The older I get the more I appreciate antique furniture. Every piece has a story, you know what I mean? This dining table was passed down to me from my grandparents. Of course it didn’t look like this when I got it. Let me show you how to refinish a dining table with chalk paint.
I can remember visiting my grandparents in Richmond VA as a small child and sitting around the dining room table in their kitchen watching my grandparents cook dinner. It’s crazy to think that the table I’m feeding my children on is the table my mother and her sister used as kids too!
That’s one thing I love about an old piece of furniture. If you find a good dining room table that is made from solid wood, it can possibly last you many many generations.
This brings me to my dilemma with this kitchen set; it’s a perfect piece of solid oak with so much history. It just doesn’t match my style. I wasn’t up for a big project, but I knew adding a little chalk paint could bring it back to my style.
Time to break out the chalk paint and give this vintage dining room table a good makeover.
Side note; if you are new to chalk paint you might want to look over my post titled all you need to know about chalky style paint.
I’m not going to go into too many details on this post about HOW to chalk paint, since I’ve got a post for that.
Chalk paint table makeover
I love a good DIY table up cycle. Refinishing a table with chalk paint is a fantastic way to give your furniture new life, whether it’s a coffee table, kitchen table, or part of a dining set. Also, chalk paint is so easy to work with- whether it’s your first time or your an old pro, chalk paint is great for both.
This was a beautiful kitchen set in its heyday but today, it screams “Country Kitchen!” Yuck, not my modern farmhouse style. The natural wood had a “cherry like” finish on it. I wanted to brighten this set up a little bit.
I love furniture painted in an antique white, specifically ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT Old White.
I wanted to keep the top of the table looking like wood because I wanted the contrast between the white and dark wood color.
Here we go;
The first thing you want to do is prepare the table top and legs of the table by cleaning and lightly sanding the surface. Using grit sandpaper (120-150) or an electric sander (orbital sander) will help smooth out any imperfections and create a good surface for the paint to adhere to. Focus especially on the top of the table, as this area tends to show wear the most. Work in small sections for the best results.
Applying Chalk paint to a dining table
When applying the first coat of white paint or any chalk paint color you choose, be sure to use thin, even layers to avoid visible brush strokes. Chalk paint dries quickly, so you can move on to the next step without waiting a long time. After the first coat, lightly sand again with fine grit sandpaper to keep the surface smooth. Apply a second coat if needed to cover the whole thing evenly.
Once the paint is fully dry, seal your work with a clear coat or clear wax to protect the finish. Clear wax is especially popular for chalk-painted furniture because it gives a beautiful satin finish and enhances durability. Apply the clear wax on the top of the table and legs using a soft cloth, buffing it in well. This final step will ensure your refinished table looks great and lasts for years to come, making your DIY project a success. I started by chalk painting the chairs.
I painted two coats of paint of old white on the chairs and then I took a fine grit sandpaper to “distress” the wood. I finished it up with Annie Sloan clear wax.
After I finished chalk painting and waxing the chairs, I had to remove the polyurethane finish on the top of the table so I could stain it. Chalk paint can be painted over an existing finish, but most stain products cannot. That being said, I do have a post where I applied a wood stain over another wood stain.
Wow, this was a labor of love. I think over the past 60 years my grandfather probably put 20 layers of polyurethane on this bad boy–seriously. I used a spray can of paint stripper by the brand “Skean Strip.” I like the spray can because I didn’t have to “ruin” a brush or a cloth to apply it.
Do you like the look of my two toned DIY dining room table? I’m super pleased with the way this chalk painted dining table project turned out.
I put a piece of glass on the top (my kids are not forgiving to furniture) and ordered 4 seat cushions from Ballard Designs.
I Hope we will have many years of happy meals at this table. It’s so cool to think that its been used since the 1950’s! Oh how the conversations and meals have probably changed.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ve been inspired to repurpose an old heirloom or up cycle a piece of furniture yourself! You don’t have to be an expert to create a few DIY projects in your home!
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PRODUCTS USED:
Minwax Wood Finish stain in Ebony
Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White- this is the best chalk paint in my opinion
Annie Sloan clear wax
Lindsey**