So here is our "new" breakfast table, compliments of Craigslist plus extreme amounts of time by yours truly to strip the top, sand it down, re-stain it, seal it with 3 coats of polyurethane, and paint the base a satin black. It used to look like this:
Of course the picture doesn't truly show all the gouges, scratches, faded spots and places where the finish had totally worn off, or the ballpoint pen marks engraven into the tabletop....but they were there! Hence the $70 price tag for a solid oak table. I spent much more time than I thought I would on this table (I tried using a water-based stripper chemical and it was less than effective) but I'm pretty happy with the results.
Here's where I need your opinion: I had originally planned on painting the 4 chairs you see with the table a satin black with just the red edges peeking through, but at the time I loved the red chairs as they were and so I decided to leave them red. Now that I have them interacting with the table, I'm not positive I like the combination. Sooooo, do you think I should leave them red or should I paint the chairs black with just a bit of red peeking through like I did with the chairs in my dining room? Do write and give me your opinion, I'm unusually uncertain about whether I should leave them or paint them some more. Thanks!
Here we have a very glamorous Eliza in her rose-tinted Pink Panther sunglasses...doesn't she just look divine? She loves those things, and they make me smile too. I'm tempted to borrow them for a bit - I've always wanted pink hornrimmed glasses, haven't you?
I agree with you. You should paint them black (with a bit of red peeking--but look at it solid black first). With all the business of the fabrics, the coordinating paint colors is a bit too much to take in. You totally inspire me, Shelley! I'm made a little Easter arrangment in my front hall, and I've been thinking about blogging it: "Ode to Shelley"
Posted by: Sarah Cresap | April 04, 2009 at 07:17 AM
I think you should go with the black. I actually have a kitchen table just like that that I redid a few months ago. It had gone through two generations (we are the third) of family and was totally disgusting. My husband and I sanded it down and painted and it is black/brown like yours with black chairs.
I also have to say I love your blog. I came across it a few months ago and have made many of the items in your tutorials. I made 60 bookmarks for the RS birthday enrichment. (I am the Enrichment leader. And I am assuming you are LDS.) And right now I am in the middle of making skirts for my 2 daughters (ages 9 and 1) and myself for Easter.
Thank you for sharing your talents.
Posted by: Tara S. | April 04, 2009 at 06:37 PM
I love the red -- but I am a huge fan of all things red! :) I vote for leave them red...
Posted by: Adrienne | April 04, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I love the red, I love how they pop! The black is used as a neutral, really, and I think you should feel free to do what you want to go with it. I hate to make the "voting" even by saying that as it would be easier on you to have a definite one way or the other. Sorry! I really think you can do no wrong and I love your style! And I never knew I wanted pink horn-rimmed glasses until you mentioned it but you are right, I do!!!
Posted by: Morgen | April 05, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Black is my vote. I think it would look sharp!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 05, 2009 at 06:19 PM
idk, I like the red. But I can't totally take it in without seeing it in person. You are such an artist, you'll be able to make the perfect choice!
Posted by: Kristy Erickson | April 05, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I love the red, but I also adore the other chairs you did in black. I say you keep them red until you get sick of that look and then switch it up by doing the black.
Posted by: Missy | April 06, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I would definately paint them black. The seats would be more of the focus then. Right now the eyes don't know whether to focus on the red of the wood, the georgous table or the seats themselves. With the chairs done in black you would be able to appreciate the patterns of the seats.
Great job though...I LOVE the set!!
Posted by: Amy Peacock | April 08, 2009 at 08:39 AM
Leaning towards black, but please post a picture of the black chairs around the table so we can just see what it would look like.
Posted by: Brittany Burton | April 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM
I love the red! I think that it adds some zest to the table. I think that too much black start to look bleek.
Posted by: Marie | April 09, 2009 at 07:00 PM
I love the way it looks! Leave them as they are!
Posted by: Penny Pudge | April 09, 2009 at 08:02 PM
I love the red too but think that the chairs should be black with a hit of red.
Posted by: Joy | April 11, 2009 at 04:27 PM