The Reluctant Dining Room Makeover

Is it any secret that I have disliked our dining room table and chairs for a long time?  We don't even use the reproduction oak pressback chairs that came with our set because a) they are horribly uncomfortable, b) they are falling to pieces, and most importantly, c) they are not my style.

The dining set came by us at a time when we really needed a bigger table, and it was truly a blessing, so I have to temper my complaints about it, but it really wasn't my dream antique round oak or antique trestle table or something else indescribable that just captivated me.  Not that I'm picky about furniture.  Cough, cough.

After much talk and some Pinterest surfing, I got up the nerve to paint the thing.  I chose to stick with the good ol' Benjamin Moore mayonnaise, partly because we had three half-used cans of it in the shop (which is mostly because underneath my furniture affectations, I'm immensely practical,) and partly because I thought a black table would be too expected, and partly because I thought a bright color (like red or turquoise) would be too, too wrong and startling, and it scared me to bits.  Plus, I had a glimmering hope that using the same shade as my paneling would make the table fade away into nothingness.

Alas.

I also redid our mismatched yard-sale-find chairs with a different can of paint from the shop.  The T-back chairs were already a lovely shade of blue, with fabulous colors peeking through, but they needed a freshening due to a replaced (and exposed and bare) support rail. The color makes me happy, but I'm not convinced it's what my dining room needed.

I was stuck on recovering the cloth seats of two of my chairs.  I had $0 budgeted for this project, so I had to raid my fabric stash.  I came up absolutely empty.  And then my eyes caught some ratty jeans.

Denim?  Nah.  Too country.  Way too country.

But it gave me another idea.  I dove into my discarded clothing pile, and came out with a pair of corduroys.

All said and done, I'm not convinced on the table color or the seat covers, but they work for now.  The table really should be finished with some sort of protective coating (after another coat of mayonnaise to cover up nicks, fingerprints, ink, and rings left from glasses.)  I'm soooo not into country decorating, but I feel extremely locked into it with this table.  Any suggestions?

At least the pumpkins on the table are cute!

And thank you, Daddy, for introducing the kids to the fabulous sound effects one can make while perched on a corduroy-covered seat. 

Mmm...Smells Like Lacquer in Here!

Four long years of mattresses on the floor have finally come to an end with the delivery of our brand-new bed today! I'm just so happy, I don't know how to act. I feel like a real, true adult now. New furniture can do that to you.Jason worked on this project off and on for a couple of weeks, with the help and tools of a cabinet maker across the road from us. I am so proud of him! (Aren't you proud of him?) I printed a picture of what I wanted, sketched a few details, gave some measurements, and he did it!
My Dad lent a hand too. He and Jason mixed three different colors of stain to grant my picky-picky wish.
I should have removed the boxes of Kleenex and stacks of running magazines before I took pictures, but the room is a lot cleaner than it normally is. And look! I'll be able to reach my lamp all calm and sophisticated-like now, instead of heaving myself skyward, flailing for the switch. Ooh.

Sweet dreams!

Mutant Turtle

Years ago, I picked up a $5 chair on a Saturday morning yard sale. Jason thought I was crazy for even spending that much money on such an ugly thing, but we needed something to sit on! I recovered it, halfway successfully, and it was OK for the guest room. When we found out about baby #4, we knew we would have to renovate our hot tub room and create more space for this sweet little one! But furniture? Help the needy. I robbed the guest room.

Thanks to a fresh coat of paint, and the help of a MUCH more experienced sewing friend who recovered the cushions, I have a new chair! And we like it!

We're not so happy with Little Miss Turtle. Jason's grandpa had made this cute little thing, but it needed an update. This is her second color. The first coat was a little too appley-green, and I was going for chartreuse. We agree that the ribbon and her skirt are wrong, but I'm stuck. I think I took this picture before her second coat of chartreuse, so she's looking a little more perky now. She's also missing her eyes, which are to be reinstalled upon her finish. Is the zebra fabric wrong too? I think my creativity got out of control.

Need New Furniture?

I am one happy person.

Goodbye, navy/hunter green/burgundy plaid!! May you have a more loved life with your new owner.

Hello, beautiful vintage green leather, in reasonable shape with no holes or tears!! You are soft and supple, now that I have cleaned and polished you with saddle soap. You ably cradle your dwellers, creating for them a comfortable, soothing cocoon.

When I am seated, I command the universe from my living room. Behold the power of a well-crafted chair!
One more look, up close and personal, for old times' sake.