Staining an Heirloom Oak Table
When someone brings me a family heirloom to restore it’s such an honor. So far, over my years of painting, staining, and repurposing furniture for people, I’ve gotten to take on lots of meaningful projects. This post is about one of those times.
This table belongs to one of my clients’ relatives. She hauled it to TN all the way from Cali and although she loves the table, she knew it needed a facelift.
Just thinking about staining this oak table with its heavenly chunky base made my heart skip a beat.
I was super excited to get my hands on it!
This is the sideboard we used as our inspiration color.
It’s a soft taupe much like the Prairie Gray DIY Paint that I carry in the shop.
For the top of the table we decided on a Brown Mahogany stain by General Finishes. Firstly, I sanded the tabletop down to the raw wood before applying the stain. ******NOTE Sanding down the wood when applying GF isn’t always required but I’m pretty old school when it comes to staining and I like to apply stains to raw wood.
For the base I used the Prairie Gray. Overall, it was a great match!
And here you go all set up in its new home.
Can’t you imagine yourself sitting right here enjoying a meal?!
Oohh. Very nice, Beth.
Thank you Lane!
Beautiful!
Thank you Julia!
Great job! We have a bedroom set. Thomasville. Solid wood. Incredible carvings. It’s really too dark. I think it needs the “Restoration Hardware” makeover. Hubby is freaked out about painting it. With all the carvings and curves, he fears once painted, there’s no going back. I’m too scared to paint this high end furniture. Will painting it ruin the value?
Hi Debbie,
This is a question I’m asked frequently. Personally I think my idea of value is different than other peoples. Materially speaking, I value the things in my home that have meaning to me and bring me joy. If I’m staring at a bedroom suite that I no longer like it’s certianly not going to bring me happiness or joy so I’m going to paint it. I know you meant value in another way so I’ll address that too. If you are painting an irreplaceable rare antique that you plan to sell I would strongly doing your homework on its value first. Otherwise follow your heart and love the things in your home because you make them yours.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Do you remember the name of the wall color? Great job on the table!
Hi Terikka,
I’m sorry this is in a clients home so I don’t know the color. Thank you for reading!
🙂 Beth