mint farmhouse table
This week my in-laws are visiting and I finally got my craft room cleaned up a little. Which reminded me I never posted final shots of my mint farmhouse table and my review of trying homemade chalk paint, I love how cheap and easy it is!! I’ve seen tons of these tables in people’s houses throughout the years. I see them for sale all the time on FB groups and Craigslist. Maybe you even have this table in your house? Maple tops with white legs. I swear this it what every newlywed couple uses as their first table! There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s in good condition but it’s just a little… boring. There I said it, it’s boring AND dull! Where is the color? Where is the UMPH? I turned into into something to fit my style, specifically, my craft room‘s style! I needed an inexpensive table that I wouldn’t feel guilty about spilling paint on, getting hot glue stuck to and tipping over Diet Coke on.
This baby fits the bill nicely, a mint farmhouse table that adds more color to my friendly room!
Painting this table was a breeze, I experimented with homemade chalk paint for the first time…. mmm mmm mmm!
I scored the above table with 5 chairs for $70 from a local buy-and-sell FB group I’m in, (I’m only refinishing 4 chairs, the 5th chair is lonely but I don’t have plans for it as of yet). I needed a new craft table for my herringbone bookcase craft room I’m still working on. I really wanted to try chalk paint but was too cheap to sink any money into it. So I went online and found the best chalk paint recipe ever from Elizabeth & Co. I spent $6 on a milk jug size of Plaster of Paris that will take the rest of my life to use and recycled mint paint leftover from my dresser makeover. Click on over for her full recipe and tips but basically it’s 2 parts paint to 1 part Plaster of Paris + a little water to thin, if needed.
After the chalk paint, it was time to remove all that shiny finish from the table. I loved a pretty stain top (obviously since my dining room table, mustard yellow buffet and chippy dresser were all painted this way too- dark walnut from Minwax is our fave!!) and colorful legs. Oh my word, removing the previous finish WAS A BEAST! I’ve N E V E R had such a problem with removing varnish from furniture before. I started with my fav stripping gel:
Sad to report this time, Citristrip didn’t do a thing for this stubborn table! Wha??? I bummed some more powerful lacquer from my awesome neighbor, Wes and unfortunately that didn’t do much either. Me and awesome hubby sanded and scraped and sanded and scraped until we got to the last layer, which was still stinkin’ stubborn and didn’t fully come off the table. Admission time: I ended up dumping stain on the table… yes, I’m publicly admitting this because I was so frustrated with this tabletop! I brushed on a nice, thick layer going with the wood grain and walked away.
Luckily my temper tantrum worked out. After ignoring the table for 2 days, I went back to inspect it and loved it! Faux stained lines- I can live with that. See my worming?? (ie: the holes in the corner?) That’s faux too but I love it! I usually add that on my pieces to age it a little and give it more characteristics. I use a giant nail, nothin’ fancy around these parts.
See the distressed edges? That’s fake. If you look at the before picture…the legs are shiny white. I wanted the look of aged, chippy wood but knew I couldn’t get it with white. I guess technically I could have sanded and stained/painted them dark then chipped away the chalk paint but that’s a whole lot of work considering I could go over the edges with brown acrylic paint and call it good. It IS going in my craft room after all so no biggee.
Wow this is confession time…I’ve never used wax as a finishing agent. I gooped it on the top of the table and brushed it around carefully. Kristi walked up and laughed at me saying I did it completely wrong. Say what?? She showed me you rub rub rub to buff buff buff it in the furniture. And I’m SOLD! Love it as much as I love chalk paint. See the shine?? That’s a good shine..the before shine wasn’t so good. When I spill my Diet Coke, yes it will happen, it’ll bead up and wipe right off. Perfection.
Our older sister KT was over when we were taking these pics are dared me to post this…I have no shame. (Please note: This room has been completely cleaned out since these pics were taken weeks ago, all the clutter is gone, yippee!) It’s always humorous to me when I’m taking beauty shots, what is behind me in real life. Who wants to see the ugly in life?? Not me (; Okay since I’m baring all here…question! See my coral chair (yep, on top of the comfy chair, lol)?? It’s been homemade-chalk-painted as well. The other three chairs are still raw because I can’t decide what to paint them…4 matching corals or 4 different chair colors?? Advice please!!
And one more hilarious shot…because we were in a giddy mood when snapping these pics…us sisters have too much fun together… We’re re-enacting Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect:
Aubrey: What are you doing?
Fat Amy: Horizontal running…yah no, don’t put me down for cardio!
Okay back to business…my final review of homemade chalk paint? Love it. I can take ANY left over paint, add a little Plaster of Paris then use it on more signs and furniture PLUS I can S K I P priming and painting?? WHOOP! Brilliance. Check out all our furniture makeovers and tutorials. We love painting!
I have this exact table. If I was going to use a chalk paint on the top would I still need to remove the varnish?
I love the table! I have a question, though. You said you used 2 to 1 for the paint to plaster, the link says 3 to 1. Which did you do?
Oops, follow the directions on the link (;
Do you mind me asking which stain you used for the top?
Hi Michelle, It’s Minwax “Dark Walnut” (:
May I ask where you got the wooden crates with the numbers? Super cute room.
Hi Jana, thanks! We snagged them at Joanns (use your 40% off coupon!) Here’s the full tutorial for them: http://lollyjane.com/vintage-numbered-crates/
An amazing idea. My studio art table died a well deserved death. Prices can be quite high for replacements so my husband made me a beauty. This idea takes so much of the work out of the project, plus it repurposes a piece of furniture. A win/win situation. Can’t show you mine. My studio looks like your before photo. Lol.
Great job! Love the color!
Love your table! I’ve never tried chalk paint because of the price, I’m totally cheap! I’m tempted to try it after seeing your table. Cute colors!
So happy you’ve been inspired! You will fall in love, promise!
This is awesome!! And LOVE LOVE your room!!! All the colors and the organization!! Have you came and shared this on DIY Sunday Showcase yet? Its a party I cohost and its open now!!
Shelly
minettesmaze.blogspot.com
Yup. I love it! The mint is gorg and the top looks stunning – totally worth all the hard work! And that rug… Love it!
Thanks for linking this awesome table to Tickled Pink Times Two!! Sharing on Google+ right now 🙂
Loves!! xoxo
I would paint the chairs all the same, There is already enough color in the room.
Thank you Colette- I’ve been debating about that! (;
I’m DYING to know where you got that amazing rug!!! Believe it or not, your colors are the same as in my living room – mint bottom half of the table, dark top, and that GORGEOUS pop of coral that I’ve been forced to use in small doses because the stores around here aren’t cool enough to carry that rug.
I adore your style – I’m totally going to replicate your numbered crates to hold some extra floor cushions for my living room. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing space!!
Well thank you Nicole! I am sure I would adore your style too then! (; lol!
I snagged this rug at Down East Home and I think they may have it online? (Fingers crossed!) The crates are super easy to make- bet they would look great in your living room! xoxo
I love that rug. Do they offer it online? Wish they did!
Oooh I’m not sure Vidya! It is pretty cute so fingers crossed!! I snagged it at http://www.downeasthome.com/ 🙂
Yes they do!! Woop! http://downeasthome.com/fallonrug-poppyred.aspx
This table turned out soooo cute!!! I wish my temper tantrums made my project turn out as amazing…. 🙂
Haha! That made me laugh April! (; xo
It turned out great!! Your craft space is so nice! And I’m right there with you on the disaster in the background! It’s always anarchy when I’m doing photo shoots! 🙂
Ha! Agree Katie- that is the perfect description for behind the scenes! 😀
you ladies are my fav. seriously. the keepin it real picture is exactly what I do…pretty sure it’s what we all do 🙂
I love the whole room! What color of stain did you use? I am going to paint my kitchen table soon and that looks perfect!
Hi Ashley,
I used Minwax Dark Walnut, my fav!!
(:
I LOVE the new look! And if it makes you feel any better, I have only used wax once and totally screwed it up! I am dying over your rug too! Where is it from?
Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! I have that exact same table and I have been to hell and back trying to refinish it. I’m going to post all about it soon, next week and you can read the sob story. It has a happy ending though…glad yours turned out so great!
Beautiful table, and score such a great deal! Off to check out this homemade chalk paint you speak of!
I LOVE this room, but especially the colors you chose! What is that coral color called?? (say that 10 times fast…)
Thanks, Liz! It’s called Coral Bliss by Dutch Boy, perfect shade huh?? It’s also on my daughter’s bedroom walls if you want to see it in action! http://lollyjane.com/coral-tween-girl-bedroom/
I have this same table and are using it in my eat-in kitchen, I wanted to stain ours too. What exactly was the other product that you tried, so I know not to use that either?!
Thanks!
Hey Meghan! Good point, it’s called Klean-Strip!
I’m always inspired to go paint something QUICK after seeing your amazing paint jobs. As always, love love love the mint table.
Amy
i’m swooming over your NEW table and laughing at the rest of your funny post – soooo cool to see you having FuN and real life behind the scenes!!
Perfect table now!
♥ http://www.NorthernCottage.net
Completely love this! The mint, the coral, the homemade chalk paint that doesn’t cost a million dollars 😉 Looks awesome!!
Love it! It turned out great!
I love this! Love the mint! I vote for mismatched chairs. Ever since it was on Friends years ago, I wanted to do it but haven’t. I have the same chairs but my table it thick butcher block, which I love. You’re inspiring me to go get it done. And I’m excited to try that chalk paint recipe because it’s different then the other recipe I normally use.
LOVE it!! And definitely paint the chairs 4 different colors. It will look awesome!!
This looks awesome it fits in the space perfectly, and I have to say I am loving everything going on on the shelves. Lisa
Absolutely LOVE it! Love that rug, too, and LOVE you keepin’ it real!!
totally in love with the whole darn room! You’ve inspired me to try homemade chalkpaint too!!
lol you big DORK! Last pic made me laugh!!!!
ps: love the table and the way ya switched it around now 🙂
Ah ha hah, San! Where were YOU that day?? It was HILARIOUS. And now I need to add UPDATED pics of how I moved the table around again! I’m always a step behind (;
I love that particular shade of mint, and your rug is to die for!
Thanks, Stacia! It’s Airy Mint by Dutch Boy, love it too!! (:
Love this!!!! It looks awesome!
Thanks, Steph! xo