Dining Room Table Makeover

Dining table makeover www.somuchbetterwithage.com

Welcome to my dining room table! I posted last week about how my dining room has goals, big ones!

I had this table made for me when we first moved into this house. I wanted a rustic look so I decided on only a wax sealant and no poly sealant.

This is what it looks like after four years.

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Dining table before www.somuchbetterwithage.com

See those grease marks? Gross! Regular spray and washing will not get them out.

Dining table before www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 So I brought it out to the garage one day and started to sand the top down.

Sanding table www.somuchbetterwithage.com

It looked amazing once it was all done and the garage smelled great…nothing like the smell of  fresh sawdust!

Before I started to stain it, I treated the entire tabletop with Minwax Pre-Conditioner. Especially since this table is pine and pine is a bit more difficult to stain evenly.

Minwax 61500 Pre Stain Wood Conditioner, 1 Quart

Sanded table top www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 I kinda wanted it to match my printer’s cabinet from Pottery Barn. I know you shouldn’t be matchy-matchy with your furniture but I wanted to go darker on the top and then paint the legs grey. So I mixed up Special Walnut and Dark Walnut from Minwax to try to match the PB Tuscan Chestnut stain.

So I mixed up the stain and this is the result!

Minwax 70012 1 Quart Wood Finish Interior Wood Stain, Dark Walnut
Minwax 70006 1 Quart Wood Finish Interior Wood Stain, Special Walnut

Minwax stain www.somuchbetterwithage.com

I stained two coats then added two coats of Wipe-On Poly from Minwax too. This stuff is amazing! Such a great clear coat.

Minwax 60910 Wipe-On Poly Polyurethane Finish Clear Satin, Quart

Minwax Wipe-On Poly www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 Then I got to work on painting the legs. Does anyone else drink tea while they paint??

Painting table legs www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 I painted the legs with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – two coats of Old White then two coats of French Linen.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 I distressed the legs a bit then buffed on Clear Wax.

Annie Sloan Clear Wax www.somuchbetterwithage.com

I love the way it turned out!

New table www.somuchbetterwithage.com

I think it’s a great match to my cabinet but the grey legs break up all the dark. I’d like to get a bamboo rug under the table to really lighten up the space.

Pottery Barn cabinet www.somuchbetterwithage.com
French linen chalk paint www.somuchbetterwithage.com

 I even add a few knicks and dings to match the cabinet as well.

Tuscan Chestnut www.somuchbetterwithage.com
Dining table after www.somuchbetterwithage.com
Dining table after www.somuchbetterwithage.com

Be sure to check out more of my dining room posts:

Industrial Vintage Dining Room

Farmhouse Christmas Dining Room

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74 Comments

  1. So pretty, Jamie. I’m contemplating a redo of our kitchen table, but I’m stuck on what color to use.

    I do like French Linen with a stained top. You’ve got me thinking about possibilities…

  2. Jamie the table looks great – I love the two toned look and brings out some brightness to your room! Updating my kitchen table from all the love and attention it gets on a daily basis is on my list too.

    Have a great day!

    Best
    Chernee

  3. Hi! I love your table! I am getting ready to get my husband to make me one. Can you tell me what the table top wood is and if it is multiple boards or one solid piece of wood and what type of wood? Thanks!

    1. It’s all pine. Pine is more difficult to stain too. I forgot to mention I used a Minwax pre-stain conditioner before I stained it. I’ll revise my post.
      I didn’t know if it was multiple boards so I just checked underneath the table and it looks like one slab of wood on top. You’re so lucky you’re hubby will make you one!!
      Hugs,
      Jamie

      1. Hi again. Thanks for responding. Would you mind sharing the dimensions of your table …height of legs size of legs size of table height of table. Thanks so much!!! Just love this!

        1. Hi Angie,
          I’m in the middle of painting my dining room so, Murphy’s Law, my dining table isn’t that easy to access LOL. Okay my dear, here are the measurements: 8 ft long, 31 1/4″ high {the 1/4 might be because it has a felt pad on the bottom}, and 42″ wide. Each table leg is 30″ high and 4″ wide {measuring from the square part at top of the leg}.
          Tell me how it goes and I’d love to see a photo 😉
          Hugs,
          Jamie

  4. I love how it turned out Jamie! We have a table from four years ago by True North with super chunky black legs and a pine top. I would love to lighten up the legs. One day redo the top too but I think I will wait til my boys are just a little older for that:) Your transformation is inspiring!

  5. I absolutely love the new look you gave your dining room table! So pretty! I’ve been wanting to do something similar to ours…maybe someday! 😛

  6. Looks really good. Love how the legs turned out. I have a table top to re-do so thanks for the information on staining. I use Min-wax but never used the pre-stain wood conditioner. Must try that.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

  7. What a great transformation, and I love the addition of the initials. Thanks for the inspiration. My dining room table is in desperate need for a makeover!

  8. Wow great job. I have a similar table in my kitchen. I love a big farm table. Mine is red chalk paint on the bottom with the natural top. I love yours!

    Come visit us. We are giving away a great Delta faucet this week. Valued at almost $700 it would be great in your kitchen.

  9. what a great project and i love that pic of you drinking tea. I’m with you – tea or wine! lol! 🙂 featuring you tonight on the blog and thanks for linking up!

  10. Saw your link at Savvy Southern’s party. Would love to do something like this to my dining room table, everything in my dining room is so dark, this would be perfect to lighten things up. Your table is gorgeous – thanks for sharing.

    Mary

  11. I love your dining room table transformation. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.

  12. Jamie,
    You said you mixed the two different stains (Dark Walnut and special Walnut). Did you mix it together in a bucket and then put it on top of your table? I’d really like to do this with my table and want to know just how you mixed the stains.
    Very excited!
    Kerri

    1. Hi Kerri,
      Yes, I mixed the two stains together in a plastic container then brushed it on top of the table. Just make sure you mix enough for one go so you don’t have to try to match that stain again (or else measure the amounts). Good luck!
      Hugs,
      Jamie

      1. Great, thank you!! I saw that you used Annie Sloan paint for the legs, have you ever used her dark wax before? It’s supposed to hold up pretty well and I know it’s often used to get that rustic look. I was thinking of just using the AS dark wax and then seal my table top with the clear wax but I hesitate! A dining table just gets so much wear, I feel like the products you used just look like it would last longer.

        1. I’ve used the clear and dark wax! I used the clear wax on the table legs but I really prefer the Minwax for a table top. I have kids so I want it bomb proof LOL. I think for dressers and coffee tables it’s fine to use the clear or dark wax but I like a sealant for a kitchen or dining table. Hope that helps!
          Hugs,
          Jamie

  13. Love how the table turned out. I’m wanting to do something similar with mine. Somewhat off topic question: What color of paint do you have on your walls?

  14. Love Love your table redo:). I’ve had a picture of my dream dining table in my mind for months but am new at this diy stuff so was a bit scared to start. But then i stumbled upon your blog via pinterest and thanks to you I am doing my table today! I cant wait to see it sitting in my dining area. Thanks so much again:)

  15. I love your Dining Room table makeover. Just curious what your thoughts of your table legs before applying the French Linen? I have an antique dark walnut set, have been procrastinating the project for two years with my Annie Sloan Old White in my closet!

    1. Thanks Lorraine! If you are wanting to paint over the dark wood with ASCP in Old White, you’ll just need probably 3 coats. Or else you could prime it with something like Zinsser 1-2-3 before you paint but honestly, ASCP just acts as a primer. If you were wanting to save money on paint, then Zinsser or Kilz is a good way to go. If you use one of those primers first though, you should sand it a bit by hand just to rough it up (probably only 5-10 minutes of sanding for the whole table). Hope this helps!
      Hugs, Jamie

  16. I love how this turned out and looking to do the same. What sand grit did you use to sand down the pine table? Also, did you sand down the legs or just paint over them? Thanks.

    1. Thanks so much, Meredith! Honestly I was just too lazy to sand down the legs so that’s why I painted them lol. I used chalk paint so I didn’t have to sand them first. I believe I used a medium grit sand paper to sand the table down. Not fine but not super coarse. I bought an assortment of sand paper and used what was best. Sorry that’s not much help.
      Hugs, Jamie

  17. I absolutely love your table! My husband and I ordered the minwax dark walnut and minwax special walnut stains today to finish off the table that we are working on. I’m just wondering if you remember the ratios that you used of each stain. Was it 50/50? I love the result that you got and don’t want to vary much from it. Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Amanda,
      Yes, just 50/50! I put half of each in a bucket. It’s way easier if I ran out to reproduce it. Have you started your project yet? Let me know how it goes!
      Hugs, Jamie

  18. Thank you for this blog/tutorial!!! I purchased a table like this one this morning. I’m in the process of sanding it now. I’m wondering if you sanded the legs before painting them, or just painted over what was already there?! If so, did you sand the legs by hand or with a sander? I’m staining my top espresso, and using linen white chalk paint for the bottom! I can’t wait to see how it turns out! Thanks again for your post.

    Sincerely,
    Brandi

    1. Hi Brandi, I only chose to paint the legs because I was too lazy to sand them! lol Chalk paint reduces the need to sand them so that was my choice. The legs and top look the exact same still. I’m very happy with the results. Your choices sound perfect for the table! Good luck.
      Hugs, Jamie

  19. Hello!
    This weekend I’ll be renovating my table. Do you remember the measurements or how much wood stain you mixed? Thank you so much! 🙂

  20. Hello,
    What a pretty table you created. This week Im going to tackle a dinning table I just purchased I wanted to ask if you dont sand the legs down will they still resist as same as if you sanded them because if it will have the same outcome I’d rather go the easy route and just paint without the sandidng. Thanks

    1. I hate sanding, Yenitza. If you use a chalk type paint then you don’t need to sand as it will really grips. Lately I’ve been using Fusion Mineral Paint which is an acrylic paint but goes on like a chalk paint. Any kind of paint like that will help adhere without sanding. Hope that helps!
      Hugs, Jamie

  21. Hi Jamie,
    Very nice project. I know it has been a few years since you refinished this table but do you remember the ratio you used to mix the stains?
    Thanks!

  22. Hi jamie. I have the same table and i am looking to upcycle. I am thinking washed white all. Do u remember the original name of the table, my friends are asking me and i don’t remember the name only that i got it from pottery barn.

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