Dining Table Makeover - Tile Turned Farmhouse

In this tutorial, you'll see how we turned our white tile top table into a herringbone farmhouse style table. We were gifted a perfectly good table but it just didn't fit our style. In an attempt to make good use of what we had, we decided that resurfacing was the way to go. This DIY helped us breathe new life into our dining room and was cheaper than buying a new one!

Materials & Tools:

• 1 x 4s

• 1 x 3s

• 1 x 2s

• Miter saw

• Screws

• Wood glue

• Wood filler

• Sander or sandpaper (120 grit)

• Stain (we used the color, Dark Walnut)

• Poly

*The 1 x 4s were used for the frame that went over the existing wood frame of the table. The 1 x 3s were used for the herringbone pattern pieces. The 1 x 2s were used for the lip of the table.

STEP 1: Measure & install the table's frame.

We began by framing the table. You will notice that we choose to angle our corners. You could choose not to bother with this, but the angled frame made a big difference to me.

Before you attach your boards, be sure that the framing is perfectly proportional. To check this, use a tape measure and measure the width by sliding the tape measure across the table from one end to the other. Our frame was off just a tad which made for some obstacles when fitting our interior pieces.

To attach your frame, use your wood glue first and then use screws.

STEP 2: Make your herringbone pattern.

If you have decided to do herringbone, then now is the time to start making these cuts. We cut our pieces at a 30-degree angle and used the tiles as guides.

As you can see in the photo, we have four rows of tiles. We measured the width of the table and dived that number by 4 to determine the length each angled piece needed to be. In the picture above, you'll see that we started each row with a gap. We then went back and made specific cuts to fit in these spaces and treated it like a puzzle.

If you don't care to do herringbone you can save yourself a lot of time and money. Do this by laying 1 x 6s or something of the sort and lay them straight across the table for a more traditional farmhouse table look.

Be sure to lay all of your cuts down and ensure they fit before committing to any glue.

STEP 3: Sand & glue.

We are getting there! Next up is to sand the tile. This will help create a surface that the glue will grab on to better. I used the same wood glue for this application as I did for the frame.

You may notice in my picture that every angle is not cut perfectly the same. This is due to the fact that we didn't frame the table exactly proportional. Rookie mistake. So, be sure to measure the width all the way down the table before nailing down your 1 x 4s to avoid this issue.

But still... ain't she pretty! :)

STEP 4: Add the 1 x 2s along the lip of the frame.

This step makes all the difference. The 1 x2 boards hide the pre-existing tabletop and give the table a complete look!

Cut your 1 x2s to the current length and line them up flush with the edge of the framing. We screwed them in from the top.

STEP 5: Fill your holes & sand.

Fill all of your screw holes with wood filler, let dry, and sand them down along with the entire table.

STEP 6: Stain, paint & poly.

The best for last! This step is self-explanatory but I did want to add that I re-painted the legs white and it's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do.

Give your stain plenty of time to dry and then add a few heavy coats of poly. Poly will protect your wood and make your table way easier to clean.

With love,

Chandley

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BEFORE & AFTER: