Q: I bought a super-cute kitchen table and 4 chairs off Craigslist. It looks great in our kitchen and the chairs double as extra seating in the living room and game room/office. I just picked up this new cushion fabric, and am now wondering if I should refinish the entire set (table, leaf, 4 chairs) so it's worthy of its new cushions. The finish is pretty worn on the table's edges and chair arms. I would love to do this myself, but there are a few complicating factors: woven backs on the chairs, wrapped detailing, laminate tabletop. So my question is two-fold: 1. What color should I paint this set, keeping in mind it has to work in three different rooms, and 2. is it worth attempting this myself? Thanks!
Sent by Sarah
Editor: What a fun vintage table and chairs — and the printed fabric is perfect with your current decor. Who has advice for Sarah?
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Comments (14)
while i can't see the wear and tear from the pictures, i really like the set as is and think they go great with the colors in the rest of the room.
Everything I wanted to say, rasabasa123 said for me!
I don't think you should change a thing! But if you are going to paint, spray paint would work best on something like that set. I'm a big fan of using spray paint on wicker and rattan, because you can do several very thin coats and not get gunky build-up in the texture.
i'd paint it white, which would look great against the white walls. fantastic fabric, by the way!
That is one cute set and like it the way it is.
Honestly, I am not crazy about the fabric and the thickness of the cushion it seems to overwhelm the chair. But if you like it thats all that matters.
I see a more a texture woven or neutral nubby fabric that will blend in a bit more and give it more of a natural look.
I know these fabric are expensive but something like this would look chic and just a 2-3 yards would do it with a slimmer cushion-
http://www.sinapearson.com/spec/912
http://www.sinapearson.com/spec/879
I like the set the way it is. The fabric is a bit bold, but I am wondering how does it work with the rest of your home furnishings? It depends on how it works with the rest of your house. Adorable!
I am all kinds of jealous of that set, what a lucky find! There's a little voice inside me railing against the idea of doing anything to that table--I can't see the wear and tear you mention, but all I can imagine it adding is character. Do you feel it really needs to be refinished? You seem to have a really (REALLY) appealing vintage aesthetic going on, I think a little shabbiness would work nicely with that, and contrast the newness of the cushions.
Speaking with purely selfish motivations, I'd appeal to you not to touch it. I don't generally hold with imbuing objects with a whole lot of meaning, I'm not terribly sentimental about my possessions in general. However, all that said, I do believe that we surround ourselves with certain items for certain reasons, and that the objects that we use on a regular basis do become precious to us, and that whatever affection we develop for these things should be based on use. Whatever wear and tear it's sustained just means it served someone well. I wouldn't want to cover that up.
(but if you must paint it then, yeah, white, I guess)
Don't try to refinish it. This is rattan with wrapped details. That would be a huge project best tackled by a pro.
Don't paint it. In my experience, this type of rattan never looks good with a paint job. And painting the rattan will only make the faux wood laminate top stand out more.
Your photos may lie, but it looks like it is in decent shape to me. I recommend using RESTOR-A-FINISH to "freshen up" up the rattan. It will cover scratches and small dings, and give the finish a quick facelift. You can find Restor-A-Finish in any hardware store.
Restor-A-Finish is super easy to use. Just wipe on / off with a rag.
Cute house! As is is fine... though white would also work.
I love the colors you have on your walls! Especially the yellow and gray together.
I think the furniture looks good in the buff, but if you have designs on it I suggest a creamy pale turquoise or robin's egg color, in a shiny finish, like you might find on a Kitchen-Aid mixer. Spray-paint should work followed by protectant or varnish, but you might want to do some light sanding or scuffing first if the finish is really slick. The laminate, however... no idea. Some paints are made to bond to plastic, so try those, and if they don't work consider putting another surface over it or a piece of glass over cloth. I think it would look cool if the table surface were a coordinating shade or color.
If you really want to paint it, I would say the spray paint that is supposed to bond to anything (I saw some at Lowe's).
As for color, I was thinking chocolate brown. But everyone else said white. I also like the robin's egg blue color...but maybe not for that set in those rooms.
Skip the varnish if it has VOCs or contains lead. Perhaps get a glass top (from Pier 1) to protect the surface from daily wiping/cleaning/using.
Don't paint the rattan... I see it having a dark painted top only, under glass. Swap out the old cushions with some squishy down feather bed pillows- modify them for the seat shape and fabric(love) and not as big as the original.
I like the fabric, is it Amy Butler? I think it's a super score and vote for not painting it. Mostly because I am lazy. How about a piece of oilcloth cut for the top? Cool space, hope to see more of it!