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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..

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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?

Make This Rustic Patriotic Flag Wreath for Your Front Door

There are plenty of shiny red, white, and blue decorations out there, but every now and then a patriotic project comes along that feels a little more heartfelt. This 4th of July Patriotic Flag Wreath from CraftBits is one of those projects.

Instead of being overly fussy or store-bought looking, this wreath has that lovely rustic Americana feel — a grapevine wreath base, a flag draped diagonally, and a large star layered over the top. It is simple, bold, and just handmade enough to feel special without turning into an all-weekend project.

You can find the full tutorial here: 4th Of July Patriotic Flag Wreath on CraftBits.

What I really like about this wreath is the story behind it. The original CraftBits tutorial explains that the project was made using a damaged flag brought home by a veteran, and his wife, Marsha, turned it into this beautiful wreath for her family to enjoy. That gives the project a little more meaning than a standard seasonal door decoration.

The supplies are very simple: a grapevine wreath, an American flag, a large metal star, and glue. The flag is folded lengthwise to create a sash, then secured diagonally across the wreath. The star is layered on the side to cover the gathered section and give the whole piece a finished focal point.

This would look beautiful on a covered front porch, garden gate, entryway wall, mantel, or even as part of a Memorial Day or Veterans Day display. It is not just for the 4th of July either — with the right styling, this is the kind of patriotic wreath you could bring out for several red, white, and blue occasions throughout the year.

If you’re planning more handmade patriotic decorating, you might also like our 10 DIY 4th of July wreaths to dress up your front door roundup, where this CraftBits wreath is already included as a classic front-door option. For a bigger porch refresh, pair it with our 15 DIY 4th of July porch decor ideas and add planters, lanterns, bunting, or painted rocks for a full summer entryway look.

One helpful note from the tutorial is that you can glue the flag in place, or stitch it to the back of the wreath if you want the option of removing it later. That is especially worth considering if you are using a sentimental flag, a vintage flag, or one with family meaning. Stitching gives you a bit more flexibility and avoids permanently attaching something you may want to preserve.

You could also soften the look with a few extra details. Add raffia for a farmhouse feel, tuck in cream or red faux roses, use denim ribbon, or add smaller stars around the grapevine base. I’d keep the extras fairly restrained though, because the flag and star are already doing the heavy lifting. This is one of those projects where too much “more” can tip it from rustic to crowded very quickly.

For supplies, Amazon is a handy option for grapevine wreath forms, metal star accents, glue, and mini flags. Etsy can also be useful if you want a handmade metal star, rustic Americana embellishments, or vintage-style patriotic trim, but I’d keep it simple so the wreath still feels meaningful rather than overly decorated.

This is a lovely beginner-friendly patriotic craft because there is no complicated measuring, no sewing machine required, and no special tools beyond basic craft supplies. It is also a good project for using a flag that may not be suitable to fly outdoors anymore but still holds meaning. As always, if you’re using an actual American flag with sentimental or ceremonial value, take care with how it is handled and displayed.

The finished wreath has that warm front-porch welcome feel — festive enough for the 4th of July, but classic enough to suit a farmhouse, cottage, or rustic summer decorating style.