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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Painting a tabletop and grainsacks...

Last Friday at 4 in the afternoon, I got the idea that I would paint my kitchen table top. I'm one of those people who always underestimates the amount of time and trouble a project will be. I think, "Let's see, that should only take a couple of hours, and I'm going to use chalk paint so it should be a piece of cake". I'm also the person who thinks she still looks 40, until I catch a passing glimpse of myself in the mirror... Actually, it wasn't a big deal, just took me longer than I thought since I wanted a more protected finish. And speaking of "finishes", I'd like a new one for that mirror reflection, please.



The table top was a light "Honey" stain manufacturer's finish that had seen lot's of wear and tear over these last eleven years and needed some help in the worst way. No kids or grandkids living here, just us two and the cats, but I DID have a run in with a bottle of scented oil that you use to refresh potpourri a few years ago, and after that the table wasn't the same. lesson learned the hard way.



You can't see all the places where the finish had actually worn off, scratches, dings, and not to mention I'm not a fan of "Honey" stained anything...least of all my table top. I bought this because of the pretty antique white paint finish and the fact that I fell in love with the chair backs.


I had reached my threshold of "blah" with it, and decided that paint was easier than stripping it and re-staining, even though a dark stain would have been beautiful. I used my palm sander for just a little extra help on getting rid of the inconsistencies of the finish.


Here's a pic from last Fall. Covering what I can of the table top has always been my way of dealing with the problem.


So I did 3 coats of ASCP in Old White and then 3 coats of Minwax Liquid Polyurethane, which I love, and is super fast and easy and gives great protection. I just "lightly" distressed it around the edges, it will have enough "distressing" on it's own.




The painted tabletop color is pretty close to the original finish on the rest of the table. Maybe just a hair lighter, but not noticeable. (The liquid poly adds a little depth of color) The chairs still have the stained finish, but I can live with that at the moment.


I'll continue to keep some sort of table runner on it just to ensure a little more protection. Things tend to float over here and land, like cell phones, mail, keys, etc. so I've told hubby, everything has to fit on the runner. Right now I have my antique heavy grainsack runner with the red stripe. This thing is durable and nubby and I love the look. I've ordered another one with a caramel stripe in the center, and it's on it's way from Austria. Christina from Grainsack on Etsy has beautiful antique grainsacks for great prices. You can take out the stitching like I did, and it becomes twice as long and works wonderfully as a tablerunner.




My tool caddy with vintage blue Ball Jars and faux hydrangeas
 is a staple here, year-round.


Wish I'd have done this sooner, because this looks so much better. Now, if the fur girls will just not attempt any crafting on the table top things will be good...


joining in on these great parties:

Inspiration Gallery at Yellow Bliss Road
WOW Us Wednesday at Savvy southern Style
It's a Party at DIY by Design
Homework at Worthing Court
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
Tips and Tutorials at Stone Gable
House Party at No Minimalist Here
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Redoux Interiors
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Furniture Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Shabby Art Boutique
Blitzed on Pinterest at Debbiedoos
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Funky Junk


hope you're having a great week,
xoxo,

75 comments:

  1. I love the new color. That sounds like me too, always underestimating how long it will take to do a project. My mirrors all lie and tell me I am 25, I wish.

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  2. Much like our sleep by number bed which said it would take an hour to put together...eight hours later it was done. I would much rather have your table. The tool box with jars are like icing and blue flowers on a white cake. My wee fur girl is literally flying across the kitchen area. She can be very alarming whizzing by. Hugs, Olive

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  3. Your table looks just beautiful Debra!... and I love your old blue canning jars in the tote... my "fur baby" Tessy likes to do a bit of "crafting" around here as well!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  4. I love the look. It is just rich looking and I'm not talking about money.

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  5. The table looks great. I also like the the center piece and your table runner.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mary

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  6. Looks wonderful. I love Old White. Great idea with your beautiful grainsack runner too.
    Betty @ My Cozy Corner

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  7. Oh, Debra- it looks AWESOME!!!

    I know what you mean about "wish I had done it sooner."

    I feel that way about nearly every new thing I do around here.

    LOVE y our table, you did a fantastic job. Whoo hoo!

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  8. The table looks pretty in the new white paint. That is a great look with the new grainsack and the pretty toolbox of jars with flowers. I'm sure you are glad to have that off your list. I would be sneeking a peek at the new look every time I walked by.

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  9. Your table is beautiful Debra! I decided to paint the top of my antique oak dresser and I don't like it at all. That is one piece that I wish I had left alone. I will have to paint it all now for it to look right. Live and learn...lol

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  10. I'm that kind of person too! :) Your table looks lovely and I love your box on top! I need a big one like that! Hope you have a good week.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  11. Debra,
    The table is beautiful. I love it. It will be so nice to change up for different centerpieces. Great job.
    Kris

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  12. Beautiful! Love the new top! The runner looks sensational too! xx

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  13. It looks great, Debra! I love it with the new color. I think it suits your home very well. It has such a great cottage look to it now.

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  14. Turned out great Debra, such a beautiful room!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  15. You did a beautiful job! Love it!

    Judy

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  16. Oh I love it Debra!
    Hmmm, shall I do mine?

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  17. Debra,
    I adore the new look of your kitchen table, dear friend!!!
    I won't tell you how many years I've wanted to paint our small circular dining table here on our side of the Prairie!!! BUT. . ."Mr. Ed" loves wood finishes and nearly STROKES OUT when I put paint to wood furniture, so I don't see that happening in the near future!
    Thanks for sharing!!!
    I agree, those chairs are gorgeous!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  18. I love the new look! I didn't know you could polyurethane over ASCP. Good thinking! My kitchen table gets the same treatment. Everything gets tossed on it and I have to poly every year to get rid of the scratches. A runner is an excellent idea.

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  19. The table looks fantastic...just love those impromptu projects!...and I would like a new finish for my mirror reflection too!!! Love the runner and the tool caddy of hydrangeas!

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  20. Great job, Debra! It looks wonderful now. I love the tablerunner too.
    Besos!

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  21. Oh it's just gorgeous Debra - I've been dying to paint my dining room table - but it's the last piece of wood left in the house and John is pretty adamant about me not touching it - I'm LOVING yours !!!!!
    XOX

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  22. Oh it's just gorgeous Debra - I've been dying to paint my dining room table - but it's the last piece of wood left in the house and John is pretty adamant about me not touching it - I'm LOVING yours !!!!!
    XOX

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  23. Your paint job really freshened up the table, Debra. Love the look of the grainsack runner.
    Mary Alice

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  24. Wow! It turned out beautiful!

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  25. I love your comments!! Things always take me a lot longer than I think it will, but usually it is worth the extra work involved when the project is finished - As Yours is!!! Your table looks great - I have been thinking about doing something like this for a bit now - may your efforts was just the push I needed to go ahead and try it! I need to find a new mirror too!! Great post.

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  26. I love this Debra. I love how you kept it real with your blow by blow description of the process (none of these projects I read about ever look easy to me for the time involved), and I cracked up with your comment on the finish in the reflection - lol!
    Rita

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  27. I love it painted white, it looks amazing. Love that runner too. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/174th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
    Hugs, Marty

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  28. Its beautiful. You've inspired me to get busy on my list of projects to paint. : )

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  29. I just love the new color and the runner just adds to the charm. Sometimes I think the preparing and clean up amounts to the most time it takes to do a project! You are very much like my daughter. She gets an idea, gets her supplies and gets on with it immediately, even if she knows it will take her into the wee hours of the morning. I love her energy.

    I take the advice of Cher, as in Cher Bono. She said in a magazine that after putting on her make up in the morning, she never looks in a mirror for the rest of the day. I do that now and the image in your head is always perfect! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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  30. Looks great! I actually have the exact same table! Mine was in pretty rough shape when I picked it up, so the whole thing got fresh paint and dark stained table and chair tops. You should stop over and take a look. What a coincidence!

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  31. Hi Debra, I as well always underestimate the amount of time for a project. The time you invested in the table was worth it. It turned out just great. Love your tool box with the jars and the hydrangeas too.
    xoxo,
    Julia

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  32. I think it's just wonderful, and the chairs really look great with it as is. We're thinking of painting our kitchen table and chairs too, thinking about ASCP, glad to know you liked it. Love the runner & centerpiece, really beautiful. Thanks for the tip on the Etsy seller, will def check them out. Take care - Dawn

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  33. oh Debra...the table looks scrumptious! I didn't think you could do anything else to make your home more spectacular...but I know I was wrong and I have a feeling that you have tons more up that decorating sleeve of yours. It's so much fun to watch and I am in love with the table...it's FAB!!!! hugs...

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  34. It's lovely and I'm with you I hate honey coloured wood. Beautiful now.
    Cheers Fiona

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  35. It's very refreshing! I want to paint my dining room table, but part of me is like UGH! WHEN? It has two extenders and is huge. It has to go outside, yadda yadda yadda... I'm gonna go watch tv. Have a great day, Debra!

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  36. The whole setting is charming.
    Something restful and warm about all of your white tones. Love it,
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  38. This is such a beautiful set! I have a fondness for round-back chairs and love the look of the table since you painted the top white! So fresh! Thanks for sharing! Hugs, Leena

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  39. Debra the table top looks great. The whole room has a cozy, yet sophisticated feel to it. I love it. Wish I was brave enough to try painting some of my pieces.
    Have a great day.
    Sending smiles your way,

    Cindy

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  40. That style of table looks awesome white! I sold mine in a yard sale a few years back, but wish I would have kept it. It's so fresh looking.

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  41. What a huge improvement, Debra! Your table looks so much happier now, you did a great job on the color match. I know just what you mean about underestimating how long a project will take:)

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  42. Debra you did an amazing job. You got me looking a pieces of furniture around the house sideways going "Hmmmmmm APC?" Awesome job!

    Paula

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  43. You had me with WHITE paint LOL
    it is beautiful Debra
    LOVELOVELOVE how it turned out
    btw you are beautiful too
    xo
    Pam

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  44. Yowza Debra this is gorgeous!!! Oh yes I am the same way.I get an idea in my head and I just go with it.Never thinking about how long it will actually take me LOL!
    xx
    Anne

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  45. Love the new look! So pretty and fresh!
    I ALWAYS underestimate the time it takes to do a project, and I have the same problem when passing a mirror! ;-)

    Have a great day!
    xo-Lisa

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  46. Looks gorgeous! Did you poly over the chalk paint or did you wax first? Did your paint smudge at all with the poly? I'm wanting to redo my antique table in old white but am worried about the top!

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  47. Beautiful, Debra! I also love the grain sacks. Thanks for joining the Open House party.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  48. Looks fab! Thanx for joining THT!

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  49. I think I'm younger than I am too and it can be frightening sometimes to get a glimpse of myself in the reflection in the car window or someplace very bright. Agh! Well, at least you got your painting done and it's amazing how much having a white table changes the look of a room for the better! Enjoy!
    Liz

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  50. Debra I'm still chuckling over your first paragraph. That is me! I'm always jumping into a project because it will be SO quick and easy and of course, it always takes more of everything.
    And let me know about that magic finish for the mirror, I'll take one of those too. Love what you did, it came out beautiful. And thanks for the tip about the grain sacks I will check out the website.
    hugs,
    Leslie

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  51. I love the paint job! White really is appealing. Now I'm looking at my kitchen cabinets and thinking...

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  52. Hi Debra,
    your table turned out beautiful.
    Love it.TFS.
    XOXO,
    Marie

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  53. Your table looks wonderful! The white is very refreshing and I like the chairs the way they are.

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  54. This turned out perfectly in every way. It not only gives your table a whole new look but the entire room itself. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I have been trying to decide on a new paint color for an old sleigh bed and I believe I just received my inspriation.

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  55. It looks great - but your table always looks wonderful.

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  56. It turned out beautiful and brightens up the room. Love the tool caddy and hydrangeas. And don't feel bad, I think we all underestimate our DIY projects. As for the mirror, I too forget how many birthdays have come and gone but feel so blessed for each and every one of them.

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  57. Looks great! We did the same thing to our kitchen table and I adore it! And yes, it will get enough distressing on its own!

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  58. Love that Debra! I have actually been thinking of doing wood countertops that way.

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  59. I have the exact same chairs but my table is oval and it is badly needing some work but, I have been afraid to touch it... Now that I see what you have done I know how it will look and am loving it... thanks for spurring me on.....It's beautiful...

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  60. What a gorgeous update Debra! I love how your table turned out :)

    xo, Tanya

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  61. The table looks beautiful with the wonderful painted top. Great job! I really love your tool box and the table runner, too!

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  62. Debra, I love the new look! I hear ya about scratching the wood top. My table has a darker wood top and guess who just put the first scratch in it? Yup, that would be me. Can't even blame it on one of the grandkids. lol! The chairs are just like the set I had at my previous home. I left it there for my son, but I loved the chairs too. I just ordered grainsack material from Décor Steals. Would've loved to have ordered one. Darn, I'm a little late. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  63. I love your table top and the rest of your home and am a new follower. I am thinking of doing the same thing to my table. Thank you for the inspiration. Can you share the type of minway you used please?

    Lisa

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  64. I love the new color. I will be featuring this tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

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  65. This looks so awesome Debra! I have an antique oak pedestal table that is just begging for some chalk paint!! Maybe in the spring! Thank you, as always, for such lovely inspiration!!
    Hugs to you, gal!
    Becky

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  66. Hi Debra, thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous table makeover at Redoux. I am featuring today! I love everything about it, especially all the gorgeous things you have displayed with it! I am the same way, after all these years of painting, sometimes I still think I will crank something out far quicker than the reality!

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  67. Oh, it looks absolutely gorgeous! So fresh and cottagy. I always love the way you dress up a table too. The runner is the perfect addition with that little touch of the red stripe. I have to go check out the grain sack website now. I just love that heavy nubby texture they have.

    Cindy

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  68. You're not a fan of honey pine? Really? Next you'll be telling you're not crazy about hunter green either. LOL
    Seriously girl, you and that white paint brush of yours just knocks my socks off...if I wore shoes!
    XO
    Deb

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  69. Night and Day difference ... Love it!

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  70. This room is so inviting and I LOVE the colour you choose. Is it the same colour as your display cabinet? I love that cabinet as well and have been looking for one just like it. Great job on the table and love your accent pieces too!

    stopping by from http://myelementstoelegance.com/

    Crystal

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  71. omg. Your place looks like a real-life doll house. The porch could also be seen on one image. So chic and shabby! :)

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  72. Absolutely gorgeous. You really know how to put a beautiful decorating ideas and interior designs , thanks for sharing it with us :)

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  73. awesome. inspiration for my kitchen cart arriving tomorrow (bought second hand). going to follow you...and i follow no one!! namaste...

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