Last Updated on December 26, 2015 by Kristi Linauer
So what’s the worst thing that a design/decorating/DIY blogger could do as she leaves home for a day of work? Yes, I left my camera at home. Bad blogger!! So I had to take pictures yesterday with my phone.
But I wanted to show you how the table top turned out, so I tried my hardest to get some good-ish photos. Oh, okay…they’re not good at all. But hopefully you can get an idea of how it turned out.
Anywhoo, if you’ll remember, I tried (and failed miserably) at creating a beautifully stained top…
Too dark, too grainy, too busy…just too much.
So I whitewashed and dry-brushed the top with latex paint and then sealed it with rub on polyurethane, and now it looks like this…
I really like how it turned out. And interestingly, the very thing I hated about the stained top (the grain) is the very thing that I love about the whitewashed top. I love how it peeks through the white painted finish.
I’m still not sure if I’m sold on the black base though. It might end up white, but I’ll wait until the chairs are finished to decide for sure.
I tried to take a picture of the table in the room, but unfortunately, none of them turned out. Bummer. I posed the question about the black base on the A2D Facebook Page yesterday, and most who responded really liked the contrast, but I’d love to get your opinion of it with the table actually in the room.
So, what do you think about the whitewash/dry brushed top? I almost hate to ask, because I’m certain that the color is off in these photos. Why, oh why did I forget my camera!?!

Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I hope you’ll join me on my DIY and decorating journey! If you want to follow my projects and progress, you can subscribe below and have each new post delivered to your email inbox. That way you’ll never miss a thing!
14 Comments
Ange
June 7, 2011 at 2:14 pmLooks so much better! I really like it! I'm voting for maybe a white base but need to see it in the room. I'm sure whatever you do will look great in there!
Angela Flanders
June 7, 2011 at 2:36 pmI like the white wash look. Will you add a protective clear coat?
Angela Flanders
June 7, 2011 at 2:37 pmI like the white wash. Assuming they will eat on it, will you add anything like a clear coat for protection?
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
June 7, 2011 at 2:37 pmI've already added one coat of wipe on polyurethane. I'm sure I'll add at least two more before I'll call it good.
Angela Flanders
June 7, 2011 at 2:39 pmGrr, double post sorry…
Kate Ramseur
June 7, 2011 at 2:57 pmI'm leaning toward a white base, personally, but that's without the context of the chairs and atmosphere of the room. You have such a lovely eye, I know it'll look fabulous no matter how you work it. 🙂
Angela N
June 7, 2011 at 4:32 pmLove how this turned out! Fantastic!! Not sure on the base. I will have to see it with the chairs.
Threeboys Home
June 7, 2011 at 4:35 pmOh I really like the white wash! I am really loving that look right now!!
Kim
June 7, 2011 at 7:13 pmI posted on FB that I liked the contrast, but now I am waffling… I would like to see it with the chairs! I love the top 🙂
Jamie Kay
June 8, 2011 at 12:14 amI was in one of thoe "new but old" home stores last weekend and saw a square version of what you just did, dark base, whitewash top, and it was $500! so I sawy for waht you did, if it was less than that, totally amazing! that being said, I would have to see it with the chairs IN the room, I personally like the contrast, but if its really is that dark in the room, might not hurt to do the base in white as well…. :/
dittocoe
June 8, 2011 at 2:48 amI really like the white washed finish…. but I'm not crazy about the black base. I think lighter would look good… but white might be as stark a contrast as the black. What do you think about a light gray?
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
June 8, 2011 at 2:51 amI actually worked on it today, and ended up going with the blue-green color, same as the chairs. Interestingly, from some angles, it looks gray! I actually love it. The black was certainly too harsh. This blue-green almost gives it a beachy feel.
dittocoe
June 10, 2011 at 4:38 amOh… that sounds nice. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Graziela Mink
June 11, 2011 at 1:48 amWOW! That turned out awesome! Nice save! 😉