DIY Wood Plank Table Top Reveal

I shared this picture of our dining room a few weeks back  right after we changed out the chandy. The chandy change prompted me to envision a new table top. I had seen so many planked table tops out there that I just loved. I shared a few of them here. Is it a project that I really should have tackled? Should I just have left well enough alone? Am I the only one who asks those questions when attempting a makeover?

I talked myself into making the plank table top because I was tired of looking at this. This is what you never saw when I shared pictures of our dining room but I saw it every day. Not only was the tabletop scratched but the finish was starting to come off every time I cleaned it which was often because it had a shiny finish. 

We went out and purchased boards from Lowes. We used two different sizes to change things up a bit and to keep the new top in line with the size of the old top. We used three wider ones and two skinnier ones.

We laid the planks side by side and then screwed the braces onto the bottom.

We used three braces to ensure it would stay together and of course plenty of screws!;) I know there is a proper way to complete this but we used what we had on hand.

I wanted to make the planks look like they were old barn wood. To accomplish this I took some of my Country Gray AS chalk paint and watered it down a ton to create a wash effect. It took very little paint. Yo can see the difference in the knots of the wood from top to bottom. Top with wash. Bottom without.

Next I used some DIY stain made from steel wool and  Apple Cider Vinegar. I tested the stain after it sat for just 24 hours but it came out very orange and took 6 coats to get it to show up so I let it sit longer. The longer it sits the darker the stain. I ended up letting my jar of stain sit for 5 days before I attempted using it again. The home made stain was BEYOND stinky and honestly took way too many coats to get the color I wanted. I do not recommend this method of staining.

With the DIY stain not giving me the results I was looking for I decided to use some Minwax Provincial stain. It helped me achieve the darker color I was wanting. In between each coat of all of the stains I used a heat gun to help it dry faster which resulted in a more weathered look. I suggest if you use the heat gun to do this make sure the area is highly ventilated and that you wear a mask! Other option is to just be patient and allow it to dry naturally.

After many attempts to get the old top off the base in one piece we got fed up and just hammered the heck out of it. It was actually made from particle board so there was really no need to save it for a later date. There are two pieces to the base because it had an extension. At this point I was still questioning if I was doing the right thing. I mean really who in their right mind would basically destroy a well made fairly expensive....we got ours on clearance at a STEAL because of a few scratches four years ago... solid dining room table? I guess that answer is me!;)

Next we used the original braces from the base of the table and screwed the new top on.

The next day I would walk by the table and it just was not right to me. I decided that the base was way to shiny and new looking and was lost in the black rug. FYI the rug is from Ballard Designs. I have had many inquiries about it.

Out came my chalk paint once again. I used dark wax to dull the paint. I think by adding the chalk paint it makes the top flow much better with the base.

I am truly in love with the new top and how it turned out!

I was not liking our dining room chairs with it though so I stole some chairs from our office that I purchased a few years back. I still need two more chairs which is fine because before I even decided to change out the table top I was already on the hunt for new chairs for in here. There was nothing wrong with our chairs they just were not the look I was wanting.

Here is how it all has pulled together thus far. I am debating on whether or not to change out the fabric on the end chairs or to attempt slip covers. I am also debating on whether or not to paint the blue bench.
I am really torn over it all. I am so indecisive it is not funny, so be sure to stay tuned for more changes in here. I am hoping to luck up on two oval back frenchy chairs to replace the other two chairs that are not in the picture. I am also waiting on the new bling for the chandy that I ordered over a week ago. Hoping it will get here soon.

 The total time for this project was 4 days from start to finish to allow for dry time. I forgot to mention I put on several coats of rub on ploy to protect the top. Total cost was just $54 for the lumber and screws to make the new top. All other supplies I already had on hand.

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