CC Homemaker

My first real DIY project was a messy one. It’s not quite done, but I’m posting a preview today anyway.

I bought a dining set for $60 on Kijiji. (By the way, I have had far more success selling my own furniture on Kijiji than on Craigslist.) It was an awesome deal for a table and four chairs, but the catch was that they sorely needed some TLC. The table top was well-worn after 15 years of abuse and four rambunctious children. There was a very prominent greyish white mark left behind by what the original owner said might have been a hot kettle. (That’s why you’re supposed to place a plate or trivet under your kettle!) She had tried the good ol’ mayo trick but it didn’t work, perhaps because mayonnaise only works on water rings.

I was up to the challenge.

After hours of sanding, I stained the table and chairs a deep espresso to go better with my other furniture.

The result?

I still need to apply two more coats of polycrylic to the table top and reattach all the wood pieces to the cast iron legs. So stay tuned for final “after” photos, with more details on the process!