Modern Farmhouse Gray And White Dining Table Makeover

If you don't like the color, change it! Such is the case with the furniture makeover I'm sharing today. This is the second makeover for our 90s oak pedestal table. The base was painted a warm white and the top stained dark walnut for our daughter's home.



When the table recently returned to our house, I decided to give it a brand new look. By simply changing the shade of white and staining the top a new color, it got a Modern Farmhouse Gray And White Dining Table Makeover.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

Oak Farmhouse Dining Table Makeover

When we replaced the table with a larger Upcycled Duncan Phyfe Dining Table we gave the oak table to our daughter. When she no longer needed it in her new home, she gave it back to us to keep it in the family.



With probably a hundred furniture makeovers under my belt since the first makeover on this table, I look at the stained top and cringe. Oh, my word, I slathered the gel stain on so thick you can't even see the wood grain!



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

What a difference the cooler white and dark gray stain made to completely transform this table. The table is so on-trend now with the popular modern farmhouse style.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

I wish I had a photo of what it originally looked like. Just imagine it being golden oak with six matching Windsor chairs.



The upcycled Parisian upholstered armchairs were refinished a couple of years ago and the DIY Antiqued Mirror hanging above it is also upcycled.



The motivation for the farmhouse table makeover is that today is our first Furniture Fixer Upper challenge of 2020. If you haven't heard of our group, we are six furniture upcycling friends who come together on the fourth Thursday of every month to breathe new life into a piece of furniture.



Last month I curated a list of my 12 Favorite Furniture Fixer Uppers of 2019. In November, I shared a bold Mid-Century Modern Media Cabinet makeover for my daughter's home. I've included links to everyone's makeovers further down in the post.



Back to the dining table makeover number two. I love how removing the thick dark walnut gel stain and staining it gray with a water-based stain this time no longer hides the grain of the wood.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

And changing the warm white paint color on the pedestal base for cooler white complements the dark gray stained top so nicely.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

I've included a list of the supplies further down in the post. They contain affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



Here's How I Did It

Stripping The Dark Gel Stain

The first order of business was to strip that thick dark walnut gel stain. I'm not going to lie, it was t.e.d.i.o.u.s and took two afternoons to get it all off.



While doing this makeover, here in the Canadian Prairies we were the coldest place on earth! At -37.8℃ (-36.04℉), sanding outdoors was not an option.



Because I was working in the basement workshop, I used my favorite fume-free, low VOC, water-based paint stripper. That stain was so thick that it took three applications to remove it.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

Sanding The Wood Top

Next, I used an orbital sander with a 120 grit sanding pad to remove any bits left behind and a mouse sander around the edges. I used my fellow Furniture Fixer Upper friend, Kandice's great tip of connecting both sanders to the shop vacuum to keep the dust down.



You can see in the photo below the difference between just stripping the dark walnut stain on the left and stripping AND sanding to get to the bare wood.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

Once the stain was removed I went over it again with the orbital sander but this time with a 220 grit sanding pad to smooth the finish.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

Staining The Tabletop

Not being able to open the windows for ventilation because of the frigid temperatures, I used a safe odorless stain. It's a Canadian odorless water-based wood stain called SAMAN Castle Stone Grey (011). It doesn't require a wood conditioner, has no overlapping marks, and doesn't raise the wood grain.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

I quickly learned that just one coat (pictured above) was not enough and ended up applying three light coats. Thankfully because it is a water-based product, it had a quick dry time between coats. For a smooth finish, I sanded between coats with 600 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding pad.



Protecting The Stain Finish

I let the final coat of stain dry overnight. On a table that will see a lot of use, I wanted a rock-hard water repellent finish and that's where my favorite Dixie Belle Gator Hide comes in.



I applied three light coats with my favorite car wax microfiber applicator pads (see supply list) and waited two hours between coats. I also lightly sanded between each coat with 600 grit sandpaper.



Cooling The White Pedestal Base

First, the base got a good clean with Simple Green spray. Once it was completely dry, it was time for the fun part.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

While I love the warm white paint color with the former dark walnut stain, I repainted the base cool white this time to compliment the grey top.



How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray.

I thought I could get away with just one coat of Behr Chalk Decorative Paint but ended up needing two. I waited an hour between coats and gave it a light sanding with 220-grit sandpaper first.



For the apron I used my favorite Zibra Square Brush, it makes painting along the edge where the paint and stain meet so much easier. For the pedestal, I used my favorite Zibra Round Brush. I think I use this brush the most in the shop.



Protecting The Paint

Instead of using Gator Hide on the base too, I opted for Behr Decorative Clear Wax. Applied with a round wax brush and buffed with a lint-free rag.



In the original makeover, I also used dark wax to give the base a timeworn appearance. This time I kept it clean but I did lightly distress the white paint before I waxed.



What You'll Need To Make It

As promised, these are the supplies I used for the furniture makeover.


Supply List



Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this oak dining table makeover. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!



If you enjoyed this Modern Farmhouse Furniture Makeover, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Upcycled Dining Tables or Farmhouse Furniture Ideas board on Pinterest.




How to give a 90s pedestal oak dining table a drab to fab Modern Farmhouse makeover by painting the base a cool white and staining the top dark gray. #modernfarmhousestyle #greyandwhitediningtable #furnituremakeover

Click the links below to see how my talented friends upcycled these furniture pieces.



Furniture Fixer Uppers January 2020 Challenge - Furniture Makeovers

Black Wood Stained Furniture Wax | Girl In The Garage

Weathered Gray Sideboard Coastal Nantucket Style | Petticoat Junktion

Secretary Desk Makeover | Confessions Of A Serial DIYer

How To Paint A Dresser | Just The Woods

DIY Restoration Hardware Greige Paint Finish | Salvaged Inspirations

Grey and White Dining Table Makeover | Interior Frugalista (that's me)



I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.



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Comments

  1. SO much better!! My dining table that I am still using was the same way. It was one of the first stain projects I did and I really slathered it on lol! Oh how much we have learned over the years! Your table looks fantastic now! XOXO

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    1. Glad to see I'm not the only one. LOL Thank goodness for living and learning! Thanks Christy xo

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  2. Love this Marie! I have a table in my kitchen that is very similar to this. My chairs are nothing like yours tho... love them!!! Anyway, my table has seen better days and this has inspired me. Love your styling btw. Looks like you could give me a few tips on how to keep ferns alive. ;) XOXO

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    1. I'm so glad my table gave you inspiration for yours, Denise! Big hugs for the styling compliment, especially coming from you, whom I consider my styling guru ❤️ As for the fern, it's only alive and thriving because of Mr. Frugalista. xo

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  3. It looks so refreshed now. I remember doing a table like that early on. They're everlasting pieces. ♡

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    1. Thank you Larissa! I wish I could keep the table in our dining room because I love how it looks. But with our growing family I need a table 3 times the length.

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  4. Beautiful update, Marie! I'd say this table was well worth the purchase price when you got it. It's served your family well over the years. XO

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    1. It certainly has, Jen, and will be hard to part with because of its sentimental value. Our kids were raised around this table!

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  5. I think that looks pretty darn good in that room, with your silver accents, how can you let it go? Great tutorial...working with 'do overs' is always more work than you think it will be.! Great project?

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    1. Thank you so much, Sandi! I know, it was very hard taking the table down to the basement after seeing how good it looked in our dining room. With our growing family we need a table that seats a minimum 8 people and this one only seats six. Otherwise, it definitely would be staying put.

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  6. You, my uber talented friend should never, ever be ashamed of your makeovers. If I had testicles I would give the left one to have an ounce of your talent. Beautiful as always (version 1 and 2 BTW)

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    1. Well you sure know how to start off a girl's week! Thanks for the laugh...good thing I just swallowed my coffee before reading the testicle part. ROFLMAO Big hugs from Canada! xo

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  7. What a stunning makeover, Marie! I have a chair that I upcycled a couple of years ago and needs a touch up, so your techniques are very useful.

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    1. So glad to hear you find my techniques helpful! I've got a few tutorials on my DIY tab at the top of the blog. Have fun updating your chair!

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  8. Hi Marie: I restained my table about 3 years ago allowing me 3 more years of use. Unfortunately its starting to chip on the top, so I need to redo it yet again. I love my table so its worth the work. Pinning for inspiration.

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    1. Thanks for the pin, Leanna! I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Good luck with your table makeover! It's going to be hard to let go of this table because of the sentimental value.

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  9. Hi Marie! I have a question about the pedestal. You said you waxed it the first time and before painting it this time, cleaned it with Simple Green...so is that all you need to do when painting over a piece that has been sealed with wax? I have a Lady's desk that I chalk painted a few years ago and now want to make it over but not sure if I should strip the wax. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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    1. Hi Cecilia! As long as you used a chalk paint wax, you don't have to strip the wax before painting with chalk paint, especially if it is cured. I even used a different brand of chalk paint and wax than the original on this pedestal and the paint adhered beautifully. I've re-painted pieces with chalk paint after they've been waxed less than the 30 day cure time and had no problems with the chalk paint adhering. I never hurts to go over it lightly with sandpaper first (220 grit) to give the paint some bite. I hope this helps!

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  10. Have a great week, Marilyn, and thanks a bunch for the pin and share! xo

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  11. This table and chairs are beautiful. I love the pedestal table, I have a table I love that's about ten years old, and needs a makeover. Unfortunately it isn't solid wood. I have to figure out something for the top.

    Brave woman for working in the basement during our cold snap, I need to go straighten mine out and put all my christmas stuff away properly, ugh.

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    1. There's so many great products out there for tables that are not solid wood, depending on the finish you want. If you need any help when it's time to refinish yours, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to help!

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  12. I totally love this! Thanks for sharing with us at the To Grandma's house we go link party, I'll be featuring you on my blog, Facebook and Instagram!

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    1. You just made my Monday, Tarahlynn! Thank you for the feature and the shares. xo

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  13. Marie, I love this furniture makeover! The grey looks so great on the table top, and I'm learning some tips on refinishing furniture. I have some projects in mind this year, so I'll be back! Pinned!

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    1. Thank you, Crissy! It's music to my ears when I hear readers pick up some helpful tips during their visits. If you ever need more tips or advice for refinishing those pieces, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to help!

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  14. This table is gorgeous Marie! I love it so much. I've never heard of that stripper before so thank you for including it in your supplies list. I'm going to be on the look out for it now. I love your chairs too. The entire space is really beautiful Hope your week has been a fun one, hugs, CoCo

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    1. Hi CoCo, thank you so much, I'm glad you like the table makeover! If you can't find that particular stripper (I'm Canadian) Citristrip is another safer alternative. Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend!

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  15. Such a beautiful second makeover Marie! Makes me want to change up our dining table right now! Although it would take me forever and not turn out like yours at all. Love it!

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    1. Katrin, I have no doubt you would do a beautiful job on yours! I'm glad you like the makeover, thank you 😊

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  16. What a great update!!! it is a beautiful piece of furniture. I love that it has stood the test of time and still looks fabulous!

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  17. Thank you so much, Sarah! I'm pleased with the new look and how nice it is in our dining room. I wish I could keep it but with our growing family, the table is too small. Hoping one of our kids takes it for their home (finger's crossed).

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  18. It's really pretty. The cool white looks so much better. I bought an old oak table very similar to yours. The 4 seater was perfect for my dining room since it never gets used anyway! I painted the base with ASCP in Pure White and the top in Graphite, then distressed it. I love it.

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    1. Thank you, Lizzy, I think the cool white looks so much better too! These pedestal oak tables, popular in the 90s, look so good refreshed with paint. ASCP pure white and graphite is such a lovely combination.

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  19. Beautiful makeover Marie, It looks to good to use now.

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    1. Thanks Anita! It now sits in my nephews dining room and they love it. I was happy to keep it in the family.

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  20. As soon as I saw the color gray on your table, I turned around and looked at mine and thought, hmm I wonder....
    This second transformation turned out beautifully. It's a good feeling to give a new look to well loved pieces.
    Thanks for sharing it at the FWF link party!

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    1. Thank you Rachelle, I'm glad you like the new look. I'm so pleased with the new colors and especially that now you can see the grain of the wood. If you decide to change yours and have any questions, you know where to find me. I'd be happy to help.😊

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  21. Hi. I have an ugly black laquer kitchen table and don't know where to begin. Is it possible to strip this and paint? Thanks Janet

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    1. Absolutely! The lacquer can be stripped with a paint stripper. My preference is using a less toxic alternative like Citristrip or EZ Strip but you must follow the directions on the container for it to work well. Once it's stripped carefully (if it is a laminate) sand the table with the grain of the wood with 120-grit sandpaper. If you are going to stain the table, you'll need to apply a wood conditioner first. I hope this helps!

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