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Best Of Both Worlds | Dull Furniture Finish Restored

ByKathy Owen Updated on

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Dull Furniture Finish Restored Plus A Bit Of Paint

Restoring the dull furniture finish on this table was super easy and I’m sharing all the details. No secrets here. This project includes the best of both worlds, at least in my opinion. Yep, I added a bit of paint, couldn’t resist.

restore a dull furniture finish

The wood and the carved details on the table are so pretty I sure couldn’t paint over all of it. Thank goodness the base of the table was in good condition.

Dull Furniture Finish Restored Plus A Bit Of Paint

But the top wasn’t so it got paint. I tried to pick a paint color that would compliment the wood and I think I succeeded.

furniture fixer uppers with 6 diy furniture bloggers 600

Today is furniture fixer upper day and wait until you see what my friends have to share. Uh-La-La. The links are at the bottom of the post.

antique table in the Eastlake style

The table came from my favorite junk shop and cost $45. I did a little research on the table but was unable to tell if this is an Eastlake design table, or Victorian, or American Eastlake. Well, I really don’t know enough to even throw those terms out there. Anyone?

antique table in rough condition

See what I mean about the table top. Not good.

finish needs cleaning and restoring

Lovely details on the base of the table. It was sure a beauty at one time. Wish I knew the age.

Howards Restore A Finish

I grabbed a can of Howard’s Restor-A-Finish from the shelf and went to work on the base. Forgot to mention I cleaned it first with Simple Green. The tint was Walnut and it darkened the wood a bit more than the original finish.

applying restor a finish in details with a stencil brush

I used a stencil brush to get the Restore-A- Finish into the carved details. It worked so well I went over the entire base with the stencil brush hoping to get the stuff in all the nooks and crannies.

Blackdog Salvage Paint color Patinio Greenio

For the top I picked out a sample jar of Black Dog Salvage Paint in Patinio Greenio. I plan to keep the table and everyone knows green is one of my favorite colors.

one coat of paint and toner to age paint

One coat of paint then I applied Caromal Colours Toner to antique or age the finish. You just wipe the toner on…..

toner for antiquing or aging painted furniture

…..then wipe it off until you get the look you want. The toner can be almost completely wiped off with a damp rag. I use a dry rag if I want the paint to have a heavily aged or dark look to it.

Once the toner was dry I sanded the paint lightly and applied Howard’s wax in Golden Oak to add a soft patina. Distressing the paint, aging it with toner , then finishing with dark wax adds character to the paint and makes it “fit” the antique table.

Best Of Both Worlds Dull Furniture Finish Restored

Can you believe how well the base of the table turned out?? One product and a little elbow grease took care of that dull furniture finish.

dull furniture finish restored with Howards product

I love the oak wood and all the carved details. Did you notice I painted the basket with the Patinio Greenio? I just wanted to write the paint name again. Not as much fun as saying it.

Best Of Both Worlds with paint and original finish restored

So what do you think? Am I in trouble for painting the top? Leave me a note then visit my fellow furniture fixer uppers for more furniture inspiration.

Pin This Project Here

how to restore a furniture finish and add paint too

Dull Furniture Finish Restored

Just click the pink text links below the “before makeover” photo collage.Furniture Fixer Upper Before Furntiure M

1. Just The Woods
2. The Interior Frugalista
3. Confessions Of A Serial Diyer
4. Girl In The Garage
5. Prodigal Pieces

Have a great weekend!

Favorite DIY Tools and Paints:
Beyond Paint for Furniture 
Ryobi Drill (cordless)
Mouse Sander (cordless)
FrogTape Painters Tape
Howard’s Restore-a-Finish
Rustoleum Heirloom White Spray Paint
Rustoleum Metallic Copper Spray Paint
(Affiliate links for your convenience, read affiliate disclosure here)

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Kathy founded the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion in 2011, where she shares tutorials on how to paint furniture and repurpose thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, The Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines.

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35 Comments

  1. 🙂

  2. Kathy Owen says:

    Thank you

  3. Kathy Owen says:

    I never knew that. Thanks!

  4. Kathy Owen says:

    Thanks for the information Jauquetta

  5. Kathy Owen says:

    Thanks, yes give it a try and send me a photo.

  6. Kathy Owen says:

    Thanks for the information. That makes sense.

  7. The reason the top looked worn is because the tables always had a stone top…marble or granite. My parents have one in pristine condition that belonged to my maternal great grandparents. I would guess the wood under the granite probably has some wear, though, from the stone.

  8. Gracie Redfield says:

    Your Eastlake table turned out beautifully! The color for the top is perfect! I also noticed the basket right away—complements the table well, and makes me want to try my hand at both projects.

  9. Jauquetta says:

    This piece seems more plain Eastlake, it isn’t too busy and American Eastlake style is more ornament. You did a wonderful job of refurbishing it. It now glows w pride and beauty! It’s not Victorian as that is always much more ornate. Lovely.

  10. Sue Pagels says:

    I love spoon carved Eastlake furniture – my favorites! It turned out lovely!

  11. Kathy Rinehart says:

    Love what you did with this table, Kathy. The green top color is so soft it works as a neutral; the table is just gorgeous! What a genius idea to use the stencil brush on the bottom portion. I love your blog, you are so talented and creative!

  12. Kathy Owen says:

    Thank you for letting me know Donna. I will look into it. Can you let me know if this is showing on your laptop, phone, or tablet?

  13. Donna Weaver says:

    I enjoy your blog and makeovers the one thing that drives me crazy and causes me to close your app most of the time is all the advertising. I will be reading what you have written and then an ad will pop in. I know you depend on ads to support your blog and some are helpful. But not the way they seem to take over and blot out what you have to say. Is there some way I can avoid this? Thank you.

  14. Kathy,
    I love your table – Eastlake of any kind or not! What detail on the bottom – imagine the craftsmanship that went into building this beauty. I do like the yellow/green top. Answer something for me if you can – I have handmade pine table and chairs in my dining room that have a build-up of oil and grime over the past 30 yrs. Do you think the Howard’s Restor-a-Finish would clean it up, and afterwards I’d need to wax the furniture? Thanks!

  15. I love it! It’s perfect.?❤️

  16. Shaa-zam!!

  17. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says:

    This turned out so beautiful, Kathy! I love just the hint of color on top. I redid a similar table with the same detailed legs, but painted the bottom and stained the top ! 🙂

  18. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says:

    This table is gorgeous, Kathy! You saved the beautiful details and made the top special in its own way.

  19. Lovely restoration project….thank you so much for not painting it.

  20. Marcia Banach says:

    Absolutely beautiful! I’ve been wanting to try the Black Dog Salvage paint, now I will. Good job!

  21. You had me at Patinio Greenio! Love lime green and have it in my own house. I’m loving what you did with this table, especially leaving the gorgeous wood on the base natural and adding that pop of color on the top. Aging the green paint fits perfectly with the base. With a name like Patinio Greenio, all you need now is to pull up a chair and enjoy a lime margarita!

  22. This is a gorgeous table, and you did is justice! Green was a good call!

  23. I always cringe when Larissa paints wood, but it’s always with good reason! this table is a case in point! I love the green you chose for the top!

  24. Excellent! I really like this one. That shade of green is perfect since the wood top couldn’t be salvaged in its natural state.

  25. I agree. Thanks.

  26. MARCIE LOVETT says:

    Usually you see painted bases and stained tops, so this was a surprise, Kathy! It looks wonderful and you’ll surely enjoy it for a long time.

  27. Frances Batson says:

    I have a similar table with the same top problem. I had wondered what to do with the bottom and now I know. Restore a Finish. My top will need paint also. Thanks for the guidance .

  28. You’ve created another masterpiece! That green is the perfect color to compliment the rest of the table. I’m in love with and Patinio Greenio!

    When you clean your pieces with Simple Green, do you dilute the cleaner with water or use it full strength? And do you rinse after scrubbing?

  29. Cathey Marker says:

    Hi Kathi, what a gorgeous table. You did a great job marrying the paint color to the stain. And, thanks for the tip of using the stencil brush for all the nooks and crannies!!!

  30. EFFIE CARROLL says:

    I love the base of the table but I would have totally replaced the top with a marble if you could have found it. Just my take on it.

  31. What is the paint you used,is it chalk paint?Good job

  32. Colleen Martinez says:

    Love it. Thanks so much for sharing

  33. I absolutely love what you’ve done for this table. Your color choices look fabulous. I live in the small town where Howard products are made, but have only tried their orange oil cleaner. Looks like I’m going to have to expand my horizons 🙂

  34. The table is beautiful! A perfect combination of paint and finish. Love the color paint!

  35. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says:

    Kathy I am in love with this table. I love the Eastlake style with the carved details. And the fun you gave the top took it over the top. It’s beautiful!!