Having worked on several Ercol coffee tables in the past, we thought we knew what we would get when a customer said she was coming over with one of those for a quote. However, this one was different.
This was a very rare Ercol drop leaf coffee table, model number 456, from the Windsor Collection, with a hinged drop leaf at either end and supported by sliding legs. The table top and leaves are made from solid English elm, with the base and legs in beech with a suspended magazine rack.
The table was in a good state structurally, it just needed a good clean to remove some ring marks and stains on the top, and refinishing.
![](https://artabellefurniture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0411-1024x768.jpg)
The existing finish was completely removed, and the top was bleached with oxalic acid in order to remove the stains. It was then covered in a coat of diluted satin finish for the timber to absorb before adding another 2 coats. We glass papered finely in between each coat in order to get a smooth consistent finish.
![](https://artabellefurniture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SAM_1515-1024x641.jpg)
All ready for the next 60 years!