When I first separated from my ex-husband 9 years ago I didn't have a dining room table so my mom let me borrow the table below. I've been using it all this time. I almost always had a white table cloth on it because the wood top on it just didn't go with my decor. I don't know why I never thought to paint the top of it before but for some reason it just never entered my mind until after I painted my dining room chairs. My mom doesn't want the table back after all these years so she said she didn't mind if I painted it.
So after sanding, priming, painting and distressing it, I'm really happy with how it looks now. Someday I want to find a more formal dining room table to paint white but for now this is so much better.
I found the long linen table runner at a thrift store for $3. I topped it with my toile runner and put a plant in my soup tureen. I'm slowly trying to get away from using silk flowers in my home but it's very hard for me not to have flowers around so I thought if I bought live flowering plants they would last longer than cut flowers and once they start not doing so well in the house I can plant them outside.
I want to make some little chair seat covers for these chairs so I can change the look depending on my mood. I have too many ideas and not enough time! (or money).
When I first separated from my ex-husband 9 years ago I didn't have a dining room table so my mom let me borrow the table below. I've been using it all this time. I almost always had a white table cloth on it because the wood top on it just didn't go with my decor. I don't know why I never thought to paint the top of it before but for some reason it just never entered my mind until after I painted my dining room chairs. My mom doesn't want the table back after all these years so she said she didn't mind if I painted it.
I found the long linen table runner at a thrift store for $3. I topped it with my toile runner and put a plant in my soup tureen. I'm slowly trying to get away from using silk flowers in my home but it's very hard for me not to have flowers around so I thought if I bought live flowering plants they would last longer than cut flowers and once they start not doing so well in the house I can plant them outside.
I want to make some little chair seat covers for these chairs so I can change the look depending on my mood. I have too many ideas and not enough time! (or money). 
I love to see your projects completed and once again you did an amazing job! I just want to ask.... where do you store all of your treasures when they are not on display??? Except for my attic, I have a terrible time finding safe places to put things!
ReplyDeleteThe table looks wonderful. I love your toureen full of flowers as a center piece!
ReplyDeleteTracey
Looks great. Your place is so inviting and cozy.
ReplyDeleteWell Cindy you never cease to amaze me! You could take a trash can and make it a thing of beauty!
ReplyDeleteI love your table and thank you for the great idea with the soup tureen. I got one from a friend a few years back and had no idea what to do with it (in a practial sense). It's not like you make that much soup in one day:)
I can wait to find a lovely blooming plant for mine.
Love your blog!!!!
Debbie
This table and your kitchen are beautiful! I've always been intimidated of painting furniture and walls. You've inspired me to try.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nancy
OH Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI just love your fresh kitchen and your "new" table. I am always amazed how full of energy you are and those ideas!!! You are just really amazing!
Love Suzy
Job well done!! Wouldn't know that the table hasn't always been white:-). Great idea for the use of the soup turrene also..
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!!
Angela
It looks really really good! I'm thrilled that I painted my table white even though it tortured me to do it! I know what you mean by too many ideas not enough time. Me too. Love that the soup tureen planter!
ReplyDeleteManuela
Your chairs backs are so pretty I don't think you need to cover them. But you're like me, you want something for a change. Have you seen the little chair "shrugs" I call them? It's a little "cap" you put on the back of the chairs that only cover about 1/3rd of the chair back. Whatever you do will look great!
ReplyDeleteYour table looks fabulous! I love the plant in the soup tureen. I'm the same way ... too many ideas and not enough money!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing talent - that table is simply gorgeous!
ReplyDeletexo
Mary
hoganfe handbags
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteThe table looks so good, especially with your new/old chairs.
I say when in doubt, paint it.
Rosemary
I would love to see the table set for an intimate dinner party. Valentine's Day would be a perfect time to splash the table with a bit of red. (Even if it's with your daughter). Great job.
ReplyDeleteCindy great job on the table. It looks lovely. When it looks so fabulous I don't think you realy need to find a more formal table.
ReplyDeleteAlison
Oh I LOVE it! I love painting things! I painted a dresser this past weekend, it will be my project of the week tomorrow. I would love to paint my dining room table and chairs, but I can't get anyone to agree with me. .
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful job you did and I particularly love the way you layered the linens on the table top.
Your home oozes with charm and romance.
Marilyn
Very pretty, Cindy! I see you are still painting away over there. Looks very nice & just your style. Amazing what a little paint can do.
ReplyDeleteRhoda
Cindy, I've admired your blog for a few months. Since I am a new blogger, 2008, I'm delighted to add your blog to my list of favorites! You're home decor is beautiful, and I have a mirror stairway wall too!!!!
ReplyDeletexo Rachel
You've achieved so much over the last few weeks Cindy, we have a table very similar to your before one, I've been meaning to paint the top for years, it may just get done very soon as I love the look of yours. Yes wouldn't the shutters look wonderful either side of your mirror, you'll come across some no doubt!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see a new picture of something you've done, a great big sigh escapes. Your place literally takes my breath away! Sooooo pretty!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Mary
Hi Cindy. Your dining room is charming. It's what I would call cottage elegance. Is there such a thing? Maybe you've invented a new style! Isn't it amazing what a little white paint can do. I just love what you've done with your home. Rhondi
ReplyDeleteAnother awesome paint job of yours! Looks beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThis is another project that has turned out great. I like the plant in the tureen. Will have to "steal" that idea one of these days too. Thanks for inspiring me again.
ReplyDeleteI love it Cindy. So pretty and fresh.
ReplyDeleteI have a new tureen that I had planned to use as a centerpiece this Spring. I had planned to get some Spring flowers to place inside. I too love the real look. It do have some silk here and there, especially on top of the tall cabinets as a little touch here and there. : )
Just glorious as always Cindy!
Hugs,
Sue
Oh cindy,
ReplyDeletethe table turned out lovely! I agree you may have found a new style! cottage elegance sounds perfect!Another great job!!
You are so talented! Great job!
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI have a table exactly like yours. What a great idea to paint the top white. I had never thought of that. A very quick, easy, and inexpensive way to change a table! Thanks so much for sharing. It's just beautifully Shabby Chic! Amy
You have been so busy lady!! Another great looking project!
ReplyDeleteIt surely doesn't seem like there are ever enough hours in the day! But you have gotten a lot accomplished!
Barbara
Southern Lady's Vintage
Cindy, the table looks great! It's amazing how a little paint can transform a piece! It looks wonderful in your romantic dining setting...great job!
ReplyDeleteYour table looks great white. It is amazing how a little paint will change the look of an older piece.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nan
Cindy it looks great!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Robin
All your hard work of sanding, priming, and painting has paid off! Everything turned out beautiful! Enjoy!
ReplyDelete-Karoline
Now why haven't *I ever thought of putting a pretty plant in my soup tureen? I'm inspired by your photos everyday. Off to find something the cat won't eat...
ReplyDeleteThe table was cute before but now it's FABULOUS! And I'm still amazed at the transformation of those chairs.
ReplyDeleteThe table looks lovely! Looking forward to seeing more of your projects and your romantic home. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I have the same table... I actually picked it and 4 chairs up curbside... someone had thrown them out!!! Maybe I will paint mine too.. you make everything look so elegant and cozy!! I am amazed at all of the ideas you have and the fact that you do it all by yourself!!!! Do you work in the Home Decor Industry?/ If not, you should!!!
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job. It all looks so nice and welcoming. How do you get your photos to look like they have a glow around them, I really like that.
Your table and kitchen turned out great. It is amazing what a little paint can do. I think you have inspired me to go for it in my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness ! I love your blog !! I am going to add you to my favorites so I can just click and visit often !!
ReplyDeleteYour before and after pics are great ~ I love your style of decor and you have very much encouraged me to repaint my kitchen ~
xoxo,
Lori
Paint and sand paper can make all the differance in the world! your table is lovely, and isn't it nice to not have to use a table cloth all the time?
ReplyDeleteI love the table! Doesn't it feel good?
ReplyDeleteI love the table! It looks fantastic!
ReplyDelete~Angela :-)
I missed this post way back when. The table your mom gave you is exactly like the one I bought at a thrift store recently. Same top, legs, everything. It is now my desk. ♥
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI just got a table exactly like this over the week-end at a yard sale. My plan is to paint it, so I googled "how to paint furniture" and the top link was to your blog page on how to paint furniture.
My table came with 4 chairs that I will also be painting, in fact, I will be painting the chairs first. Do you have any hints for sanding in between and around the narrow vertical slats that make up the back of the chair?
Thanks SO MUCH for sharing.
June
June, you can use those sand paper sponges to sand that, there are some that are very thin foam and they are easy to bend around things.
ReplyDeleteI don't have this table anymore, I ended up finding another one that I also painted white.
Cindy you said you'd like to do some chair covers for your dining room chairs so you could change them with your mood. A friend of mine gave me a chair cover to make a pattern for her out of that would work for your chairs to. All you owuld basically do is throw it over your chairs and you could fix a tie to tie it on with. It doesn't require much fabric either. I think they're for ladder back chairs but you could just draw out your chair bottom for the bottom part of it. Anyway just an idea. I'll have to post a pic of what I am referring to on my blog so you can see.
ReplyDelete