Protect the paint job on your table with paste wax or a clear topcoat. Painting furniture lets you cheaply and easily repurpose a piece or update secondhand finds. However, not all products will give you the durable finish you need, especially when it comes to a table -- which may undergo more wear and tear than any other piece of furniture in your home. Creating a hard finish on the table after you’ve already painted it takes patience. You’ll get the best results if you started with enamel- or oil-based paint; these paints naturally result in a harder finish than others. Wait for the Paint to Cure Wait for at least three and up to seven days after you applied the last coat of paint before you proceed. This gives the paint plenty of time to cure, allowing it to reach its maximum “hardness,” especially when it comes to oil- and enamel-based paints, although water and latex need to dry for a few days as well. Skipping this step will make the table paint more prone to peeling and chipping, and will alter the manner in which your topcoat cures, reducing its effectiveness.
For Light Colors Paste wax is ideal for white or light-colored painted tables, because it creates a tough exterior without altering the shade of the finish. To apply the product, dip a clean cotton cloth into clear paste wax and apply an even layer to the entire surface of the table. Let it dry for at least one hour, or the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer, and then buff the excess away with a clean cloth or electric polisher. Feel the table top to make sure there’s no sticky residue. Repeat this process three to four more times, building up a tough exterior for the tabletop. Darker Colors Darker colors stand up well to the slight color change caused by polyurethane or polyacrylic topcoats. Both create a hard finish but may cause a slight dulling or even yellowing of the paint. To start, lightly sand the tabletop with a sanding block and wipe away the dust with a cloth. This is just to smooth the surface, so be careful not to remove any paint. Apply one thin coat of a clear polyurethane or polyacrylic topcoat to the entire tabletop using a foam pad or dense paintbrush.
Polyacrylic is typically water based, although it can be used over oil-based paint if the paint has cured completely. Let this coat dry for two hours, and then sand the table with 320-grit sandpaper, wiping away the dust with a cloth. Repeat this process three to four more times for the toughest finish, sanding between each coat. Let the Topcoat Cure Wait 48 hours before placing anything on the tabletop, whether you used wax, polyurethane or polyacrylic, and wait one week before using any cleaners on the tabletop for the best results. Skipping this will alter the strength of the top coat. While with many types of furniture this isn’t a huge issue, you'll want the hardest finish possible with a table. Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Cameron Side Chair (Set of 2) Shell Matte Side Chair (Set of 4) Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Arm Chair Vortex Side Chair (Set of 2) Side Chair (Set of 2) Shell Side Chair (Set of 2) Louis Ghost Arm Chair (Set of 2)
Tiffany Stacking Dining Side Chair (Set of 2) Courtyard Side Chair (Set of 2) Belvedere Parsons Chair (Set of 2) Conner Side Chair (Set of 2) Victoria Ghost Side Chair (Set of 2) Slope Side Chair (Set of 4) Masters Arm Chair (Set of 2) Icon Side Chair (Set of 2) Vanity Side Chair (Set of 4) Neville Arm Chairs (Set of 2) Florence Side Chair (Set of 2) Max Series Chiavari Side Chair Mario Bellini Dining Chair (Set of 4) Mustang Side Chair (Set of 2) Damascus Side Chair (Set of 2) Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Rudolph Side Chair (Set of 4) Murray Side Chair (Set of 4) Playa Chair (Set of 2) Branch Side Chair (Set of 2) Juliette Lucite Arm Chair Citytalk Side Chair (Set of 2) Arm Chair (Set of 2) Victoria Ghost Chair (Set of 4) Intrepid Dining Side Chair About Aaron R. Thomas Aaron R. Thomas is an acclaimed American designer, architect, artist, engineer and manufacturer known for his vast fine art repertoire.
Honoring a mutual respect for impeccable quality and refined excellence his fine art furniture and masterpieces are…Tradition dictates that a dining room be furnished with a matching table and chairs. But for something more personal, stylish, playful and modern opt for a mixed set. New chairs, for example, can give an existing modern table a fresh new look and telegraph a bold and distinctive design sensibility. Editor’s note: We turned to Jeff Schlarb, founder of the San Francisco design and staging firm Green Couch Interior Design, for his expertise at mixing not only diverse materials but also modern and traditional design styles. A clean natural wood table paired with modern hot pink acrylic chairs; an airy plywood-and-metal table grounded with chunky, traditional, felt seating — as Schlarb reveals, the mix-and-match possibilities are endless. When should someone consider mixing tables and chairs rather than matching? Matching is less important than an overall pulled-together aesthetic.
Mixing a dining table and dining chairs from different eras, different finishes, and different design styles can help create an approachable elegance that is calming and articulate. In our own family home we have a beautiful vintage farm table punctuated by industrial iron chairs with wool hide seat throws. The idea of six different eccentric, vintage chairs intrigues me. However, to balance the eclecticism, I would need to see continuity in the upholstery, artwork, and a knockout console to boot. What effect does a mix-and-match approach achieve? Whenever we design a room, we want two things to happen in a room: to create interesting content through furniture styles, shapes, textures, finishes, and artistic mediums. And to provide an overall balance and pleasantness that just feels good. If you select cataloged set choices, you’ll likely not get there. A mixed approach, done successfully, will make people stop and consider all of the decisions and materials being combined — much like a great art piece will collect viewer’s attention, probing their curiosity.
Matchy McMatcherson has no place in our design world! Are there any material pairings that you think mix particularly well together? I love combining wood with acrylic. The PCHseries Dining Table looks great with the colorful Area51 Chair. I also love mixing metals in a room, such as brushed brass legs on a sofa next to a satin nickel coffee table. It’s a new and interesting way to bring brilliance into a space. Please suggest a few pairings of tables and chairs that you think would work well in a dining space. I like the Reef Dining Table, a unique take on the Saarinen table; it has a really sexy curve that mimics a surfer’s posture. I’d pair it with a set of Standard Chairs by Jean Prouvé in white metal and light wood. It’s a unique and classy combination. The V.I.P. Chair from Moooi is off the chain! I love the heavy feel of the exaggerated legs, and the felt upholstery combines wonderfully with the bent plywood and marble table top of the Butterfly Table.
The Tour Table by Gae Aulenti is so unusual. It reminds me of Katina Huston’s artwork. It’s hard to find a dining chair to go along with this, but I’d select the Moulin Chair with Armrests. They are upholstered with enough massing to counter the fragility of the bicycle spokes, glass, and hardware. Here’s a fantastic combination: The hard, chunky Berkeley Dining Table combined with the soft yet structured Wicket Side Chair’s upholstery and tufted details. You can further the depth of this design by customizing the fabric, using a trim piece or contrasting welt. What about the something like Kartell’s Masters chair? We are really fond of this chair at our studio. It pairs perfectly with an elegant, refined contemporary wood table like the Astor. What would you combine with an Eames fiberglass or plastic side chair? These chairs need more massing and oomph than a glass and metal table affords. I’d opt for the Sigma Drive Extension Table, whose metalwork and large lacquered top complement the chair nicely.