Updating an Old Drop Leaf Table and Chairs
by
Chairished Furnishings
(IC: professional)
9 Materials
$80
15 Hours
Medium
I have a weakness for vintage furniture; especially classic Duncan Phyfe style. I've updated this very same table model, made by Drexel before so when I saw another on on Craigslist, I pounced at the chance to do another. Since it was listed without chairs included, I had to search for some that would fit the period and style. I wanted to do something fun with the chairs, so I chose to paint them in a bright green.
The original chairs found on Craigslist after an estate sale
Original table found on Craigslist. Drexel New Travis Court
I painted the table base in Rustoleum Chalked Paint, sanded and applied soft wax before moving the table out onto the deck to strip and sand.
Table after original finished had been stripped and sanded
I originally stained the table with English Chestnut but was not happy with the reddish color. I wanted a deeper, richer color so went over the English Chestnut with Kona. Not a good move, as the stain did not take evenly. So... I went over that with Minwax Gel stain to even everything out. I sanded lightly with 400 grit paper, wiped clean, then went over with a tack cloth before applying three coats of Satin Polycrylic, sanding between each coat.
I originally thought it would be fun to have the inside backs painted in white so I painted just the main part of the chair in Behr Mowed Grass, mixed with Calcium Carbonate. After applying two coats, I lightly sanded with 400 grit sandpaper, wiped down with a damp rag and tack cloth before I applied Matte finish Varathane.
I found this fabric at Joann's, which was a perfect match to the Mowed Grass paint color I'd chosen.
Hmmm Although just a watery-looking primer at this point, I wasn't thrilled with the look of the white back.
Side by side chairs - Before and After updating
Finished set
Side view of a finished chair
Finished Set
Finished Set
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Paint - Behr Mowed Grass (Home Depot)
- Calcium Carbonate (Amazon)
- Fabric (JoAnn)
- Foam (Joann)
- Stain (Home Depot)
- Rustoleum Chalked Paint - Antique White (Home Depot)
- Soft Wax - DecoArt (Home Depot)
- Polycrylic - Satin (Home Depot)
- Varathane - Matte (Home Depot)
Published May 31st, 2016 12:15 PM
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4 of 8 comments
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Kelly Fleming Smith on May 31, 2016Super job! I just saw a table and chair almost identical for sale. What a treasure!
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Chairished Furnishings on May 31, 2016Thank you!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
What colour was the Minwax Gel stain that you used on your table top?
I have the Duncan Fife claw foot table, similar to your table, without the cross bar between the sets of legs..
I wouldn't dream of painting the table, but I would like to refresh the surface, of the whole thing to match the inner leaves that open up, but are in perfect condition still. (dinning table/chair set, were a wedding gift to my parents in 1953).