Updating an Old Drop Leaf Table and Chairs
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
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4 of 8 comments
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Super job! I just saw a table and chair almost identical for sale. What a treasure!
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Those chairs are fab!
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Thank you!
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