Looking for details on how to refinish a table? I’ll walk you through the step by step of how I brought my beat up (but sentimental favorite) end table back to life!
A lot of us have furniture pieces that we can’t part with for sentimental reasons even if we don’t love how they look, right?! And while I’m all about painting wood furniture that you might score at a flea market or on Craigslist, I can’t bring myself to paint old furniture pieces that hold special meaning. Case in point… this dark, round side table that’s been sitting in our living room doing nothing but blending into the dark corner since the day we moved in:
I bought this little lady during my “mahogany phase” about 20 years ago when I thought that dark, reddish mahogany colored wood was where it was at! Kinda funny considering that I steer 100% clear of it when looking at furniture pieces now. From a distance, it looks like she’s in pretty good shape but a closer look reveals this – lots and lots of scratches:
How did it get so scratched? One day when our family was out in our front yard, our previous dog was so upset that she wasn’t part of the action going on out the window that she hopped up on this table and scratched the heck out of it. I was so upset. It was the first nice piece of furniture my husband and I bought together and I vividly remember my excitement in finally buying something that didn’t come from IKEA or as part of a six-piece set from Value City. So needless to say, this piece holds a lot of sentimental value.
Fast forward about 10 years (yes, I’ve held on to this scratched up piece THAT long!!) and her time has come. Using my table I’m showing you step by step how to refinish a table, hopefully giving you the know-how and confidence to tackle a piece of your own. No more sitting in a dark corner for this not-going-to-be-mahogany-much-longer lady! Here’s how my makeover went down… (read the directions on the label of every product mentioned before use, including all precaution and disposal info; affiliate links included in post)
1. Clean the Surface of Your Table
The first step is to get your table free of dirt and grime, which will make it easier to strip. You can do this using a simple mixture of water with a small amount of mild dish. Saturate a sponge with the mixture, wring it out, and then gently scrub! Rinse with a sponge dipped in water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
2. Sand Out the Scratches
If your piece has no scratches or marks in the wood that you want to get rid of, you can skip to step three. If you have scratches, let’s take care of those first! There are a few ways to do this – if the scratches are on a flat area of the table, the quickest way to get rid of them is to sand them out with a power sander. I put my respirator and safety glasses on and used {this orbital sander} on my table. You do need to be careful that you don’t over-sand because for pieces like mine that are wood veneer (a thin top layer of wood on top) and not solid wood, you need to take care to sand evenly and not sand down too far or you may sand all the way through the veneer to the cheap particle board/MDF layer underneath it.
If you’re refinishing an antique or incredibly special piece or if it’s a painted piece that could be lead paint, using a wood stripper and then hand sanding (with appropriate precautions for lead paint) is the better route to go. With my sander, I started off with 150 grit sandpaper and then went down to 220 grit once I started seeing the wood layer underneath:
About half way through sanding the top I started seeing this – who knew such a gorgeous design was hiding underneath that dark stain!
3. Use a Wood Stripper On the Rest
Next it’s time to use a wood stripper on the rest of your table to remove the paint or varnish on its surface. I like using gel wood strippers (my favorite is {this one}) because they cling to all of the little nooks and crannies. Use all safety precautions specified on the wood stripper including using rubber gloves. You simply apply the stripper, let it sit about 10-15 minutes (I find it works best if you don’t let the stripper start drying before removing) and then remove it. I first remove what I can with a putty knife following the grain of the wood as you remove the stripper and paint/varnish that came off with it. Then use paper towels or old rags to wipe the rest off. Sometimes it can take 2-3 rounds of using wood stripper to get it completely stripped down.
Once you’re done using the wood stripper, rub your table with a rag soaked in mineral spirits to remove any remaining residue. Then using fine sand paper (220-grit paper) or a very fine steel wool, sand any remaining spots that didn’t get completely stripped down to the bare finish. Sanding sponges like {these} work great for areas with lots of detailing like the top rim of my table.
After all of the stripping and sanding, here she is, all bare and ready for stain! Having a blank slate to work with is my favorite thing about refinishing a table!
4. Apply a Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Before applying stain, a pre-stain wood conditioner is a must-do – it prevents streaking and blotching by evening out the absorption of the stain. After using a tack cloth to remove any residual dust, I used {this Minwax conditioner} that prepares wood for oil-based stains (if you’re using a water-based stain, you’d want to use {this Minwax conditioner}).
I applied it with a cloth (you can also use a brush) and then waited about ten minutes before going over it with a clean rag to remove any excess.
5. Choose & Apply the Stain
Here’s where the magic happens with refinishing a table – the stain! But before giving the how-to, let’s talk about choosing your stain. Stains are going to look different depending on (1) the type of wood you’re using it on, (2) how long you let the stain sit before wiping off the excess, and (3) how many coats of stain you apply. If you can, it’s always a good idea to test your stain out in a hidden spot before applying it to your whole piece – in my case, I tested it out on the underside of one of my table legs. I actually tested a few different stains and also a few mixes of stains (which you can totally do as long as you’re mixing oil-based stain with oil-based stain and water-based with water-based). I ended up liking Minwax’s Classic Gray Wood Finish the best – it’s beautiful!
I applied the stain about 15 minutes after applying the conditioner (you can apply it up to two hours after conditioning but I personally think it works best when done before the conditioner dries) using a clean cloth in the direction of the wood grain. I was going for a light gray whitewash look so only let the stain sit about five minutes before wiping off the excess with a clean cloth (you can let it penetrate up to 15 minutes if you want a darker color).
Since I was only letting my stain sit for a few minutes, I worked in sections. Here’s what the finish was looking like after staining the top of the table – I was pretty excited about it because it’s EXACTLY the type of finish I was looking for!
I kept going with my stain around the rest of the table and called it good with just that single coat since I liked the amount of color but you can apply a second coat of stain 4-6 hours later if you want it darker.
6. Apply a Protective Finish
Choosing the right top coat to finish off your project is key. I really love the raw, natural look of wood so was considering finishing mine with {this finishing wax} but I wanted to be able to place a vase on top of it without worrying about water issues so I went with Minwax’s Polycrylic Protective Finish. This is my favorite top coat, especially when covering a light colored stain because it doesn’t yellow like some polyurethane top coats can. And since it’s water-based, it dries fast.
I brushed on one coat with a nylon paint brush and after two hours of drying time, did a light sanding with very fine sand paper, used a tack cloth to remove the dust, and then applied a second coat.
I went with the Matte finish which I had never tried before but it’s perfect! I’m not big on shine and once the Matte Polycrylic was dry, there was virtually no sheen or reflection. Ready to see my newly refinished beauty?? Love!!! It makes me so happy to see this old girl restored and looking gorgeous!
7. Put Your Beautiful Newly Refinished Piece to Use!
As I mentioned, my side table has been living in the corner of our living room and that’s probably where it will eventually end back up since it’s the perfect size and shape for that spot, but since I’m working on painting our living room (more on that later!), for now I’m giving it some time to shine in our family room. I’m so, so happy that this piece that means so much to me has been given a new lease on life!
Room sources: Slipcovered sectional | Acrylic coffee table (similar) | Chandelier (satin bronze) | Gray and white floral pillow | Confetti pillow (cream with black dots) | Fringed edge cream pillow | Cream pillow with tassel ends | Honeycomb ivory/grey wool rug | Large glass jug vase – HomeGoods | Shades – The Shade Store (Robert Allen Fabric in Perfect Stripe Earth)
Hopefully this post gave you the info and inspiration you may have needed to refinish a table of your own! I’ll see you over on Instagram and Instagram Stories {here} and back on the blog soon!
Lauren@SimplyLKJ says
Love how it turned out Kris. I have a table that belonged to my husband’s grandmother that I would love to strip down (it’s been painted several times). I love how the gray stain looks on your piece.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Lauren! That’s so special that you have a piece like that!
Sharon m says
Why would you want to strip down a beautiful antique when you could probably sell it for a good$$$$ then you could purchase something you really like
Evea S. Newsom says
Kris did not state that her table is an antique…which means at least 100 years old. It’s obviously a classic style and well made. She now has a beautiful piece that she can use for years.
Pamala McBrayer says
That is a Duncan Phyfe antique table. The round occasional table without chips are DIFFICULT TO FIND!
Wow. Mahogany is making a comeback and so is Regency/Sheridan/Chippendale styles. Maximalist decorating and more colorful pieces inspired by Bridgerton may be highly desirable.
Kris Jarrett says
This is not a Duncan Phyfe antique table – I bought it new at a home store many years ago. 😂
Bev says
Beautiful! I’ll show this to my daughter who has my mother’s table like that!
renee says
that’s gorgeous! great job!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Renee!
Mary says
Love , love the table. Minwax is a great product. I hope once I get moved I will finish my table.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Mary! I think it’s a great product too – it’s never failed me!
Susan says
Stunning! Absolutely beautiful…amazing transformation! And a true labor of love!!!
Kris Jarrett says
You are so sweet – thank you!!
Ivory says
Wow, gorgeous, and to discovery that beautiful design, priceless. I have two tables like this. I am now wondering are those designs on my tables. I love what you did to your table. Fabulous.
Kris Jarrett says
Yes, I was so surprised to find that gorgeous pattern hidden underneath the stain! Thanks for you kind words!
Brenda says
Wow!! I love it!! I need to do this to my Henredon cherry mahogany colored dining table!! I love the color you chose for it!! Good job Kris!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much! Ooohh.. I bet the lines of that table are beautiful!
Gail Storti says
I love how your table turned out. It looks fresh and current with the gray stain and matte finish. Great job! It’s a perfect addition to your beautiful room!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much – I really appreciate that!
Lisa says
The color came out so pretty Kris! Perfect in your family room!
Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says
Kris—
What an amazing transformation! How great that you were able to keep such a sentimental piece and be MADLY in LOVE with it once again!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Carol! I’m so excited about its new look!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Lisa!!
Katy says
Beautiful Job! Great transformation!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Katy!
Karen B. says
Kris,
This table looks amazing. I’ve never had the patience to strip and refinish a piece of furniture. You’ve made it look easy and so worthwhile. I love the details of the table and the new finish gives it an updated look. Way to go!
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Karen! It took a lot of time but was actually easier than I thought it would be! 🙂
Tamara says
Absolutely amazing Kris! You did an incredible job! What a stunning piece to begin with and you made it so much more gorgeous, I am in awe! So so good!
Kris Jarrett says
You’re so sweet Tam – thank you!!
Anonymous says
Hello Kris,
That table looks fabulous. You’ve inspired me to tackle some pieces of mine. I’ll be following your instructions step by step. I was hoping to see a picture of you in your goggles and mask just for the fun of it! You really amaze me with all your talents.
Thank you for sharing,
Josette
Kris Jarrett says
Ha! The funny thing is that my husband took one of me in full Outbreak attire without me knowing and sent it to my mom 🙂
Pamela says
Wow it turned out beautiful. I have a dresser I have been procrastinating on, this gives me incentive to work on it once the rain stops 😉
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! I’m so glad you were inspired to get going on it!
Toni says
This was so helpful as I have a similar antique Duncan Phyfe table that has sentimental value. This turned out so beautifully, you’ve inspired me to try my hand at it! Thanks so much.
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad it inspired you to tackle your piece too! Definitely a classic table worth restoring!
Annie says
Fantastic job! It looks lovely!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Annie!
Karen says
Wow! Love the way the table turned out. I have, like, 20 pieces of furniture I want to try with this! It’s funny how your tastes change. A lot of our furniture was darker when we were first married and now I’m loving distressed wood and lighter colors for sure! It’s so expensive to replace it all though. Definitely pinning this! Thanks, Kris!
Kris Jarrett says
It is funny, right?! I used to like everything dark and now the lighter the better! 🙂 I’m glad you found it helpful for tackling a project of your own!
Jennifer says
Gorgeous end results Kris! I LOVE the new stain! I’m so glad you posted this because I have a piece that’s bothering me too and I definitely needed a refresher course on refinishing stained pieces! Great job and great post!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Jen! I really love that Classic Gray stain – Minwax also has new Simply White and Black stains that I’m itching to try!
Donna Burns says
Kris….I bet you were thrilled with the outcome…Just beautiful. Everything old is new again 🙂
I so enjoy following your blog.
Donna
Kris Jarrett says
Donna, I was actually surprised with how much I love this piece now 🙂 Thanks so much for your sweet words about the blog.
Nora Vassar says
Very nice!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Françoise Gauthier says
So pretty Kris. I think it is the love you put in everything thing you do that makes it so beautiful.
Thank you for for the tutorial.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s such a super sweet thing to say – I appreciate it and am so glad you found my tutorial to be helpful! 🙂
Laurie says
The table looks great. I love when an old piece gets new life. My current Minwax favorite is the Weathered Oak. How’s the kitchen coming BTW? Can’t wait to see the reveal on that.
Kris Jarrett says
Laurie I’ve used Weathered Oak before and love it too! When I was testing out different stains, one mix I tried was 1/2 Classic Gray and 1/2 Weathered Oak and it’s very pretty! We had a few hiccups in getting started but demo starts next week on the kitchen!
Michelle Huynh says
The table looks great, Kris! I love the tip about using a conditioner before staining to prevent streaks. Nice job!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Michelle! It really makes the stain even out beautifully!
romeogirl says
Beautiful- now I won’t shy away from those dark pieces at the resale shops!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Marianne Krautmanis says
Wow, your table turned out great! I have one almost exactly like it only it’s very old and was my Mom’s. It is the same mahogany color and I love the gray color you changed it to! You are an inspiration on this! I have also refinished a large oak dining table from the “yellow” oak to this beautiful grayish look and it turned out great but was a LOT of work, especially because it also has two large leaves. So, this may be my summer project. I have a deep attachment to the table because it was my Mom’s and it’s also a beautiful piece especially once you get it the color you want! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kris Jarrett says
I can only imagine how big of a project a large table with leaves like that would be!! That’s so special you have a piece like that from your Mom and am glad I could give you a little inspiration for refinishing it! 🙂
Tammy says
Love this piece of furniture, Kris. It turned out amazing.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Tammy!
Pam says
Love this. It really turned out great. I love re-doing pieces of furniture. Great job.
Chris says
Fabulously, gorgeous!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Chris!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Pam! It’s so rewarding, isn’t it?!
Maggie says
OMG! That is one of the most beautiful transformations I’ve ever seen. The raw color was lovely too but I see where the stain works better with your décor. Brava!!
Kris Jarrett says
Maggie I had the hardest time deciding whether to wax or top coat it with Polyacrylic – I really loved the raw look too! I think in the end, either way would have been a win – that stain color is a keeper!
L. Ingram says
What is your favorite gel wood stripper?
Kris Jarrett says
I typically use Citristrip – it works well and actually has a pleasant smell. But I don’t let it sit nearly as long as it recommends – I find that if it starts to dry it’s hard to get off so I usually only give it about 10-15 minutes before wiping it off.
sheryl says
What a lovely transformation – and so well written and detailed with pictures. In fact, you made me get up and look at my old circular round table in the corner of my living room that I bought at a thrift store 5 years ago STILL waiting to be refinished.. Thanks for the inspiration! How long did it take to use the wood stripper to remove the stain on the parts that couldn’t be sanded?
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Sheryl – I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! The wood stripper probably took about three hours (!) when all was said and done because I had to do it multiple times to get off the thick top coat!
Varsha @ Flats in OMR says
Amazing Transformation:) You’ve done a great job, Kris. Love the look!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Diane Scotch says
Kris I have a small square table from my mother. Maybe 18”x18”. I would love to refurbish it. The top veneer(?) I’d peeling. How do I handle this? Thank you.
Kris Jarrett says
Diane, I’m honestly not sure because I’ve never encountered that in the refinishing I’ve done – I’d hate to give you the wrong advise on such a cherished piece!
Nicole says
Came out great! I think my aunt actually had the same exact table by her front door. Def need some patience , especially sanding through years of paint jobs and stain. I have some stuff i could do that to, just need Years to prepare myself for the work lol nice job!
Kris Jarrett says
You’re so right – it definitely takes time and patience but was a lot easier than I expected!
Bernadette says
Love the color! Looks absolutely fabulous!!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Amanda says
This turned out great! I bought a coffee table I wanted to do this to, but when I started stripping and sanding it I noticed that it had a veneer on the top and the legs were a resin. I was devastated because I had thought it was all wood! I always thought you couldn’t stain a veneer. Did you have any trouble with it not “accepting” the stain since there wasn’t any real grain to the veneer?
Kris Jarrett says
If it’s a wood veneer you can definitely stain it – you just have to be careful when you sand because veneers are typically a very thin layer and if you sand all of the way through it to what’s below, then that will likely not be stainable.
Pat G. says
I love the finished piece! Thank you for the tip regarding veneer. My table MAY be like “Amanda’s”…veneer on top and possibly a resin for the base. Do you happen to know how the penetrating stain works with a resin that looks like wood?
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately I don’t have any great tips for staining resin – from my limited experience working with resin, it doesn’t take stain well at all. There might be some tricks to staining it that I’m not aware of though…
Kim says
An old trick to blend/fill in scratches on wood furniture that my dad taught me was to make a paste using cigarette ashes and sone vegetable oil (pour slowly, little at a time mixing between drops to form a PASTE) apply using a q-tip by dabbing the paste on, let sit a few minutes wipe excess paste off with old shirt square, dry cloth… repeat if/as needed to fill scratch in
Kris Jarrett says
What a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sue says
Oh my, oh my! In my opinion, you have made a mistake! The mahogany and the lines of the furniture are a perfect design match to each other. This finish stands the test of time throughout all trends of style and colour. OH NO!!
Kathleen Towle says
Oh my gosh! I have two of these exact tables on either side of my bed and was thinking of refinishing them in this very way. You have given me the confidence to do it! Your table looks great. Awesome job!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad you were inspired! Good luck refinishing them – it’s a really rewarding DIY project!
Rachel says
Wondering how you felt with the wood grain going different directions as you are supposed to put the polycrylic on in the direction of the wood grain. Did you tape it off or just change wood directions free handed? I have a kitchen table that has 4 different trianglesthat meet in the middle but all go different directions. I’m struggling with finishing this piece because of that.
Lisa says
I am also wondering that because I have a table with multiple directions as well, that I would like to refinish
Kris Jarrett says
I followed the wood grain as much as I could with the first coat and did the entire tabletop at once with no taping off. After a light sanding, it was totally smooth so I did my second and final coat brushing the entire table top in the same direction.
If after your first coat of polyacrylic and a light sanding you’re still feeling rough spots, do a second coat that again follows the grain. Then lightly sand again and do a third and final coat where you brush the whole surface in the same direction. Hope that helps!
Anonymous says
Very inspirational! I have several beautiful old pieces that I love, but wish they weren’t so dark. The finish you chose was perfect. You did such a thorough job. Such a beautiful heirloom now. Enjoy your new old table!
Paul says
Wow, I don’t like it at all. I think it was hazy chalky and gray. What happened to the deep wood tone? The brownish orange color of beautiful wood? Where did the depth go. Am I the only one that sees this? Come on, look at the bottom picture finished and scroll up to the very first picture. You tell me which one is better. It must just be me. Good job but the results I could do withiut
susan osborne says
I’m with you on this item, Paul, sometimes if something doesn’t just cry out for a makeover, or speak to you for a future use, please, let it go on to another home where it might be appreciated and loved as it is. I have a funny little “table” similar, thought it was actually a piano stool… using it to hold my morning coffee and note book for years, until I find just the right way to further love it.
Sue
Ingrid Wright says
That is absolutely fantastic! I love the look of natural solid wood with a fresh stain. Beautiful job! I have some wood pieces that can only handle chalk paint, simple veneer. But I have a very old solid wood table that I wanted to do the exact colors you have used – perfect.
Becky Jones says
It’s just perfect! What a great job.
Adam C says
How long did this take ? This inspired me to refinish all of our end tables and coffee tables. Going to start today. How long ?
Kris Jarrett says
Honestly I didn’t track my time during the project so can’t remember exact hours but I got the entire project done over the course of a weekend working on it intermittently.
Mary Evans says
The table is beautiful. I know you are so proud to have been able to keep this treasured piece of furniture. You have shown me what products to purchase and all the details to do my Moms table. Who would have thought such a beautiful table was under all that mahogany. Love your blog and all the ways we can decorate our homes.
Glee says
Color better matches the decor, but to be honest, I liked the original better, minus the scratches. But then, I am completely burned out on grays.
Doni says
Beautiful!
Mona says
I liked the post conditioner color for this classic style more than the finished product.
Pamela Lay says
How do you know if you have real wood ?
Kris Jarrett says
It can be difficult to tell sometimes but usually the wood grain pattern gives it away since it’s hard to mimic true wood grain. Often when it’s not wood, you’ll see a lot of repetition in the grain pattern. Sometimes looking at the underside of a furniture piece can also give it away.
JAMIE says
Would that Polycrylic work for a dining table (heavy use, multiple times a day)?
Kris Jarrett says
Yes you could use it as a final coat on a dining table too!
Sue says
Wow, beautiful. Great job!!
Anne Haubert says
Have you tried Heirloom Traditions Paint? You truly do not have to sand–it’s so easy and your furniture will turn out so beautiful.
Kris Jarrett says
I haven’t but I have used Annie Sloan paint which is another no-sand paint 🙂
Sue says
Absolutely gorgeous! Yummy! I recently got rid of a similar table because I didn’t want antiques or vintage furniture with my new sectional, but now I’m second guessing myself. Time to go to hunt for.my tables with a new eye. Thank you so much.
matt says
I love to finish wood and furniture. This step by step is great! The piece which was used is difficult to sand and clean. The final stain however is not attractive. While the designer tried to match the living room, the stain is thin and the wood charactristics show through. This is not a good look in this white room. Hopefully, someone else will rescue the table and find a finish and a more appropriate setting for it.
Pam says
It’s pretty. But I still fail to see the ugly in the previous color. Some people, even designers, still like the darker cherry stains. Yes, clean it, sand it, and restore it. But stain color is a matter of preference. Actually, I liked it the natural color of the wood, as well.
Susan says
It’s a beautiful table even before refinishing!
Michel Lê says
What impresses me the most is your willingness to go for it, no matter the complexity, difficulty and the amount of elbow grease needed. Your results are always beautiful. What an inspiration. On the cheap note, you can find those sandpaper sponges at DollarTree!
JL says
This is perfect. I have been using my grandparents sideboard in our living room underneath our tv on the wall for storage and to balance things out. Sadly, it’s gone from a light honey color to a downright orange patina. It’s awful. I fooled around with the idea of chalk paint and even took a class, but it just didn’t ever take off because I never felt like painting it was the right choice. THIS IS! Thanks so much. Now I have a New Year’s project.
Carly says
Was the stain water or oil based? The link goes to an oil based stain but I wanted to make sure since the conditioner and protective coat are both water-based.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Carly – stain I used was oil based. The Minwax protective coat I used can be used over both oil- and water-based stains. And I actually did use an oil-based conditioner – in the post you’ll see a link to the one I used plus a link to the the water-based one too, noting that it was the one to use if you choose water-based instead. Hope that helps!
Gale Weaver says
Are those faux dogwood stems. If so where did you find them?
Love your style!
Renae says
Your table is absolutely gorgeous! You did an amazing job.
Helen says
Very nice! I have good quality dark cherry kitchen cabinets with beautiful wood grain. Have considered doing something similar to them instead of just painting over which is so common, but it may be way too labor intensive. Has anyone ever done this?
Sofie says
Wow! I even loved it at stage 5! The wood is stunning. Kris, what if your table has built of grime (no scratches). What would you recommend to give it a deep cleaning before moving on? What if there are scratches on the legs? Would you use a sander? And lastly, how long would you say it took start to finish (and how bad was the smell?)
Thanks!
Lisa says
That’s gorgeous! I love when one can repurpose something that you already have and really enjoy it! I looks beautiful in your lovely home!!