How to Makeover Your Dining Room Table (Phase 1)
Pinterest made me do it.
Our dining room table has some miles on it. Its a hand me down from my father-in-law and has moved around with us since 2002. I think it is around 15-20 years old. It is pretty beat up and showing its age, but buying a new dining room table doesn’t make sense with three kids ages 5 and under. This thing weights a bunch, it is sturdy, and is oak. This is the table we use every single day for eating, coloring, and everything else you can imagine. It takes abuse but serves its purpose.
Of course I stare at it every day thinking about how sad it looks – I feel like it could be so much more than it is. Poor gal needs a makeover.
Naturally, I started pinning some DIY stuff I saw on Pinterest once we moved into this house nearly three years ago. Surely I could refinish a table! I mean, I have never done anything like this before but why not? I found a table exactly like mine that another blogger had refinished and I’ve been thinking about it every day since.
Well, my Dad gave me the courage when he recently gifted us a new palm sander. Now there were no excuses – I can do this! Plus, I watched a YouTube video which makes me an expert.
Yesterday I went to Home Depot, bought the sandpaper I needed and hauled the beast outside. In the interim I set up a folding table that we use for parties LOL! My kids think its fun so whatever, but its pretty cozy for the 5 of us. I’m hopeful to get this job done ASAP knowing we eat at a folding table now. No excuses to slack off. Nap times are the right time and the weather is awesome so I’m motivated.
OMG. Day 1 of sanding was long and after 1.5 hours and my hand shaking a bunch when I quit for the day I packed it in. I started late in the day anyway so today I’m getting out there early. I’m hoping to finish up the sanding today and get started with the varnish.
I am only refinishing the table top. I plan on painting the base and chairs white which makes this whole thing more manageable. I’m going to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for those tasks and I’ve heard great things about this paint as it looks fab and requires no prep! Boom!
My dad has a compressor and spray gun so I may ask him to borrow those items to make the work with the chairs quick! We shall see.
If you want to follow along be sure to check me our on Instagram and Snapchat. That is where I’ll be chronicling this project in more detail, sweat…hopefully no tears. 🙂
Have you ever done anything like this before? Do you have any tips for me?
