remove dirt from cracks and clear away cobwebs
- let it dry completely in the sun for a few hours
- wiped it again with a cloth dampened with white vinegar to help neutralize musty odors
- dried it outdoors in the sun for several more hours — vinegar plus sunlight is our favorite method for eliminating that old, musty smell from wood
- brought it inside and placed it in our bedroom for a trial period
An optional step is to apply a wood conditioner or oil if the surface looks dry or matte, but I usually save that for once I’m certain we won’t refinish or paint the piece later. Right now the table is in what we call a “trial phase”: it’s functional and pretty, but not perfect. The ornate top shines in some spots and still shows wear in others — which is fine for now.
During this trial phase we avoid making irreversible changes like painting, so we don’t condition the wood until we’re certain of our long-term plan. That way, if we decide to strip and refinish or paint later, the piece won’t be glossy and sealed against new finishes.
Even though the tabletop isn’t flawless when bare, styling it with a stack of colorful books and a small potted plant makes the imperfections barely noticeable. That’s working perfectly for now.
Here’s the table from a distance. Apologies for the awkward rug placement — we plan to shift it but have been procrastinating. It’s a little funny how the rug and table legs interact visually.
I like how the table’s legs echo the rug’s pattern in a subtle way, so we don’t intend to paint the whole table a bold color. Those dark mocha accents — from the large leaning mirror and oil-rubbed bronze frames in the room — create balance and warmth alongside the table.
My favorite detail is the ornate wooden top, which I couldn’t resist photographing up close. The pattern almost reads like a large, intricate Moroccan puzzle.
One small idea I’m considering is painting just the inside edge of each table leg white to subtly highlight the keyhole shape. From some angles the legs blend together into one dark mass, so a thin white accent might help define the silhouette without changing the table’s character.
In this photo you can see how the legs tend to read as one solid shape from a distance. A narrow painted lip could be a subtle modern twist that respects the original look.
Imagine a clean white line on the inner lip of each leg — a small, fresh detail that blends old and new.
What do you think? Would you leave the piece alone, refinish it, paint just a detail, or paint the whole thing? We’re enjoying the table as-is for now while we decide.
Psst — we picked this week’s giveaway winner. Check your inbox to see if it’s you.