We have met many a kitchen table that could have been saved from donation heaven if only they would have been DIY'd like the image above. We spotted this whimsical idea on KC and Sara's blog--how to after the jump!
The couple received this hand-me-down table and while they liked the shape, the generic wood surface wasn't doing anything for them. By using a heat gun to strip off the wax coating, they decided to paint instead of re-stain (and we're sure glad they did).
Sara mentions that the reverse stenciling was time-consuming (but we think well worth the trouble). And the lime green pairs well with the faux place setting.
Related DIY Kitchen Tables
- DIY Nakashima-Esque Table
- DIY Inspiration for the Table from Etsy
- Two Reclaimed Tables from Restoration Hardware
[Images from KC and Sara]
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
It's cute, but a bit too kitschy even for me.
Too cute for me too, but an interesting technique to save a table from the trash. I applaud your ingenuity and the hard work it took to do such a detailed job!
I agree - a quality paint finish in a somewhat more subdued shade would have been far more attractive.
If you have more than one other person at the table they will feel left out.
Very juvenile - it's like a table you'd have for children who don't know how to set a table properly yet.
Aw, come on. It's cute and fun and contemporary.
I like this for all the reasons mentioned by Cheryl and then some.
yikes. i have a feeling this person is probably also a fan of wall decals.
You guys are ridic. This is totally cute and quirky, and that green looks great against the white wall.
AT has gotten really negative lately with the comments. Design is not a serious bizness.
I would like this more if 1) the color weren't lime green, and 2) the cutouts were painted a different color (no wood).
Also, I clicked through expecting it would be that Fun Dip Plastic stuff from an earlier post and wanted to see how much you'd need to dip a whole table. Because that needs to be made into a video.
I think it's awesome.
That70sHeidi - the thing I actually love about it is the contrast between the lime green and the wood grain. I just don't like the overall concept. If the same painting technique were used on wood/faux bois serving trays that would be cool and less overwelming.
You're right though...although some of us don't click with this design, it's still great inspiration to use the technique in other ways.
LOVE! I do think the place settings are a bit too "cute" for my personal taste, but I LOVE this idea, and the contrast of the bright green against the wood grain... I have a wood table-top that I made out of an IKEA MALM headboard, and I've been looking for a way to spice it up a bit... I think I might try this, but in a more abstract design... *goes to google*
I like that it's kitschy.