Amy writes:
They were purchased at an antique store for a grand total of $55. A great deal! The table is oak (which I don't like) and the chairs are an unknown wood. I really wanted to do it right so I went to my local Dunn Edwards store and picked the brain of one of the employees. I knew it would be used as a kitchen table so it needed to be durable.
I first sanded all of it with a rough sand paper. Then I went over all of it again with a more fine sandpaper. And this is a little unique but I used a lightweight leaf blower to remove a lot of the wood dust before using tack cloth. I used Kilz primer and applied it with a brush on the base and with a small sponge roller on the top. I normally would have sanded again at this point but the man at Dunn Edwards said I didn't need to.
In the state of California certain components of paint are removed so that they can be compliant with the VOC laws we have here. One of these components is something that can extend the dry time of the paint. I was concerned with getting the most smooth surface possible so I chose to add this component back in. It keeps the paint wet longer and allows it to sort of "melt" into itself a bit so you can't see brush or roller marks.
Next came the aqua colored paint. Again I used the roller on top and the brush on the base. You want to make sure to get enough paint on the table top and not overwork it, if you do you'll get roller marks. I did two coats of the aqua paint. It was recommended to me to let the paint dry for more than two days but less than seven before putting a polyurethane coat on. The reason for the polyurethane coat is to protect the paint so that if/when it scratches it will scratch the clear coat and not the aqua color. Once you apply the poly coat it needs to cure for two weeks before being used or moved.
The chairs are a creamy off white color. They were a little harder to sand and paint because of the spindles. Same process of sanding and priming for these. One tip for painting chairs that I got was to paint the spindles first then the seat. I painted the top curved piece of the chairs first, then the spindles then the seat and then the legs and the bottom of the chair. You really have to keep an eye on the spindles, it's really easy to get drips and uneven surfaces. I recommend using a smaller brush for more control. I did the poly coat on the chairs as well.
As for the rest of my apartment, I know it needs help. I hate the cabinets with a passion. It is a rental but I have permission to paint if I want. I'm just not sure I want to take on that big of a project when I don't own the place. It's all a work in progress. I have several other pieces of furniture I want to paint but I can't decide on a color.
Thanks Amy!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Love it! :)
Ashley
rainycitystyle.blogspot.com
view RainyCityStyle's profile
Amy, you didn't buy that table & chairs from me, did you? Haha. Sold an identical set on CL because I moved, but that looks just so darn cute now I'm regretting it- never knew they had that potential!
view AudreyinPDX's profile
Amy - I love the way this table turned out.
BTW - That glass on the table: Are those aqua diamonds printed on it? It looks an awful lot like some glasses my Mom received as a wedding gift and we used as kids...
view bepsf's profile
Awesome. I love that you didn't paint the table something generic.
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
I'm not a professional, but I think it's a bit of painting overkill. I would have liked to see just the chairs painted out and the table left exposing the wood grain for some contrast... even just leaving the top wood and the bottom painted??? If it's the color of the oak that was blech, it could have been re-stained a different color or tone.
The composition is cute, though. And it certainly has a cheery feel to it.
view tartanfrog's profile
Amy, did you use a latex or alkyd base paint for the project? And was the polyurethane topcoat water-based or oil? (oil will amber over time)
We have a larger version of this table (I too can't stand the look of oak) we bought when my wife and I got married years ago. We've been toying with painting our table, so it was inspirational to see your post. Thanks!
view hollandstudio's profile
this is a rare occassion when I actually don't mind painting over the wood-- I feel like there are a million of those tables (or similar) floating around and the wood didn't have great patina or any particularly unique character (and I don't like oak, either). lovely color, and it sounds like you did a great job!
view foodefafa's profile
Thank you!
Hollandstudio - It was all latex water based paint.
view wabadee1's profile
So cute! I probably would have left the top wood 'cause I'm a sucker for wood grain. But this looks very lovely, you did a fantastic job!
view cassielynn's profile
Great job Amy, I love it! It looks smooth and professional, inspires me to do my own :)
view sarrazak's profile
Another paint question: what kind of gloss? High, medium?
view josie6's profile
Amy -- beautiful!!! Bravo!
view madampince's profile
great job! One question, what brand and color of paint? I love it! thanks
view Laid's profile
I used a medium gloss. Every brand has a different gloss scale, I forget what the gloss level that I used was but it's not too shiny or dull. That wasn't a very good answer was it?!
view wabadee1's profile
Yes, awesome. The blue is perfect with the off white of the chairs. What a relief to see something so well done and in such good taste, color wise. Thanks a million, I mean that.
view click212's profile
beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
view keeks's profile
Unique and inviting.
view holland's profile