I’ve always loved the look of the Saarinen tulip tables. They start at $2000 though, so they’re just a little bit out of my price range. The Ikea Docksta is a similar style, but you can see in the picture below that it is a bit thicker on the bottom since the base is plastic rather than metal.
Last year, I had to sell my bulky dining table that was a wedding gift from my parents. It was really a hand-me-down. My AH-MAZING parents actually drove 12 hours with a trailer full of hand-me-down furniture when my husband and I were first married, so we would have furniture in our first apartment. All of the furniture that they brought was all that we had for months! We sat on the floor and watched tv (a hand-me-down), which also sat on the floor! I know my parents weren’t sentimentally attached to the furniture that they gave us, but the selflessness of them driving all the way to Virginia with it made me hold onto it much longer than I should have.
Then, one day I was perusing Craigslist, and I stumbled upon the Docksta for $25! Normally, I’m a very sentimental person, but that kind of deal was enough for me to let go of my beloved hand-me-down dining table. I listed it on Craigslist, and it sold immediately. It was fate, right?! I picked up my discount Docksta, which was in a rather dirty and scratched state, and I was on my way! Soap, a magic eraser, and white spray paint helped my little Docksta a bit, but the scratches on the top were pretty deep. I tried to putty it, but it just made it more obvious. Currently, I have place mats on the table to help cover my little discount Docksta.
The bentwood chairs were also a Craigslist find. I got them for a steal, and I ended up breaking even by selling my previous table and chairs. For a cheap thrifty person, that is the best feeling! Back to the scratched table top… I’ve been thinking of a million ways to fix it.
1. I could sand it down (again), fill the scratches (again), paint it with a high gloss spray paint (again). Maybe the second time is the charm?
2. All of the above, but use Amy Howard’s Furniture Lacquer spray paint. I’ve been itching to try this out! My only concern is that it would highlight the flaws of the table top.
3. I could cover the top with a marble contact paper and pour on an epoxy to get that hard, shiny look. I took that idea from Batchelor’s Way. Her DIY marble countertops are SO realistic.
4. I could paint the entire table black or finish it with chalkboard paint, like the picture below. Let’s be honest though, the dustiness of a chalkboard table would drive me insane while cleaning.
5. I could top it with a wood veneer.
6. I could replace the old top with something new. I’ve considered rustic wood, real marble ($$ just kidding), finished MDF board, or plywood.
A big part of my decision also hinges on my bentwood chairs. I love them, but they are antiques. The wood is in rough shape. I’m going to try to condition the wood and possible refinish it. If that doesn’t help, I MIGHT paint them with a high gloss black… which means I NEED a wood table. I don’t know why I NEED wood in that case, but I always feel like wood balances color perfectly.
What are your thoughts on the Docksta makeover? A favorite idea? Another idea?
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Kolika C said:
So what did you do? What kind of paint works best on a Docksta? I am going to stencil on mine and wondering what to use… I have a toddler (so I know what you’re thinking!…I am crazy)
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districtofdecor said:
I’m impressed with your skill level! I was gifted a dining table that’s been an heirloom in my family so I ended up not doing anything with my Docksta!
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Aurelien said:
Anyone knows if this dining table could be hacked into a coffee table?
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districtofdecor said:
You’d have to create a new base since this base is plastic and couldn’t be shortened.
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Sandra said:
I’m thinking of getting this table but with all the reviews I’m rethinking it because of how easily it scratches. Did you ever come up with a solution? If I buy it new, I may put a few coats of poly-acrylic on top before scratches even start. What’s your opinion on this idea?
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districtofdecor said:
It’s a beautiful table for a fraction of the cost of the real deal; however, the reviews are accurate. If you don’t have little kids, I doubt you’d scratch it. I got mine used (and already scratched), but I didn’t have any issue with scratches with careful use. I wonder if poly-acrylic would stick to it due to the coating on it. Perhaps a glass top?
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Benjamin Kennedy said:
It does scratch easily. Also, any splashes of food/drink such as curry, tomato sauce and red wine will stain in seconds. Literally by the time you walk to the kitchen and get a cloth the stain has fixed, it will fade away over time though. If you miss a stain and leave it overnight it won’t come out at all. That said I’ve had my Docksta for 15 years and I’m only just getting around to refinishing it, I think I’ll sand and fill damage then spray paint with plenty of clear top coat. I was going to just spray it white again but I’m considering something bold like orange or red.
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SR said:
Please try the veneer, and show us your finished project. I will be buying a Docksta soon with the intention of immediately covering it with a walnut veneer in a starburst pattern. I’ll be putting a glass top over all. It’ll still be a “thrifty” 😊alternative to a Saarinen original.
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