Using Paint to Create a Restoration Hardware Inspired Tabletop
We’re sharing how to use paint to create a Restoration Hardware Inspired Tabletop today!
As we’ve been working on the dining room at my childhood home, Loblolly, my Mom has only had 2 requests:
1.) A place to display her ironstone collection.
2.) For all 12 of us to be able to sit at the dining room table at the same time.
A Deal They Couldn’t Refuse…
While my parents were out shopping for table legs one day, they came across a deal for a table and 6 chairs they couldn’t refuse.
This jumping-off point enabled my Dad to add the Restoration Hardware inspired tabletop my Mom envisioned to the table base they found that day.
After that, the search was on for a piece of wood.
And once my Dad chose a beautiful piece of White Oak, I knew immediately we could get the look she wanted with a mix of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and dark furniture paste wax.
Here’s a look at how to use paint to create a Restoration Hardware Inspired Tabletop…
Restoration Hardware Inspired Table Supplies:
- Wood Tabletop (My Dad created a tabletop from a piece of white oak)
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White
- Cup of Water
- Paintbrush
- Clear Furniture Paste Wax
- Dark Furniture Paste Wax
- Paste Wax Application Brush
- Lint Free Cloth
- Medium Bristle Brush, optional
- Tarp
Restoration Hardware Inspired Table Steps:
Gather your supplies and lay a tarp down to protect your worksurfaces, as this project can sometimes be messy.
Make sure your tabletop is free from dirt and debris.
First, apply a wash of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen with a paintbrush.
If you’re not familiar, a paint wash is where you water down the paint to a thin consistency (like crepe batter) and apply it to your piece of wood.
Allow the French Linen wash to dry completely.
Next, create a wash using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White and apply it on top of the French Linen.
Allow the paint to set for a few moments, then wipe the white paint away with a lint-free cloth.
It’s best to work in small sections for this portion of the layering process.
Be sure you’re only leaving the white paint on long enough to settle in the grooves, nooks, and crannies of the wood.
Once you’re finished, you should be able to see both layers of French Linen and Pure White.
This technique really helps to highlight the woodgrain of your Restoration Hardware inspired tabletop.
And the gray-white mix is so pretty too!
Applying Furniture Paste Wax…
Finally, apply a coat of clear paste furniture wax.
Followed by a coat of Dark furniture paste wax.
When the dark paste wax gets to a haze, buff it with a lint-free cloth or a medium bristle brush.
The apron and legs of the Restoration Hardware inspired table are painted with Annie Sloan Chalk in Paint Pure White.
In my humble opinion, I have to be honest, this is not a beginner project.
This table is huge and my arms were so sore by the time I got finished.
It takes a bit of muscle to work the wax into the grain of the wood because you want the finish to be consistent.
Once I saw the look my Mom’s face though, it was totally worth it.
She was so excited!
Especially, once we hung the twin chandeliers and she saw how everything looked against the French Linen painted buffet and hutch.
For years, my Mom has wanted a simple farmhouse style table we could all comfortably enjoy together.
And I’m excited she finally got her wish!
As we’ve been sharing throughout the series, decorating takes a lot of time and sometimes you have to take projects in phases.
But I promise patience and persistence pay off.
So, don’t give up!
Many blessings,
CoCo
Hey CoCo – this table is beautiful…as well as the rest of the dining room. Your hard work has definitely paid off. The finish that you created is perfection. Thanks so much for sharing your technique!
You girls are so sweet, thank you bunches! Hugs, CoCo
CoCo your table is stunning! I love how it turned out! Thank you for sharing how to achieve this look. I hope you are feeling better and are getting some rest. Have a great day! 🙂
Smiles!
Terry
You’re so sweet to see about me, Terry, I really appreciate it. I’m definitely taking everything at an easier pace. I’m so excited you like this table. I’ve tried this same technique on a few other pieces with different wood types but it only comes out this way on oak. I can’t wait to see how you like using it too. Hugs, CoCo
I love when family members work together on projects, and this dining room table is a stunner! Thanks so much for sharing and for the tutorial, CoCo. Happy New Year to you! Cynthia
It definitely makes working together extra special, Cynthia. We’re really excited about the way the whole house is coming together. It’s been a labor of love as we had to take the entire house down to the studs. I’ll be so glad when it’s finished. Hugs, CoCo
Talk about a totally family team project. I love the look of the completed table, the look of real wood is hard to beat. Plus, your finish looks absolutely gorgeous!
The finish on this table is gorgeous CoCo! It’s so awesome that you made your mama’s dream come true. It’s also amazing she still has decorating dreams!
Beautiful!
There are SO many good lessons in this post. The foremost being – decorating your home takes time. In addition to – it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. To which we will add – you can create furniture yourself. For good measure we will also note – sometimes you can get a really good workout, especially for your arms. The table looks FABULOUS!!! If you you were to purchase something similar it would easily cost $2,000. Easily. Thank you for inspiring us CoCo! We can create the lives we want – with a little luck, patience, time, and work. (Oh and it helps if your Dad is handy . . . )
Hey CoCo! I adore the table, it’s so beautiful! Great job finishing the wood top! Pinning so I’ll have the instructions for this paint technique! The dining room looks fabulous!
What a beautiful finish in this table, I can see why your mom was so happy with the end results! I love to make things for our home, they have such sentimental value that can never be replaced, bringing a smile to your face each time you use it. So happy your mom was able to see her vision to come life with your help.