I don't think black is the best choice. Find out what kind of timber table is made from, maybe you can just send it back to natural timber and apply clear varnish on it. Otherwise I would paint it in bright colour of your choice, it seems that everything else is neutral so make this pop and to protect the surface either put a coat of polyurethane varnish or a piece of glass same size as the table.

I painted my dining table with chalk paint, then waxed and buffed with wool pad on electric drill, came up with a nice sheen

I too think a lighter colour would be nicer, have you checked out some of the grays in chalk paint...Annie Sloan Paris grey is really nice. I think even a colour, some really pretty ones, possibilities are endless , I just thought of the chalk paint with a dark wax gives a lovely finish, check out web sites for ideas..have fun with it, if in the future some one wants back as wood, they can sand it back if it is a solid wood

Some examples using same paint colour with different colour waxes

Wow, thanks - that's a whole lot of inspiration!! Yes, maybe black is too heavy as its so large. I don't suppose you could send a pic of your table Wuff? Just wondering what a whole table top looks like. X

Hi Melbourne-mom, nice table. I think after you paint it a softer color you may want to consider doing something different with the top. It is a large surface and won't look so interesting painted out one color. If you can find a large used mirror and have it cut to fit into the recessed area of the top it would make it very serviceable. I would antique the mirror to look like eglomise. It would give your table a retro , glam style.

Hi Melbourne _mum my table has its own story in before and after, "painting a table" I hope you find it ok, I still love it ..how it looks now. The dresser I did as well

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Looks good what colour did you use , have you used wax?

PS you could do your large table as well just get a glass top for it to reflect the light , it should work.

Melbourne_mum, side table looks fabulous ..if the two table are in the same room they would look great in same colour, such a great colour, if you have waxed it you would know the surface holds up well, I have even used spray and wipe on mine ..when dull can wax and polish again

I love the colour you used, what is it please.

Wow, that side table looks so beautiful, as will the large one if you use the same colour as Wuff suggested. Great work with your inspiration too, Wuff. I enjoyed following your table's impressive transformation and it is so nice to see it again.

Side table transformation reminds me of some of the work by local girl Claire of The Shabby Chick who does an amazing job, often times with Annie Sloane paints and waxes. Anyone else follow her?

love the shabby chick tables

what colour and whose paint was used please, just love them.

Hi ladysuzane, I think all the examples are Annie Sloan chalk paint and waxes. I am not sure what colour Melbourne_mum used but if you go Annie Sloan site you should be able to work it out, Different waxes give a different finish ..Annie Sloan chalk paints are a lot of fun to use

Thank you Wuff, I also live in Melbourne

@melbourne-mum, nice work. I would love to paint my kitchen cabinets a colour like that and have brass handles, but I'm afraid the ss sink would ruin the look. I like oskuee's idea of adding a glass top. That would protect the surface nicely. Perhaps some low iron glass that doesn't have the green tinge? You could also experiment with the metallic waxes if you feel the painted colour is too flat on the bigger peice. Even if it's just highlighting edges of legs and top. Ive not used chalk paint before but I believe you can paint over waxed areas if you're not happy with the look. Correct me if Im wrong!

@cloudpants, thanks for pointing out The Shabby Chick. Lots of inspiration there! Do you happen to be member of the closed group? I would like to know the finish used on those Queen Ann bedsides. It looks like a colour another Houzzer was wanting to achieve in another thread.

dohraime glad you like the Shabby Chick. If you join to follow her on facebook, you can message to ask her questions. Might be an idea to attach this photo.

Thanks. Didn't think to message, lol. Im not much of a facebooker.

Hi, thanks all and apologies, all my mail went into the junk folder so I didn't see the comments. Yes I used the Annie Sloan chalk paint in graphite with black wax. As it was my first attempt I was very nervous. First I'd tried staining it with minwax polyshades - epic disaster! So I had to sand that down a bit as it was quite glossy and the Annie Sloan didn't stick. Anyway the lady in the shop
Said to put clear wax on before the black wax which I did on the top but later I forgot and did black first by mistake and actually preferred that - so you can really muck around with it. I'm so pleased you all like it, my mother was very unimpressed and said she preferred it as it was but oh well, we like it. The paint is a cinch but the waxing takes quite a bit of elbow grease and not a small amount of lint-free rags (especially with black wax) and is quite expensive. Bill attached. Brush I will use again but used all the paint and almost all the wax. Still - Much cheaper than something new.
I'm a bit nervous about tackling the large coffee table but I figure I can always sand it down again. The other option is a dark brown/black rub on stain called Java by General Finishes which I can get from the US by Amazon. It says it's the closest to the ikea brown/black Colour what ch could be good. I have another side table so I might try it on that one for a different room and then decide which looks best... Decisions decisions!
May end up doing my awful but comfy walnut bed suite in the French Linen chalk pain half strength. I just hate it so much - it's so heavy and dated. Then I can add some nice pictures and make the room 'something'.
Thanks for all the compliments - made my day!!

Thank you Melbourne - Mum,