Yeah I went with the chalk paint approach for the old dining table. It took about four coats to get full coverage on the dark wood but the finish turned out really smooth. I sealed it with a matte polyurethane and let it cure for a full week before putting anything on top.

The hardware I replaced with brushed nickel pulls from the local hardware store. They were surprisingly affordable and easy to install. The whole project took me about two weekends from start to finish but I was taking my time with each coat.

Next time I think I would try a different brand of paint since this one seemed to dry a little faster than I wanted. It made blending a bit tricky in some spots. Overall though I am really happy with how it turned out.

The table looks completely different now and matches the rest of the room much better. I have some leftover paint if you want to try it on that nightstand you mentioned.
HARBOR FREIGHT

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We ended up taking the trail up to the ridge instead of the shorter loop. It added about two miles to the total distance but the views at the top were worth it. We brought sandwiches and ate lunch on the big flat rock near the summit marker.

The weather was perfect with temps in the low seventies and barely any wind. My pack was a bit heavier than I wanted because I brought extra water but we ended up using most of it anyway.

Saw a few deer along the way and some really interesting bird species I could not identify. The trail was well maintained with only a few muddy spots near the creek crossing.

We made it back down just before sunset and stopped for pizza on the way home. I would definitely do that hike again maybe in the fall when the leaves change. If you want the trail map I can send you the PDF they have at the ranger station.