Painting Pine

I thought I needed to update my living room tables. They are pine and I've had them for quite a while.

My inspiration came from a friend who happened to have the very same tables. She casually mentioned she had painted her and I asked her to email me a couple of pictures since she's moved away.

I bugged her repeatedly ask her several times questions about how she did it. I went to Lowe's and Home Depot several times--buying and returning. Last week I began.
First I cleaned, sanded, and painted two coats of paint. (Coffee Bean mixed at Lowe's).

Next step was to add black to glaze and highlight --this is where I steered away and ended up going over the entire piece. I regret that decision!

It was looking alright until I added the satin poly top coat. Then...doom! It just doesn't look right. I've tried sanding it to get some of the high gloss. 

Check out some other paint projects on Beneath My Heart's Linky party. 

I may just have to start all over again...someday...