Though this thrift store dining table was missing a leaf and had obviously seen some hard use in the past, the classic lines and solid wood construction were just crying out for a little TLC to become a showpiece in someone's home. Priced at only $15, this table was a steal despite the problems with the fininsh on the tabletop. Though this makeover does involve some paint, the wood purists among you should also be happy with the final result.
Painting the legs and apron help lighten up this large piece without removing any of its character. The refininished top has an appealing depth of color as a result of hard work and careful choice of stain. The old finish was removed using a citrus stripper before the time-consuming work of sanding began. The pattern in the tabletop complicated the staining process, but led to a layered and multi-tone look that helps highlight the age and character of the piece.
For more step by step instructions and photos, check out Little Miss Penny Wenny: Easy and Affordable DIY Table Transformation.
Image: Photos from Little Miss Penny Wenny.
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Hillary & Michael's Refined Roost
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Nomade Express Slee...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
My Staple Summer Cocktail Recipe: Campari & IPA Spritzer
Gorgeous! And no habitat destruction to go with it. Kudos.
I really like the table, but I'm not feeling the chairs. Great transformation, though. Good job!
i absolutely love the table!! but i agree with alliebear, am not really feeling the chairs. think i would've liked them better in all white.
LOVE the table. It has a very French provincial look. I'd like to see different chairs with this though... but that's just a personal choice rather than design criticism. :)
love the table... and the idea of the chairs. think the chairs would work better if the seats (and possibly the backs) had been stained and the rest painted white.
meh. (Sorry. None of it works for me. But I do applaud the effort and if the owners are happy, that's what matters.)
I love how the table turned out!
Good idea....hmmmm...*thinking*... ;))
you did an amazing job and foresight in this find... very good price and what a finished piece it is... very good going....
nice! we just inherited a table that looks almost the same. just not so worn.
Nice! I'm not feeling the chairs though. Maybe if they were all white. Or if the spindles were white and the seat tops were all that was stained.
If any of you has stripped furniture before, you know what a huge pain-in-the-behind it is to strip the detailed pieces like those upper chair backs. I can't tell if they're carved or raised designs, but that would take a ton of time. Heck, I've even cursed simple detailing like those grooves in the table apron and legs.
The spindles are even complicated turns. I have 3 of 6 chairs refinished that are half that turned, and I continue to procrastinate.
I would have spent my time on the table top as well. Glass houses and all that, you guys.
That is a brilliant makeover!
I would not have even allowed that table in my home as it was... this treatment added loads of needed style! Great work.
I too, would have stained the seats of the chairs and used the white wash look on the rest ... but I don't oppose what they did at all!
All in all - NICE SAVE!!
Well Done!!! Not an easy job. I once sanded down and repainted an old spindle bed. Part way through, I was wondering way I ever started. I like the deeper tone on the table top, much better than the colour in the "before" photo.
Good Job! Looks better then I thought it would from the before picture.
Gorgeous!
Thank you SO MUCH for the feature! I am so flattered. I must defend myself in regards to the comments about the chairs... I totally agree with you that they aren't the best match for this table. To be totally honest, I got them for about $5 from a friend and was just anxious to sell the table when it was done so I made the chairs work well enough to match. I intended to leave just the seats wood and paint the rest (including spindles) but there was some damage to a few of the seats that needed quick wood, which does not look good unless it's stained. So, I opted to leave the spindles dark since I thought the wood color complimented the table top. It worked, but wasn't my favorite either.
If you want to see a really beautifully done dining room table and chair set that I am actually proud of, check out my posts:
http://littlemisspennywenny.blogspot.com/2011/08/dining-room-set-transformation-of.html
http://littlemisspennywenny.blogspot.com/2011/08/dining-room-set-transformation-of.html
Thanks again Apartment Therapy for this feature!
The problem with the chairs is that they retain their identity as oak pressback chairs plus some whitewashing. If you don't like the look, slipcover them. Otherwise, they defy attempts to transform them into something else.
The tabletop looks amazeballs, for myself, I'd have done the legs in crisp white (not the distressed shabby chic look) but I still think it looks great.
You did a fantastic job!
Little Miss Penny Wenny - Come redo my kitchen set please! My jaw dropped when I pulled up those links!
Wouldn't put it in my house.
looks so cheap. the chairs look comical would have been better in all black.
I adore that table. Definitely worth saving and you did a great job!
Much improved, good work!
Table looks great!
Strange, and not something I'd think I'd like, but I love it!
Looks much better than it did, what I see more often is tables handled in the same way but using black paint instead of white.
I love everything about it! I think that the chairs are a unique and creative way to make this table really stand out and make a statement! Great transformation!! I would be happy to have this in my home!
My jaw dropped too. I inherited my grandmother's set and through the years, with kids, moving and life, the tabletop has gotten damaged. It's so good to know that I can refinish it and have it come out looking even better. I am blown away at what an incredible job you've done! Looks awesome!!
I'd like to see kaye_sarah do better. Penny Wenny did a fabulous job with what she had. If you can't say anything nice.......
love the table... and the idea of the chairs. think the chairs would work better if the seats (and possibly the backs) had been stained and the rest painted white.
marble top dining table
Nice.. dont leave it in the sun to long...