How to Update a Boring Oak Table

Table After_0

***Be sure and check out THIS POST to see the matching chairs***

I’ve shown you how to update a boring oak table before in this post.  Today I’m going to share LOTS of pictures of how I updated a beautiful oak claw foot table.  Painting and refinishing a table is a simple and affordable way to turn something you already have and are tired of into something new and fresh.

Duck Egg Table Transformation_0

This client project had seen its better days and had lots of flaking and peeling poly on top.

Duck Egg Table Transformation 2_0

The base was also worn out with scuff marks and such.  But as you can see it was still really beautiful with lots of potential.

Duck Egg Table Before

The first order of business was to sand down the entire surface of the top.

Minwax Stain

Once that was done I (with the help of my dad) stained the top with this wonderful dark Espresso stain and then finished it with 2 coats of Minwax polyurethane.

Dark Stained Minwax Table

The end result was better than I had envisioned.  The dark stain really compliments the wood grain and blends it all together so much better.

Mixwax and Duck Egg Table

Next I painted the base and apron top with Annie Sloan Duck Egg.

Duck Egg Table

Then finished the painted areas with clear soft wax.

Minwax Dark Stained Table top

Minwax Stained Table Top

Stay tuned for tomorrows post where I’ll show you what I did with the chairs.

Minwax Stained Table

Do you have project that needs my attention?  I’d love to work with you and help you make your space reflect your taste.  Email me at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com   Also don’t forget to subscribe to get all the latest info delivered directly to your inbox and please check out my Facebook page.

Thanks for reading and please comment with your thoughts.

Blessings,

Beth

How to Update a Boring Oak Table and Chairs
How to Strip and Refinish Furniture Part 4

14 Comments

  1. chris aka monkey says:

    gorgeous love the mix of wood and paint…i hope your client like it as much xx

  2. JaneEllen says:

    What an incredible difference you made on that old table. The paint and stain are great together. Very nice save. Hope client loves it as much as I do. I’m not too fond of Oak, like the darker richer shades. Tiger oak is gorgeous when maintained properly.
    Look forward to seeing the chairs when you’re done, you must be a very busy refinisher, always talking about projects and ones coming up. Hope you let yourself enjoy life. Happy summer days

  3. Sally wiedefeld says:

    Beth, your work is beautiful! I wish you lived in Florida.

  4. This looks amazing! I haven’t used Espresso stain before but LOVE the color. Gorgeous job! x

    1. Thanks Danielle!!! Love your site by the way. Subscribed!

      Blessings my cyber friend!
      Beth

  5. beth treaster says:

    I have a table like that, and would love to have it painted just like that one. Where are you located, and do you paint for others?

    1. Hi Beth,

      I am just west of Nashville TN. Yes, I paint for others. This was a client project. Please email me if you are near me and would like me to paint yours. farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com

      Blessings,
      Beth

  6. That looks exactly like my table. It needs to be redone. This gives me the ” want to paint it” push. Not looking forward to doing the chairs though. Not as detailed fortunately as the ones that go with your client’s table.

    1. Cecilia you can do it! One chair at a time!!!!

      🙂 Beth

  7. I also have a great oak tale that is bleached out on top from sun and needs a redo. I have all your products on my list to buy and that is my next project, and the matching oak chairs need refreshing as well, thanks also to your tutorial. Thanks for inspiration; that table is gorgeous.

    1. You are so welcome Debbi. It’s my pleasure. 😉

      Beth

  8. Robin Schuitema says:

    I sanded off the sticky finish on my oak table and put a zillion coats of poly on it. I was left with lots of little divits that never leveled out. I painted over it and distressed it to help it look intentional. Do you have any ideas on how I could go back and stain it dark?

    1. Hi Robin, without seeing it I can’t be absolutely certain but my first guess would be that you need to completely strip and sand it all down and start over with the raw wood. Make sure you step down your sand paper starting with a coarse grit (80-100) and ending with a fine grit (220). I hope this helps.

      Thank you for reading,
      Beth

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *