Hi Everybody!
A few days ago I was a guest poster for Gail at My Repurposed Life. I shared a tutorial on my dinette set turned kid’s table; this project was a lot of fun for me!
If you didn’t get a chance to check it out, here ya go!
It all began when we moved into a single-family house after living in a condo for 7 years. We thought we had a lot of stuff then, we’re a family of 5 afterall, but once completely unpacked we quickly came to the realization that in fact we didn’t have enough to fill this larger space, and much less money to boot!
Since I’ve always been ‘crafty’, and ‘creative’, I started to upcycle several of the old pieces we had, and decided to embrace thrift stores and garage sales–I was determined to my make my house a home regardless of my budget!
Soon after moving in and painting the walls in the dining room grey (which I love!), I decided this dinette set was too dark and way too small for our new place!
Once we decided to replace it, I knew exactly where it would take residence next, the kid’s playroom!
Took it outside and got to work! Although the legs and chairs are made from wood, the top is laminate, so I wiped the entire set down pretty well, and decided to go ahead and skip the sanding altogether.
After removing the cushions, I used a dual primer and paint spray for better coverage on just the legs, aprons, and chairs.
In retrospect, brush painting it on would’ve been slightly more cost effective, but would’ve taken much longer to apply and dry, and frankly I lack patience!!
Now for the fun part! The chalkboard paint!
The top was still in tact (in the ‘molasses brown’ shade I made up), with a foam brush, I applied the chalkboard paint in even strokes.
If you want quick and easy and most importantly EVEN coverage without bristle brush strokes, definitely use a foam brush! I’ve used it in so many projects including this Craigslist desk re-do I worked on several weeks ago, and it never disappoints.
Once dry (just about 30 minutes for the chalkboard finish), I replaced the cushions on the chairs by simply drilling the screws back in.
I didn’t bother changing the covers because they were already a bright cheery striped green pattern that works well in my boy’s playroom.
Did I say there was a fun part before? THIS is the real fun part!
Scribbling on the table top with chalk! Here is some ‘artwork’ left over from our most recent family gathering-Easter Sunday, where the cousins got in on the doodling action too!
Now it’s a functional and fun space in our sunroom turned playroom where the whole family can gather for board games, a game of ‘hang-man’, or ‘tic, tac, toe’, you name it!
For other fun kid’s themed ventures take a look at the baseball themed dresser I revamped for my boy’s bedroom, and thrift store lamp I made-over in my stepdaughter’s room!
A quick breakdown on the cost:
Easy and inexpensive makeover that the kids (and grown-ups!) get to enjoy for years to come!
Sherry says
Barbara, great job on your chalk board table. I can’t imagine a child who wouldn’t enjoy sitting there doodling all day! You’re also right, hand painting may have been cost effective, but the time you saved finishing it up with spray paint was priceless.
Chase the Star says
Thank you Sherry! My kids love it, which makes this momma proud! Appreciate your kind comment!
Erica {let why lead} says
I have seen plenty of chalkboards online (and I love every single one) but never a table! And a kids’ table? That is genius! Plus, it turned out really light and beautiful. I can hardly believe it is the same table from the before shot!
Chase the Star says
Thanks Erica! It’s such a fun spot in our house, kids play games on it, eat on it, spill on it, doodle on it, etc. It’s easy to clean up and always a great time! Thanks for stopping by friend!
Jill @Two Yellow Birds Decor says
Oh that is too cute!! I love the chalkboard paint you did on top. Such a fun thing for the kids! I am a new follower. Thanks so much for inviting me over!
Jill
twyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com
Chase the Star says
Thank YOU for coming by and for the follow! Appreciate your comment:)
Gina says
Love it and my little boy is just starting to like hiw little stand up chalkboard we got for him. I read something the other day hypothesizing that kids prefer to draw standing… because of increased fine motor ability? Something like that. Just a random thought. :)
Chase the Star says
Thanks Gina! Interesting information! I’ll have to look into that!
cheapcraftymama says
SO cute and fun! Thanks for sharing at Pin It and Win It! I’m sharing this on my FB page too!
Chase the Star says
Thank you! Appreciate you sharing it on FB! And thank you for hosting such a lovely linky!
Garage Sales R Us says
Ok I LOVE this idea!!! How fun it this?!?! great idea! Sorry it had taken me so long to get over here! Thank for stopping by! I am your newest follower!
Chase the Star says
Thank you:) No worries, we’re all busy ladies! Thank you very much for the follow! Love your blog!
Marilyn Clark says
WOW….this is great! I have never thought to repurpose a dinette set to a kids table….well done! :D
Chase the Star says
Thanks Marilyn!!
Stacey says
What a fun table Barbara! I am sure it has already been greatly loved!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Christine says
Barbara, the table is sooooo FUN!!! My parents just through out a table… I should have asked for it to do the same thing! The chairs are fabulous!
Thanks so much for sharing at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! I can’t wait to see what you link up this evening! :)
Chase the Star says
Oh no! Never throw anything away! It’s kind of weakness of mine, that on occasion turns out to be a strength LOL! Thanks very much for your kind words Christine!
Barbara
Reannah @ {Shaped by Grace} says
Fantastic!! And fun for your kiddos! I love the distressed white! Great job chica!! :)
Barbara Hiatt says
Thank you Reannah! So sorry for the super late reply! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment! Love your blog:)
alyssadenise says
Hi.
I have a table and planned on doing this with it, when i seen yours i was like “yes” i am not crazy like my husband thinks i am. I am reserved for one thing, do you find this messy? i mean, chaulk on their clothes, or on the floor? and if you play games on it later, dont chaulk get on the backs of the games etc??? or is there a good cleaning product you have found that gets rid of the chaulk dust?
Barbara Hiatt says
Hi Alyssa! I think like with anything you need to supervise them and make sure they know not to lean over the table if there’s chalk writing on it (on a regular table it would be finger paint, etc.) And if it does get on their clothes, it definitely washes off. My kid’s use this table to eat on, play games on, write on, race their cars on it, you name it! The chalk paint is really durable. To keep it clean I just wipe it down with a damp wash cloth. Nothing fancy at all. Your husband’s concerns are legit, but I don’t think you’ll have to worry, it’ll be so much fun for your kiddies! If you do something like this, share pics, I’d love to see it! Thanks for stopping by!!
Cris says
What a fun idea!