I talked about it back here, but I have no shame in picking up things from the side of the road, or from a dumpster, or in this case in front of dumpster.  Since 2011 we have been using an oak table... that was thrown away I saved.  I always had the intentions of refinishing the table, and finally I got around to it.  This is also a case of  'I got way to excited to finally start a project so I didn't get a good photo', so here is the table in our dining room.

It turns out after further inspection the top to the table is an oak veneer.  A very 90s orange oak, not my style, but it was free.  I sanded the top down to remove all the finish, it took some time, about 45 minute to and hour to do just the top.  I started with 80 grit sandpaper, then used 120 and ended with 220.

The natural oak was such a lovely sight!  In order for the stain to take more evenly, I used a pre-conditioner.  After following the instructions on the can for the application, I sanded for a final time.  The wood conditioner brought back some of the orange color, and I was getting a little worried. 

After 3 coats of Minwax classic gray stain, the top was looking nice.  I finished the top off with 3 coats of satin polycrylic  sanding with 220 grit sandpaper in between coats.  

For the apron and base of the table I wanted to go with paint.  Mostly because I didn't want to sand the curves on base.  I went with Stone by Benjamin Moore in Ultra Spec 500 (my all time favorite paint for trim and furniture).  

Now onto the chairs!  I have fabric samples coming this week.  I am thinking of doing a two toned look with the chairs being painted a lighter shade of gray than the table.