Mar 31, 2019 3 min read

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A plain pine table is transformed with French country- style tiles applied with paint and sponges cut into shapes.

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A plain pine table is transformed with French country style tiles applied with paint and sponges cut into shapes.

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A plain pine table is transformed with French country style tiles applied with paint and sponges cut into shapes.

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An easy fix: Paint a country casual tablecloth onto an oak stained table with the help of low-tack masking tape.

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Q. We are refinishing some furniture for our large wrap-around porch. There are two tables, one for each end, and wood and wicker chairs we found at a flea market to go with them. I want a real country vibe. Thanks for your fun ideas. – Mackenzie

A. How wonderful to be thinking about sitting outside again. As spring approaches our energy revs up and it’s great to have a project or two to prepare for the season. Revitalizing furniture is one of my favorite pastimes. Seeking out tables, chairs, old chests and other stuff that has been sent to secondhand shops and roadside sales is an adventure; there are abandoned treasures out there waiting to be reborn. And when I get my sad-looking finds home and clean them up, inspiration for a redo often comes in a can or two of paint.

Here are two different styles that I have produced, both worthy of a sunny country verandah. For one, I got my inspiration from those beautiful tiled tables seen in the south of France. I stamped the shapes and colors of Provencal tiles onto a light-gray base coat using pieces cut from kitchen sponges. For pattern ideas look in your local library or check the internet under “mosaics” and/or “French country style.” Draw your pattern lightly on the tabletop over the dry base coat. (The gray represents the grout that will show around your stamped tiles.) Cut out tile shapes to fit your design: large and small squares, rectangles and triangles. Make the shapes a little smaller than what shows on your pattern so you will leave grout space around each tile. To fill in the design, dampen a sponge tile stamp, dip one side into the paint, dab off the excess on a piece of paper towel and press it into place. The impressions don’t have to be perfect, as they represent old, worn tiles. Complete your pattern leaving spaces between the tiles that represent the grout lines. Begin with the border, and when complete fill in the center. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours, then erase any pencil marks and apply two or three coats of varnish for protection.

I found an old table at a country fair and knew it would make a perfect addition to a kitchen or patio. After giving the table a cleaning and light sanding, I revived the beautiful wood with an oak stain. Then, to add country charm, I painted a white tablecloth over the dark wood. To make the painted cloth, mask off a diamond design on the tabletop. To add an authentic touch, have the points of the cloth hang over the table edge. Prime and paint the cloth with white paint and let dry for at least four hours. Tape off two thin lines around the tablecloth pattern and fill in with blue paint. Remove the tape carefully, pulling in on the wet blue paint to avoid smudges. Let dry completely

We will leave the chairs for another day. So many ideas! Enjoy your spring projects.

Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.