Friday, March 15, 2013

Shabby Chic Dining Set

I have a shabby chic dining set to share with you. And funny thing, although this was a very simple and straightforward project, this one actually took more hours to complete than any project I've ever done - seriously, ever!
 

This was a custom order for Melissa. After a kitchen remodel, Melissa just wasn't feeling the golden oak anymore. She came to one of our tag sales and and saw this white table. She decided this was just the color she wanted - Behr's Paint and Primer in One in Silky White.


The blue and white color combination had been inspired by a Country Living cover. And if you look closely at the cover, you'll notice that the table is actually a pedestal table just like Melissa's table. That really helped Melissa envision what her table would look like. It helps to have visuals to know that you are really on the same page with a client on a custom order. But Melissa admitted that she was a little nervous about painting her furniture and that her daughter's weren't so sure about it either. ... Of course that made me a little nevous too!


Melissa delivered the chairs first. They were in great shape, just a little worn around the edges.

 
I gave them a light sanding. I really love these sanding sponges and I always have a selection on hand in medium, fine and extra fine. Then I washed the chairs down with TSP.

 
I did not need to prime since I was using paint and primer in one, but I knew Melissa was concerned about wear, so I used three coats. Yes, three coats on all those spindles, by hand!


Then it was back to the sanding sponges for a light distressing. An old soft paint brush comes in really handy to brush off the sanding dust.


And a respiration is just a good idea when sanding. (I guess I was into product photos on this one!)


 And if you don't have an adjustable stool on wheels, you don't know what you are missing!
 
 
I broke out the electric sander for the table.
 
 
And you guessed it, three coats of paint. Did it really need three coats of paint? Not really. But I'm pretty picky about my furniture in general and probably even more so with a custom order, especially this one.
 
 
 
I even pulled out one of my favorite secret weapons for an extra smooth surface. The guys at Sherwin Williams recommended this to me a long time ago. If your paint is drying too fast on a large flat surface and you are having trouble keeping a wet edge, you can add a little Latex X-Tender. I don't use it all the time, but when I need it, it works like a charm!
 
 
I finished up with two coats (okay maybe three) of wipe on poly, buffing with extra fine steel wool between coats.
 
 
Like I said, simple and straightforward.


But when someone trusts you with their furniture, you want it to be perfect!


I set a record for the number of hours spent on a project. But I was really happy with the transformation!


Melissa sent me an email with a photo of her now shabby chic dining set in her new kitchen. She said she is thrilled with the results. And her daughter's think it looks pretty - yeah and whew!

 

I'm sharing with...


35 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Wow- I can tell that was a LOT Of work but MAN- did that ever turn out beautifully!!!! You did a wonderful and job and I am sure she just loves it-xo Diana

Cyndi ✪ Blue Star said...

Girl, three hand-pained coats on six chairs with all those spindles??? You're my hero! Braver than me! But I am asking my kids for one of those stools-on-wheels for Christmas! Now that I CAN handle!

LJ said...

That would be a lot of work with all the spindles, but what a beautiful, quality job. That table set looks fresh again!

Unknown said...

Well well well - you've done it again!
This turned out absolutely amazing!!!
I have a custom dining room set to do in 2 weeks - but I'm sticking to 2 coats LOL
It's the spindles - they kill me!
Beautiful job Sharon - really beautiful!
XOX

Resa @ PitcherAndPlate.com said...

What a difference seeing it all in white! Oh my, what a LOT of work, doing all of those chairs. Hats off to you! Beautiful.
Resa~ Pitcher and Plate

Anonymous said...

So pretty! Just curious, did you really need to coat it with poly? We're you not concerned about yellowing the white? I'm just curious if it's ok or needed.. In case I decide to paint another table ;) - Susan

priscilla said...

Very pretty ! Looks amazing !

Maureen said...

Hi Sharon, I'm Melissa's sister. You did a great job with her dining set! It really brightens up the space. Paint is the perfect solution to dated furniture. They're very happy with it. Looking forward to your April tag sale!

Dawn said...

Great new look, and you sure put a lot of work into it. Do you happen to know what color the blue is, I love that?

Danielle said...

Looks fantastic!

Number Fifty-Three said...

I love it! I cannot imagine that amount of work you did; especially on those chairs. And isn't the Behr paint and primer the best? I always have my choices color mixed into that brand.

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

Hetty said...

Love it Sharon and I know how much work it is! thanks for the Latex X-tender tip and boy do I need a stool like that!

Dee said...

Sharon, all your hard work paid off. It really looks beautiful. Dee from My Painted Stuff

Laurie said...

I have this exact dining set in my eat in kitchen! I've been wondering if it would look right painted, and your post answered my question!! My project for spring for sure!

Leslie Harris said...

Wow, Sharon that came out so nice. I love the color combination. And I feel for you with those spindles. That's some slow going painting. I'm doing four chairs right now and it makes me aware of how impatient I am haha.
Leslie (Gwen Moss)

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

No wonder your customer was happy! You did an awesome job on the table and chairs. I loved the white table and blue chairs as well.

Laurel Stephens said...

Oh my! This turned out so pretty! I love product photos because I'm a visual kind of gal. First of all, I did not know there was such a thing as liquid TSP, and secondly, I wish I had know about the latex extender when I was painting my big hutch because I just could not for the life of me get a nice smooth surface before the paint dried! You are just a font of knowledge, Sharon, and thanks for sharing your expertise. The extra care you give your pieces really shines through.

Twice Nice said...

Gorgeous Sharon, and I know you worked hard on this one! One of the first questions out of my mouth on a custom table and chair job is "are there spindles"? Not so much fun, but worth it in the end!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

It looks beautiful! There is definitely an extra measure of stress that goes along with a custom order!

Debbie @ MeandMyDIY said...

Oh my goodness Sharon, what a lot of work, but it certainly paid off! It looks just beautiful. I'm so glad you showed the picture of your sanding sponges and that you label them. I'm always getting mine mixed up. Wish they would just come with the grit printed on the sides, but I'll start labeling mine from now on. Thanks for the tip about the X-tender too. Does that work the same as Floetrol? I've only used Floetrol and I wonder if I mix enough in because I still always see brush marks, even with a high quality brush. Maybe it smooths out with the poly. Can you tell us which brand of wipe-on poly you use? And I'm going to add an adjustable stool on wheels to my shopping list...what a great idea! Thanks so much. Hope you're having a great weekend!

Debbie

Unknown said...

Her set looks awesome and the white looks very fresh and bright in her room. I have painted several chairs like that and I know how much time they take but six at once would be quite the job.

Cassie Bustamante said...

oooh i sympathize with you... that was a lot of work! it looks soooo much better! great job!

Sherry at The Rusty Pearl said...

That was worth the work sister.. YOU did an ahhhhhhhhhhh-mazing JOB on that table. LOOKS so good. I just love it. IT will look good in any space too .. LOVE LOVE

Unknown said...

The table & chairs really looks great now! Vast improvement over the old oak (even if it did take 3 coats, bless your patience). I'm really jealous of your craftsman stool though :)
Kelly

Ali Richardson said...

WOW! That looks stunning. I seriously love it. Sounds like tons of work but I am sure your client is thrilled! Well done :)

Art and Sand said...

I love it. I had the same set in oak, but sold it because it was too big for our little dining room.

I prefer the white table with blue chairs, but then my table has 3 different color chairs - red, blue, yellow - and they are chipping, but I like them that way.

You do beautiful work!

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

That was a lot of work (all those spindles made me cringe, lol), and time, but it the set turned out amazing!

Melissa@daisymaebelle.com said...

It turned out beautiful! Custom orders always make me nervous! Oh, the pressure! So glad that she and her daughters like it! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

Rasmussen Family said...

that is so much work! i've painted 4 chairs and that was time consuming!it looks great:)

Good Time Charlie said...

Sharon it looks absolutely perfect! Like it really did come out of a professional paint shop. You are so good, I am sure your client was over the top thrilled. -K

My Repurposed Life said...

OMG sharon! you need my kind of paint sprayer. It would have made such easy work of this project. I too am a 3 coat girl.
It turned out fabulous!!

gail

Brandi said...

Beautiful makeover, Sharon! What a huge difference painting it white made.

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

Such wonderful inspiration and what a wonderful job you did!!!! I want to do some chairs the color of blue you show in your photo and seems close to the color in Country Living. What month and year is the magazine or could you just tell me the color blue in your photo...just perfect. Thank you, Cely in SC celyinsc@att.net

Unknown said...

Other question about the Wipe on poly, did it put a little yellow the white? because the poly has a little yellow tone...

thanks
Cinmanchego@gmail.com

Unknown said...

and did you use wipe on poly water based? because you are using latex.
thanks