Months ago, while almost four feet of snow was on the ground and my spray booth was closed for the winter, I got the itch to paint. My Craig’s List dining room table had been staring at me for over a year and now it was time to make it what I knew it could be.
Would you believe that I found the table and chairs separately? They are a set, but I bought the table in Carlisle, PA and the chairs in Richmond, VA. I loved the table and took a gamble that I would be able to find complimentary chairs. I had no idea that I would find the matching chairs a few weeks later. My awesome aunt and uncle (the same ones who brought me a truck load of furniture recently) picked them up and stored them for me.
The set has a great shape, but an orange, speckled finish that made it look dated. There was also a large watermark on one side of the table and the edges were worn. I knew I wanted a stained top. You know I love paint, but a white painted table just doesn’t hold up well. I opted to strip the top using Motsenbocker’s Lift Off, a product you can find at Wal-Mart or a hardware store. Once the finish was removed and the wood was dry, I applied a coat of dark walnut stain. It did not go well.
If you notice the direction of the grain in the picture above, you’ll see it’s in a “v” pattern. I tried to stain with the grain and it looked terrible. The finished was streaky and not as dark as I wanted. So, I dropped the “go with the grain” philosophy and I laid on a thick coat of stain on the horizontal. I applied it more like paint and allowed it ample time to dry. Problem solved. It’s a rich, dark, finish with no streaks. I then applied about five coats of Wipe On Poly by Minwax in a semi-gloss finish., sanding lightly between coats with steel wool.
I primed and painted the base in my favorite white, Creamy by Sherwin Williams. Once the paint was dry, I distressed it with a palm sander and applied dark walnut stain to antique the finish. Click here for a tutorial on this glazing technique.
I love the way it turned out. Now, the entire time I worked on this project, there was a small voice in my head saying, “take pictures for your blog, take pictures, you’re going to regret not taking pictures”, but I turned my iPod up and continued with my work…and now I regret it.
It took me a few more months to work on the chairs (and I still have two more sitting unfinished in the basement), but that’s the way life goes. I recently made some “grain sack” slipcovers for them, but still needed to make ties to hold them on.
Instead of making all of the ties myself, 24 in all, I purchased some twill tape today and hand sewed them onto the top of the skirts.
One down, three to go. More to come…
54 Responses
What a difference! Love the table!
Your table is just gorgeous. I love it. I am so glad you left the top stained. I think it is so much more elegant. Great job on the chairs too. Hugs, Marty
Gorgeous! I especially love your grainsack slipcovers. So pretty.
I love the table and chairs painted white. It looks so much better. You always do an excellent job of refinishing furniture.
This is a beautiful transformation. I love the way you leave the stain on top and paint down below.
It's really gorgeous. The fact that you are such a talented artist AND a seamstress doesn't seem quite fair to the rest of us!!!
xo,
Laura
This is so gorgeous I even showed my husband. He said Wow! And that's really saying a lot for him. lol
Kelly
I think it makes a huge difference. So pretty with the creamy white. I couldn't tell from the pictures but do you still see the V of the wood grain? Or was the stain heavy enough to hide that?
I love what you did with both the table and the chairs. The finish is pure perfection. I think the stain and the creamy play up (to perfection) the character of the this set.
I love that you got them separately!
I'm hoping to snag a french style table off Craigslist at some point. If I don't find one, I'll build a farmhouse table, but ideally….french style would be way better.
Your dining set is beautiful, I'm in the same boat with making (or not) a bunch more ties for my slipcovers.
It's beautiful!
{Rebekah}
Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous transformation! You are simply an amazing artist!The whole room is perfection!
Could I come live with you and take lessons;)?!
Enjoy!
Cathy
Your table is BEE U TEE FUL!! I love it and what a great job you've done on it.What a great thing to find those wonderful chairs! Love your little slips too!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
exquisite. I absolutely adore what you have done with the table and chairs.
What a stunning transformation! You are truly honoring your gifts! Just beautiful!
Love, love, LOVE what you did with the dining set! It's fabulous! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see more.
xoxo
Donna
Beautiful table set! It just looks amazing!
xo,
Shellagh
You completely updated a classic piece. It all turned out so pretty. I like the walnut color of the top. It looks like a million bucks!
~smiles,
Nancy
Looks great! Our dining table is sitting here waiting for me to decide if I want to refinish or replace it – you've inspired me to try fixing it 🙂
Your table and chairs are gorgeous and I love the grain sack seat covers.
Hugs, Sherry
What a beautiful start!!
Me gusta mucho!
What, I want that table!!! Great transformation!!!! Thanks for sharing!
You took that table & chairs from drab to FAB!!!! I love them! and the seat covers are to die for!
Such a lovely table and chairs! I LOVE the chair's skirt lots! So happy to have found your lovely inspiring space here! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to yoU!
jacqueline
http://jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/
That is absolutely gorgeous!! Fabulous job!!
Wow! The table and chairs are fabulous! Love the dark wood top and the white distressed legs. Wonderful! And the grain sack covers are perfect!
Hugs
SueAnn
Simply Beautiful! I love looking at this table (as well as the rest of your creations). This table has been my inspiration as I refinish a pedestal table in my home. I've the cream paint on the base and have added the stain and LOVE it. Now I have to stain the top. I can't wait to see the finished product. Being from VA, it's exciting to hear you found your chairs in richmond too! Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful transformation. I did almost the same thing with my dining room set. I had inherited an oak table with an orangy finish so I painted the bottom white (but didn't distress or glaze) and put a darker stain and poly on the top. I love it. Your chairs with their little covers are wonderful.
I can"t believe what you accomplish with two little ones and also with helping your husband with his ministry. Your table and chairs are spectacular. I love the delicate feet on the chairs! Your hints and tutorials are so helpful too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Marion, The set looks divine! I also love the slipcovers on your seats–so flirty and cute!
Beautiful job! That's so funny…I've never used "Dreamy"…but my favorite is right below it on the deck…"Dover White"!
Thank you for posting this. I have a dining table I bought on Craigslist with the same speckled V shape top. I tried to stain it with the grain and had the same problem with streaking. I wasn't sure what to do with it. I think I will strip it try again. You did a wonderful job.
The lines on the table are beautiful, and I love the chairs. I did a similar treatment on our old dining room chairs…I love them, not the table-so we purchased a new larger farm style table and I refinished our existing chairs. I love how it turned out and I now own a set that is unique to us.
drooling as usual…..and I love the orientl rug in your DR…more drool!
Your chairs were my inspiration when I found an old dark club chair at Goodwill recently. Cained sides with tufted back and seat… I hope I can make it look as cute as yours!
I soooo want to paint the base of my table like you did, but hubby worked hard refinishing it about 4 years ago, and I'm pretty sure I'd be in big trouble if I touch it! Besides, I'm on paint/stain roll, and pretty soon everything in my house will be painted white on bottom and stained on top if I don't watch it!
Wow! That looks fantastic! What a dramatic difference! You are very talented…Always creating a masterpiece! Karen
What a transformation… so glad I just found your blog! By the way, love the blue walls in your dining room.
It's just beautfiul! You did a great job and I just love the seat covers. Thank you for sharing ;0)
I love how this turned out! What a great transformation! Theresa
ADORE! The entire room is taking on a whole life of it's own. It's so warm, and beautifully updated. I can't get over the warmth of the walls alone, nevermind the incredible table and chairs.
You will end up with an incredible show home at the end of all this!
Thanks for the continued inspiration to 'keep at it.'
Donna
Marian this is beyond awesome(of course!) I love how you are adding the blue while staying true to your simplistic whites. Great job! Too, thanks for your kind words on my new endeavour(who would have thougt I'd start a blog?)
Your table turned out gorgeous! I just love it. The stained top and painted bottom are the perfect pair. I love the chair pads you made too. Those give it the perfect touch.
Have a blessed day!
Traci
MMS,
We have inherited a "yellow" oak table. I didn't think I wanted to keep it, but I didn't want to "toss" it either. Now since entering the blog world I see that painting can be possible. I have wanted to paint it white. You suggest NOT doing that. What will happen over time? Will the paint chip? Can it be stained white? (that may seem like a weird question. I really know nothing about staining and very little about painting) There is a pedestal underneath which I'd like a darker color/stain.
Should I send you a pic?
Anyway your table and chairs are lovely. You have inspired me so very much!
~Kolein
Now, that's a transformation! It's lovely!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have a kitchen table that I want to give the same paint treatment too. I appreciate your pics and blog post. I just need to carve out a little time ;-D.
I've enjoyed your blog. And will always be in love with your guest room.
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
What sheen of paint do you use before the staining? Is it flat?
Your table makeover is just fabulous – as always!! I love that you were able to find the matching chairs without too much trouble. You really do have the magic touch, Marian:) Hope you have a wonderful week ~ Tina xx
lovely….this is a beautiful table..I love that scrollwork and curvyness to it..thanks for sharing.
You need to offer a class. You never cease to amaze me. Class anyone????
I am trying to looking for a house which have a great dining room, once I saw a beautiful house through costa rica homes for sale
I think those houses are very wonderful. I am really interested now because they are very wide and beautiful.
Such a beautiful furniture for dining room. It's such made from such wonderful stuff.
dining rooms tables
Posted on my Facebook page and included a link of your blog!
Thanks
Surely craft paper is a gift from heaven. I can’t imagine the Christmas without it. Loved the snowball garland,,,I have a bath mat that is made of huge loopy yarn ,,,,since it’s starting to unravel I think I might attempt to make it into a garland! If it works I will share. I have noticed even more blue touches ( if that is even possible) in your posts lately. I have been in love with Flow Blue since my Aunt Suzanne gave me a beautiful platter as a wedding gift. The blue ribbon is just so sweet.
I have slowed down on my blog visits , but always come back to yours.