Jan 19, 2010

What Everyone Should Know About Refurnishing a Table

1. KNOW what you want...because once you do it, it's really hard to go back to how it was originally, if not impossible. I have been wanting a pretty, white, round dining table for some time now, and I was fortunate to inherit a really nice, oak table from my husband's grandfather. I knew that once I sanded off that nice finish, there was no going back.
2. Keep in mind the chairs that will surround it. I kinda forgot that mine are covered in a cream fabric, not white, and look a little off. But, my apartment is full of white and cream, and I think the elements of the room will work well together as a whole.
3. If possible, refurnish in the fall or spring. Most paints and finishes work the best in temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees. If you are impatient and the opposite of a perfectionist, like me, you will probably do it when you want and be fine with the results :)
These are all of the photos I looked to for inspiration. I wanted more of a whitewashed, weathered look, and searched the web for ways I could do that. I ended up sanding off the finish on the top of the table and painting it with a watered-down white paint. I then wiped the paint off so the wood grain would show through. It is hard to see the top in these pictures.
For the legs of the table, I just painted a light layer of white primer directly on top of the finish. I tried to keep my strokes going the same direction as the grain of the wood, but I could have done a lot better...please don't look too closely :)
I sanded off edges to give it that "used" look and then sprayed it with an acrylic, clear protective finish. I used Krylon Crystal Clear Satin so it wouldn't be shiny or glossy.


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28 comments:

  1. i LOVE the way it turned out!! i've been eyeing my hutch, wondering if i'd like it better refinished -- seeing this i think i might try it out!! thanks for your inspiration!

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  2. Great job! I love how you made it white-washed.

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  3. Thanks for the tips, I need to refinish our table soon!

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  4. These are beautiful tables! Nice job on doing you own! New to your blog and looking forward to reading more.

    I'm featuring a new artist on my blog today! http://jamigoldsmith-imagine.blogspot.com/ She's an emerging painter from Canada. Please check her out! And have a great weekend!

    xo, Jami

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  5. Wow! Very pretty! And those are awesome tips that you gave.

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  6. Ooooh... that kitchen with the chandelier and white chairs is gorgeous! Thanks you so much for your sweet comment on my blog too :)

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  7. Great job!

    I can't wait to blog about my "new" table too! :-)

    Layla

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  8. You are right about knowing what you want, there is no going back!!~ I once did a table with a checkered board pattern on top...I truly loved it!~ You table turned out awesome!

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  9. Lovely table! You really made it sing. And I love the combo with the chairs. It works in my book.

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  10. So pertty! Love the distressed kind of look!
    -Tiff

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  11. I love your table!

    Allison @ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/

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  12. I love your table, I have an oak table that I really want to paint but I'm not sure how my husband will react.
    Great job!!

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  13. I love it and I don't think it really matters if you can see brush strokes...it gives it a unique rustic look:)

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  14. Love it. Thanks for the encouragement to just go for it. I am ready to paint an oak pedestal table alot like yours black. I think yours is great.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Luv your table makeover! Thanks for coming to my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS PARTY...hope to see you here next week:) Hope you have a wonderful WEDNESDAY!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  16. your table looks beautiful! You did a great job.
    gail

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  17. Love the table & thanks for the GREAT painting tips!

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  18. Wow-great job--congrats on acquiring it for FREE. I have a big oval wood table like the round on in picture 1.

    Thanks for posting to the party.
    My favs will be up this evening.
    Cheri www.itssoverycheri.com
    Have you Re-signed up to follow me again, here at my NEW blog? If not you will not get updates--blame Google not me. I don't know what they think they are going to do with my followers-they don't need them.

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