Hello beautiful friends! Today I’m back sharing how we updated my sister’s kitchen set with paint and white stain! This is the best way to paint a dining table and chairs!
Here is what my sister’s eat-in area in her kitchen looked like before:
I wish I had a picture of the true before…before my sister painted all of that trim white. She had just painted it the week prior!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
We only ended up keeping the chairs in this set. She found a table she liked better at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I convinced her to stop in and see if there were any tables she might like that we could refinish and we were in luck!
They had this Ethan Allen beauty for only $69, and it came with one leaf:
She wasn’t totally convinced that day we found it though, and we ended up leaving it behind.
Fast forward to a week later, and she decided to stop back in the Restore to see it if was still there. Luckily, it was! That time she didn’t leave without it!
Prep the Table
To start this project, my sister sanded the entire surface with 150 grit sandpaper, followed by 220 grit sandpaper:
My preference is a rotary sander, but it was probably easier to get all those edges with her palm sander.
Want to remove stain without sanding? I shared how to do that in this old post.
I showed up after all the heavy sanding was done…how convenient ha ha!
Condition the Table
I gave the top a good coat of Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner:
This helps the wood to accept the stain more evenly.
Stain the Table
We decided on stain for the table top since it will withstand tons of abuse and will still look amazing years down the road.
There are more options than just brown though!
This is the magic that really transformed this table: Dixie Belle’s VooDoo gel Stain in White Magic…
I applied it with a soft clean cloth, going with the grain of the wood:
I applied it liberally to get a good coat on it, and then wiped off the excess. VooDoo gel stain is water based, so it dries super fast. I was able to follow up with another coat after about 15 minutes.
Voodoo gel stain comes in seven easy-to-apply colors:
If you choose to use an oil-based stain instead, you will want to be sure your stained surface has plenty of dry time before sealing, three to four days is usually enough.
Seal the Table
About a half an hour later, I sealed it with Dixie Belle’s Gator Hide using their blue sponge applicator:
I gave it two coats.
You can see how I apply sealer with a sponge in this video:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on YouTube HERE.
Gator Hide is Dixie Belle’s toughest topcoat, so it is what I use for heavy traffic items like kitchen tables. Most other pieces will do just fine with Clear Coat.
Paint the Base of the Table
The pedestal base of this table was easy enough to paint with a brush. My sister gave the table base three coats of Cotton, sanded with 220 grit sandpaper, and sealed with Gator Hide, also using the blue sponge to apply it.
Prep the Chairs
For the chairs, I enlisted the help of my HomeRight sprayer to knock the job out quickly!
Here’s a closer look at what they looked like before:
I was not a fan of these chairs at all! And in fact, I suggested looking for replacements for these as well, but my sister was determined to keep them.
We started by sanding all of the seats since we intended to stain those also…
Then my sister realized that we could remove them, so that’s what we did.
She got to work staining the seats in the same way we tackled the table, while I got started on spraying the chairs.
Spray the Chairs
This is the best way I have found to paint multiple dining chairs!
I set up my large HomeRight spray shelter for this project to catch any overspray. Then I filled up my HomeRight sprayer with Dixie Belle Cotton, full strength, and started spraying! I used a brand new 32 oz jar of paint.
I always paint chairs with them faced down first until all coats of paint have been applied. I gave these two coats.
The sprayer gave great coverage in two coats.
Then I flipped them upright and sprayed the rest:
Spraying furniture is so much quicker! I used to use my sprayer more often at our old house, but it’s so windy at our new house that I don’t use it very often now. My sister doesn’t get much wind in her back yard, so it worked perfectly! Seriously, there is no other way I’d rather tackle painting all those chairs!
Because the sprayer is technically spitting the paint out, it can leave the surface not completely smooth to the touch. But because I use chalk paint, all my pieces get sanded lightly from head to toe to smooth them out anyway, I still end up with a super smooth surface. The Dixie Belle Paint worked so well in the sprayer even without being watered down. Chalk paint dries very quickly though, so you don’t want to leave your sprayer sitting idle for too long. This tool makes cleaning your sprayer much easier!
I left my sister to finish the chairs on her own. After sanding, she sealed them with Gator Hide as well.
The Result
Here is what her eat-in area looks like now:
Can I get an Amen??
It turned out SO good!!
These are her old chairs and they compliment the new table perfectly!
I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me when I tried to get her to replace them too!
The Gator Hide dries to a lovely satin-like sheen and is super durable and water repellent:
I still can’t get over how amazing the chairs turned out!
She never could have found a set that she liked better if she were trying to buy new!
What a great investment that table was for only $69!
I found the placemats and florals at HomeGoods. The placemats were too big, but because they were plastic, we were able to make them fit by cutting a couple of inches off of each one. (Also voila! Napkin rings ha ha!)
The pedestal base on this table was what sold me! This was my sister’s first chalk-painting project and I’d say she did a fantastic job!!
Since I originally shared this makeover, my sister has had all of her floors downstairs replaced with luxury vinyl! It looks amazing with her updated kitchen and eat-in area! I need to take pictures to share!
It looks so much better than this tile that was not wearing well at all!
Here is one more project my sister took on herself, their knife block:
She gave it the exact same treatment as the table and chairs:
Now it matches the rest of the kitchen! (I redid my own knife block too HERE!)
Have you seen my sister’s very 80’s kitchen that we tackled??
I shared this makeover in two posts. The first is how we did painted those pine cabinets, and the second is all the pretty before and after pictures!
I’ll be back next with 15+ thrifty mirror makeovers to inspire your own makeover:
UPDATE: They look so much more beautiful now…see them all HERE!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Petra says
I totally love what you’ve done with this dining set 😀 I’m going to order that gel stain product right now (hope I can get it here in Australia). Your sister must be so impressed 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! It gave that old table such a fresh new look! I hope you can find it! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow I already saw this but it was fun to look back and see it again! That would be fun to see your sisters new flooring and see an update on how the kitchen is holding up! Happy Birthday to Brennan and happy 4th of July to you and your family!
Christy says
I’m glad you enjoyed it for a second time, Mary! Her kitchen is holding up beautifully as well as this set. I need to get over there and take some fresh photos to show off her new floors! And thank you…Happy 4th to you as well! XOXO
Denise Cox says
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! That is the look I was aiming for when neighbors gave me a Thomasville DIY’er table set /4 chairs. I had sanded the top /leaf… and then the arthritis in both thumbs began. I wanted a weathered/distressed /grayish top with a white bottom… and matching chairs. As for your Sis’s taste in chairs, sorry, I’m with her… Lol😝. I love the ladder back look. And they look great matching the table!! I have, however, just gone to Johnny Janosik and my Mom bought me a dining table that is as close as I can find in this area, with lovely ‘scroll’ back chairs. The set has a ‘ Louis Phillip’ French /Traditional look which I love. Thick, scroll legs.
I LOVE that Ethan Allen table and was so hoping she would go back for it! 🤞🙃😊!!! Lovely pedestal!! And solid wood as well! “Great bones”, as we like to say… Lol. She must be so very pleased with the outcome and never want to leave her kitchen /dining area… 😍. Kudos to both of you! If I were her neighbor, I’d invite myself over for a “cuppa”… Lol!!! 😁
Christy says
Thank you, Denise!! I could not have been more wrong about the chairs lol…they really do have a lovely farmhouse vibe now! And I too am so glad she went back for the table AND that it was still there! Thrifting isn’t her thing, but I’m making a believer out of her! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Looks great! You did great renewing the table and chairs.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! XOXO
Christina says
Love the story of getting this table as well as the makeover. The knife block looks amazing also.
I was imagining that stain color on floors. 🙂 or maybe Temptress on a floor! 🙂
I know everyone is going to have a great time at the party!!
Happy 4th as well!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Her floors are a rustic gray brown and look so nice with her new white kitchen, but wouldn’t Temptress be fun?? Enjoy your weekend also! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Never tire of your makeovers. Looks like an entirely different table and chairs. You make it look so easy.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Janice! It really does not look like the same set at all! XOXO
Patti says
Hi Christy! The set looks amazing! I was wondering, did you only use one coat of gator hide on the table top? If so I’m buying some! I usually use 3-4 coats of water based sealer and I’d love it if I didn’t have to do so many!!
Thanks so much and love all your projects!!
Christy says
Hi Patti! Thank you! I used two coats of Gator Hide, but using the sponge makes it SO easy to apply! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
Thanks, Christi, for reposting. I love this look and the table with the newly painted chairs look so good together. Thanks for the details; this gives me the courage to tackle my kitchen dining room table and chairs. they really need an overhaul!! I hope you and your family enjoy the weekend and your son’s birthday party! have a great 4th of July.
Christy says
My pleasure, Sue! Thank you! This is such a fresh look for an old set…good luck with yours! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
Yes you can get an Amen! Beautiful! Her kitchen looks so nice. Also love how you made the napkin rings from the leftover placemat scraps.
Christy says
Ha ha thank you so much, Debra!! She didn’t have all the pretty staging props, so those placemat scraps worked perfectly! XOXO
Jeri says
It has been my experience that the finish on Ethan Allen tables is super tough to sand through. It can take me several hours to get down to the natural wood. Don’t even ask about the edges😡
Christy says
I’m sorry you’ve had bad experiences, Jeri! A lower grit sandpaper should do the job faster. This one didn’t give us much trouble, thankfully! XOXO
Toby says
Looks beautiful Christy!!!
Happy 4th of July!
Toby
Christy says
Thank you, Toby!! Happy 4th to you too! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
Y’all did a great job! I love my white Voo Doo! I think I bought my first bottle after seeing this post:). Can’t wait to see pictures of Brennan’s birthday party on IG! Have a safe and fun 4th!!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia!! The white Voodoo is awesome! XOXO
Cate Cooper says
Wow and WOW!!! What a great job! The whole set looks fantastic. I didn’t know stain came in white and I like it sooo much better than just using paint to get the look of white-washed. Great job to you both!!
Happy 4th to you and your family!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cate!! Yes! The white stain is awesome! This project was my first time using it and I love the finish it gave this table. Happy 4th to you too!! XOXO
Lizzy says
From very dated to pure perfection. I love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy!! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
Here’s my AMEN! 😀
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Connie!! XOXO
Karen Thompson says
Loved seeing your sisters kitchen again. Ya’ll did a fabulous job on the table and what a bargain that was! I very much enjoy thrifting and have gotten my sister to enjoy it somewhat – nowhere near as much as me 🙂 But I sure wish she enjoyed redoing furniture/painting/etc., like me, because I know we could have almost as much fun as you and your sister! (We’re a little older, so pbly slower) LOL
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karen! Don’t be fooled…my sister would rather be doing anything but thrifting and redoing furniture ha ha! I wish she were more into it! XOXO
Karen Thompson says
Also – to add – I went back and looked at when you redid your kitchen table in 2014 to find out how to strip stain without sanding. One of my very near projects is to redo our 20 year old table so I may try that antique furniture refinisher rather than sanding! AND I just redid 5 chairs the exact style as yours, the 6th is not an exact match, but close enough. (Of course they were thrifted) Mine came out nice, not 100% satisfied but good!
Christy says
Oh perfect! Yes, that method worked great for my curvy table that would have been more difficult to sand. And I love our chairs! I bet yours look fantastic! XO
p says
Such a beautiful refresh !! Looks Wonderful. The white stain could have a lot of potential… hmmmm. I really like how the table top and chair seats look so natural with that great pedestal table.
That was really a great deal !! I’d love to find one, but no luck so far.
Have you tried the white stain on darker woods ? I’d love to see ideas !
Or… can the white stain be applied over darker stains…?
I really need to try some of those blue sponge applicators. I’ve used the Shun-Line 6″ pads w the handle. They do work well on large flat surfaces, but not so much on curves, slats, or details of any kind 🙁
Thanks for sharing! Your posts / instructions are always very thorough. Really helpful. 😉
p
Christy says
Thank you so much, P! We were so pleased with the outcome! I don’t know about using the voodoo gel stain over a darker stain, but you can use the oil-based No Pain gel stain in the Pickled White color right over a dark stain! And the sponges work amazingly well for applying sealers on flat surfaces and curves too! XOXO
Annette Santana says
Oh my God is absolutely gorgeous. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Christy says
Thank you so much, Annette! XOXO
Dianne says
I will never tire of watching this video of the transformation of your sister’s table and chairs and her whole kitchen too. It’s just amazing. I have a question though. Is the gel stain safe for staining a baby bed?
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Dianne! I don’t see why you couldn’t use the Voodoo on a baby crib. It is water-based and has hardly any smell to it. XOXO
Michele M. says
Absolutely stunning. What a find – and the transformation is just incredible! I LOVE this table and chairs set! Ethan Allen – built to last a lifetime and then some. Well done, sisters!!!!! ♥♥
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! This was built to last for sure…can’t beat the quality! XOXO
Cara says
I always love all of your make overs! I have been following you for years and am always amazed at the ideas you come up with! Love this table, I sure wish I had access to these shops everyone frequents. Our local shops in my area do not carry these quality pieces which makes me so sad!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cara!! We are very fortunate to have a lot of thrift stores here to choose from, but I usually stick to the same two or three stores lol! Thank you for following along with me!! XOXO
Janet says
Just beautiful! We have the exact same table. You’ve given me a project I didn’t even know I needed.
Christy says
Thank you, Janet! And ha ha sorry…or not sorry lol! XOXO
Penny Rose says
Oh my goodness that is gorgeous. I have an Ethan Allen table that I got for my daugher for $40. It came with 5 chairs and 2 leaves. The top is really shiny I’m wondering if I can sand it down to the bare wood. Did your sister’s table have a real shiny finish on the top prior to refinishing or would you recommend Slick Stick first. I would prefer to stain the top.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Penny! Yes…hers was the really shiny finish also, and it should be wood underneath! XOXO