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Painted Kitchen Table | Half A Makeover

June 16, 2020 by Denise - 65 Comments

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HOW TO RESTYLE YOUR KITCHEN TABLE WITH HALF A MAKEOVER IN HALF THE TIME!

Restyled Painted Kitchen Table
Hi beautiful SI family, thanks for joining me today!  Is your kitchen table looking old and tired, or a little beat up? Here’s how to get a brand new look with half the work in half the time!

Like many of us, my kitchen table wears many hats. It’s used for food prep, storage, gatherings, games, crafts, meals, and more.  I’ve owned this pedestal table for ten years or so. I still love it. But for the last few years, it’s been looking sad.

Kitchen Table BEFORE1

The white paint had chipped off down the center.  And there were some weird colored stains that I could never get out. I don’t know what they were or where they came from. It’s one of those kitchen mysteries. Like the time my cinnamon disappeared for weeks on end.

Kitchen Table Chipped and Stained

Sometimes I can overthink things or have an all or nothing mentality. I’ve been looking at my beat-up tabletop for months now. I was considering a bunch of colors and got caught up in decision paralysis.

Then it hit me. I’m really happy with the color of this table… white is very me.

Why not do HALF a makeover in half the time and just freshen up the top!

Painted And Stained Kitchen Table Makeover

Stained and Topcoated Kitchen TableIG

 

My Kitchen Table Makeover

THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE.  YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.

SOURCE LIST

HALF A KITCHEN TABLE MAKEOVER

STEP #1

I started by removing the four screws that held the top to the bottom. Separating them made it much easier to clean and stain.

Kitchen Table in Workroom

 

STEP #2

The pedestal was cleaned using a water-vinegar mixture and a dollar store brush to get into all the nooks and crannies. Amazing what a good cleaning can do. The pedestal looks brand new!

Cleaning Base of Kitchen Table

STEP #3

I used CitriStrip to remove the paint from the tabletop.

CitriStrip Stripping Gel

I poured a good amount to cover the entire surface and then spread it with this cheap chip brush.

Stripping Painted Table Top

After 20-30 minutes, I removed the gunk with this plastic putty knife. Then I repeated the process a second time to get the majority of the finish and paint off.

After all the paint was stripped off, I poured some mineral spirits onto the top and cleaned up all the residue wiping it down with a shop towel.

Removing Paint with Stripper

STEP #4

After giving the table a light sanding, I stained the top with two coats of this Tobacco Road Gel Stain. It’s water-based and easy to use. I have a quick demo of me using this water-based gel stain here.

Tobacco Road Water Based Gel Stain

I squirt some gel stain onto this applicator pad and run it along the wood grain in long even strokes. Then using a shop towel, once I applied the gel to half the table, I wiped off any excess and repeated the process on the other side.

Staining Wood Kitchen Table Top

TIP~ These applicator pads ARE washable and reusable when working with water-based products. They apply the product beautifully minimizing unevenness and leaving a smooth finish. You can see the applicator pad in action here.

Cleaning out Application Stain Pad

STEP #5

For kitchen or dining tables (high traffic) I like to use a heavy-duty poly. Some of my favorite brands I’ve used are General Finishes, Varathane, Minwax, and lately, I’m addicted to Dixie Belle’s Gator Hide. Most topcoats are water-resistant but Gator Hide is waterproof. Perfect for surfaces that get spills or cleaned and wiped down continuously.

Gator Hide can be brushed or applied with a sponge. It also sprays perfectly!  I sprayed 3 coats with a super light sanding between.

Spraying Gator Hide Topcoat

Here you can see how the water beads up on the Gator Hide topcoat which makes spills super easy to clean.

Water Proof Gator Hide Topcoat

Painted And Stained Kitchen Table Makeover

Dixie Belle Gator Hide

Oh, and I’d like to thank the talented Sara from Surrey Lane Home for this table styling idea! What a great way to showcase a freshly stained tabletop!

Stained and Topcoated Kitchen TableIG

I hope this half makeover has inspired you!  Half a makeover with half the work can make ALL the difference!

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS MAKEOVER’ … OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.

Thanks for reading. 🙂
Wishing you a beautiful day filled with inspiration and Happy Painting friends!

Denise XO

RELATED POSTS::

How To Apply Gel Stain (video)

Waterbased Gel Stain Demo (video)

How To Strip Layers of Furniture Paint

DIY Pro Stain Finish

Black Wash Finish | Nightstand Makeover

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Restyled Kitchen Table
 



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Comments (65)

  1. Hello, love this project!! I want to get the Gator Hide finish but can’t find it anywhere.. seems sold out everywhere. Maybe it’s discontinued. But what would you recommend as a replacement. I’m getting the same gel stain as you 😊

    Reply

    • Hi Savannah and thank you! YES, I’m waiting to get my hands on some more Gator Hide as well. I don’t think it’s discontinued but they were having trouble sourcing during the pandemic. I really hope it starts selling again soon as well! As an alternative, I been using this waterbased clear coat in satin.

      Reply

  2. Saludos desde Honduras , centro america una magnifica guia para restauracion , me ha servido de mucho

    Reply

  3. You truly are an inspiration, Denise! I love all your postings &, once I’ve completed
    some basic decorating in my apartment, I’ll try painting various furniture pieces,
    per your wonderful tutorials . Thank you for sharing!
    Blessings..

    Reply

  4. Redoing a table that has white rings. Have you refinished a table with this problem? Not sure if I can sand them away.

    Reply

    • Hi Shelly! The white rings are usually from water or hot plates and affect the topcoat. If you were to sand it down or sand the top coat off, it should look much better. 🙂

      Reply

    • Try placing a few paper towels over the white ring & then ironing it! I know it sounds unlikely but it removed a white water mark from my table top. At worst, you can still sand etc

      Reply

    • The chairs are the same white as the bottom pedestal on the table so they are a perfect match. I’m thinking of recovering the seats with new upholstery but I haven’t gone out looking for new fabric yet. 🙂

      Reply

  6. Love it! So pretty with the white base; so fresh it looks like you repainted it. Keep your wonderful ideas coming; look forward to your posts!

    Reply

  7. What a wonderful fresh-up you have given this pretty table. The wood stain top has brought it into the 21st century! That’s for sharing.

    Reply

  10. Your half makeover looks like a total makeover. Really love the stained top. Sometimes we just need a reminder that the whole piece doesn’t necessarily need to be redone to be beautiful again.. Thanks for the post.

    Reply

    • Exactly! I need to remind myself and remember this… then maybe more of my home projects would get done! 😉 Have a great evening Joanne! XO

      Reply

  11. Very beautiful Denise and you always so cleverly stage your projects and this time of course you didn’t disappoint! I like how you show off how your products perform, in this case the Gator Hide. Thank you keep ’em coming and God bless!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Melanie! And I have to give the styling idea (tabletop against the wall) to Sara from Surrey Lane Home. I saw it on her IG page and thought it was a brilliant idea for a freshly stained table!

      Reply

  12. What a difference in your table. Love the combination of the stain and painted pedestal. It looks totally difference. I also liked seeing your work space! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  13. The new tabletop just makes it look so sophisticated! I haven’t tried the Voo Doo gel stain but when I find something to use it on I want to try it. I do love Gator Hide! Beautiful job!

    Reply

    • Thanks my friend! I’m liking the new look MUCH better too and the Voodoo Gel stain is really nice to use because it’s water-based. No smell. No mess. No fuss. Have a super day!😘

      Reply

  14. I refinished a table and used polyurethane on top. Could I sand lightly and use the Gator Hide on it

    Thank you
    Cindy Smith

    Reply

    • Hi Cindy! Yes. If you were to give your existing topcoat a light sanding for the Gator Hide to adhere to it will work nicely. Just be sure that your polyurethane is 100% dry! That said, polyurethane (I’m guessing is oil-based – not water-based) is very durable and holds up well. 🙂

      Reply

  15. As always, your work is amazing!!! I’ve done 2 pieces now. Not exactly the looks you have done, but practice makes perfect! We recently bought a new sofa. The old sofa is going to charity but, a small money saver for people who are changing furniture. Keep a set of you old pillows from the previous couch. They can buy pillow covers for them to match there new decor. It’s a quarter of the price, instead of buying new accent pillows. Plus, you can wash them and change them out for the seasons. Thought I would share this. Maybe people already know, but it seemed worth posting to me. 🙂

    Reply

    • I’m all for salvaging, upcycling, and reusing and repurposing so I LOVE your cushion idea! Kudos to you on your makeovers Angela!… we’re kindred spirits. 😉

      Reply

  17. Looks like a new table!! I need to get a sprayer! Did you sand and/or strip the inside edges of the middle of the table so when the leaves are together you don’t see any white down the middle?

    Reply

    • Thanks, Crystal! I didn’t strip the inside leaf edges of the table. But while I was staining, I left them open so some of the stain got on the edges. Same for when I spray topcoat. Great question! I should have added that into the post, so thank!

      Reply

  19. Your table turned out beautiful. I used mineral spirits on a small table after using citistrip and I can still smell the spirits. Will it ever go away?

    Reply

    • Thanks, Barbara! 🙂 Hmmm, I’m stumped about the mineral spirit smell. Usually, once it dissipates the smell goes with it but depending on temperature and humidity, that can take a couple of days.

      Reply

  20. I read that Gator Hide is easier to apply if you 1st apply a primary coat of Satin topcoat . Is that true ?
    BTW, I love ALL of your work !!!

    Reply

    • Hi Matia and thank you! Yes, the satin clear coat gives the Gator Hide a slip coat. (Because Gator Hide dries fairly quickly) When using a brush or sponge some find this easier but it wouldn’t make any difference when spraying. 🙂

      Reply

  21. Love this!! Do you know how the person you got the styling inspo from did hers as well? I hope that isn’t rude to ask you that but I would love to do that look with my oak table!!

    Reply

  22. It’s gorgeous! It looks like a brand new table. I must try that Gator Hide.

    I bought a similar table for myself on FB Marketplace a while back for only $40 bucks. It was a super heavy chunky one with a thick base and claw feet. I painted the base with ASCP in Pure White and the top in Graphite, then lightly distressed the whole thing. To protect the top, I used several layers of a matte poly. .Next time I will try the Gator hide as the poly did not protect completely. Thanks for the tip!

    Reply

    • Your table sounds gorgeous Lizzy! And for $40 + paint supplies, WOW! And ya, I’m addicted to the Gator Hide for all my high traffic pieces. It’s durable and really easy to clean.

      Reply

  23. Love an “easier” makeover!! And this is lovely. I have the same issue with overthinking a project, especially when it comes to paint/stain colours and end up leaving it. Very grateful for your blog and others like it that give me a direction to go in. Thank you.

    Reply

    • It’s easy to get in the trap of overthinking, isn’t it? The funny part is my home is a lot of neutrals, greys, whites, beiges… so what I was thinking so hard about — I have no idea.😐

      Reply

  24. I read most of the article, but none of the pics show up 🙁 Not sure if it’s me or you? I’m rally excited to see your table, as I have one ready to work on right now! Kira

    Reply

  29. Hi Denise. What a gorgeous half makeover. You’re absolutely right, the pedestal looks brand new and I am LOVING the wood stained top. It adds warmth, charm, and character I’m sure it’s going to look fabulous in your kitchen. BTW, I always appreciate seeing your work space. It’s so artsy and fun. I’ve had the opportunity to visit a few artists studios over the years (the actual working part of the studio) and I’m always impressed by the creative process. Brilliant:). Thank you for sharing. And again, gorgeous makeover.

    Reply

    • Thanks, Monique! There’s a magazine showcasing artists’ workspace. I saw it at Walmart… I wish I could remember the name of it. I loved seeing how others work in their environment too. Very interesting. But for some reason, I don’t think mine is. LOL

      Reply

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