The Search for the Table
I love this table shown below online that I was completely drawn to and couldn’t stop thinking about it. After weeks of searching high and low for it, I learned the photo below is the Liday dining table from Horchow and it was no longer available 🙁
After some thorough investigating, I finally learned who designed the table for Horchow. Once I learned it would cost me approximately $2400 to have the table made from scratch plus shipping from Cali, I decided I would just create my own version of it. My Dream table is now My INSPIRATION! Read on about my Claw And Ball Dining Table Makeover.
The Search is Complete!
So this Mahogany Chippendale Ball & Claw beauty is from Craigslist. It had 3 additional leaf’s to extend the table to a length that seemed as if it once belonged in some fortress or castle. I do know this style dining table was made in the early 1900’s. What’s really unique about this table is it’s the only one I ever seen with the Bell at the bottom.
This claw and ball style table is solid wood and in good condition. There is some areas I’ll have to use wood filler, but not much sanding except where I saw areas that needed smoothing. Using a 400 Grit Sponge from Lowe’s, I’m lightly sanding and cleaning up with just alcohol and a lint free rag (aka an old t-shirt). The photo below is from the ad on Craigslist. They owned it for decades, but since it was just sitting in storage, they decided to sell it and I just felt like the luckiest girl in the world! God Loves Me! I’m his favorite. Yes! I really believe this sometimes.
I am painting with chalk paint, using 2 cans of Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint in Charcoal and White Linen from Lowes, but I do know you can also purchase this paint from Walmart or similar stores near you. Amazon does carry this paint and will deliver quickly if you’re unable to find near you. I included the links below.
Products Used
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1 30 oz Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint in Charcoal
1 30 oz Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint in White Linen
For anyone unfamiliar with chalk paint, it’s water based, easy to clean, smooth matte finish alone and can be applied to variety of surfaces from wood, to cement, fabrics and more. It’s very easy to apply and no priming is necessary. Chalk paint comes in spray form now also, which I’ve also used for other projects.
Other products used were Waverly Inspirations White Wax and Waverly Chalk Brush. As usual, I’ll post links for you to purchase all products if you’re unable to find locally. Walmart carries Waverly products also. I also used the Johnson’s Paste Wax which I already had on hand because a little bit goes a long way. This is my preference but some people can’t stand the smell. The stench is not permanent and will dissolve. You’ll also need a couple of containers for diluting paint and another bristle brush to dry brush. I prefer natural bristles. Here is a photo of all products purchased and used:
Painting the Table
Originally, the plan was to get the Rust-Oleum in Aged Grey. Since I couldn’t find it locally I mixed one part Charcoal with one part White Linen.
I am painting the entire table, except for the Ball in Claw in two coats the mixture of Charcoal and Linen. After drying over night, I’m using watered down version of the Linen White only. Watered down to the consistency of skim milk, using a fresh cleaned brush, I dry brushed all of the table except for the top and the feet.
Applying White Wax on Chalk Paint
After about two days of drying/curing, I used the White Wax on the detail such as the designs on the legs and the border around the table. I’ll be applying the White Wax using a chip paint brush and an old T-shirt to bring out the dimension you see in the close up photo. It was only applied to the actual intricate details of the table such as the top of the legs, appliques or carving and the border design at the base of the table. I brushed on a thin coat of white wax, waited a few minutes and blotted off softly with rag.
Final Touches
Once dry, I will paint the Claw and Ball ankles a the mixture of Charcoal and Linen made early on. I painted the ball in just the white linen only and I painted the actual nails the mixture also. I dry brushed the balls with mixture to create a distressed look. Once the table top dried, I diluted the mixture with a little more linen white and a little water and applied final coat. The next day, I applied the Johnson wax paste all over the table which automatically darkens a bit and adds just a matte sheen for protection.
Here is the table all dressed up with more Craigslist Finds. I reupholstered the two Wingback Host Chairs on opposite ends and I also painted and reupholstered the side chairs. See Wingback Chairs Before. See more pics of chairs in Gallery.
I originally purchased my chandelier on Amazon, and it looked even prettier in person. The exact style I used is no longer available, but I’ve linked a very similar chandelier that gives the same elegant look and vibe. I also purchased the Ekena Millwork ceiling medallion shown below from Amazon, which really helped finish off the ceiling and tie the whole look together.
Other Chalk Painted Furniture in the Photo
All the furniture in my dining room was chalk painted, upcycled and reupholstered by me. You can’t see the matching buffet, but will include all the links here: Links to Corner shelf and Buffet.
Thank you for stopping by and as always, I hope you’ve been Inspired! 😉
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