I found a table, not just any ordinary table but a free dinning room table that a older couple left outside with the sign saying ‘free’ on it. I normally walk past their place on the way to going to drop my siblings to school. At first glance I could tell that it wasn’t my style. So I gave it a few days. Continue to drop and pick up the kids.
It wasn’t something I was going to get until I thought what I could do with it. My mom wasn’t going to buy a new dinning room table until my siblings went to college at this point. Long story short, they broke the dinning room table and the new fold up one honestly belonged outside.
At first I thought about how to bring this table into my apartment. I already knew that there is no way I could carry it and I couldn’t throw it on my stroller. Obviously I needed my van. With help the table arrived and was placed on my balcony. What did my mom think about this?
Well she at first thought I was crazy (It is a normal reaction.) Then she wanted to know my ideas for this table. (To make sure I am not starting a collect random furniture on our balcony) I never tackled a paint job or staining or anything like this before so all of this was new for me.
Spray Paint Process
I bought Krylon’s Color Master – Bright White Spray paint. It was on sale at Canadian Tire for $4.48.
We took off the legs of the table (which was the same color of the table top)
and laid them upright against cardboard.
I was so excited to spray paint. It was so much fun to do and easy. I let them dry over night completely missing the part that this spray paint drys in ten seconds.
Staining Process
I also bought Minwax Fast Drying Clear Satin and Ebony Wood Finish. I had to ask the worker at Canadian Tire to help me out since there was different stains and such from oil based to water based. I had no idea where to start but I knew with stain I was looking for. I wanted a dark stain for the top of the table and that is what I got with the Ebony stain.
This table originally has a light caramel color to it.
I personally don’t own a sander or those power sanders but with small sand paper, the table got done with a lot of hand power.
I had help using Wishi Tape to tape top of the table’s side. Then spray painted the sides of the table which was originally a dark green color.
Now it was time for me to stain the top. I wish I started with this but it was too late to redo everything.
The Tip I got from the Canadian Tire Employee was to “Stir not shake” along with information about why I shouldn’t shake it causes bubbles. Also he told me to get a rag as well for this project.
I used a brush and started to put the stain on. You can use a cloth or brush.
Leave on for 5- 15 minutes. I realize I am a little bad with following directions. I didn’t see the stain color I was looking for and just reapplied the stain this time leaving it on. Which I found out its one of the things not to do on their DONT list on their website. So to not copy what I did, simply apply a second coat after 4-6 hours, repeating application directions of first coat.
I noticed that the caramel color was speaking through when I would rub the brush against it and I loved the way it looks and kept it this way.
Later this same week, it snowed and so I had to wait to ass the clear coat.
When the weather was a little better, I finally got the clear coat on and let that dry over night.
Final Result
Then it was finally time to bring it in. Just in time because we had a snow storm a few days after I brought the table in.
I think that my table turned out pretty good for it being the first time I have done something like this before. What I have learned is… I should read instructions better. Now that I have found and tackled a table. I have to do something about the dinning room table’s chairs that we have.
I hope you have some time, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment to say how much you enjoyed my post or even say hi, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram page or even subscribe. I will do the same! Have a wonderful creative weekend!
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This looks gorgeous! You did a great job:)
Thank You Ginnie! 🙂
Very nice- you did a great job! I loved your story of how you got the table in the first place. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your process and tips with us at Treasure Box Tuesday! 🙂 Pinned!
Thank you Joy for the comment and for pinning 🙂
Very cool! And it looks great! I've got a dining room table that I've been meaning to chalk paint…Thanks for the inspiration!
Your welcome Sarah, the chalk paint dinning table idea sounds awesome!
Wow! That table turned out great! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Thank you Nicole 🙂
Nice work! I'm so thankful to whoever created spray paint! It makes painting projects so much easier.
Thank you. I agree… I love the creation of spray paint 🙂
That looks great — and free is fabulous!!! I really like the contrast of the ebony top with the white apron and legs.
Thank you so much Charlene, free is defiantly fabulous!
Thank you for sharing with us at Retro RePin Party! This is one of my favorites and it's featured during this week's party! Hope you stop back to grab your button and link up again 🙂
~ Happy New Year!
Robin
Awesome! Thank you so much Robin! I will for sure stop by.
Great find and great job! 🙂
Thank you Kammy, glad you like it!
You did great-can't tell it was your first time and you just made the same mistakes we all have! For the chairs-I have never tried this, but have read that you can paint fabric-so you might want to look into that? Or you sew or know someone who does, just get some remnants at your fabric store or Walmart (not sure where you live) they don't have to match unless you just want them to———and make chair covers. Again, I"m great at giving suggestions for things I have not done! LOL. At target-and Walmart online, you can buy chair covers fairly cheap. It just might take some time looking around till you find some? Keep on going , you are a natural. 🙂
Thank you so much. I am still debating of if I want to give the chairs we own a make over or buy a new set of dinning chairs. Who knows maybe another freebie will come my away again. Thank you for the suggestions though I will keep those in mind 🙂