It’s one of the best days of the month today – Trash to Treasure Tuesday! My blogger friends and I get together with our latest DIY projects to inspire you. A few weeks ago I showed you this picture of what I found on the curb and my cart made from the wine rack. Today, I am giving this farmhouse dining table a makeover it needs without question.
I want to give a little backstory to this find. Each year our city does a spring clean-up (a junkers’ dream!). During our quadrant’s turn to dispose, I am sitting at my desk mulling over my calendar of projects. At that time I am also updating my new site and thought to myself…hmmm..it’s been a while since I’ve done a dining set makeover. I look up and there it was on my neighbors lawn.
To be honest, my initial reaction was ughhhh… Why? Well, dining sets are so much work, and I just emptied my house and storage of any extra furniture. We live in a tiny home and I’m tired of living with extra furniture everywhere. Whereas lately I turn things down, I couldn’t turn down this project for two reasons. 1) it is free 2) it is totally free, as in costs no money. nuff said.
DETAILS
First, let’s take a look at what I’m dealing with. It’s obvious this set has been sitting outside for quite some time. I spy mold, stains, water damage and totally parched wood. Plus, one of the chairs is missing a spreader.
However, I see no reason that this can’t get some TLC and be made new. It’s just gonna take a tub of elbow grease. eep!
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
When it comes to damage and wear like this, the only way to get it back to life is to take the time needed. There’s no quick fix, but rather a beneficial process that can actually be fun.
DIY TIME
First, as you can imagine, I begin by using my orbital sander to work on the chairs. This Windsor classic style of chair has always been a favorite of mine because it works in many different decor situations. In addition, you can see the difference in this other dining room table makeover I did a few years ago.
The finish on these chairs comes right off with minimal effort. However, while the sander can hit most easy-to-get-to spots, hands are still the best for tight spots. I’m thankful for my two awesome helpers to take care of spindles and fine-tuning sanding.
I’ve also added the spreader I was able to find online and have shipped to my home.
Next, the farmhouse dining table is the focus of my attention. This time, however, I tackle this job with my belt sander. Also, not to mention we are in the mid 90’s here and making the most of it.
NEXT STEPS
Now it’s time to break out my sprayer. You can see my video demo of the setup below.
Definitely, no one I know relishes painting spindles by hand, so this is definitely the best way to tackle them. Also, notice I’m using a basic black paint in eggshell finish with start with the chairs facing down. This allows me to hit the legs without getting up and down to check my coverage.
Then, I flip them up and finish quickly. In less than 30 minutes, I’ve given the chairs their first coat.
Next, it’s the tables turn. Again, this is pretty simple to do. It’s just a matter of having the paint the right consistency, having the spray flow set properly, and using correct lapping technique for even coverage. Always practice on scrap if you want to check your setup before beginning.
Likewise, you want to let the paint cure between coats to ensure proper layering. Once my two paint layers are dry, I apply several coats of a satin poly to both chairs and table.
THE REVEAL
I’m so stoked to see this once unloved farmhouse dining table set made new again.
This classic black looks good in most any style and will stand the test of time. What say you?
Finally, I can step back and see my patient work has paid off. I’m doing a happy dance over here! My hesitation to pull this set off the curb has been put at ease. #Trashure is definitely work, but also so fun.
If you’d like to make this farmhouse dining table set a part of your home, you can find it available in my online store.
In addition, pin and share my farmhouse dining table makeover to inspire others. You too, can create your own home story.
Up next, this broken garden art is awaiting a new life. See the after HERE.
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Check out these fabulous projects by these amazing gals…
Also, more makeovers like this farmhouse dining table set:
The dining set is Gorgeous. So rich and classy looking.
Great job
Have a wonderful day and keep cool.
We have been in the triple digits and then with heat index( felt like 112 yesterday)………Hot & Humid.
Thank you, Colleen. What a job it was in hot temps. haha. I hope you get some relief. 😀
Love this! As always, you have done a great job and have inspired me!
You’ve made my day, Tara. That’s what I love to hear!
Looks so classy. You gave it new life.
Thank you, Frances. Fun to do.
Very pretty. I love seeing new life being breathed into discarded objects. It so rewarding.
It’s truly what I live for, including helping others find joy. So rewarding! 😀
This looks amazing, Larissa!! Black for the win again lol! Funny that we don’t do black very often and we both did it today! Has your neighbor seen it since you painted it? XOXO
Yes! Great minds, girlfriend. {{swack}} I haven’t yet, but plant to treat them to dinner or some other special fun.
Job well done Larissa! Good thing you have that Homeright sprayer and know how to use it (daughters are a very good thing also!). Take care
Thanks so much! Yes, that tool is a blessing and even more so having 6 kids who help (even when not paid…haha).
You make it look so easy! Beautiful transformation! You gave your helpers the best job! HaHa 🙂
It really isn’t bad at all and almost fun. A rough piece to start with makes it tougher, but till doable. They don’t mind that work, especially when paid per chair. hahaha!
The table looks great!
Thanks! Sure was a sweet find.
What a transformation!! That set will work with almost any style home!!! Love the black!! Will make everything look designer finished!! ?
Woot! This is why I get addicted to projects like these. Just too fun to see the difference. Thanks for the smile! 😀
Very nice 😉 A simple but Very Elegant makeover.
Thanks so much for sharing your skills !!
Inspiring for sure.
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You are so sweet to say so, Phyllis. Thank you!
It came out beautifully! Love the chairs in black.
Thank you, Cheryl. It’s like that little black dress we always need to have.
I have no words (if you knew me you would be stunned because I never hush up)
To say this is beautiful is such an understatement.
WOW WOW WOW WEE!!!
Be proud my little muse, once again you have topped yourself.
Blessings to you ?
Minnie
We also have curbside ‘bulk’ pick up and I would have been thrilled to find this set for ‘free’ too!!! You’ve turned it into a gem Larissa. Love the classic black! XOXO Pinned! 🙂
Right? It’s such a nice thing that they let someone else have at it. Thanks for the love, Denise.
Very nice!!! So simple and classic. And there you are again, tearing apart your whole dining room for your photo shoot… such dedication!? Lovely work again!
haha. So much work! Thank you so much, Becky. 🙂
Larissa,
You did an amazing job. You have helped me understand why it is important to have the proper tools. Thank you for all of your hard work.
You are most welcome, Marian. It really is…saves your body work, saves your money, and saves you time. My pleasure to share.
Love the dining set! When I saw you painting it black I thought “What….?”, but it turned out gorgeous. Also, I love the sweet picture of your barefoot girls helping out. How cute!
Thanks! I’ve always loved black Windsor chairs, so I couldn’t wait to make them fun. I have another dining set in waiting as well, but a totally different style.
I wouldn’t have thought that dining set could go from that sad to something exceptional! Great job! I’m inspired to keep more of an open mind when looking for projects. Thank you!
That makes my heart happy, Jennifer. So many things are tossed that could be saved. Even if just for fun to give to others. Thank you for the love.
Nothing beats a free makeover! This dining set looks so sleek now Larissa ?
Right? Totally too tempting to leave it there. Thanks, Jen.
Wow! I would do a happy dance too if I were you! I would have never thought of painting it black but it is perfect! The color is perfect for those chairs and that table. Beautiful Larissa! are you able to use poly in the paint sprayer too? Just wondering… Thank you for inspiring again! (especially in this heat!)
Such fun for me to drag home, redo, and share. Thanks so much, Mary.
Sorry Larissa! I went back and looked through the post again and found the video about using the sprayer – so very helpful – thank you! And that answered my question about spraying poly too. Very helpful video! I’ve always hesitated using a sprayer thinking it would be a pain to clean up, but you even addressed that in the tutorial too.
No apologies needed. 🙂 So glad you found it informative. Feel free to ask questions.
Paint for the win!! And paint sprayer for the win too!! 😉 I love how it turned out. 🙂 xo
Yes! Gotta love what paint can do. Thanks, Nancy!
Yesss, the classic black looks so good on this set! I love me a black Windsor chair, it adds so much class to this style. I see you painted it in the backyard instead of the driveway where your neighbor could’ve peeked through the curtains and watch the transformation. 😉 Have they seen their gorgeous discarded set?
haha! Me too. Always loved them in black. I always paint in the back too because it’s shady and more room. Neighbors have seen me hauling it back and forth from front to back…I wonder what they’re thinking!! 😀 😀
Where do you order the missing spreaders for chairs?? Thanks
Hi Dale. I have ordered from several places, but this is one I used recently at Hardwood Stix.