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    Home » DIY Crafts

    A Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    Published: Jan 17, 2014 by Christina Dennis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 37 Comments

    When we moved into this house last summer, my Mom gave us their old oak farmhouse table that they had DIY'd about 20 years ago. I'm the oldest of 5 kids, and I have many fond memories of eating and playing at this table with my big, loving family. My parents had made this table with some antique table legs, oak trim, and an oak top. I love the lines of it, but I wasn't a big fan of the red oak finish - with the "go ahead" from my mom, I knew it needed to be updated!

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    To be honest, this table update project was a long and rather annoying one. First, I wanted to sand and stain the top a dark ebony (because I knew how dirty a white top could get) and then paint the legs white.

    Here's the "before":

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    Hello, early 90's!

    It turned out that after I sanded the table down...

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    ... any kind of stain I tried to apply to it was horribly blotchy. It was hideous looking (so hideous, in fact, that I could not bring myself to take a photo of the stain swatches)!

    So, I came to the conclusion that I needed to paint the entire thing. My new vision for this table was a very shabby chic, white painted finish with lots of distressing to add some farmhouse-y charm!

    I decided I wanted to try chalk paint on this baby. I've read so much about it and I've seen so many beautiful, distressed pieces refinished with it that I knew it would be the perfect medium for my table.

    Being on a budget, I decided that I needed to make a DIY version of chalk paint, and I did a ton of research on the best recipe.

    My research concluded that DIY chalk paint made from latex paint and plaster of paris was my best bet for a great consistency made with easy-to-find and inexpensive materials.

    Here's how I made my DIY chalk paint:

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    I purchased a quart of flat latex paint and a carton of plaster of paris. I used tools I had on hand: a measuring cup, a plastic container, a stir stick and a paint brush.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    I used the ratio of 1 part plaster of paris to 3 parts latex paint, and first mixed the plaster of paris with enough water to give it a smooth, liquid consistency.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    Then, I added the plaster of paris & water mixture to my 3 parts of latex paint and stirred both vigorously with a paint stick.

    The paint should be stirred periodically throughout the painting process to keep it smooth.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    My mom helped me paint 2 coats of a medium, warm grey DIY chalk paint onto the table. We were thrilled with the consistency and look of the paint - it's think and a little bit brush-strokey - just how I wanted it to look! We used a brush to paint everything to give it that vintage, worn effect.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    When that was dry, I mixed up some warm white DIY chalk paint and painted 2 coats of it over the gray paint layer (and three coats on the table top).

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    After that layer was dry, it was the fun part - distressing the table! I used a very rough grit sandpaper (80) with a medium to light touch, and went to work sanding off the white chalk paint layer on the parts of the table I thought would wear naturally with age (like the corners of the legs and top). On some spots, I even sanded right through to the oak, but I absolutely loved the antique, chippy look!

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    This step took me quite some time, and then once I was finished (it was REALLY hard to know when to stop - I didn't want to overdo it), I sealed the top of the table.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    I usually seal my painted pieces with a polyurethane, but my friend Amanda of Natural Mommie and my friend Cheryl of Bella's Boudoir of Jewelry both suggested to use a finishing wax instead with chalk paint. While I'd love to try Annie Sloan's Soft Wax one day, I decided to grab a can of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax instead from my local home improvement store (for the convenience and the price).

    I applied it in a circular motion on a cheesecloth to my table top, and then buffed it about 10 minutes later. I applied two coats for extra protection.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    I'm so happy with the finish! It's smooth with a very slight sheen, and it showcases the worn look of the table so perfectly.

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    It makes me so happy to think that many more family memories will be created around my family's now reinvented DIY farmhouse table. What an honour it is to have such a special piece in my home to share with my own little family!

    Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint

    (Plus, I got to make a darling little table runner out of leftover drop cloth fabric from Baby A's teepee to adorn my new-old table. I'll share that tutorial next week!)

    Do you have any special antiques or heirlooms in your home that you've updated?

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda | naturalmommie.com

      January 17, 2014 at 9:21 am

      It turned out beautifully! I've never done a distressed look on any of my pieces because it makes me nervous - looks like you found the perfect balance of wear to give it that slightly worn look without looking like it needed to be refinished again! It looks beautiful in your space and especially with the black chairs!

      Did you wax the rest of the table or poly? I wonder if the DIY chalk paint is the same as regular chalk paint where you'll get staining/discolorations if it's not sealed? I would love to try DIY chalk paint some day...thanks for testing it out for all of us!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 18, 2014 at 6:08 pm

        Thanks Amanda! And thank you for all of your chalk paint tips. I think I should wax the legs too eventually, but I'm going to wait until after baby is born so that I can bend like that again... 😉

        Reply
    2. Tara

      January 18, 2014 at 12:45 am

      This looks incredible! I love chalk paint, and haven't ever tried the DIY version. What a difference! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 18, 2014 at 6:07 pm

        Thanks a bunch, Tara! I loved using this paint a lot - so easy and I'd highly recommend giving it a shot!

        Reply
    3. allison

      January 18, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Beautiful!!! Where oh where did you get your black chairs from? I have been wanting black chairs like that for awhile, no luck on Kijiji.

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 18, 2014 at 6:04 pm

        My mom actually gave them to me too! We've had them in our family for years. I think she found them at an antique store, and they were also originally red oak.

        Reply
        • sonja white

          May 05, 2020 at 7:27 pm

          how did you get the chairs black? chalk paint or spray or?

          Reply
    4. Dani @ lifeovereasy

      January 24, 2014 at 11:21 pm

      What a transformation! It looks great - I'm sure you're thrilled every time you see it!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 26, 2014 at 7:43 pm

        Thank you so much, Dani! Yes, I totally LOVE it. It makes me happy that it matches much better with the rest of my kitchen now!

        Reply
    5. Shiloe

      September 28, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      Hi Christina!

      I am about to paint a kitchen table and was wondering how your table has worn since you painted it?

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        September 28, 2014 at 10:46 pm

        Hi, Shiloe! It's been great so far. The only issue I've had was when my girls painted with acrylic glitter paint and got it all over one corner of the table. Otherwise, everything has been washing off well. I'll probably sand and repaint it again when the girls are older. 😉

        Reply
    6. tatum

      December 08, 2014 at 8:53 pm

      I painted our table with regular latex paint and polyurethane on top. I hate it. I am going to try it with what you used. It is great! Exactly what I was going for! Thank you! It has been awhile now...is the wax still holding up against littles eating on it everyday?

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 03, 2015 at 8:50 pm

        Hi, Tatum! The wax holds up well. My girls did accidentally get glitter paint on it that didn't wash off, so I ended up giving the table a light sand before Christmas. I quickly painted and waxed the top again and it's good as new.

        Reply
    7. Helen

      January 26, 2015 at 7:13 am

      Hello,

      I'm about to paint my table and would like to know whether it is only the sides and the legs of table that you distress ? Or you also touch the top of the table ?
      Thanks a lot.

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 27, 2015 at 8:15 pm

        Hi Helen, I just distressed the legs and sides and left the top plain. This way, I can repaint the top easily as needed.

        Reply
    8. Cheryl

      April 13, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      I am definitely going to try this. I got water based paint to try (before I read this) and am wondering if that is an issue with plaster of paris or will it be ok? I was not going to do an undercoat of grey but on seeing this, I think I might!
      Thanks,
      Cheryl

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        April 15, 2015 at 9:31 pm

        I'm not too sure, Cheryl, but I'd just do a little test run first and see how it goes. I don't imagine it would be an issue.

        Reply
    9. Stephanie

      June 10, 2015 at 10:55 pm

      I painted my kitchen table with semi-gloss latex paint and It immediately stained and my boys peeled of bits and pieces. I used a dealer, but can't remember what brand. So I have 2 questions, 1) can I use semi-gloss and plaster of peris and 2) should I do a primer coat first since my latex peeled off? Or does the chalk paint help that? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        June 21, 2015 at 9:57 pm

        This recipe works best with flat or eggshell paint. I think if you give your table a really good sanding to make sure it's smooth and roughed up a little, you wouldn't need a primer.

        Reply
    10. Louise

      December 03, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      Great project, great results and gratifying comments to go with the gratification you must've felt finishing this beauty! One question: I may have missed it but it appears you left out the tinting part...what did you use to get the gray color you wanted? THANKS!

      Reply
    11. Cindy

      December 31, 2015 at 6:08 pm

      I've made and used that very recipe for chalk paint and I love it. I'm glad to see that you do too and you got good results with a cheaper wax. Thanks for at the info on the wax.
      Your table looks terrific!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        January 04, 2016 at 8:35 pm

        Yes, I love this recipe too! Thanks!

        Reply
    12. Tracy

      September 17, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      I just bought an old pine table that I want to redo just like this. Do I need to strip the old finish off before I start, or can I just paint over it as is?

      Reply
    13. Donna

      June 27, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you for posting. Great step-by-step instructions. Looks like a lot of work, but the end result is beautiful. Love the look of a great shabby chic table!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        June 29, 2018 at 7:39 am

        So glad you like it 👍🏻

        Reply
    14. Candice Pittman

      February 03, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      Love this! Since this was posted a couple of years ago, curious to know how it is holding up to daily use with kiddos? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        February 07, 2019 at 8:38 am

        So far so good. Just new memories created with colouring markers 🙂

        Reply
    15. VmSarah

      February 23, 2019 at 7:09 am

      I never leave comments but I just want to say after a ton of research and you tube videos this was the most accessible and best execution of anything I saw! Was originally not thinking of this color scheme either, but your project won me over. Midway through replicating your results and it's brightening up my dark tiny dining room so much.

      Reply
      • Lindsay - The DIY Mommy

        February 24, 2019 at 4:15 am

        Thank so much!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Our Vintage Industrial Kitchen – Now With More Colour! | The DIY Mommy says:
      February 15, 2014 at 10:14 pm

      […] wall colour, and the fact that the fabric looked a little “distressed” which echoes my DIY shabby chic chalk painted table and gallery wall artwork. The fabric is an indoor/outdoor fabric, which works really well for […]

      Reply
    2. Chalk Paint vs Chalkboard Paint + DIY Recipes | The DIY Mommy says:
      April 14, 2014 at 9:01 am

      […] found were of DIY chalk paint made with latex paint and plaster of paris. My first big project was our kitchen table, and I was thrilled with the feel of the paint and the results I […]

      Reply
    3. How to paint wicker baskets with chalk paint - a coffee table makeover | The DIY Mommy says:
      November 3, 2014 at 10:01 pm

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      November 16, 2014 at 9:42 pm

      […] Wax in Clear. Before the wax completely dried, I slopped on a white wash I made out of about 50% DIY white chalk finish paint and 50% water. Then, I took a clean dry rag and started wiping the white wash off the door in long […]

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    5. Valentine’s Day Play Dough Mat Printable (+ Cleaning Our White Table!) | The DIY Mommy says:
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    6. Our DIY House: 2014 Home Tour | The DIY Mommy says:
      December 9, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      […] table was passed down to me from my mom and I painted it with DIY chalk paint, and the stools were also painted with chalk […]

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    7. stock house says:
      August 16, 2018 at 2:38 pm

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