There is something about when an paint effect creates stunning impact. One of the appealing methods for me is creating whitewashed (or limewashed) wood.
Over the years, I have whitewashed many pieces of furniture and it is still one of my favorite ways to age a piece and create dimension. The subject for my project today is my very own farmhouse dining table. We were gifted our table from my husband’s employer Osborne Wood Products, when we both graduated college. To say I was excited was an understatement. I got to choose the wood, the legs, and the finish…eep! Rough part is that 15 years later , our table has made it through 6 children, but is in need of a makeover. (did I just say 15 YEARS ago I graduated college? wow.) I was so eager to get started that I forgot to take a true “before” picture, but here it is…
The skirt and legs removed and ready for a facelift. It has been loved on, wouldn’t you say?
* this post is sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
DIY TIME
First, I sand the skirt and attempt to strip the legs myself using Citri-Strip (awesome chemical-free stuff).
While I got them mostly stripped, I was running out of good weather time and I had custom orders piling up from my shop. It’s funny, I never get to work on my own stuff. So, I take them to a local artisan and pay $50 to get them stripped for me. Whew! What a lifesaver.
At this point I had to take a hiatus to work on those custom orders for a few weeks and wanted to have my table back before Christmas. Well, until I can get the table finished, we live on a concave resin folding table for months. Imagine all 8 of us eating and homeschooling with everything sliding to the center. I can tell you that I can totally appreciate my own table even more.
We had unseasonably warm weather for our area, and though I would have worked on the table, we all got a nasty virus right before Christmas. Sigh…life happens, right?
SANDING
It was until just after Christmas that work could commence. My husband used a belt sander to remove the finish and take off any damage.
I have the legs back and everything is ready to go on the whitewashed look I’m after.
As much as I would have liked to leave the wood in the raw, I couldn’t do that and preserve it at the same time. I could have just used a topcoat to seal, but since my table is red oak, it would have brought out the tannins and made it an orange shade, which is not what I was after.
Isn’t it gorgeous in the raw?
FINISHING
Now, for my table I wanted to keep the grain showing, but I wanted to create a cooler effect than just staining. My go-to method for making a wash is taking basic flat white paint (or any color for that matter) and thinning it with water – much like lime wash paint. To a cup of paint, I add a tablespoon of water (more or less depending on quality of paint).
Making sure to have a lightly dampened cotton cloth ready, I simply brush the whitewash on in small batches. Immediately after and following the grain of the wood, I wipe off as much of the wash as I want, leaving behind the grain filled with white. If you want less left, you can always dampen your rag more and wipe off and begin again.
The end effect is gorgeous.
MORE FUN
Once my table is entirely whitewashed, I’m using a 150 grit sandpaper to add slight distressing to the edges and legs. That gives a time-worn feel.
The table looks pretty bleached at this point, but that’s okay. The topcoat I will be adding will warm it up and make the wood grain pop out.
LAST STEPS
My first choice for a topcoat is my absolute favorite protection is Waterlox.
After my father used Waterlox in my childhood home, our wood floors didn’t need refinished for 25 years. He asked school officials what they used in their gymnasiums and copied it. We eagerly decided it was for us in our bathroom remodel, and haven’t regretted a single moment. Our vanity beads water like none-other, so it was an obvious choice for me.
It is a dream to apply and a gallon will last forever. We will be using it on our new countertops in our kitchen remodel as well.
See how the Waterlox is bringing out the grain and warming up the color? I get giddy at this point. tee hee hee. It does slightly amber whatever you use it on, but that what I was after.
FUN TOOLS
Now that the table is done, my dining chairs are next. In my previous post, I told how I changed up our seating and had planned to update them. No better time for me to whip out my HomeRight Spray Shelter.
This thing is so cool! It is perfect for indoors or out so you can reduce or eliminate overspray and protect your project. My dining chairs were the first candidate for the makeover. Can we say 1980’s? bluck.
The shelter is easy to set up and just needs a tarp to protect your floor or grass. All I needed next was my favorite painting tool, the HomeRight Finish Max sprayer. I’ve raved about it when I redid another farmhouse table, our patio makeover, my highchair (with video demo), and my red VW bus chest of drawers. So very easy to use – it will make you giggle at the results.
Yes, I know I look a sight, but don’t you when you’re painting? tsk. *side note: I use this shelter in my living room, and don’t mind if it made a little mess because we’re remodeling. However, I won’t use this in a finished room unless everything is under cover. There is a very slight dust created, so be sure to wear a mask. I can’t be spraying outside when it’s a high of 10!
WHOA!
I have these chair painted in 10 minutes, and can’t tell you the time it saves me and my wrists not having to paint those spindles. Yay! Don’t forget to use your Rapid Clean Kit (less than $10) for a 5 minute clean-up.
Voila! Done. {{cue music: “That’s the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it!}}
Now, of course I couldn’t just leave them perfect. Nope. I used my handmade furniture wax to topcoat. Now they’re perfect.
THE REVEAL
Ready to see it all together?
I couldn’t be happier with the results, and even better is no more folding table with concave center! Our table is the heart of our home for homeschool, dining together, and place to gather.
Look at it gleam and that wood grain show through. Be still my heart.
I told you that water beads up on this Waterlox…like a duck’s back. It’s perfect for this mama of 6.
I’m in love with this whitewashed finish and can happily say I would do it again in heartbeat. It’s rustic, clean, and oh so pretty.
I have a video tutorial for those cotton stems over here. You can make them for pennies…seriously!!
Have questions about getting the whitewashed look? Please feel free to ask – I’d love to help.
SHARING
You can help me by pinning and sharing so others can learn how to do this whitewashed method too. ♥
We have started our kitchen remodel. Come see what we are up to HERE!
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Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
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My other furniture makeovers like my whitewashed table:
Your table and chairs look beautiful, Larissa. I know that you are so happy to have this piece back in your dining area to use. I”m going to check out Waterlox. That sounds like a product that I could really use.
Love your table and chairs!! Love the mix of different finishes on the set. And, i gotta get one of those sprayers and the tent!! I need the tent….yesterday! LOL…Kudos!!!
Yes, you would love one of these, Susie! Make life easier…and fun. Thanks for stopping by!
I love the new look of your table and chairs. Whitewash has always been a favorite finish of mine and you did a lovely job as usual!
Thank you for stopping over, Jeanie! I couldn’t be happier with the finish. 🙂
Absolutely Beautiful! Your posts are always full of great information. Thanks for being such an inspiration! Can hardly wait for the next one!
What a sweet thing to hear. Thank you so much, Jamie!
I love this table! My favorite thing about it is the story about when you got it. That is so great! Now, it is ready for another 15 years!
I love to have things in my home with a story that can be told over and over again. This table is certainly one of them. Thank you, Lindsay!
How many coats of the Waterlox did you use?
The can recommends 3 coats for soft woods (like pine) and 2 coats for hardwood. I went with 3 coats to bullet-proof my table. 🙂
Wonderful! Excellent description of redo, know that family around that table makes it perfect!
Thank you, Ellen!
Larissa,
What a labor of love, but it turned out great!
Never heard of waterlox but its on my radar now!
Hugs,
Karin
Thanks, Karin! Yes, you will be amazed at Waterlox. Like a bullet-proof vest. 😉
That table is perfect for your family and the finish is just gorgeous! I can’t believe how beautiful that wood was stripped down. You have such a good eye for the potential beauty of something. Thanks so much for sharing your secret weapon of a top coat too!
I love wood in the raw and just hate to cover it with anything! If my table would have been made of white oak I would have just topcoated it, but the red is gorgeous and a little overpowering for my taste. So whitewash it is!
That’s such a beautiful finish and looks perfect in your home. Isn’t it fun rescuing all the outdated oak?!
Yes! All that orange madness that was going on with oak…crazy!!
Pretty would be an understatement!! This is so much more than pretty! It’s white but better because the grain shows through elevating it to another level altogether. I’ve pinned this one!! Oh and I was just checking out your husband’s company. What a great place to work. I suspect he must bring a lot of things home…Hahaha I know I would!
Awesome to hear, Mary! Thank you. Yes, that’s why I love this finish too, it let’s the beauty of the wood come through. He worked at Bookmasters while we were in college and learned so much. If only he could get their goodies now…what a score!
Very nice makeover Larissa – I love a pretty whitewash finish. The table and painted chairs look fabulous in your dining room. I’ve just added Waterlox to my shopping list (hopefully, we can get it here in Canada). Glad your blog is finally up again too.
Funny thing is, Marie, that Ohio produces Waterlox, but it is against EPA standard to sell it in Ohio. Makes perfect sense, right? Thanks for stopping by!
Wow your table turned out perfectly! Oh how I love a white washed look! My hubby bought me a paint sprayer for Christmas, now I need one of those tents! 😀
Ooh…congrats on getting the sprayer! You will love both of those accessories to your tool repertoire.
What a labor of love, but it turned out so beautiful. The white wash is perfect!!
I think that labor is what makes us appreciate it all the more. I’m sure you understand that. 🙂
The table & chairs look awesome! Love the white washed look!
Yay! So happy you like it, Sherry!
So pretty Larissa! I’ve got one of those spray shelters but haven’t used it yet! You’ve inspired me to try it once it warms up a bit! Gorgeous job as always!
I finally got to using my shelter, and thought to myself, “Why did I wait so long to use this?!”. You will love it, Shanna. Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful makeover! I really like that you painted 2 chairs white and left the others wood. They all go perfectly with the whitewashed table. Definitely checking out Waterlox too.
Thank you, Amy! I love our mismatched set and feel it’s complete. You will love Waterlox and all that it has to offer.
Your table looks great with the lime wash and I love the mix of painted and wood chairs! ;o)
Thank you so much, Lucy! I just had to change up our seating and take it outside the box. 😉
Great job! I always get excited when I find
an oak piece so that I get to whitewash!
Love it!
I always enjoy your blog,
Helen
Thanks! Sounds like you have fun like me. Thank you for the love! 🙂
You blow me away each and every month on these furniture makeovers. My personal favorite finish for wood is lime washing. I’m proud to be in this group with you and your talents.
You are so very sweet, Jeanette. Thank you!
I love a whitewash finish!! That turned out so beautiful. 🙂 And oh my gosh, I need that spray shelter!
xo
Nancy
You will love it, Nancy! Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE the look you’ve created with the table and chairs re-do!! Actually I love everything you’ve done and ALL you’ve done for your home, ALL with 6 children to teach and love and be a wife AND re-furnish furniture as a business!!! WAIT!!!! You’re about to reveal you really are WONDER-WOMAN!!! SERIOUSLY, I’m so glad I found your blog…and I read your post about your preemie after losing a baby…you so touched my heart with your honesty and Christian take on living life. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for teaching us how to make beautiful things, too. Thanks for being “real”!
That’s awesome to hear! Thank you, Marti. Wonder-woman, no. Crazy woman, YES! 😀 Thank you for showing me love.
Larissa, I got a message that I’d already said this — um…no…I haven’t. I hope this will post now that I’ve added this comment. LOVE LOVE LOVE the look you’ve created with the table and chairs re-do!! Actually I love everything you’ve done and ALL you’ve done for your home, ALL with 6 children to teach and love and be a wife AND re-furnish furniture as a business!!! WAIT!!!! You’re about to reveal you really are WONDER-WOMAN!!! SERIOUSLY, I’m so glad I found your blog…and I read your post about your preemie after losing a baby…you so touched my heart with your honesty and Christian take on living life. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for teaching us how to make beautiful things, too. Thanks for being “real”!
Larissa this is so awesome! All of it!! The table. The chairs. I’m in love! I’m lazy so I’m going to ask instead of digging through your blog – what kind of sprayer do you use? I have a sprayer and just cannot get the hang of spraying! I’m all like ‘give me back my paint brush!’ But I have chairs to paint that I dread painting with a brush!
Thanks, Jill! I have the link to the HomeRight sprayer in the post, and it is such an affordable, easy-to-use sprayer. This seriously makes painting chairs a joy.
Turned out great! I’ve never heard if Waterlox, but will for sure be looking into that. Is it mineral spirits clean up?
Thanks, Liz! Yes, you would need mineral spirits. 🙂
Beautiful job. Here’s a tip: for spindles/legs, fill a capped pipe that’s a bit longer than the wood with paint remover/stain/paint. Then put small screw in hooks in the top/bottom of your leg/spindle, dunk it in the pipe all the way, dangling by the hook. When ready, pull it out and hang on a line to let it drip/air dry. If you have a shop it makes things so much easier.
That works for a dip, but not for the gel. Believe me, I tried! 😀
Gorgeous set and it’s what I’m going for in my dining room. What is the daily cleaning with Waterlox as a finish? Can I spray with all purpose cleaner and wipe away messes? Also what’s the maintenance? Is there a point u must re apply? Wonderful job! Headed home to work on mine now:)
Thank you. Cleanup is no different than any other table. Like any daily used furniture, it will need refinished years from now, but it is holding up wonderfully.
Hi there! How has the Waterlox aged on the white? Has it yellowed or turned a weird color?
Hi Amber. 🙂 I mentioned in my post that I knew the Waterlox would instantly turn the white a slight amber and I wanted that for a warm effect. It hasn’t ambered more than the original finish. We still love it 6 years later! 😉