Retro Dinette Set

Christel Roselle
by Christel Roselle
3 Materials
$25
5 Days
Easy
Here's how I made over a retro dinette set. I inherited this cute dinette set and in my mind I had a vision...
I used furniture stripper and palm sander on table top. The chairs didn't need furniture stripper I only used floor stripper to remove the years worth of furniture polish. The chairs needed some repairs on the backs and wood filler.
I Sanded and repaired the backs of the chairs, then stained with black cherry stain. I added three coats of varnish for durability. I reapholstered the seats with some cute retro fabric I found at the local thrift store
I stripped and sanded the table top and applied the gorgeous black cherry stain and several coats of semigloss varnish.
I sanded lightly between varnish coats, and did everything to the table extension board ...


More sanding, and more varnish...
This is the stain..
Several coats of varnish...
And this this is the finished Dinette Set, Pretty cue if I do say so myself!!icon
This is how the table looks without the extension...
Project complete! I love the new and improved dinette set :)
Suggested materials:
  • I used furniture stripper on table top   (Home Depot)
  • Black Cherry wood stain, semi gloss varnish   (Home Depot)
  • Fabric for chair apholstery   (Local Thrift Store)
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Roe10253088 Roe10253088 on Sep 09, 2017

    Do you need place mats or a table cloth for protection from staining. Looking for something I can just wipe off .

  • Cheri Schumacher Cheri Schumacher on Sep 10, 2017

    It looks great! I was wondering how to redo, just the top of our dining room table. I have used an oil for a few years, to protect it, but that is getting to be too much work, every time one or our little ones is a the table. It sounds like --use some stripper, and sand. Then use a stain followed by a varnish (was the polyurethane oil or water based) Was you stain, oil or water based?

    Thanks for your help. I will be glad to have something on the table top that I don't have to worry about glasses sweating on , and just being able to wipe it off. With little grand kids, it's hard to keep up with them.


  • Andrea Marino Andrea Marino on Sep 15, 2017

    How do you repair the wood on a table. Mine is a kitchen table with tile. The wood is a golden oak and is very worn and faded.

Comments
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4 of 17 comments
  • Imt29259079 Imt29259079 on Sep 09, 2017

    Wow! What an improvement. Love your choice of stain. Gorgeous.

    • Christel Roselle Christel Roselle on Sep 09, 2017
      Than you, I thought since it'e made of cherry wood, I would also use black cherry stain... made sense.
  • Esther Esther on Sep 12, 2017

    I'm dying to transform my dining set, so this posted at just the right time. The set is in great condition, just not my style (lighter wood, almost Scandinavian). The plan is darker top with white legs. Up in the air on chair color, but I think upholstery color will dictate. Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Christel Roselle Christel Roselle on Sep 12, 2017
      Hello Esther. I'm glad I inspired you to transform your dining set. I'm sure it will look great!!
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