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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Simple Green
• Behr Chalk Decorative Paint White Tint
• Zibra Square Brush
• Zibra Round Brush
• Behr Chalk Decorative Clear Wax
• EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Remover
• SAMAN Water-based Wood Stain Castle Stone Grey
• Dixie Belle Gator Hide
• Detail Sponge

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.

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

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.