Dining Room Update Reveal

For the past few weeks I have been helping a sweet friend update her dining room. The difference is quite dramatic.
 
The photo on the left shows the before shot:  chocolate brown walls, brown hardwood floors, and brown wood furniture. The furniture was on loan from her grandmother until she could find something that she wanted to buy. All of the new furniture, with the exception of the settee, was purchased second hand and repainted. The chairs were a lovely brown with floral upholstery.

Chair seats and joints were numbered to make re—assembly easier.

All loose joints were glued and clamped to dry.


Everything was given a fresh coat (or five) of paint and glaze.

We decided to add a dark edge to provide an added detail to the table top.

Because we could not find a suitable used settee, we purchased a new one and painted it to match the chairs.




I happened to run across a pair of lamps for the buffet.

I really like the crackle finish.

This little tea caddy shaped box was painted and glazed in the dark accent color.

Thankfully, everyone involved in the project was pleased with the results!  Thanks, NP, for giving me artistic liberty!

I’ll be joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

I've had several emails regarding the new color of the walls.  It is Svelte Sage by Sherwin Williams.

Faux Mercury Glass Lamp

In a previous post I shared this faux mercury glass lamp.

When I purchased the lamp at a second hand store it looked like this.

I think that it held shells at one time but there were no shells when I bought it. I took it home and took it apart. I started by taking off the harp and light socket.

If you look carefully at the socket, you will see the words “press here”. You press there to remove the cover. Then you unscrew the wires.  I usually mark the screw with the smooth wire with an “S” since one side of lamp wire is smooth and the other side has ridges. It does make a difference! Now that the socket has been removed, I can pull the lamp cord down through the bottom of the lamp to take everything completely apart.

Next, I gave the globe a good cleaning, inside and out. Then I used a spray bottle with water to spray a light coat inside the globe. I followed this by a thin coat of Looking Glass spray paint.

I followed with several light coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before the next. The finish turned out great .

I really like those dark spots!

You never know what the finish will look like! It is unique every time. After the paint dried, I reassembled everything. I was very pleased with the outcome.

Bird Tablescape

This is a bird themed tablescape that I created recently. It was created with things that I had on hand.

I used a variety of textures to add interest.

I started with my wicker chargers that were purchased some time ago from Nell Hills Online. Next, I used a round white plate with a textured edge and topped it with a square salad plate placed on the diagonal. The plates were also purchased some time ago from  Homegoods. They work together very well but were not purchased at the same time.

The napkins are embroidered hand towels that were purchased on clearance at Pottery Barn. I love how the birds face each other.

I used some brass twig flatware that was purchased at an antique store. I like the twigs but I am not wild about the gold tone brass. I have ordered a “brass darkening chemical” that I will be trying out soon.

The bubble glasses were a purchase from One Kings Lane.

For the centerpiece, I used yard clippings again!

These hedge apples or Osage Oranges were picked up from the side of the street. I had seen them for days, thinking they were tennis balls. I wondered why they were there since there were no tennis courts in sight. Then I saw them on another blog and I knew that I had to rescue them too. They are very pretty and have an aromatic smell too.

I also scattered my palm tree clippings along the table. You can read about them here.

The hurricane candles usually stay on the table. You can read about how they were made here.

The votives were purchased at Target

and the birds and nest are usually found in the guest bath.

I even made a modified version of pear salad thanks to Yvonne of Stone Gable. I ran across some beautiful red pears at the grocery store which were perfect for this salad.

This festive tablescape is getting us ready for the big bird meal in a few days. I can hardly wait.

I’ll be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Rescued Writing Desk

If you have spent any time on this blog you know how I love to rescue a piece of furniture. I don’t take in stray animals, but watch out if I see a piece of furniture on the side of the road or in a second hand store. Such was the case with this writing desk.

 

I spotted it in an antique mall on a visit to my son’s college. The husband said it wouldn’t fit in the car which was correct. However, I knew it would fit in my son’s vehicle. The following week when he was getting ready to come home, I asked him to go by and see if the desk was still there. I told him exactly where it was in the store and told him the tag said $29.99.  He said that he understood. Several hours later he arrived home. I asked him if he purchased the desk. He told me that he did indeed! I then asked if the price was $29.99. His reply was “No, it wasn’t!” Yikes! I was hoping he hadn’t misunderstood and paid $299!!! Then he laughed and told me that one 9 was a 4! It was $24.99!!! Less than $29 with tax! There was some damage to the veneer but otherwise it was a great piece with some lovely details.

I simply gave it a very light sanding and painted it with a black satin finish paint.

I added a little silver spray paint to the hardware and enhanced the carving with a little silver Rub n Buff.

I love the way it turned out!

I added a thrifted chair and lamp which I will give details on in another post. I do love a bargain and a rescue!

I’ll be joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch and Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

Thrifty Floor Lamp

In the last post I showed the settee that I rescued and pictured beside it was a floor lamp that I discovered at a local thrift store.
For some silly reason, I didn’t buy it the first time I saw it. Even though it looked a little rough, I could see the potential.

Let’s take a closer look.

The wiring was frayed and needed to be redone.

It is one piece of wood with great accents.

So I plopped down my $9.99 and brought her home.
I rewired it and gave it a good cleaning but decided to leave it in its original finish. I love the gold accents. I did have to order a cover for one of the “fat boy” sockets. (Fat boy sockets haven’t been used in many years.) I also purchased a lovely silk shade from a lamp shop.

It’s a perfect fit next to the settee in this guest room.

I am very pleased with the results.

I’ll be linking to Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage and to Potpourri Friday at 2805.