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in DIYing· Furniture updates· Renovating

It’s finished! The dining table is really for real D-O-N-E.

I am so not joking, my friends. I am DONE with the dining table.

dining_table_final_03

…aaaand a before pic to jog your memory:

I bought this table over TWO months ago. Yes, it’s taken me more than two months to strip and stain a table.

I think I’ve just set a new Allison record for the slowest project I’ve ever done.

Let’s back up though… Last time I showed you the table I had just finished staining it.

dining_table_final_01

After that I had to add the Poly. I went with MinWax Polycrylic in a clear satin finish.

dining_table_final_02

It said to use a good bristled brush, but I used a throw away foam brush and it worked just fine.

The legs got 3 coats and the top got 6. I learned a few things about Poly along the way; any little bubbles will dry crunchy and white. Make sure to smooth the bubbles out as you paint it on. Also, the container says to sand in between coats. I sanded once, after 3 coats using 320 grit paper per the instructions on the back of the poly. It was a disaster. It took most of the stain off and left little swirlie marks on the table. I had to buff the top down and re-stain it. Pain in my you know what! In the end, I didn’t sand at all between coats of poly. The table looks perfect in my humble opinion. So, if you use poly, sand at your own risk!

Now for the fun, part loads of “after” pictures, and a few “before and afters” for good measure.

dining_table_final_04

Let me just point out though, I am no where near done with the chairs.

dining_table_final_09

I will give you a full play-by-play on how to remove upholstery in another post. Don’t worry, it’s on its way.

Also, all the “after” pics of the table have the unfinished chairs in them. Now you can easily compare the original color (on the chairs) to the new color (on the table).

dining_table_final_05

Oh meh goshhhhhhhhhh, I’m seriously loving this table. Like, as in, “heart palpitations just looking at it” kind of love.

I also equally love the table centerpiece, which isn’t even finished yet. It’s only half finished. So just picture it about 50x cuter than what’s in the pics.

dining_table_final_06

In an honest effort to “keep it real” for you guys, can I just be frank?

This project was a huge pain in my Derriere. Stripping and staining a table is way more work than I thought it would be. Also, it’s not for a DIY novice. It was hard. Unless you are confident and patient as a saint, I would say either paint it or just buy something else.

Here’s how the top turned out:

dining_table_final_07

I was originally going to paint the table. I knew staining it would be so much work, and I just wasn’t up for it. But fortunately I have some of the best friends online (you!). You guys encouraged me to stain the table so that the interlay could show through. Realizing I needed to suck it up and stain the table instead of painting it was the best decision I could have made. Thank you!

dining_table_final_08

Check out how far this table has come! (And the moulding in the room too!)

Before

After
dining_table_final_05

Before

After
dining_table_final_06

Before & After
  dining_table_final_10

And finally, the picture I’m most proud of…

dining_table_final_11

…and when we first moved in:

I’d say that’s a pretty huge improvement! I’m so glad the Barny Room is no more.

Now I get to finish the chairs. 🙂 It takes me about 2 HOURS per chair to remove all the upholstery. All the layers of material, and the springs, and the nails. Don’t get me started about how many nails are in each chair! Oh, and staples. Geesh. Whoever assembled these chairs was hell bent of them surviving the Apocalypse. The only things able to survive the Rapture; roaches and my dining chairs.

In case you are just now reading about the table and want to get caught up, here are all the posts in reverse order (newest post first):

1) Stripping, cleaning, conditioning, and staining the table
2) Stripping the table top, curtain fabric reveal, and a run down on the chairs
3) Adding moulding to walls, + my overall plan for the dining room
4) I bought a dining table!

Also, here’s my House Tour: Dining Room and the play-by-play of painting over the Barney Massacre.

Thanks for following along on my journey. I’m glad I get to share the ride with you.

See all my blog posts with videos here.


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Filed Under: DIYing, Furniture updates, Renovating Tagged With: Dining Room, dining table, furniture, minwax, polycrylic, refinish, satin

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Comments

  1. Janet @ I HEART My Glue Gun says

    06/23/2011 at 7:59 pm

    Allison, it looks INCREDIBLE!!! And your dining room just looks a gazillion times better than before! 🙂

    http://www.iheartmygluegun.com

    Reply
  2. CrystalC2B says

    06/23/2011 at 8:09 pm

    Alison! I love the table! I need to get my fanny in gear to restain the top of mine… and the chairs.

    You’re making me glad I have a table 1/3 the size of yours and only 4 chairs to do!

    Reply
  3. Julie Banister says

    06/23/2011 at 8:20 pm

    It looks FABULOUS!!!! I know it was a PITA, but looks way way way worth it!! Looking forward to hearing about the upholstery.
    🙂 You ROCK!!

    Reply
  4. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    06/23/2011 at 8:45 pm

    Wow! Looks AWESOME! I’m so glad you still get to see that gorgeous woodgrain! I know that wasn’t an easy job (ha!) but once you’ve had enough time to forget about it, I’ll bet you’ll be SO glad you did it… (It’s like childbirth, right?) 🙂

    Reply
  5. kelly says

    06/23/2011 at 8:59 pm

    it looks amazing, allison!!! great work! and now, the chairs…..

    Reply
  6. Olga says

    06/23/2011 at 9:19 pm

    It looks Fow-King-Ahhh Maze-ing!!! I LOVE IT!!! When I saw you posted this I was alll excited waiting for the page to open.

    Please pat yourself in the back!

    Reply
  7. Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims says

    06/23/2011 at 9:20 pm

    Beautiful! Love the dark stain so much better!

    Reply
  8. Billie Monster says

    06/23/2011 at 9:23 pm

    Haha the “barney room”! That sounds so cute! Wow, I can’t believe how great the table came out! I’m definitely looking forward to you telling us how to remove upholstery… I have a project lined up I’d like to try but I’m too intimidated! Also, I’m a new follower!

    ~ http://www.billiemonster.com ~

    Reply
  9. Mandy @ This Girl's Life says

    06/23/2011 at 9:35 pm

    What a difference! Love the darker stain and I think 2 months isn’t bad at all considering how big a piece that is. We just purchased a new dining table from Craigslist that needs to be refinished so your advice is going to come in handy!

    Reply
  10. Connie says

    06/23/2011 at 10:15 pm

    Your table looks wonderful!! I have only stripped/stained one project and I felt the same way… sooooo much patience is needed! It was worth it though 🙂
    Connie

    Reply
  11. Victoria says

    06/23/2011 at 10:25 pm

    Seriously. It. Looks. FABULOUS!! The wood interlay looks incredible in the dark stain. It looks expensive now, too! Oh, Alison, it may have been a lot of work, but it really looks like it was worth it. Nice job and excellent choice. Can’t wait to see the chairs all done.

    Reply
  12. Kristin says

    06/23/2011 at 10:37 pm

    It looks amazing Alison! Wow, and that table is huge! Very nice, I bet you will love entertaining in there when it’s finished 🙂

    Reply
  13. Piper Patrick says

    06/23/2011 at 10:57 pm

    Outstanding…it looks beautiful! For years and years to come you are going to be SO glad you took the time to achieve the look you really wanted. Congrats on the big accomplishment!

    Reply
  14. Andrea says

    06/24/2011 at 12:33 am

    OMG I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS!!!

    So when you said you were going to paint it, I was reading on my phone, via my google reader, and of course, the damn thing would NOT let me comment. And I was going to comment with a fierce “OH NO YOU DON’T GURRRL”. Because there is way too much beauty in that table to paint over! AND I’M SO GLAD YOU DIDN’T!!! I’m sorry it’s a pain in your booty, but you should be so proud! It’s beautiful, and frankly, you got it done probably about 10 months sooner than I would have…HAHA!

    Reply
  15. SueAnn says

    06/24/2011 at 5:36 am

    Wowzers!!! It is beautiful! But I definitely would have painted it! I am too lazy to do all that staining and sealing. Ha! So kudos to you girl. Beautiful job for sure!!
    And the moulding looks amazing!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    Reply
  16. Lisa@Before Meets After says

    06/24/2011 at 7:26 am

    Allison it’s beautiful! I know you put in a lot of hard work and you’ll really appreciate it when you sit down to your first meal there 🙂 I am working on stripping and staining a table myself now….I feel you pain but I will press on!

    Reply
  17. Cindy B says

    06/24/2011 at 7:31 am

    All I can say is WOW! Your table is drool worthy!

    Reply
  18. ChrisE says

    06/24/2011 at 8:16 am

    Your table turned out beautiful! What a fantastic improvement. Well done!!!

    Reply
  19. celeste says

    06/24/2011 at 8:21 am

    love this set. I just sold 4 pieces! It is difficult and tedious work I will have to say, and from now on I will do it only if I am keeping the pieces I buy. BUT I need to know what is that marv color you used in the dining room on the top 1/2?? I have to have it for my rec room. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Sheena says

    06/24/2011 at 8:28 am

    The table looks great!!! I have to agree stripping and staining is a HARD job. I don’t have any patience and a few years ago when I decided to strip and stain some bunkbeds my kids had it turned into trashing the bunkbeds and buying new.

    Reply
  21. Jenny @An Apple for the Crafter says

    06/24/2011 at 8:37 am

    I. LOVE. IT. AHHHHH!!! Swoon.

    Reply
  22. Joy @ DesignItHome says

    06/24/2011 at 8:49 am

    GORGEOUS! It looks SO good. You are amazing for all that work that you’ve done. I am so glad that you’re happy with the result (I was on team “stain it”). The dining room is going to be stunning once it is all complete.

    Reply
  23. Meredith says

    06/24/2011 at 9:06 am

    Wow, double wow and triple wow! What a lot of work you have put into that table! Talk about an heirloom piece! That is such an inspiration, I can’t thank you enough for sharing!

    Reply
  24. cathy says

    06/24/2011 at 9:57 am

    Your table looks beautiful. I love refinishing furniture and cabinets for the joy of watching the transformation.

    Instead of sanding with paper I use those green flat Scotch pads that you can buy @Walmart in the cleaning supply section. Most paint stores carry them also in black which isn’t as coarse as the green. The pads work great for those in between coats of poly.

    Looking forward to seeing the chairs when they are finished.

    Enjoy!!

    Reply
  25. LeeAnne says

    06/24/2011 at 11:54 am

    Your table turned out AMAZING!! Hopefully all these comments will keep your momentum going because I can’t wait to see how the chairs turn out!!

    Reply
  26. angie @ the cellar door stories says

    06/24/2011 at 11:57 am

    it looks amazzzzzing!!!! great job! be proud!

    Reply
  27. Chelsea@ThisFreshFossil says

    06/24/2011 at 12:52 pm

    That looks GREAT! I love it! And I understand what you mean about how much working stripping and staining is, ugh! It took me forever – and all I did was the flat top of a dresser, lol! So kudos to you – your dining room is looking gorgeous!!

    ~Chelsea

    Reply
  28. Amber says

    06/24/2011 at 1:33 pm

    This has truly been a labor of love and it is really paying off. The transformation is amazingly beautiful. Can’t wait to see how the chairs turn out. I can definitely foresee how wonderful it is going to be.

    Reply
  29. April @ Chronicles of a Compulsive Decorator says

    06/24/2011 at 2:27 pm

    Looks AMAZING! You are such an ACE! 🙂

    Reply
  30. gretchen says

    06/24/2011 at 8:50 pm

    love it!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  31. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says

    06/24/2011 at 9:56 pm

    Your table looks gorgeous! What a transformation!

    By the way, I only just recently realized you are just a stone’s throw away from me. 🙂 And I also just remembered that you asked me a question about…hmmmm…a chair? I don’t remember. This week has been such a blur. I’ll go back and look right now.

    Anyway, beautiful job on the table. Your hard work definitely paid off.

    Reply
  32. Ami w/AliLilly says

    06/24/2011 at 10:26 pm

    WOW!! It’s seriously fantastic!! SUCH an improvement!!! The whole room is too! I can’t WAIT to see what you do with the chairs! 🙂

    Reply
  33. Beverly says

    06/24/2011 at 11:50 pm

    Phenomenal job! I really admire your patience! I started sanding my large oak table tonight, so this was an inspiring post for sure!

    Reply
  34. Debbie~refreshrestyle says

    06/25/2011 at 5:58 am

    Love your table, your home is looking great. You’ve come a long way! Can’t wait to see the chairs!

    Reply
  35. Kelly says

    06/25/2011 at 9:46 am

    I just happened to find your blog and oh what a happy day that was!! You have inspired me greatly. About a month ago, I purched an old cedar trunk from a yard sale, that has several coats of old stain, muck etc. It will be my first ‘stripping and staining’ project. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! Can’t wait to get started on this old trunk!
    ~blessings,
    Kelly

    Reply
  36. Melanie says

    06/25/2011 at 12:07 pm

    The table looks amazing!! I stripped and stained a laquered dining table several years ago, and know it is a ton of work, but you should seriously be proud of how it turned out. I can’t wait to see what the chairs end up looking like (no pressure!).

    Reply
  37. ali walker says

    06/25/2011 at 7:43 pm

    GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING WORK!!!!

    Reply
  38. Kim in Idaho says

    06/25/2011 at 11:21 pm

    Incredibly beautiful! What a work of art, really! Good job

    Reply
  39. Stephanie says

    06/26/2011 at 8:11 am

    Allison, That table is GORGEOUS!!! WTG!!!

    Reply
  40. Kimberly says

    06/27/2011 at 9:39 pm

    Dude, I meant to comment on this when you originally posted it. It turned out AMAZINGLY well. Looks just gorgeous! I can only imagine the amount of hard work it took to get it done, but boy did your work pay off, it is simply stunning.

    Good job *applause*!

    Best,

    Kimberly

    Reply
  41. Cassie Kenton says

    01/16/2012 at 9:53 am

    I love your blog! I just killed about an hour reading it. 🙂

    When I first saw the picture of your dining room, I thought your chairs were see through. I dug through the archives to find out how you did it, but then I realized that they’re not. Wouldn’t that be cool? If you used some kind of strong plastic instead of wood/foam/fabric? They’d match your finials and be totally unique!

    Reply
  42. Kathleen Bell says

    11/11/2012 at 9:45 am

    I have been following your blog for a few months and found a wonderful project and how to for painting furniture but I cannot find it again. There was specific info on the Benjamin Moore paint and primer to use and a foam roller. It may have been a link you had. Do you recall? I love your site and wish I had more time to do more of your projects.

    Reply
    • Allison says

      11/11/2012 at 10:06 am

      It might have been from a previous link party? I have never used Ben Moore paint, so I know it wasn’t my tutorial. I’m sorry, I wish I were more help.

      Reply
  43. Kim says

    07/14/2013 at 4:17 am

    I am about to refinish a similar table. Fortunatly, only the top. I have grooves along the edge of the table – it appears that you do as well. I have young kids and they are always getting crumbs in the cracks. Did you completely seal the grooves with polycrylic? How did you address the grooves? The table is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Allison says

      07/22/2013 at 12:14 pm

      I left the grooves in the dining table. However, my breakfast table has deep grooves and it drives me batty. If I ever paint the table top I’m going to fill the grooves in with wood filler before I paint.

      Reply
  44. Amy says

    02/17/2014 at 9:41 am

    Your table looks great! I’m in the middle of the same project. Stripped and sanded down but now have problems picking a dark enough stain. I started with walnut but it isn’t dark enough. My table has many different shades of wood and needs a dark stain. Can you tell me what you used and the process? How many coats of stain did you need to get to the dark color? I have 4 kids that have been eating off a coffee table for a month now….need my table back!

    Reply
    • Allison says

      02/17/2014 at 12:00 pm

      I used Ebony, which is pretty much a black stain. I think I did 2 coats.

      Reply
  45. Ma says

    04/11/2015 at 12:45 pm

    Let’s be honest, you have such a great sense of humor. I might have enjoyed the article alot more than I was suppose to. I’m actually in the process of reupholstering my smaller ottoman. It’s ridiculous how many staples were on there. The flap of fabric to cover the legs had its own set of staples to pry out, the cardboard strip holding that flap had its own, the piping had its own, and finally the fabric covering the overall top of the ottoman also had its own set of staples. I spent 2 sad hours pulling out 4 layers of staples. My right hand deserves a stay at the spa lol.

    Reply

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