Pull Up a Seat & Get Ready to Serve Up a Table Set Transformation
A dreary and drab dinette set gets a dramatic and divine transformation. This old set—likely headed for the dumpster—is now ready to take the spotlight in your place with its bold black and gleaming gold. All this DIY project took was some vision, some paint, and some elbow grease to remove the grease layer and give it a new life and look.
Here’s How:
1. Secure your set at Goodwill
It’s always fun to shop at Goodwill due to the great prices, friendly team members, and fun surprises found in each corner and on every rack. This dinette set was vintage—truly from a bygone era—with its stylish shape and 50s flair. If you come across such a treasure, be sure to take it home with you immediately, as it won’t be there for long.
The vinyl/plastic coated fabric was in great condition and just faded. Its laminate tabletop was solid but just a little scuffed. Overall, the set’s bones were beautiful. As always, you are invited and encouraged to see beyond an item or a set’s current colors because that is a relatively easy fix. Buy it if you like it because you can aways tweak it!
2. Select your design direction
As with any DIY project, approach your pieces as if they are blank canvases ready for some creativity. The set was being upcycled for a neighbor, Sara, who saw the design combination from a previous project featured here. It, too, was black and gold. She requested we model that approach. Easy enough!
Spray painting is a simple and inexpensive way to give any item a fresh look. With so many color options, the sky is truly the limit!
3. Prep, prep, prep for painting
Most pieces will always benefit from a good and deep cleaning to remove layers of dirt and fingerprints collected over the years. This set must have spent lots of time near a stove, as it had a thin layer of grease all over it! The simple solution is warm water, soap, and a soft scrubbing product. Lay each piece on its sides and back to allow access to all parts.
Given that the chair seats and backs would also be painted, cleaning was the only big step needed before painting. Thankfully, too, the table legs were easily removed by loosening bolts, so there was no need to cover the top to keep it paint-free. Painter’s tape is a great way to protect parts of your projects, so be sure to have a good supply handy.
4. Begin with black, then grab the gold
Take advantage of the warm weather and longer days by placing the chairs and leg parts on a drop cloth outside.
Apply a light coating of the black spray paint all over your pieces. Remember, you will add a bunch of light layers, so aim for broad coverage and not a perfect, solid coat.
Allow time to dry, then place each chair on its side and turn the table legs over. Gently add more light layers of the black, then give it more time to dry. Flip over the chairs and add more paint.
Do your best to look at each part of the set from every angle so you are sure you get solid coverage from top to bottom and left to right.
This next step is the most exciting, as you will see when you follow these suggestions. Using bright metallic gold paint, spray on a bit to the bottom portion of both the chair and table legs.
In an instant, you have created a dramatic look that everyone will love.
Hit the legs from a variety of positions, too, so each leg portion is covered in gold. When done, you will say, “Cha-Ching!” and “Bring on the bling!”
5. Set it, stage it, sit on it
Your 50’s dinette set is now up-to-date and very 2024! Set it in your place to create a stylish dining area and family gathering space. Add items such like a big bowl, glassware, plates and more (all available, too, at Goodwill, for next to nothing) to complete your style and design them.
Lastly, take a seat with a friend or two who will enjoy being the beneficiaries of your transformational talents!
Similar Reads:
- How to Easily Paint Furniture White & Then Style It
- Make Your Own Exquisite French Bistro Set
- How-To: Painting $8 Chairs To Match My Favorite Goodwill Table
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
