Crackled Dining Table Painted with Fruit Design

Pine Table

A flea-market pine table was pickled, crackled, and painted with fruit and a sophisticated line detail. Five coats of polyurethane make it durable enough for a family to use everyday.

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This large pine table had a lot of sentimental value to the owners, but it didn’t fit in with their decorating style anymore. They wanted to use it as their everyday kitchen table, so it had to be durable as well as beautiful. The fabric in their kitchen was a rich black with vivid fruits, so I switched the black for white, or cream, to create contrast and really make the table pop. I took elements of the all-over fruit design on the fabric, grouping the fruits together for drama and a little realism, and to leave plenty of light space so the table would not be too busy.

I applied the cream crackle finish directly over the pine finish. I really like the golden brown showing through- it adds subtle interest without being overwhelming. crackle close-up

After I added the fruit designs, the table still lacked something…When I applied the thin black stripe and placed some small black accents among the fruits, it all came together. crackled dining table with painted fruit design

crackled dining table with painted fruit design

Suddenly the whole design was a much more sophisticated country look, and it really popped. I also especially like that the fruits were mostly a little more unusual- green grapes, purple plums, golden pears, blueberries and raspberries, all in rich warm colors.

The legs and apron of the table were left plain, without even the crackle finish, again to keep the table from seeming too busy. Finally, the table was completed with five coats of clear polyurethane sealer, in a satin finish, which I sanded lightly between coats.