Vintage Farmhouse Table, Chairs & Bench

This was a big project! I spend over a week working on this table. But it was more than just the time it took that made this a big project. Here’s what the table looked like when I started.

It only came with 4 chairs, 1was a captains chair. It also came with a leaf so it was big enough to seat 6.  I started searching for a bench to add more seating and also to add to the farmhouse look I wanted for this table. I couldn’t find one to refinish so I decided to have one made. Remember the Entryway Bench  I had someone make for me? I went back to my friend Colton and asked him to make me a bench. I sent him a picture and measurements and a few days later he delivered it! I have to say, I’m so impressed with anyone who can build something from scratch!

Time for stain! I sanded the table and leaf and noticed a few flaws in the wood top. The top of the table has a wood veneer and so it’s thin. Over time some of it chipped a bit on a few edges and in one area the wood deteriorated. So when I went over it with a sander it came right off. I really wanted to stain the top and not paint it so I went forward with that plan.

I picked Minwax Golden for the stain color. It’s a light stain but the table top came out darker than I expected. On the bench it was much lighter. So I had to pick a darker stain for the bench so it would match.

 

You can see the difference in the wood on the table and the bench with the Minwax Golden. With different wood you get a difference in color. I ended up using Minwax Dark Walnut on the bench. Much better match!

Next it was time to take the ugly, dirty seat covers off and recover them.

 

Recovering seats is usually pretty easy and this was no exception.  I’ve done this a few times now. You can see some of my other post where I reupholstered chairs: Chair makeover with ASCP Emperors silk and Rose back chair restyled and Antique or Vintage Chair Reupholstering  and Huge Reupholster Project Part 1 of 2  and Huge Reupholster Project Part 2 of 2

I took the staples out and found the original seat underneath. Someone added padding to the chairs previously so I kept it.  I added a layer of quilt batting because I think it makes a smoother look to the finished seat.

I stapled the batting on with a few staples to keep it in place and then stapled the material on. I picked an upholstery material that had a Grain Sack look and added the pattern to each chair. I measured and taped to make the pattern, then used Annie Sloan Graphite to paint the stripes.

Because I added the quilt batting I had to use longer nails to put the seats back on the chairs. Loving the grain sack look!! It’s simple but adds a lot to the overall look of the table.

Now for the painting! I stared by painting the chairs and legs Annie Sloan Louis Blue.

In my last post, Layering Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I layered 2 colors of paint. For this table and chairs I used 3 colors. After 1 coat of the Louis Blue I added bits of Graphite.

Then I used a chip brush to add a coat of Old White. I lightly sanded everything so the Graphite and Louis Blue would show through.

Layering paint gives the piece an aged look. I finished it off with General Finishes Top coat.

And this table was finally done!!

Perfect Farmhouse Table! You can see the blemish in the top of the table but I think it adds to the farmhouse aged look. And the wood on this table is so beautiful I’m glad I didn’t paint over it.

Lots of time went into this project. Sometimes big projects can feel tedious and a bit frustrating but when it’s done and it turns out how you imagined it, it’s all worth it!

And now it’s ready for someone to take it home, just in time for the holiday! 😃

Ok I want to hear your thoughts on this! Have you painted a tables and chairs before? What was your experience? Please leave a comment cuz I love hearing from everyone!! 😊

Thanks for stopping in to take a look at my latest post.

Cindy

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