Please don’t. This is not a common piece of furniture. It's absolutely gorgeous — the grain is fabulous, it was built with excellent workmanship, and painting it will destroy all character and history.

Once all of these old treasures are gone, that’s it.

If you want something whitewashed, maybe look for another piece to do and sell this to someone who will appreciate how wonderful it is in its original state.

Absolutely not. Why would you want to de valuate your table, and the gorgeous wood it is constructed with.

Nope. If you want that look, sell your table and buy a cheap replacement to play around with.

I will happily buy it from you. We have been looking for a table like this and it is one of the better ones I've seen.

Please listen to your local refinisher! Did this person explain why altering finish is not a good plan?

Yes he said I probably would never be able to get it back to the original finish.

That's a gorgeous table -- leave it as is. It's a classic antique and is in NO WAY "outdated".

@flarobyn - that’s true - once painted there’s no going back. I hoped that person would have discussed the value of the piece - it’s not a cheap decorator item to paint up to fit a decor theme. I hoped that refinisher told you that white washing this beautiful oak wouldn’t look good - all that detail in the claw feet & the center post egg & ?? not dart - just won’t look good with a white wash.

Thank you all for your expert advice! I was hoping this refinisher knew what he was talking about and you all have confirmed it. The table will be refinished but in a natural oak. I’ll post a photo of the finished table - although it will be a year before he can do it.

So glad you are refinishing it in natural oak! It is a gorgeous oak table. My oak oval table is much less ornate; it is about 40 years old. The top is a bit scratched and I plan to get the top refinished. I love oak furniture!

@flarobyn Thank you for telling us what you’ve decided to do with your table. I must admit to a feeling of relief at reading your post! Silly, I know, as it’s not my piece of furniture - but it’s such a lovely old piece and such beautiful oak!

I share your sense of relief. I actually do have a table. Mine is over 150 yrs old, and was passed down through family. It does not have the claw foot feet, but, it does have the beautiful oak.