Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Reveal of the Painted Table

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First, the before:

It was lovely in it’s original dark wood finish.  But the finish itself was damaged and every time I looked at it in our light-filled kitchen with white cabinets and white kitchen island, it began to look like a black hole that sucked up all the light. So here is the reveal – I played with simple vignettes to ‘stage’ the new look.

As I hoped, the details of the legs and the curves show much better in this color. All of those touches were lost before. Don said he just now saw the beauty of the legs. I’m still not sure about these chairs…do they look right with the table? We’ve decided to use just 2 of them and store the rest. 99% of the time around here it is just the 2 of us. Don’s a big guy and having only 2 chairs makes maneuvering around the kitchen easier. Plus, the beautiful table legs are on display this way.

Since I really can’t use it for another 48 hours, I carefully placed some pretties on the top for the photos and then, very carefully, removed them. The wrought iron thingy will move elsewhere. It’s rusty finish is too rough and I don’t want it scratching my paint job! I’ll have some more photos next week. I’m sitting in the den right now and I can see the table from here – it is so much lighter and prettier!

Hope you like it!

Comments

  3. you really did a great job with your decision and the painting of the kitchen table. i love the finished look. really brightens up the kitchen. i can tell you love the result. job well done. enjoy your weekend.

  5. Great job! I love the table either way. Guess I’m kind of flaky when it comes to color. But this is a really nice change for your kitchen and I think it will truly brighten your spirits during the longer and darker days of winter. Good JOB!!

  7. I love it! I know what you mean about dark furniture taking up the light in a room – I think the white paint makes a world of difference and your chairs pop against the table too. Great job!

  12. Claudia your new table is gorgeous! You did such a wonderful job. My table is an old table made by a farmer, rather plain and white. I had some light oak chairs made and I have them paired with the table. I like the combo better than all white personally.

  16. It is stunning now, Claudia! I never noticed the legs until now either! I love it with the three white tiny pumpkins lined up. Just beautiful.
    Brenda

  17. You did a beautiful job with the table Claudia! I love the light color, it really does show off the pretty legs, and open up the space. And your vignettes are very pretty!

  18. beautifully done, claudia! i think it looks very classic with the 2 dark chairs. cool and unexpected contrast. the legs are very nice. yeah!

    ooh – re: NYC — i got tickets to the martha stewart show and will be there for 1 long day! very excited.

    xo
    elyse

  20. I LOVE THE WAY IT CAME OUT, YOU DID A GREAT JOB CLAUDIA.
    I’VE BEEN BUSY CRAFTING, MUST POST SOON. TAKE CARE, RIZZI

  21. I love timber and usually prefer its natural look, except for the really dark ones. But I much prefer what you have done with your table, it highlights the hidden “under-skirt” of a beautiful table

  22. The table is magnificent Claudia. Great job! I think I want to do that to my own table. It’s so ugly that I can’t bear to look at it anymore!

    2 coats primer, Ivory white paint and about 2 coats varathane. Wish me luck!

    Deanna :D

  25. the table looks amazing. great job painting such an intricate piece, no wonder your back is feeling it!

    your kitchen is so pretty and bright.

    enjoy the rest of your weekend, with your feet up knowing it’s a job well done.

    xo
    ~molly

  26. ((Squeeel!!)) Your table is so beautiful!!! You are right, the old look was a black hole in your cheery kitchen. I’m so impressed that you took the leap and went for it. I’m such a wimp when it comes to that kind of project!
    Hugs,
    Jill

  27. LOVING this
    beautiful project,
    Claudia!! You
    did a fantastic
    job and the white
    really brings out
    the sweet shape of
    the legs. I also
    love that pillow
    that Scout is lounging
    on in your last post…
    I wonder if you made it?
    Happy Weekend!
    xx Suzanne

  28. It looks beautiful, Claudia! And I just love the white pumpkins on the runner. I like it with the 2 chairs! All the more room for Scout and Riley to hang out under the table waiting for food to fall! (that’s what Malley and Giz used to do!)… Donna

  29. I really like what you did with the table. I think the legs stand out against the wood flooring beautifully. I am very enciuraged now to pain the 2 pieces I want to in my kitchen. I love the white color you choose it looks like creamy marshmellow to me, almost good enough to eat.

    cyn

  33. It looks beautiful!It’s funny how some people are insistent that wood furniture looks better stained to bring out the grain and beauty of the wood, when I agree with you that lighter colors really bring out the detains of the PIECE. Most of the time I prefer to see the furniture itself, not just the dark wood.

    *I am not sure what the liquid additive is called for dog plaque. I can let you know when we get some. Your vet would probably know or you could google it!

    Hope you have a peaceful weekend!

  34. LOVE the table, Claudia! Beautiful job and definitely the right decision to paint the whole thing. I’m looking at mine now thinking of doing the same thing… xo – g

  37. Hi Claudia, what a gorgeous table! I think it looks much better white, it shows the detail so much better. You have given me courage to paint this little bookcase I have. It has beautiful carving and details but they just disappear in the dark, dark almost black finish. Have a wonderful week, Nan

  38. Claudia,
    Well done girlfriend! I agree, when a piece has curves & interest like yours color works best. The new/old secretary I just inherited was intended to be painted as well. But I’m in a quandry over it. The Maple is so perfect & it’s in lovely condition, plus the generous donor lives down the street & drops in from time to time, LOL. For now, she’ll stay natural. Lisa

  41. You are oh so brave to paint that table white. As I look around my house at some of the things that should be painted and like you said are sucking up the room I am not as brave as you yet. But seeing how wonderful your table came out I think I may just paint some things. Those legs just pop now where you didn’t notice them before. You done good!

  42. Very pretty! It does make it pop out more in the room, I love the runner and pumpkins but I also love the wire basket with pumpkins in the first picture, goes to show you can have several looks work with the same pieces! Good job!
    Sherry

  43. Hi Claudia: I was so happy to hear from you. We had not visited in a while. I love how you did your table. It looks so beautiful. I need to do that to a few of my pieces. I am glad you are doing well my friend. I will try not to be a stranger. Blessings, Martha

  44. Claudia, the first thing I noticed were the pretty legs. That paint job does an excellent job of showing off their beauty. I also agree that it brightens up the space. I think the chairs look great as is – I’m a natural wood gal in general. However, if I was tempted to do something I would paint them a color that I liked and that went with the rest of the house. Great job – thanks for sharing! Isn’t it great to have that feeling of accomplishment?! Ann

  45. Claudia… You KNOW I’m loving your table white.
    Is the runner April Cornell?…Looks like her prints.
    I’m with you on only two chairs…I do the same thing.
    Makes more room and you can drag them back in when you have company.
    Cute with the little white pumpkies,
    Weekend Happiness to you,
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings…

  51. Claudia, I think it has turned out perfectly! Indeed you can now see how gorgeous the legs are!
    This really brightens up your room.
    You did a fabulous job.
    Hugs,
    Terri

  53. Hi Claudia,

    I’m sitting at my kitchen table on Saturday, December 17th looking at all of your lovely DIY projects so my comments are a bit late. My hubby loves your kitchen as much as I do! When I read him some of your stories he said your life sounds like ours in many ways.

    Anyhow we’re debating what to do with our kitchen table and chairs and are agonizing over what color to paint them. Wow! You are right the details of the legs on the table really stand out now. Beautiful job!

    ~Sandy

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