Saturday, February 7, 2015

Dining Table - Peeks of Wood Grain through Paint

Welcome to a new fun paint project!

For anyone who loves wood grain

but wants to update your furniture with paint,

here is an idea -

Mix paint and stain to create a transparent

layer over wood.








The stripe paint technique on top

has the feel of rustic barn wood

using grays, browns, black, and white.

Hilarie's dining set had great lines to begin with
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but needed some repair.






I did strip the table top down to it's natural wood.

That way there wouldn't be any blotches popping up

marking the area of repair.

After sanding and cleaning

I used a long straight edge to guide my brush

applying different combinations on the stripes.




When I used stain with paint,

I dipped one side in paint and one side in stain

and then brushed on.

I didn't use any paints on their own.

I added floetrol to them so they would extend

and appear more transparent.

This is how the top appeared 

after the paint and stain application.

Kind of dull, blended and without a lot of separation.






Adding polyurethane really defined the colors and lines.




I like to fold a foam piece,

dip it in mineral spirits,

then in polyurethane,

and wipe on.

Use long straight pulls.

I applied 3 coats.

So that process took a few days.








I did a white sanded edge finish on the table drop and legs

and added gray to the table top edge.

This is the same gray I used on the chairs.

I did blend a bit of black with the gray for the chairs

so there would appear to be layers of color there too.

I also sanded all of the edges for a worn look on the chairs.

(makes life easier with two little boys in their house)




Hilarie has a lot of beautiful grays in her home

so this will be a nice addition.








So I'm really liking all of the neutral tones 

plus the darker gray chairs

and then the pop of white that sets it off.

So glad to have you visit,

Deb


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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the vision you have. The "before the poly" was pretty, but who would have thought the after would pop out like that! So pretty.

reFresh reStyle said...

Love it Deb!

Unknown said...

You give me an inspiration on what to do with our dull table at home. this is so lovely!

-- Meagan

Twice Nice said...

I would never think to mix the products as you do. They turn out so beautifully every time. Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Redoing our kitchen table is on my list this year, and I love this technique. The table is awesome! :)

Teresa said...

That is stunning! Who would have thought to mix the paint and stain like that? Very nice!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! A great way to update a table too. Thanks for the tutorial.

Feral Turtle said...

I love your stripes method. It turned out amazing and really does take on the feel of wood grain! Good job Deb!

Melody Smith said...

I love this! Thank you for linking up at the Be~YOU~tiful Link Party! We're featuring your table this week :-)

Unknown said...

Are you using an oil based stain and a latex paint loaded on the same brush??

Deb Hrabik said...

Hi Carolyn,
Yes, an oil based stain. I know they don't mix, but I like the effect. : )

My So Called DIY Blog said...

This looks great! Thanks for sharing your technique. I will definitely be pinning this for later.

Unknown said...

This is awesome, you did a great job. I really wish I was so creative. I would have never thought to put together these either. I must try, and hope and pray it looks as nice. I hate using poly and adding mineral spirits to the sponge first may help a lot. Thanks very much.

Jlyn432 said...

First of all, the table looks beautiful!! I do have a couple of questions though- when applying the paint & stain, do you overlap the lines? Do you use multiple colors of stain? Do you only dip the brush once per line?

Deb Hrabik said...

Hi J!
On first application, I don't overlap the lines. There will be distinct lines visible. I used one stain "English Chestnut", but multiple colors would be great! I like that idea : )
Yes, I have to keep reloading my brush when it gets dry. Constant reloading.
Then - after all of your stripes are dry, brush stain and gray mix over where all of the lines meet to soften the look. You can even brush that over entire top to soften. You can just use the stain or stain and gray.
Whatever look you like,
Thanks for stopping!
Deb

Jlyn432 said...

Did you use polyurethane on the chairs as well?

Deb Hrabik said...

Hey J -
No, I just gave them a quick spray coat of clear spray. I use either satin or semi - gloss depending on the sheen I want. I don't remember what I used here - maybe semi-gloss.
Hope your set is turning out great!
Deb

Unknown said...

Hi! I am in love with this table. I chose to go another route with my kitchen table even though I was in love with this one because I didn't think I would be able to maintain your beauty in a house full of men. Well what I tried didn't last very long, so now 9 months later I have stripped the table and getting ready to try to tackle your project. I know it won't come out nearly as amazing, but I will try my hardest. I need to questions answered though before I try it.
1) What kind of MinWax Polyurethane did you use? I did not see any identical cans today at Home Depot. I just bought a fast drying, high gloss but I don't want to open it until I know it is the right one.
2) Where did you get the foam sponges? I can't find any.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Fingers crossed that I can produce a product that somewhat resembles yours.
Thanks again!
Faith

Deb Hrabik said...

Thanks for your note madeinnyc
Yes, the fast drying minwax is perfect. Semi-gloss or gloss will be great.
I buy flat foam and cut it up. You can find it in walmart fabric section. You can cut a 5 or 6" square of foam and fold in half. Should work great! I've also bought a twin mattress pad and cut that, using the smooth side for application.
Best Wishes on your project!
Deb

Unknown said...

Hi again Deb!!
Thank you so much for your incredibly quick response. I think I am going to start with the foam in the fabric section first, but I never would've guessed you can use mattress pads for this. That's pure genius!!!
I hate to bother you again, but 2 more quick questions if you have time to answer them
1) I know polyurethane yellows whites, but does it eventually add a yellow tinge to regular colors? I have always used Polycrylic even on furniture I have painted that doesn't have any white on it. I am nervous to use the polyurethane. Since you are the professional here, you would have enough experience to know whether or not any of your items have yellowed 6-12 months down the road.
2) Also, crazy question here, but do you paint the different colored strips one after the other or do you paint one entire color, skipping sections and then fill in the gaps with the other color? Does that make sense?
Thank you so much for being so wonderful and helping me try to achieve my goals with this table.
Faith

Deb Hrabik said...

Happy to help Faith!
I don't use polyurethane on white. I use polyacrylic.
I like to use polyurethane on grays and browns. Yes, it warms it with a golden over time, but I like that warming on those colors. I don't use it on white though.
You could go either way with the order of the stripes.
I like to have 3 plates in my 3 color ways with 3 brushes and move in order of the colors. But you could certainly do all of one color first. Either way works.
Remember, if they are too harsh and separated to use a fresh airy brush (chip brush) dipped in stain and lightly blend all of the edges.
Have fun!
If I can help with other questions, happy to help.
Deb

Unknown said...

I really can't thank you enough Deb. You are such a tremendous source of knowledge. I never thought of using 3 plates with 3 brushes. Once again, that's another genius idea you have. And thank you for the advice about the chip brush. Another brilliant idea.

I know I am a total pain in your rear, but I have just one more question. When you said that you dipped half of a sponge in Poly and half in mineral spirits, how does that work? Doesn't the mineral spirits act as a paint remover???

Thank you again for being such a huge help!!!!!
Faith

Deb Hrabik said...

Hi Faith -
No problem. I know it's a lot to take on.
The first coat or two you can use polyurethane only. You can use either brush or sponge.
It's the final coat that I use mineral spirits on.
On the very last coat I pour some polyurethane out on a plate. Then I add just a smidge of mineral spirits. Stir together and then sponge on. I think it thins it just a bit so it doesn't go on quite as thick. It's much easier to get a smooth blending for the top coat.
Hope it goes well!
Deb

Unknown said...

Deb,
You are AMAZING!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am a firefighter and I work 24 hr shifts 10 days a month, which means that a project takes me 3x as long to complete as everyone else, but as soon as it's done I will post pics of the finished product.
With a grateful heart,
Faith
Eekkk...I just thought of 1 more question...I am so ridiculous. Will the polyurethane be enough to protect a dinner table. I always use it on regular furniture, but I have never used it on a regularly used table. Any other recommendations?

Deb Hrabik said...

Wow, I really admire you for your service as a firefighter. Thank you for your bravery.

Yes, the poly does great for that. I have had it on my dining table for about 4 years now. I have to reapply a coat about once a year. One time I had the poly bubble and chip. I just sanded lightly with 150 or higher grit sandpaper and applied some polyurethane in that spot with a brush. Worked great.
Thanks again!
Deb

Unknown said...

Thank you for your kind words. I am so incredibly lucky to be able serve my community and try to improve the lives of the people around me. I hate that people are losing everything they own when we are called to duty, but being one of the few woman on scene, I always run around the house after we put the fire out and grab all of the sentimental items for them. Pictures, albums or anything else that has special memories for them.

I am thrilled to hear that the Poly will do well for a dining table. I am going to save your info so I know what to do if I have any problems with it and put reminders on my calendars to recoat once a year.

You have been an absolute dream to talk to about your project. I am amazed by your speed and willingness to help a complete stranger in making her own dreams come true. I am so incredibly grateful.

I'll update you in a couple of weeks as to how the table came out. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!
Gratefully,
Faith

Deb Hrabik said...

Would love to see a picture!
Feel free to email too.
debhrabikdesigns@gmail.com

Jeanne said...

Been looking and looking for just the right process for our dining room table.... I love this. I pretty much understood all your directions..... just need to know how much for the floetrol you added to your mixes. I've seen it mentioned, but have never used it. Thanks for your inspiration.... hoping my table turns out as beautiful as yours. Jeanne

Deb Hrabik said...

Hi Jeanne -
I love this look too.
I would pour a small puddle of floetrol on a paper plate and a small puddle of paint. Dip your brush first in the floetrol, then in the paint. Wipe off back and forth. Test on an area or even cardboard to see if it has the look you want. Can be as opaque or transparent as you would like. If it is too paint heavy, just dip your brush into the floetrol again.
Best Wishes!
Deb