5-Step Instructions on Painting Furniture

BEFORE

I received this dining set along with the Drexel Solid Mahogany Credenza, but unlike the credenza which took me almost 6 months to come up with a plan, this one I already had my mind set on a color scheme I wanted to experiment with way before I even knew I would finally get the chance to try it out. 

The complete solid wood dining set came with an oval shape of dining table and 6 dining chairs (2 are with arms and 4 without).

Dining table and 6 dining chairs were all painted with Van Gogh Fossil Paint Chalk color and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey color. To protect the furniture, a layer of Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax was applied and the shabby chic vintage weathered look was created by Van Gogh Fossil Paint French Caffeine Natural Beeswax.

Dining chairs are newly reupholstered with Waverly Wedgewood Blue Cream French Country Rustic Life Toile fabric.

Tool List: 

Color Number 1: Van Gogh Fossil Paint Chalk color

Color Number 2: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey color

Paint Protection: Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax

Vintage Weathered Finish: Van Gogh Fossil Paint French Caffeine Natural Beeswax = dark wax

Reupholster Chair Cushions: Mastercraft Stapler Light Duty and Arrow JT21 1/4-in Light Duty Staples 1000-count

Instructions:

Oval Shape Dining Table

Step 1: Paint the dining table with Van Gogh Fossil Paint Chalk color as foundation. 

Step 2: Layer another coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey color on top.

Step 3: Sand using various grits of sanding paper or sponges to reveal base color and to create color chipping, distressed and used finish.  

Step 4: Apply and seal paint with Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax for protection and buff until the surface is smooth to touch. 

Step 5: Brush on and wipe off excess of dark wax to accent the vintage and weathered features that this dining table is full of. 

Frames of Dining Chairs

Step 1: Cover the dining chair with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey color as base. 

Step 2: Paint another coat of Van Gogh Fossil Paint Chalk color on top to create layered look. 

Step 3: Sand to let the color underneath shine through and to establish distressed and rustic finish.

Step 4: Protect the dining chair with a thin layer Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax. 

Step 5: Rub on a light coat of dark wax and wipe off excess in corners and handles to imitate rough usage over the years.  

Reupholster Dining Chair Cushions

Step 1: Pick and choose the desired fabric and make sure to buy a bit of extra when purchasing in case of shortage or simply just got ruined during trial and error stage. We also bought a sheet of thin Dacron layer to wrap around and reinforce softness on the edges and corners of the wooded frame on the bottom. 

Step 2: Strip the old fabric from the seat cushion by removing all the old staples on the wooded frame. This might take you the most time and watch out for flying staples. You might want to wear some goggles and gloves for protection. 

Step 3: Measure and cut out the piece of fabric you would need. 

Step 4: Pull and stretch the fabric to as tight as it can reach and start stapling down the fabric. Remember to make sure the direction of the graphic on the fabric is facing the way you want to look at when you stand in front of the chair so the graphic would not appear upside down when you finish stapling the whole piece. 

Step 5: When it comes to staple corners, try to trim off excess fabric and fold in as much and flip to check how it looks like in the front before start stapling the fabric. 

AFTER

The cracks and scratches on the dining table surface give it an unique and one-of-the-kind history and characteristics which are to emphasize the distressed shabby chic style to the optimum. 

Dining table can sit 6 people comfortable for a cozy and warm Sunday family dinner. In the meantime, it does come with 3 extra leaves which all are 1 feet wide each so the total length can be extended up to 94 inches (almost 8 feet) and easily seat 8 to 10 people or more for a holiday gathering feast. 

In Summary: just simply remember 5 letters - PPSCD 

Step 1: Paint your base color

Step 2: Paint your top coat color (OPTIONAL, only when you are creating a layered and distressed look.)

Step 3: Sand your piece to various degrees of distressing finish (you can just smooth the surface out or you can reveal the first layer of paint and the wood underneath.)

Step 4: Clear wax (MUST apply your clear wax onto the piece to seal and protect the paint.)

Step 5: Dark wax (OPTIONAL, only when you want a vintage and weathered look.)