vintage drop leaf table

[chyna]

I have a kitchen drop leaf table in my kitchen (wow a kitchen table in the kitchen:p) that just looks shabby. Now I'm generally against painting furniture that is antique/vintage HOWEVER this one has been damaged by someone ironing so there is a scorch mark on the top. It does however have a poppy stencil on the leaves and a pin stripe around the entire perimeter of the top. I'm not interested in painting the top because of the character and well the stencilling.

This is where the paint comes in. The legs are straight with vertical fluting, I have oiled, waxed and I believe shellacked those legs and the look good for about a month and then they look sad again. Add in a yet un-declawed cat who decided to use the legs as a scratching post and you can imagine my dismay. I spray painted the chairs an antique white and quite pleased with the effect which has me thinking of painting the legs of the table the same paint color as the shelves. This would be an antique white which also matches the cupboards.

Is this a mistake? I believe by the way those legs scratched up they are a soft wood (probably pine) and honestly the table is not really something you'd see on Antique Roadshow. :o I think I know the answer but just want someone to tell me to go for it.:rolleyes:

[yarborough house]

go for it...The top sounds so cute..can you post a picture when you are all done? But like you said it should look nice with the legs painted. Just my two cents worth...

[chyna]

The top is cute or at least I think it is. :D I really wish someone hadn't ironed on it, you know someone forgot what they were doing long enough to singe the top in the exact shape of an iron. :o If things go as planned I should have a pic of it with the stuff I got from Memmey here in the next week or so. I did some work in the kitchen and now trying to get it all cleaned up and organized. Still haven't figured out what to do with all the crotched potholders I've collected. I want them shown somewhere but that where is perplexing me. :confused:

[Lisa S]

My mom suggested to me to try bleach to get rid of a burn mark on wood. You could try that before painting.

[chyna]

I'm pretty much ignoring the burn/scorch mark. Figure it adds character but those poor legs. They are beyond the help of a simple sandpaper application. Stupid cat!!! Anybody want a round calico, goes by the name of Kita. She loves people, ornery to dogs and other cats and has decided to start scatching stuff late in life. My dh is threatening to have her declawed, I'd be for that if she wasn't outside alot.;)

[annielinz]

Chyna, I feel for you on the cat front. My poor Pepper the cat is old and feeble and I wish it was only her claws causing damage. Pepper feels everything and everywhere has become her personal poo box:eek:

Regarding your potholders, I framed a few of mine in a shadow box to display and protect them. Heres a pic.

I have a old carved gate-leg table that has a dark stain on top and I feel the same way as you, not sure to paint it or keep it in its present state. I may just keep it as is.

Could you just paint out the burned section and keep the rest of the top as is?

[Breezy]

annie - what a neat idea to frame the potholders - looks great!
LOVE that table - it's wonderful just as it is.:)

[chyna]

I like that carved table as is too, how pretty!

No I can't paint the scorched area. It would look pretty funny against the rest of the table top and the stained wood w/stencilled flower. Honestly it doesn't bother me in the least. Now those legs are bothering me, hopefully I can get them painted this weekend. I've decided that is the way to go, the next owner will probably curse me but when they go to strip those things maybe they'll get a clue on why I did it. :o