Staining a Table with General Finishes Water-Based Stain
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Today’s blog post features a furniture makeover using furniture paint (no stripping and no sanding just like chalk paint) and water based stain and topcoat. I’m taking this honey oak table from the 80’s and giving it a modern farmhouse update.
Product List
General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain (Graystone) $30.95
General Finishes Water Based Top Coat (Flat) $24.89
Jolie Paint (Gesso White) $44.95
Jolie Finishing Wax (Clear) $32.95
Jolie Signature Paint Brush (small) $39.95
Jolie Wax Brush (pointed) $48.95
Dewalt Random Orbit Sander $59
Respirator with particle filters
Respirator with particle filters, 2
Intex Fiber Rags (for wiping off stain and wiping wax)
The Piece
When my client, a sweet friend, inherited this 1980’s solid oak game table from her parents, she reached out to me to talk about an update. While it was going to be a unique and meaningful addition to her basement, she knew for sure that the orange/yellow stain did not coordinate with her décor at all. Bring on the modern makeover!
For this modern farmhouse style update, I decided to strip and re-stain the tabletop in a modern gray color, and then paint the apron of the table in a neutral white. While it’s a long process, requiring stripping, staining, painting, and applying topcoat, you’ll see it’s definitely worth the time and investment to keep a special piece like this in the family. With some great products and a little elbow grease, I was able to make this modern transformation happen for my friend.
The techniques I used for this makeover could, of course, be applied to any table, not just this 1980’s game table. A removal of outdated stain colors and a refresh with paint and neutral or cool stain can transform any table destined for the landfill or thrift store into a perfectly updated modern piece that you’ll be proud to use for entertaining.
Using Water-Based Stain
One of my favorite things about this makeover is this water-based stain from General Finishes that I’m using. A water-based stain means easy cleanup, less odor, quick-drying, and non-flammable. From their website: “General Finishes Water Based Wood Stains are formulated to provide workability similar to oil-based stains. They spread easily, can be repaired, blend effortlessly and have plenty of open time. The thicker formula of these wood stains allows for controlled penetration, and their high-quality pigments produce rich, dark, uniform colors on hard-to-stain woods like maple and pine. Low odor, low VOC, water cleanup and noncombustible. General Finishes, America's leader in water-based wood finishes.”
The stain is super easy to work with after a good stir, and the color I’m using, Graystone, is beautiful. It’s what you see all over Home Goods and Restoration Hardware, a color I’ve tried to replicate before by combining different products and blending in multiple coats. The advent of this product is a dream come true for all those outdated orange/yellow stains on pieces from the 1970’s and 1980’s being passed down to the woman with a modern farmhouse style. I just adore it!
Jolie Paint in Gesso White
In typical Pretty Distressed fashion, I’m turning to Jolie for the paint to update the apron portion of the game table. I love Jolie because it’s so easy to use, and their quality and colors never fail me. This beautiful Gesso White is a strong neutral color that can read cool or warm, so it goes with pretty much any décor.
A Beautiful Transformation
The finished product is stunning—from outdated orange to pretty gray washed walnut, with a stand-out fresh white base. My client is super happy, and her mom can’t believe what we were able to do with it. And this is why I do what I do. I love making clients (and their moms) happy. I love tenderly applying simple techniques and amazing products to furniture so that it can stay in the family AND ring true to a modern style.
Check out the video for a step-by-step look at how I accomplished this makeover and learn how you can tackle a project like this for yourself.