Saturday, February 16, 2013

DIY Wood Plank Table Top Reveal

DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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?
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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. 
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
We laid the planks side by side and then screwed the braces onto the bottom.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- Homemade Wood Stain-From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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!;)
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
Next we used the original braces from the base of the table and screwed the new top on.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
I am truly in love with the new top and how it turned out!
DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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.

DIY Wood Planked Table Top- Farmhouse DIning Room Table- From My Front Porch To Yours
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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51 comments:

  1. OMG!!!Pam this came out so beautiful. The work was totally worth it. How gorgeous is that piece now in your dining room. I love that chandy too. That is a beautiful treasure. I love the whole room. So pretty. You did a great job. Really lovely.
    Kris

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  2. The table is lovely, Pam! Love the planks.

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  3. Pamela,
    The two of you did an outstanding job...it looks GREAT!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  4. What vision you had, Pamela! You and your hubs did an incredible job ... I absolutely love your new farmhouse tabletop! It was meant to be in your dining room! So impressed ... love it!

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  5. Oh Pamela... it came out so beautifully. That has spurred me on to add that to my 'things to do list'. 6 years ago we also spent $$ on a solid wood table only to find out that the top was particle board. :-( I was/am most disappointed. Our pup has scratched the top, the lads have done the same. It is high gloss and I am never happy with the way it looks after I clean it. Now... I have a plan.
    Thank you so much!!!
    Hugs, Gee

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  6. Your table turned out incredible! I'm filing this away in the "someday" file.

    Jeanette

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  7. What an endeavor! Although you're quite torn on the remaining details, I'm confident whatever you choose will create a seamless look of perfection! Well done!

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  8. Pamela, this turned out so gorgeous. This is one of those big, "WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT"!!! moments. I am on the hunt for tables with ugly tops now so I can try this out. Thanks for sharing such a fantastic tutorial. Pinning this!

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  9. It looks amazing! What a great way to extend the life of your table.

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  10. You and the hubs did an amazing job on that tabletop Pamela! It looks fabulous and I love how you added a little paint to the legs!

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  11. Your table top came out so beautifully. I would sure hope so after all the hard work you both put into the new table top. You're really ambitious to go to so much work to have a new table top. Great project.

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  12. You really worked your tush off on this, Pam, but it was so well worth your efforts. It is absolutely gorgeous and I hope it encourages others to try it.

    I am so like you...very back on forth on my ideas. Nothing is on a whim. How we stress! ;-D

    Can't wait to see what you do with the chairs!

    XO,
    Jane

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  13. Table is just gorgeous!! Love that rustic feel!! Great job Pamela!!

    Enjoy your weened in your new dinning room!! :)

    Blessings,
    Vesna

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  14. Awesome job lady!! It looks amazing. I also really dig what you did with the table legs. It's strange up here chairs are a dime a dozen and super cheap.

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  15. Pamela, it looks really really good. I hope all that work beating the crap out of the top was worth it. Never heard of making stain. I think you meant Country Grey chalk paint. :)

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  16. That is really an awesome makeover Pamela! I love the look of that table!

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  17. Pamela, I am just so impressed with this project! Your "new" table looks fabulous with that gorgeous cupboard and chandy! I have a scratched table and I was wondering what kind of rub on poly you use. I want to protect my table (once I do something about the scratches) but I will avoid shine like the plague!

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  18. Pam that came out so wonderful! Really fits your style better and adds that touch of farmhouse without being too primitive. Wonderful!

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  19. Very pretty, Pamela! Great makeover! I love how the top turned out.

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  20. Pamela, this is just perfect!!!! I love the look....really gives you that casual French Country look! I am now inspired to try something like this for our front porch!

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  21. Pamela you table is gorgeous!!!! Yes GORGEOUS!You all did a beautiful job!Oh yes those end chairs are perfect!
    xx
    Anne

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  22. I think it looks fantastic. You should be so proud for seeing the possibilities with your table! Why don't you wait a little before you paint anything else. Just live with it and see how you feel. It's really great now!

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  23. I absolutely love this! I love the black legs with the white antiqueing, I love the color of the plank top and I love the mix of traditional with rustic. Sigh . . . I can't have everything I see but I can sure Pin It! Thanks for sharing, Patti@OldThingsNew
    http://patricia-krank.blogspot.com/

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  24. Oh my, the table is gorgeous. Love it.( The chair too.)

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  25. Pamela, you and your hubby make a great team, It looks store bought. I love the new look.

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  26. Pamela, what a great transformation! I love it!

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  27. Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! It looks terrific, Pam! I know you just grin every time you walk by and look at it! Beautiful!

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  28. Wow your table looks wonderful!!!It has a wonderful worn and farmhouse feel to it! I just finished a farmhouse table for my dining room too, we must be on the same wave length. If you want to stop by and see it here's the link
    http://magazineyourhome.blogspot.com/2013/02/farmhouse-table-pt-3-done.html

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  29. Pamela- That turned out great- You did a really fine job on it. Your whole dining room is beautiful- xo Diana

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  30. Miss PAmela!! Your table looks amazing girl!! I'm on the hunt for a wood table. Ours is glass and it's not fun doing home work on there. I'm surprised the boys haven't broke it yet.

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  31. You're brave, I love the new table top and how you distressed the legs, the room is gorgeous! That chandy made the biggest change of all!!

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  32. Your new table is to die for, and your dining room is looking gorgeous! I'm on the lookout for a thrifted table base I can use to make one too, now! Thanks for sharing your how-to.

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  33. great idea. Our table top is looking shabby & I was going to get a new table but this looks like a doable & cost effective replacement

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  35. Your table looks so wonderful!! What a great price too! Your dining room is looking more French farmhouse all the time! It is such a lovely room!

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  36. Very nice. I like the way the French chairs are now; people are paying a lot of money for the look you have and burlap. But if you want to change them I'm sure they would be nice. If you sew you could make slipcovers. Was it Cote De Texas that redid her library and put slipcovers on her French/Swedish chairs? Really charming.

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  37. Good Morning Pamela, This is so exciting, I was only talking to my husband yesterday and we agreed we needed a new table top and I was trying to describe exactly what you have done, but the words were not coming out right. Now I can show my husband just what I was trying to explain, because you have shared this wonderful post. Thank you so much.
    I have found you via Kim at Savvy Southern Style and have become a new follower. I would love for you to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have time.
    Sending you best wishes from England. Daphne

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  38. Absolutely gorgeous Pam! You always inspire me with your style!!

    ♥Linsey

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  39. Absolutely beautiful, Pamela! You guys rocked this ... I love what you did to the legs, too! It's perfect in your amazing dining room. I love your vision, creativity and determination!!

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  40. I think it turned out beautifully, Pamela! I really like the contrast. Love that high back bench, too!

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  41. This is absolutely beautiful! I have wanted to do this gfor so long now, after seeing your's, I am going to just do it! Mine will be for outside on our deck. I think your's is gorgeous!

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  42. Did you use tea before you put on the vinegar mixture? Maybe that's why it didn't get very dark. Tannin in the tea helps the vinegar solution to darken the wood. I'm very interested in making a new table top for my table so this is very helpful. It's good to know it can be done without a Kreg jig!

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  43. Pamela, you and your hubby make a great team, It looks store bought. I love the new look.

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  44. Nice post. i love it. Pamela, you and your hubby make a great team, It looks store bought. I love the new look.

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  45. I wish I saw this DIY project sooner - it could've been the perfect project to keep myself busy and creative for summer! Did you use belt sanders to polish the wood? Any tips?

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  46. Exactly what I want to do with my breakfast table! Did you "seal" the top with anything? I am wondering how it will hold up to spills and being wiped down daily with kids?

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    1. Hi Erin! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. We completed this tabletop for our dining room which doesn't get used but a few times a year. It has been 5 years since we completed this project. It has held up fine but with that said we did the exact same thing for a table we but for our breakfast nook that gets daily use by two boys. It is 3 years old and has held up just fine to daily ware and trust me it gets abused!:) The top was sealed with poly meant for water.

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  47. Exactly what I want to do with my breakfast table! Did you seal it with anything? Wondering how it would hold up to spills and being wiped down daily?

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