Shab to Chic Farmhouse Dining Set

This poor dining set needed some major TLC on the top. I believe that if there is gorgeous wood designs on a dining table top then it should not be covered up in layered of bumpy, poorly applied latex paint.  To each their own, but this table deserved to have the woodwork shown because it was FABULOUS!

After spending 8 hours with Klean-Strip paint stripper and my handy dandy hand scraper, this is the result.  I was so happy to find that under the black and so very thick latex paint, I found this gorgeous wood design! 

After I took this picture I then proceeded to sand this puppy down to the naked wood.  With the help of my husband, it "only" took us 9 hours to get it to a staining state.  

We decided to use Minwax's Classic Gray stain because it has such a pleasant hue without bringing out any oranges or pinks in the wood.  

Lastly, we sealed the tabletop with water based Minwax Polycrylic in semi-gloss.  For a tabletop, I would suggest applying at least 4 coats.  

The finished result! I was so happy to see my client's face when she came to pick up this table after finding it on my post to purchase.