Quite a few years ago I was blessed to have been given this antique table by my friend, Amber. We started out using it as a desk and then it turned into our eating nook table. I LOVE these old tables on castors! If you have ever feel in love with a piece of furniture (yes furniture) you will know how I feel every time I see an antique piece of furniture! You know like “Thinking out Loud” by Ed Sheeran…haha just kidding, but really, it’s a deep passion of mine. 
And as you get to know me, I’m never opposed to painting a piece of antique furniture. The tough part is these gorgeous antiques are so much harder to find out here in the middle of the desert of Tucson, Arizona. So, thank you again, Amber, for the table! I decided to lighten up our space a little (which will continue to happen in my home)…here is the before and after!
I painted the legs and the ledge under the table top in Swan White by Behr. I loved distressed pieces so of course my table and chairs got some sanding. To get the antique look I used Miss Mustard Seed Dark Wax. Make sure you watch a tutorial before using this because using too much in an area can be difficult to reverse.
On the table top I used Minwax Grey stain mixed with Driftwood stain. At times I would have to wipe a lot to get stain off of an area when it was too dark in that area. I’m loving the way it is grey but the wood grain is still able to show through.
When I seal a table that I have painted, I always use multiple coats of water based poly-acrylic. On this particular table, since I knew we use it often, I used 6 coats on the table top and 3 coats on the bottom parts of the table. I used 2 coats on the chairs. They are all extremely wipeable and I’m so glad that I took all of the time watching my poly dry so that I could get multiple coats. In the end it is VERY worth it!
I have to say that I scored these 4 chairs along with 2 more of the same at a thrift store for $25 for all of them! AHHHHH! I couldn’t believe it! I love these chairs here too. One of our other chairs had broken and I was determined that I was going to find something budget friendly and guess what? It’s possible! I do have to say that I used a brush to paint and stain my table but I used my paint sprayer to paint all of the chairs. Painting chairs is not my favorite!
I hope that I convinced you to go find a deal and start a project! Finding budget friendly decor and painting or upcycling it to fit into your decor is well worth the time! Thanks for stopping by! I’m excited that you are here! I would love to know what you think of my budget friendly update!
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I love it. Simply beautiful.
Thank you so much, Kathy!
How much sanding did you do to your table before starting? It’s beautiful!
Thank you so much! It took quite a bit of sanding, I sanded off all of the stain on top of the table to restain it
Thank you so much!! And what about the paint on the base?
I believe color and paint should be in my post.
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So sorry; I have less experience than a beginner, so I wondered how much sanding needs to be done when repainting a base.
I do love your stain and color!
Oh I’m sorry…if you are using chalk paint you don’t have to sand at all. My chalk paint recipe is on my blog too under DIY in the post of when I painted my kitchen cabinets
Thank you for sharing your gift!
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Thank you, Cathy!
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Thank you, Cathy! There are answers to frequently asked questions in my most recent blog post about chalk paint but I usually hardly every sand unless I need to sand out the roughy spots, when using chalk paint.
Hi Cathy! Sorry I missed this…it’s chalk paint. I just blogged about my recipe if you are interested
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Do you sand between your coats of poly?
Just lightly with a fine grit sanding block
I adore all of your projects and your blog and your especially your sense of humor in your IG stories!! I wanted to ask what is the color you used for your walls in your dining area?
Thanks!!
Natalie how do you decide to use paint or your chalk paint recipe? The wax actually ages the furniture so then you do not have to sand to make it worn??
Hi Marlene! I just use chalk paint bc you don’t have to sand prior painting unless you desire and it’s easier to distress, i usually distress and then add the wax for “aging look” but you can just do the wax only as well ????
Does the poly stick to the wax? I have read to never use them together, hence not brave enough to do my dining table. Thank you.
Hi Natalie!! I just dm’ed you on insta about chalk painting my kitchen table. Thanks for this great post! What do you think about chalk paint on top of a kitchen table? Do you think it would hold up okay? I understand no poly is used on top of chalk paint so that makes me nervous. Thank you!!
Hi Kayla! I have used water based poly on top of chalk paint many times. If you use several coats on top of the chalk paint it will be more wipeable for pieces such as a table, just make sure enough time between coats And that you use water based. Once the Poly cures the table will be more durable
Wow!!! Simply gorgeous. You did an amazing job! I’m going to redo my dining room table and I hope it turns out as beautiful as yours did!!
Thank you so much Catherine!