Antique Table Restoration: Finishing a 130-Year-Old Dining Table

After weeks of stripping, sanding, repairing, and color matching, we finally reached the most exciting chapter of this restoration — bringing a 130‑year‑old Choate‑Hollister dining table back to life. In this final installment of our series, Bryan and I walk through the last repairs, the full staining process, assembly, and the multi‑coat polyurethane finish that gives this historic piece its new glow.

This table has been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects we’ve ever taken on. If you’ve been following along, you know how stubborn this old finish was and how much character this red oak has. Today, we finally get to see it all come together.

Color Matching the New Wood

We started by mixing our custom stain blend — four parts true black to six parts special walnut — the same ratio we used earlier in the project. Using syringes helped us measure precisely, and after blending, we tested the color on the new apron pieces and legs.

Some areas came out darker than expected, so we lightly sanded back the stain to reveal more raw wood and then layered on Driftwood penetrating stain. Driftwood is thin, almost like muddy water, but it does a beautiful job muting the reds and oranges in old oak. It helped blend the new wood with the original pieces, though we still had a few spots where we later touched up with a color‑matching pen.

Repairing the Apron Corners

Originally, this table used tongue‑and‑groove joinery at the apron corners, but after 130 years, most of those tongues were completely busted or missing. One corner had nothing left at all.

Instead of trying to rebuild the original joinery, we decided to cut back the damaged ends and glue on new oak blocks. This allowed us to create clean butt joints that look tidy and will hold up for years to come. Once the blocks dried, we color‑matched them using the same stain blend as before.

Staining the Apron and Legs

With the repairs complete, we applied Driftwood stain to the long apron pieces and checked our color match. The new apron piece still wasn’t quite dark enough, so we brushed on a generous coat of special walnut and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it back. It darkened slightly, but we knew we’d need multiple passes to get it just right.

Meanwhile, the legs were ready for polyurethane. This was our first time using poly instead of other topcoats, so we stirred it well and applied a thin, even coat with a synthetic brush. The amber tone was beautiful — subtle, warm, and perfect for antique oak.

Reassembling the Table

Once the stain cured, we flipped the tabletop upside down and began reattaching the apron. Not everything went smoothly — several original screw holes were stripped, so we shifted the standoffs slightly and drilled new pilot holes. We also added pocket holes to the long apron pieces to give them more support.

After securing the apron, we glued in new pine corner blocks to replace the broken originals. Then we reattached the legs to their mounting boards and installed two draw‑catch latches to keep the table from separating when moved.

Staining and Finishing the Tabletop

The tabletop got a full sanding up to 220 grit before staining. We originally wanted to use Driftwood again, but we couldn’t find enough of it locally. Instead, we chose Minwax Weathered Oak — a semi‑transparent stain that looked very similar.

After the first coat dried, the top was still too light, so we deepened it with special walnut. Historically, antique tables often have lighter tops and darker legs, so we were happy with the contrast.

Then came the polyurethane. We applied four coats to the top and three to the apron and legs, sanding lightly between each coat with flexible 320‑grit pads. The finish turned out smooth, warm, and beautifully protective.

The Final Reveal

After roughly 60 hours of work and about $250 in supplies, this 130‑year‑old Choate‑Hollister dining table is fully restored. The grain, the color, the character — everything about this piece tells a story. Knowing the original factory burned down in 1899 makes this table feel even more special.

If this is the first post you’re reading about this antique table restoration, be sure to check out the earlier parts of the series. And if you’ve restored a Choate‑Hollister piece or other piece of antique furniture yourself, we’d love to hear from you.

As always — happy woodworking.