In today’s guest blog, LeeAnn from Creative Moments is sharing her step-by-step process for giving a vintage dining set a charming farmhouse makeover using Dixie Belle Paint products. Whether you’re looking to refresh a set passed down through generations or give a secondhand find new life, LeeAnn’s tips and techniques will guide you through the transformation. Let’s dive into how a little paint and creativity can completely revive your dining space! 

White painted dining table and chairs sitting on a brown wooden floor with a blue and white striped table runner down the center and a white painted box that reads FRESH holding a potted plant and other knick knacks sitting in the center of the table.

(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here.)    

Check out how this vintage solid wood dining set was transformed from a dated dark stain to a fresh white modern farmhouse look. The set, which includes 6 chairs and a dining table with 2 leaves, was purchased by the customer’s parents in 1983, confirmed by stamps on the chair bottoms. After 10 years in their home, the customer wanted a fresh update. They debated between black or grey for the tabletop but were certain they wanted a white base and chairs.

"Before" picture of brown wooden table and chairs set sitting on a brown wooden floor

Step 1: Clean thoroughly

The customers had hauled everything outside and gave it a deep clean prior to dropping off. This is a very important step as dining sets see lots of food, grease, fingermarks etc that need to be removed in order to get a good paint adherence. When I clean my wood furniture pieces I like to add Dixie Belle white lightening cleaner to warm soapy water, scrub well inside and out with a scrub brush then rinse well and dry. 

Step 2: Sand off old paint

I hauled the table top outside and power sanded off the chippy old finish.

Brown wooden table top being sanded with a yellow and black electric sander sitting on the table

Then, I took a break and moved on to the chairs. The chair feet and table legs needed sanding down to bare wood due to a very chippy finish, likely from water damage over the years.

Brown wooden chairs being sanded, sitting on a cement floor

Next, I sanded both sides of most of the chair backs and the back pieces. Some cracks needed Dixie Belle Mud to fill them, and I sanded it smooth once it dried.

Sanded brown wooden chair with a hand holding a white container with Dixie Mud in it in front of the chair

Finally, I wiped down all the chairs with a damp cloth to remove sanding dust.

Sanded wooden chair sitting on top of a table covered with newspapers

Step 3: Apply Bonding BOSS 

I brushed on primer to seal the bare wood spots and ensure a consistent finish across all surfaces. Dixie Belle Bonding BOSS in white was the perfect product for this step, and it’s already on my order list.

Although I thought I had sanded off all the drip marks from the original finish, paint enhanced them, as shown below.

Close-up of primed wooden chair back

I start painting my chairs upside down to reach the underside areas, which are often missed when painting upright. After flipping the chairs, I finished the prep coat with ease.

Brown wooden chair partially painted white sitting next to a white painted chair on top of a table covered with newspapers White painted chair sitting on top of a table covered with newspapers

Once everything was dry, I lightly sanded with a Dixie Belle sanding sponge to smooth the surfaces.

Close-up of a hand sanding the seat of a white painted chair

Step 4: Paint the chairs and table legs

First, I applied a crisp white called Whitecap Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint from Dixie Belle to all the surfaces. This paint includes a stain blocker and a built-in top coat, making it an all-in-one paint. I used Dixie Belle’s oval brush to apply the paint.

Two white painted wooden chairs sitting on top of a table covered with newspapers Close-up of white painted wooden legs of a chair

Despite the built-in primer, several areas where the wood was sanded bare showed tannins after the first coat. To address this, I applied clear Dixie Belle Bonding BOSS to those spots.

Back side of a white painted wooden chair showing tannins bleeding through

This issue is common with wood and white paint. I needed to apply several coats of Bonding BOSS as new spots appeared. The moisture in the paint draws tannins to the surface.

Step 5: Stain the table top

I wiped the tabletop to remove all sanding dust, making it ready for staining. The couple initially wanted a black stain, but after seeing the dusted top, they hesitated.

Sanded wooden tabletop sitting on a table covered with newspapers

I then showed them the painted white cap base next to it. Seeing this, they shifted towards a natural stained top but ultimately decided on a whitewashed finish. I loved that choice!

White painted table leg being held up next to the brown wooden tabletop

Time to get started! I grabbed my Dixie Belle Voodoo Gel Stain in White Magic, Dixie Belle premium chip brush, and Fine Mist Spray Bottle.

Two wooden table leaves sitting on a newspaper covered table with a bottle of White Magic Voodoo Gel Stain, a mister bottle and a Chip Brush sitting on top of the front leaf

I misted the wood, applied the stain, and brushed with the grain. The more mist, the lighter the stain. If it’s too white, you can wipe it with a blue shop towel.

Two wooden table leaves sitting on a newspaper covered table with the front leaf white washed with White Magic Voodoo Gel Stain; a bottle of White Magic Voodoo Gel Stain, a mister bottle and chip brush sit on the back leaf

By starting with the leaves, I could demonstrate two different amounts of white stain. Do you see the farthest one with more white? Which one would you choose?

Wooden table with white painted leaves inserted into the middle of the table Wooden table top with two different colored table leaves inserted into the middle. A Sanding Sponge sits on top of the table.

I preferred the left one – lighter. So, I hand-sanded with a Dixie Belle sanding sponge to match the right leaf’s consistency as it dried. This stain dries fast, so you need to move quickly, or you’ll be sanding!

Next, I stained the tabletop to match the lighter leaf.

White washed wooden table sits on top of a newspaper covered table with two white painted chairs and a white painted wooden leg sitting next to it.

I propped up the legs on my work table and set a couple of chairs beside it to send a picture to the customers.

White washed wooden table sits on top of a newspaper covered table with two white painted chairs and a white painted wooden leg sitting next to it.

They wanted more white, so I applied another coat of White Magic all over, just like before.

Here’s the final look – two thumbs up from the couple!

White-washed wooden tabletop sits on top of a newspaper covered table

Step 5: Add an extra layer of protection

I sealed the stain and added durability to the tabletop by applying Dixie Belle Gator Hide with a damp Dixie Belle applicator sponge.

32oz jar of Gator Hide and a Blue Sponge sit on top of the white-washed wooden tabletop

For coats 2, 3, and 4, I mixed in some White Magic to the Dixie Belle Gator Hide, adding a touch of white to the top. Coats 5 and 6 were applied with regular clear Gator Hide. After each coat dried, I lightly sanded the surface with a sanding sponge before applying the next.

This beautiful modern farmhouse update is now complete!

White painted dining table and chairs sitting on a brown wooden floor with a a white painted box that reads FRESH holding a potted plant and other knick knacks sitting in the center of the table. White painted dining table and chairs sitting on a brown wooden floor with a white painted box that reads FRESH holding a potted plant and other knick knacks sitting in the center of the table. White-washed wooden table with six white painted wooden chairs around it sits on a brown wooden floor

We hope you enjoyed this farmhouse-inspired transformation! Thanks to LeeAnn from Creative Moments for showing us how simple it can be to turn a vintage dining set into a stunning focal point with Dixie Belle Paint. Ready to start your own makeover? Be sure to grab your favorite Dixie Belle products and let your creativity flow. Don’t forget to share your results with us – we love seeing your DIY projects! 

For another great Silk paint project by LeeAnn with Creative Moments, check out our blog, Bedroom Set Makeover with Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint.

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Dining Room, Furniture Makeovers, Guest Author, How To, Kitchen & Bathroom, Painting Techniques, Product Tutorials