A Sneak Peek at My Kitchen Table Update
Hi everyone! I bought this oak table and a set of chairs at a garage sale about five years ago for $75.00. It’s served us very well, but I usually cover it with a table cloth because the surface has worn areas, and I’m not too fond of the orange-y tone of the stain. I’ve been wanting to paint it for a while and finally came up with a plan, and the courage to follow through. Today I thought I’d give you a glimpse of my progress.
Here it stands in all of it’s unpainted glory. The oval top and chunky legs aren’t displeasing, but the orange had to go.
I’ve shown you the stencils I ordered recently from Consumer Crafts. Well, in the same order, I also received several small (4 oz) posts of Americana Decor chalk paint ($2.99 each). I decided to use “Carbon” for the table top.
In this picture, you see the table after a second coat of Carbon, followed by one coat of Minwax polyurethane in satin. The legs received one coat of Americana Decor “Lace.” Neither surface–the table top or the legs is looking the way I’d hoped they would. The top is too shiny and the legs are too white. Sigh. It’s going to be one of those trial and error kind of projects.
Since taking these photographs, each surface has received a new coat of paint, but I’ve not decided what to apply for protection. Wax? Matte Polyurethane? Something else?
Linking up with these great parties:
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It's a beautiful work in progress! I'm anxious to see how it's tweaked — the colors choices are wonderful, though, and I'm confident you find the right dark gray and ivory…
Hmmm…
You are such an encouragement, Mary Ann! I appreciate your friendship 🙂
What a gorgeous table, and amazing price! I've done a good bit of painted furniture, but I'm by no means an expert. You might consider buffing the poly finish with steel wool or some kind of scrub pad to tone down the sheen. Maybe finish with a coat of clear was. But by all means test this on a scrap piece first! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you do. By the way, since I'm on Google+ now I won't miss any more of your wonderful posts! Cindy from TheCranesNest.com
I tried fine sand paper, but it just muddied up the works. (I'm sure I'm doing something wrong!) I'm leaning toward wax, but I have trouble getting a (perfectly) even surface. Marie at The Interior Frugalista just mentioned that she uses a car buffing attachment on her drill for buffing wax surfaces and she loves it! Always good to hear from you Cindy and for being a faithful follower. I have to work on the "faithful" part. I LOVE your artwork 🙂
It's going to be beautiful! The Americana color Primitive wouldn't be as white, you might like that better for the base. I love their waxes…they bond to the paint, for a beautiful finish, and don't need to be always re-applied. They also have matte varnish, and a soft-touch varnish that are nice, if you'd rather go that route. I'd advise a sample board to experiment and get the look you want, too! Have fun!
Thanks so much Linda for all the inside info!! You're just who I was looking for the other day when I visited Hobby Lobby and the hardware store. I stood reading cans and pots for what seemed like hours. This is a huge learning experience for me. People like you make it all look so easy, but there's more to it than the final, beautifully finished piece, isn't there?! I've been using Minwax finishing wax; I'm wondering how that would be different than the Americana Decor? That matte varnish sounds perfect. Do you think it's more protective than wax? So sorry I'm bombarding you 🙂
Your work is amazing! I always love seeing the pieces you refinish as they are stunning my friend! And for 75 dollars! You just can't beat that!! You are one talented lady! Wishing you an inspiring week ahead! Nicole xoxo
You are another wonderfully encouraging friend, Nicole. You always make me feel so good 🙂 Hope your week is blessed!
What a good start and I can't wait to to see the final reveal!
I wish I could magically transport you to my house so you could tell me what to do Darielle!! You're one of the masters 🙂
You are so brave to tackle such a large paint job! I just know it is going to turn out fabulous. I use Minwax Paste Finishing Wax on my small projects and I really like the satiny finish it gives. I'm not sure it would work for a surface that will get lots of activity.
I've been wanting to do it for quite a while now AnnMarie–it took me a long time to work up the courage! I appreciate your belief in my abilities; you are too sweet 🙂 I wonder the same thing about the wax. I love it on small projects, too, and it seems so hard and durable. It seems to me if I put a few coats of it on that that should be very protective. We'll see…
I'm terrible at making these kinds of decisions. That's probably why I put off doing paint projects. I'm always afraid I'll make the wrong choice. (And wax scares me – I don't think I've ever learned how to use it properly). But as they say, the nice thing about paint is that if it's not what you wanted you can always paint over it!
xoKathleen
I finally decided I needed to take the plunge, and I realize now that things can be [relatively] easily changed (or covered with a table cloth!). I didn't start using wax until a couple of years ago and I really like it–it give a nice hard surface that is somehow more natural looking to me. It's not matte, but it's not satin either. It's somewhere in between. I bought my first (and only) can at a garage sale, so keep your eyes out. Paint a little something and then give it a try. I think you'll like it 🙂
Diana, it's a beautiful table and I love the color choice! I can't wait to see the finished product!
Thanks for sharing at Something to Talk About!
Karen
Can't wait to see it finished! Thank you so much for linking up with Thursday Favorite Things and hope to see you again this week!
I know you will get it just right before you are though. can't wait to see! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks for sharing the kitchen table DIY, at my last Fabulous Friday Party, I have been in Italy and just got back and ready to Party again, hope to see you at my party this weekend, starts tonight and goes until next week! Hugs Maria