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Ideas For DIY

Advice Needed for Redoing Table

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So the other day someone posted a question on my Facebook fan page asking about what route to take when refinishing a dining room table. I am definitely not an expert in that arena and was trying to think who to ask, then it dawned on me! There are so many of you out there that have the furniture refinishing talent, so I thought I would bring the question to you.

So here it is below, would love to hear your feedback in the comments, thanks!

Hi Amanda. I bought a dining room table and chair that has been shabbied up. They didn’t sand the varnish before they painted it. Now it is chipping. What do you think, sand off all the paint then repaint and sand? It will be a pita to do all of that but I don’t think sanding the chips will do it. Too much varnish on the table. The table top is the biggest challenge. The chairs are ok no huge chips. Or sand it more for a really shabby look then poly the heck out of it. Ideas please! Thanks..

Comments

  2. I’d give it a good sanding, then water down some paint, and then dry-brush it on, using a thick house-paint brush. Make your strokes big, going with the grain, and lift the brush for randomness. And as you’re doing this, have a rag in your other hand, and wipe off randomly as well. You should end up with layered paint. If it’s still not what you want, after it’s dry, repeat, but with a much darker (or lighter) diluted paint color. Giving it layers adds to the look of age and the detail, creating an heirloom-like piece of furniture.

  3. To do it right you will need to completely strip paint and varnish. Then paint layers, sanding before painting each layer. You can paint the furniture all one color; then shabby it up by sanding selectively in areas where wear would be expected: edges, outer curves, etc. Or….choose 3 different colors, e.g.: first layer in sage, second in rose, top layer white. Then sand. The sanding will reveal small amounts of sage and rose layers. Many combos are possible, such as, pine and lilac or sapphire and lemon with white top, cantaloupe
    and lime with cream top coat. Lastly, protect with poly top coat. What ever you do, take time to do it right. You will be glad you did.

  4. I understand that the “Antique look” is back in vogue, so the above posts are appropriate.

Have you read?

Christmas on a Budget – How to Decorate for Christmas Without Buying More Decorations

Every year, the shops manage to make a new Christmas colour scheme look essential.

One year it is all soft neutrals. Then suddenly we are supposed to need oversized bows, a miniature village and enough matching ornaments to decorate a small hotel.

Meanwhile, there are perfectly good decorations in the cupboard.

If you are saving money this Christmas, start there.

A fresh look can come from rearranging, grouping and making a few small changes. Your decorations do not have to be new to feel special.

Unpack everything before shopping

Bring the boxes out and see what you actually own.

Sort ornaments by colour. Gather ribbons together. Check lights according to their instructions and set aside damaged items for appropriate repair or disposal.

Look for duplicates and forgotten pieces.

It is difficult to make sensible shopping decisions when half your collection is still hidden under tangled tinsel.

Take a photograph of the usable supplies. You can check it if temptation strikes later.

Choose a few places to decorate well

You do not have to put something festive on every surface.

Choose two or three focal points, such as:

  • The Christmas tree.
  • A sideboard or entrance table.
  • The dining area.

A generous display in one place can feel more effective than isolated decorations scattered through every room.

It also means fewer things to move when you need the kitchen bench.

Group by colour rather than by shopping trip

Decorations bought years apart can work together when they share a colour.

Put red and gold pieces in one display. Try silver and blue elsewhere. Let colourful sentimental ornaments have their own cheerful corner.

You are allowed to leave some pieces in the box.

Choosing what to display is part of decorating, not a failure to use everything.

Give familiar pieces a different job

Spare tree ornaments can fill a bowl. A small wreath can move to an interior door. A tray can become the base for a seasonal arrangement.

Our Christmas bauble centrepiece offers inspiration for using ornaments away from the tree.

Keep arrangements stable and avoid placing fragile decorations where bags, elbows or wagging tails are likely to find them.

Moving an object can make it feel fresh without altering it.

Make one new feature from leftovers

If you want the pleasure of making something new, choose a project that uses existing supplies.

These paper-bag Christmas stars can provide a larger decorative feature from simple materials.

Or try Christmas tin-can decorations with napkin decoupage using cans with safe, smooth rims.

Check your supplies before committing. A “free” recycled project stops being particularly free when it requires paint, glue, brushes and several decorative trims.

Connect the displays with ribbon

Repeat one ribbon colour on the tree, the wreath and the dining table.

You do not need bows on everything. A few repeated touches are enough.

Fabric strips, twine or ribbon saved from gifts may work.

If ribbon is the only missing detail, compare reusable fabric ribbon on Amazon. Choose a colour you can use again rather than something that needs a new collection around it.

Try a temporary decoration swap

A friend may have exactly the colour or style you want to try.

Agree on what is being borrowed, take photographs and keep precious or fragile family pieces out of the exchange.

A short-term swap gives both homes a change without another shopping bill.

Make next Christmas cheaper too

Before packing away, photograph arrangements you like.

Store related pieces together, wind ribbon neatly and write a short list of genuine replacements needed.

Be specific. “Replace one damaged light set” is more useful than “buy more Christmas things.”

Your decorations can hold family memories, show a little wear and still make the house feel lovely.

There is no need to replace that history every time a shop window changes.