A Dining Table Transformation

Say hello to Kathy from A Delightsome Life. Cathy is a mother of 3, now an ’empty nester’ who is passionate about decorating, gardening, crafting and Fusion transformations! See her Dining Table Transformation below. And see the full blog here!

Going back from a Farmhouse Country Style to a Formal, Elegant Dining Table.

When reviewing the beautiful selection of Fusion Mineral Paint colours, I was struck by the elegance of Coal Black. It is described as an ‘absolute jet black that can accentuate any colour’. This rich shade of black could also complement many decor styles. I began to look for an opportunity to transform a piece of furniture, to create a unique, classic look.

The Classic Look Traditionally, when I paint furniture, I lean toward the French Provincial or Shabby Chic style using lighter, softer shades of paint. Therefore, Fusion’s Coal Black would be a challenge, a stretch for my comfort zone. I was thrilled when an opportunity came for me to do something different.

Here’s the before. Wait until you see the after! From farmhouse country to elegant black, this dining table transformation is beautiful!

The Before and After!!

My son had purchased his first home. The cabinetry in the kitchen and eat-in area is a beautifully rich, cherry colour, a traditional, formal style. His dining table, however, is a lighter oak in a farmhouse, country style. That was not going to work in his decor.  Here’s my challenge! My vision was to use the Fusion Mineral Paint Coal Black on the tabletop and complement the cabinetry by darkening the table’s legs and chairs with a rich, cherry shade of stain.

Adding Drama and Interest

Homestead House Paint Company has everything from paint to swag and all the in-betweens. You can take your DIY furniture and craft transformations to new levels. I loved the classic look of an NWSE Compass stencil from Muddaritaville and wanted to incorporate this design into the overall transformation of this table.

The decision placed the NSWE stencil onto the table’s leaf to position the star design from the stencil at each corner of the table’s top.

This NSEW stencil is perfect to add some glam to your piece!

The Stencil StyleI wanted to add to the elegance and drama of the Fusion’s Coal Black by combining Antiquing and Silver Gilding Paste in the NSWE Compass stencil.

The Fusion products used:

• Fusion Coal Black
• Fusion Casement
• Metallic Silver
• Vintage Gold
• NSWE Compass stencil
• Small brush
• *Your choice of finishes includes: Beeswax Finish or Tough Coat™

Additional products used for this Transformation:

• Minwax PolyShade Bombay Mahogany (satin)
• Script Fabric
• Small stencil brush – for metallic silver and antiquing paste application
• Frog Tape
• Staple gun and staples
• 220 sandpaper

The Design Method

1. Clean and lightly sand any rough spot on the tabletop. Clear away any dust from the sanding. Paint the tabletop with Fusion™ Coal Black. Apply a second or third coat – to completely cover the top. To ‘hide’ the farmhouse style, I also painted the sides of the tabletop in Coal Black. The scallop design is camouflaged by the paint.*
2. Centre the Muddaritaville NSWE Compass stencil carefully measuring each corner from the leaf edge to ensure the stencil is straight. Apply tape to each corner of the stencil.
3. With the small brush apply the Fusion™ Casement paint to the whole of the stencil design. (tamp off excess paint onto paper before applying to the stencil- you may press down on the stencil to ensure crisp edges.) This is a foundation colour to allow the Metallic Silver and the Vintage Gold to ‘pop’.
4. Stencil on the Metallic Silver Gilding Paste over the majority of the design. Stencil on the Vintage Gold with a concentration of the paste in the inner corners of the design. Some blending of the two paste shades is desired. You are attempting to create an antiqued silver patina.
5. For the stars at each corner, centre the stencil about 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches from the corner pointing toward the centre of the table. Tape the stencil down and repeat the application method for the NWSE Compass.
6. Protect the finish of the tabletop with either Beeswax Finish or Tough Coat™.
7. Clean and sand the table legs and chairs. Wipe away sanding dust. Apply the Polyshade with a brush making sure there are no drip marks. I did two applications of the stain.
8. Recover the seat cushions with your choice of fabric.

*Allow the paint and stain to dry between applications.

The Dining Table Transformation

Now, this dining table better complements the elegant design of the cabinetry. No longer the Farmhouse style, this table now sets the stage for the room’s decor. We decorated the built-in bookshelves with leather-bound books, metallic silver accents, and the antiqued globe, stars and binoculars. Go for Drama – Go for Black – Go for Elegance, with Fusion Mineral paint’s Coal Black.