We have had this dining table for a little over two years, and had grown accustomed to the large crack on the top. However, when I found some scraps of lumber with an interesting patina in our late 1800’s barn, it seemed like the perfect solution for a new table top. So we spent Saturday giving this table a much needed makeover.

Michael’s mom was able to get this table for a steal ($125) because of the crack that ran almost the entire length of the top. I was so excited when we received it as an early Christmas present. Knowing that Michael could figure out some way to make it as good as new, I simply threw a table runner over the crack in the meantime. But as the years went by, so many other projects seemed to get priority. Honestly, I forgot it was cracked, unless I tried to set something on its uneven surface and it toppled over.

The second thing I wanted to address in this makeover was the finish. Black matched my decor and the distressed, chippy patina was definitely my style, but it was so dark that all the intricate carving was hidden in shadow. I still had some chalk paint that Michael got me as a birthday gift. So I gave the whole base one coat of  “old white”. Then I sanded it to give this piece an aged look, which also brought out the unique rosettes and curvy legs.

Now the gorgeous details really pop out at you.

Before                                                         After

Here is a shot of the wood I found in the barn. It might look a bit rough to you, but I love the history that is worn into these boards. Chippy paint, nails holes, wormwood, and deep scratches made these pieces worn to perfection. Each board had a story to tell and all the different patinas work together to give the look of a time worn farmhouse table. Plus the $0 price tag fit our budget!

First, Michael carefully cleaned and bleached each board. Then he used his Dremel Multi-Max tool to remove old bolts, screws, and nails that were too rusted to get out the traditional way.

Next, Michael and I arranged the different boards into a random-looking pattern before cutting them down to size. I am planning to seal the table top with a few coats of matte polyurethane as soon as our budget allows. This will make cleaning the table a breeze and will keep us from ingesting any of the “history” from the boards.

It seemed like a simple enough project,t but the table makeover took almost the entire day! As the sun began to set over the breathtaking Kansas prairie, Cami Grace and I picked a giant weed and wildflower bouquet from around Bryarton Farm for the centerpiece. We finished just in time to take a few shots of our new, very old looking, farmhouse table.

I am so happy with how it turned out and I am looking forward to eating some amazing meals and making memories around this table for many years to come. So what do you think? Have you ever done a similar project? Leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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