Hello amazing friends! I’m back with my Furniture Fixer Upper ladies! For my project today, I’m sharing how to paint a drop leaf table. Be on the lookout for my friends’ makeovers at the bottom!
This sweet drop-leaf kitchen table was definitely ready for an update:
It was a bit wobbly when I got it, but tightening up all the nuts on the bolts holding the legs in place took care of that pretty easily. This is a piece I shared in the summer of 2020, but it seems many things I shared back then were missed, so this is a great time to share it once more.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
I started this one by giving this table a good cleaning with White Lightning. I just mixed one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water. The applicator pads are perfect for this step!
I swapped out my water for clean water and gave everything another wipe down to remove any residue when I was done. White lightning is a degreaser and deglosser, so gloves are recommended.
How to Paint a Drop Leaf Table
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Paint the underside of the table
The best way I’ve found to paint a drop leaf table is to lay it upside down. This is actually on a towel to protect the top, although you cannot see it. Then I paint it completely on the underside first.
Here, I painted the legs and the underside in Dixie Belle’s Fluff:
I ended up going with Savannah Mist for the top instead, so I went over the Fluff with that.
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Sand and seal the underside of the table
I completely finish the underside before flipping it over, so I sanded and then sealed this one with Gator Hide.
**Gator Hide has been out of stock for a while now as Dixie Belle has been having a difficult time sourcing the raw materials with all the crazy in the world right now. However, it’s being reformulated, and I’m hoping to see it in stock again soon! That is the rumor anyway. If you click that link, you can add your email to the waitlist to be notified when it is in stock in my Etsy shop again.
The next best thing is the Clear Coat in satin. While it’s not water repellent, it is water resistant and is still an excellent sealer!
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Flip it over and paint the top
Once I had the underside completed, I flipped it over and painted the top.
Then, I sanded the top also with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old foam sanding block:
I used my shop vac to remove all the sanding dust.
Then, I sealed the top the same way as the bottom. If you are using the satin Clear Coat, I would apply three thin coats to the top for maximum protection. Use with caution for about three weeks while it cures.
The Chairs
To make a set, I pulled these two cuties out of my stash:
I had a set of four of these chairs that went to a kitchen table. The set originally belonged to my Mom, and she gave them to me about 20 years ago or so. I eventually put them out at one of my yard sales and one of my besties bought the set from me for extra seating at the holidays. You may remember her lowboy that she gave me that I redid HERE. When she dropped that piece off with another piece I was redoing for her, she asked if I wanted these chairs back also, and of course I said yes! I knew I would eventually match them to something!
They are a perfect match to this table!
After removing the chair inserts and giving them a good cleaning, I pulled out my medium-sized Home Right Spray Shelter and spray primed these two chairs using Rustoleum spray primer:
It’s a great size and perfect for small furniture items like chairs! It is super easy to set up also. It just pops right up.
These chairs did not need primed, but this was just a great way to get a first coat on. Chairs are not the most fun to paint.
This way, I only needed to brush on one coat of Fluff:
Fluff is what I call a vintage white, not too bright, but just right. And, it has excellent coverage! (I used it on our bedroom set HERE, and I used satin Clear Coat to seal!)
I sealed both chairs the same way as the table.
All I had left to do was cover the chair inserts. I removed the top layer of fabric because it had a texture to it that would show through the final fabric. I chose to recover the seat pads in one of my favorites, blue and white ticking.
I attached it using my cheapie staple gun:
Voila!
What a sweet set this is now!
It’s hard to see the blue top from far away…let’s get in a bit closer…
Savannah Mist is one of my favorites and I love it combined with the ticking in the chairs:
It coordinates without being too matchy-matchy.
Here’s a different view with the leaf down…
This is perfect if you just have a small space, and need to keep it down while not in use.
It could even function as a makeshift desk or as a table for one.
Here’s a better look at this lovely gray blue color…
I painted the top in Fluff first also since I was originally heading in that direction, but I like seeing bits of the white peeking through…
The chairs surprised me. They turned out so cute…
The style and petite size were perfect for this table!
How pretty are these ironstone saucers. I only paid 15¢ a piece for them on clearance at the thrift store:
So many of my favorite elements in one…a total seaside cottage makeover!
Wasn’t that a fun one?
These photos were taken in my office against this feature wall. It is Airstone Veneer, and I abslolutely love it! You can see more aboout it in my office reveal HERE.
My friends have three more fabulous furniture flips for you today!
If you enjoyed this drop leaf table makeover, you might enjoy this one too:
See what I did with this one HERE!
I’ll be back to my Spring Haul on Tuesday sharing what I did with this tea box:
See ya then!
UPDATE: No need to come back..it’s done and it is cuter than ever! See it HERE!
Have a fantastic weekend!
XOXO,
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Marietta says
I remember. It’s good to see the pieces that kept me watching!
Christy says
Oh yay! Thank you, Marietta! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
I remember this one when you did it because I remember the blue and white ticking stripe you used on the chairs, it is such a sweet set!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! You know I’m a sucker for ticking lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
What a pretty and sweet table and chairs make-over. Love the colors and love ticking fabric. This turned out just beautiful. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Ohhhh…what a lovely set! And, you know how much I love coastal!! That seaside mist is such an undersated color, yet does stand out. Like the fabric you chose for the chairs too. Good job…👍
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! This set is all the things I love too!! XOXO
Christina says
Beautiful makeover, I love it!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christina! XOXO
Robin Simonds says
I have this very same table. I had it professionally stripped years ago. I was told there were at least 15 layers of paint on her! I ended up staining her but I am going to use her for a desk. I haven’t decided if I want to paint her or not. But I love what you’ve done with this drop leaf table. Thanks for the inspiration.
Christy says
Oh wow! That’s a lot of layers of paint! Yes, this would make a super cute desk! Thank you, Robin! XOXO
Niki says
What a darling little set this is Christy. Before I saw the chairs I thought to myself , I have aqua ticking that would match that perfectly! Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Oh funny! Thank you, Niki! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
What an adorable ‘NEW’ set Christy! And ya, I can’t wait for DB to start selling Gator Hide again. I top coated my high-traffic kitchen table in it and it’s the BEST! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! Me too! I’m hearing rumors that maybe this summer? We’ll see! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
I love everything about this and as usual, I can just picture this in our cottage! If only!!
Christy says
Aww yay…thank you, Sharon! It is perfect for a cottage! XOXO
Sandra says
Wow! And that wall! I just adore your wall! It is gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandra! XOXO
Cyndi says
This is such a charming set! The blue color reminds me…Christy, I tried to mix DB paints using your “recipe” (Gulf, VDE Blue, and Cotton) and got it wrong. 🙁 But I played with it and have ended up with something like Sea Glass or this Savannah Mist. It’s very pretty. You know…when life hands you lemons… 😉 I do wish you’d mix up that paint and sell it! (hint, hint.)
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Oh no…well it sounds like you ended up with a pretty color! I do wish this was a pre-mixed color option for sure! XOXO
Cyndi says
Well, with all the beautiful colors you’d think this would be easy, but my friend specifically asked for that blue (your recipe). I got into “Christy mode”and tweaked it some more and I believe I’ve gotten it. 😁
Christy says
Oh ha ha…I’m glad you got it down! 😀
roe squire says
Your refresh looks so lovely. I love the colors of paint and fabric you used.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Roe! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I had the twin of that table for years! Eventually I sold it for about $40. You made it look so much better that now I wish I still had it!
Christy says
Aww…this seems to have been a popular piece back in the day! It’s such a versatile little table. I kind of wish I had kept this one…it would have made a great puzzle table! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I love the colors you used on this table. I have a table that folds over but the hardware in the bottom is different. I wish I could explain what it is but I’m wondering if I should remove it just to paint the underside. I don’t want to. Yes, please put me in the wait-list for Gatorhide.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I usually just paint over the hardware, but you can definitely remove it if you think it will be easier to paint. Added you to my Gator Hide list…crossing my fingers we’ll see it this summer! XOXO
Lizzy says
I love everything about this set. The colors, the ticking, everything!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Lizzy! This one set pretty much sums up my favorite decorating style! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This set is just darling, Christy! You can never go wrong with blue and white! xo
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! For sure…such a classic combination! XOXO