Painting a tabletop and grainsacks...

Last Friday at 4 in the afternoon, I got the idea that I would paint my kitchen table top. I'm one of those people who always underestimates the amount of time and trouble a project will be. I think, "Let's see, that should only take a couple of hours, and I'm going to use chalk paint so it should be a piece of cake". I'm also the person who thinks she still looks 40, until I catch a passing glimpse of myself in the mirror... Actually, it wasn't a big deal, just took me longer than I thought since I wanted a more protected finish. And speaking of "finishes", I'd like a new one for that mirror reflection, please.

The table top was a light "Honey" stain manufacturer's finish that had seen lot's of wear and tear over these last eleven years and needed some help in the worst way. No kids or grandkids living here, just us two and the cats, but I DID have a run in with a bottle of scented oil that you use to refresh potpourri a few years ago, and after that the table wasn't the same. lesson learned the hard way.

You can't see all the places where the finish had actually worn off, scratches, dings, and not to mention I'm not a fan of "Honey" stained anything...least of all my table top. I bought this because of the pretty antique white paint finish and the fact that I fell in love with the chair backs.

I had reached my threshold of "blah" with it, and decided that paint was easier than stripping it and re-staining, even though a dark stain would have been beautiful. I used my palm sander for just a little extra help on getting rid of the inconsistencies of the finish.

Here's a pic from last Fall. Covering what I can of the table top has always been my way of dealing with the problem.

So I did 3 coats of ASCP in Old White and then 3 coats of Minwax Liquid Polyurethane, which I love, and is super fast and easy and gives great protection. I just "lightly" distressed it around the edges, it will have enough "distressing" on it's own.

The painted tabletop color is pretty close to the original finish on the rest of the table. Maybe just a hair lighter, but not noticeable. (The liquid poly adds a little depth of color) The chairs still have the stained finish, but I can live with that at the moment.

I'll continue to keep some sort of table runner on it just to ensure a little more protection. Things tend to float over here and land, like cell phones, mail, keys, etc. so I've told hubby, everything has to fit on the runner. Right now I have my antique heavy grainsack runner with the red stripe. This thing is durable and nubby and I love the look. I've ordered another one with a caramel stripe in the center, and it's on it's way from Austria. Christina from Grainsack on Etsy has beautiful antique grainsacks for great prices. You can take out the stitching like I did, and it becomes twice as long and works wonderfully as a tablerunner.

My tool caddy with vintage blue Ball Jars and faux hydrangeas

 is a staple here, year-round.

Wish I'd have done this sooner, because this looks so much better. Now, if the fur girls will just not attempt any crafting on the table top things will be good...

joining in on these great parties:

Inspiration Gallery at Yellow Bliss Road

WOW Us Wednesday at Savvy southern Style
It's a Party at DIY by Design
Homework at Worthing Court
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours
Tips and Tutorials at Stone Gable
House Party at No Minimalist Here
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Redoux Interiors
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Furniture Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Shabby Art Boutique
Blitzed on Pinterest at Debbiedoos
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Funky Junk

hope you're having a great week,

xoxo,