It's done...It's done!!! Dining room makeover...

Whew...I feel like this project has taken a lifetime!  I know it has only been a couple of months, but for Mrs. Impatient herself...That is a lifetime!

Let's start with some before photos...

Notice the bald baby in the corner Lol...This was two years ago when the little really was little.

A photo at Christmas time...Pretty lame eh?!?

I realized going through my photos that I don't have any decent ones of the dining room space before...Not that it was very 'photo worthy' any who!  Lol

And for the after...
Overload warning, but now it is very 'photo worthy' so I have been snapping away!  Lol

I am still thinking I want a rug, but not certain.  Since this space is basically right next to the living room & I have a rug there with a busy print I think I'll need to go solid.  I'm thinking of going with something natural like a jute rug.  They are pretty pricey though & I haven't come across many of them on Craigslist.  Ha!

All in all I am pretty pleased with the way it has turned out, however I do plan on stripping the table top & staining it.  I always wanted it that way, but yet again Mrs. Imaptient stepped in the way & it was quicker & easier to just paint it at the time.  Now I get to do more work...Yay! 

A quick price breakdown...

Table & four (tall) chairs $60.00...Craigslist
Set of four (short) chairs $40.00...Craigslist
New foam for four chairs $30.00...JoAnns
Fabric for all eight chairs $21.00...JoAnns clearance
Buffet $50.00...I paid $30.00, My mom paid $20.00...Garage Sale
White dishes $10.50...Thrift Store
Green pitcher $9.99...TJ Maxx
Globe $9.99...TJ Maxx
Vase in corner with filler $3.00...garage sale
Eucalyptus leaves $2.97...JoAnns clearance
Metal bird $3.00 for a set of four (one is used here)...Thrift Store
Bean Pot FREE...for hosting a party
Plate rack $5.00-$7.00...This was a Target clearance from 5+ years ago
Mirror FREE...From my dad
Drapes $15.00/pair...Craigslist
Curtain rod set of wooden brackets & a wooden closet rod spray pianted with Krylon Oli Rubbed Bronze
Set of ring clips also sprayed with Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze $8.00...Home Depot

Glidden "Shaded Ice" color match for Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint $19.00 or $20.00 a quart.  I bought one quart & finished it, then bought another at 40% off & didn't even use half.

The "Smoky Charcoal" on the buffet front is a gallon my mom bought & I used some.

I think that has it covered...
$286.85 Approx spent

I sold the ugly black/wood shiny table for $200.00 on Craigslist, so less than $100.00 spent & look what a difference it made...

Oh ya...I am also thinking the mirror needs a fresh coat of paint...Any suggestions on a color?!?

=)

Finally...The dining room is within hours of being complete!!!

A quick sneak peek...

I finally have the chairs painted & am distressing them now!  Here shortly I will finally have six dining chairs again!!!  I can hardly wait! 

Completed & a few before/after photos to come very soon!!!

=)

Washing my Linden Street covers...Wish me luck!

So grandma brings home one of the punks today after having a sleepover.  She also brings chocolate...Let me remind you were are in the middle of a heatwave & we all know what heat does to chocolate...Not to mention 100+ degree heat!  Add to the fact that I have been in the basement painting so the upstairs is in shambles while four unruly children run amuck!  The oldest of the punks is wrestling around with the youngest of the punks on the sofa & as the cushions move around we discover a Kit Kat wrapper that is smooshed between the back cushion & the seat cushion!!!  Remember my heatwave comment?  Well, as you know when chocolate melts it sticks to the wrapper & this particular Kit Kat really stuck to the wrapper...Ya, so imagine the rest.  Ugh...I have been wanting to wash the covers, but have been too scared to do so.  They say dry clean only, but who has the time and money for that with four punks!

After my initial rant & rave shock I decided to take my chances & throw them in the wash!

Wish my punks me luck!!!

=)

A Chifforobe...A Armoire...A Wardrobe...What is it?

I had taken a short break from stalking Craigslist last week.  I really have about all of the furniture my home can hold right now & I still have a few projects lingering so I figure there is no need to look & be faced with temptation when I find that perfect & cheap piece.  I did have a spare moment yesterday & went to browse the furniture section...On the first page I found this beauty...

It has a fabric curtain for the side that I'm assuming a mirror once was.  Structurally it is in awesome condition...It even is cedar lined!  Cosmetically the paint was peeling off in several places.  I could tell there was only one coat, so I decided to go ahead & strip it.  It still isn't finished as I wore out last night with it & I have been painting all day long.  

Another new project I can't wait to get finished!!!

The dining chairs are painted & waiting to get distressed & the french provincial desk & hutch has been sanded, primed & one coat of paint applied...Just waiting for it to dry to get a second coat on! 

I am on the homestretch now... 

=) 

Sherwin Williams is having a SALE!!!

At least you know I'll keep painting & sharing!!!  Lol

I purchased more "Shadded Ice" for the dining chairs & my daughter helped pick out a pink for her french provincial desk...Yes, I said french provincial desk!!!  Can you believe it?!?  I almost can't!  Not only has it been patiently waiting for it's makeover since...Oh, April! It has been sitting in my foyer since May! Ridiculous!!!

Also got a gallon for the front porch...It's in need of a fresh coat!

Photos to come hopefully by Sunday evening!!!  Just of the furniture...I can't take the front porch to the basement where we have set up shop or I could share photos of it by Sunday also.  Lol!  It's gonna have to wait until the heatwave tames down a bit.

=)

Some before & Afters...Desk

This was my moms project...She did most all of the work on it. 

Remember this old ugly thing???



Look at her now...



The trim work continued onto the back, so by painting it you can set it out from the wall

I think it turned out amazing...

Another project...DONE! My buffet is finally finished...

Here are some before & afters...





The 'smoky charcoal' is way out of the box for me, but I'm kinda liking it.  =)

A snowball effect...During a heat wave right in the middle of July!!!

If you are a decorator or strive to be one like myself you know all too well about the snowball effect!  It is a nasty little thing I tell ya.  Take for instance this scenario...

We have lived here for two years now...Not once have I had anything on our lovely front porch except a ugly welcome mat .  I have longed for an 'outdoor' space forever.  Patio furniture is just SO expensive & it has never been a priority for me.  I say every year I am going to buy a patio set when they go on sale at the end of season & it just never happens.

So today my mom, the punks & I were out browsing some local shops & I found a rug at one that had a couple of stains some spilled wine from a local art crawl I asked if it was for sale & the owner said, "If you'll get it out of here...$5 bucks!!!  SOLD!  So my cheap little $5.00 rug started yet another snowball effect.

Next my wheels started turning for some furniture.  I have no budget to go buy some, even if it is starting to see markdowns.  Even my trusty Craigslist is pricey...Hmmm.  I was not going to be content with just a rug...There had to be more. 

Then it hit me...I had these chairs hanging around that I have done nothing with.  They were a Craigslist purchase that ended up being quite a bit rougher than I expected, so they have just been sitting around waiting for me to muster up the energy to deal with them.

After configuring them around I've decided to have the hubs help me screw three together to make a bench.  I painted them Krylon ? I'll update after I check the color yellow & the other one I painted Krylon Cherry Red.

I have these two old queen ann endtables I purchased years ago for $5.00/pair.  I am painting them Glidden ? I'll update too grey.

Of course you already knew I was going to post a sneak peek, because I might spontaneously com bust if I couldn't share...

 

The yellow chairs need more paint & I can't wait to get to JoAnn's to pick out some fabric!!!

I am dying to get started on my oldest daughter's room & so is she...We have been butting heads quite a bit on how it is going to be done.  I am wanting a shabby/vintage/farmhouse equestrian look.  She wants horses, plain & simple...So it seems.  She also loves funky bright colors & prints.  She would have horse bedding, & horse curtains & horse prints & so forth & so on.  For me less, is more.  So we are working hard to compromise on this room re-do.  Lord help us both...It's gona be a journey.

We did find this canvas today & we both fell in love!  I want one for the main level!

$23.00

Notice the quilt & pillow...That is my part of the room!  Lol  I found the quilt at a flea market for $10.00 & the pillow was 50 cents!

Here is the $5.00 dresser I got off of Craigslist yesterday...

 And a sneek peak at my mom's $5.00 desk...

The back of the desk is really cool...Although it wasn't finished originally it has the decorative trim that goes along the back.  When painted it looks finished enought that it won't have to be used up next to a wall.  Although, I typically don't like the waterfall style this one os growing on me.

I may be taking my mom's $5.00 desk while she takes my $5.00 dresser!  Lol

Still no "after" photos to share...

Unfortunately between the heat & being busy I still haven't had a chance to get any more projects completed.  I did find a couple of really cool things today while out shopping the thrift stores with my momma, but our trip was cut short when I received a phone call from the hubs telling me that the little had her hand shut in the car door while they were all up at the farm & he was on his way to urgent care with her.  Thank God her hand was not broke, but it looked like a little marshmallow hand with bruises & scratches all over.  Poor little girl.  The weather was a bit cooler today & I was planning on doing some painting this evening, but I have spent the evening pampering & catering to the little which I don;t mind one bit lol!  So, the projects will have to wait until another day...

I did pick up a dresser off of Craigslist for $5.00 today!  I don't have a photo to share yet, but it is one probably from the 60's-70's...a little modern with clean lines, no hardware & with 8 drawers (4 & 4).  My mom has been looking everywhere for a console/sofa table & everytime I find one & call it is already sold.  After unloading the dresser I bought which I have no idea where is is going to go as I really don't have anywhere for it we realized it is basically the exact same measurements of a console/sofa table!  So for 5 bucks...I think she has a table & I have one less project!!!  Lol

I also found a dress for our family photos coming up in September with Lacey Crough.  We are SO excited to have her take photos for us! 

This is the inspiration dress I ordered for our oldest daughter...I am hoping for a shabby/vintage laid back feel.  Although my dress is hot pink, but very mod/retro.  Hopefully I can pull it all of.  I still have outfits to get for four other people...Two being boys.  Yuck!  Oh, & I am on the hunt for her some pink cowgirl boots to go with it!  I just love having girls...SO fun!!!

I'm hoping to have some more interesting things to share by the weekend!

Have a great week!!!  =)

We are having a horrible heatwave here in the Midwest...

So indoor photos from me today!  =)

I made a few changes in the living room...Finally decorated the mantle!  I know SO many people long for a mantle to decorate, but I have always struggled with this one except at Christmas time  I sort of despise  dislike fake greenery, but I received a piece with a lantern I bought from Celebrating Home & it's been laying around & I finally thought...I'll just try it on the mantle.  It needs color & texture so why not?  I can't say that I love it, but it does look way better than it has in two years!  Lol

I am just loving my itty bitty TV too!  I can see more of this gorgeous dresser!  My plan is to have the hubs put hinges on the top two drawers so the fronts will flip down  & I can put the components in there and get them out from under the cabinet!

I am loving these yellow spider mums that the little picked out for her birthday party over two weeks ago!  They are finally dying off, but I can't believe they lived for two weeks!

Here is a sneak peak of my buffet, although even being Mrs. Impatient I am not too excited to share theses...Without the drawers & doors you lose the whole effect.  The drawers/doors need some wood putty on the chipping veneer & need to be painted...I was hoping to get that done yesterday, but with this heatwave we are having it's going to have to take a little longer than planned.



That's all I have to share today...Try to stay cool!  I know we are just hanging out in the ac today!  It'll be a good day to catch up on some laundry & maybe work on cleaning the kids' rooms...I have some big plans for the girls' rooms that I really need to get started on.  Unfortunately one of them requires moving a bunk bed around...Not sure I can tackle that alone!  Lol

After wanting one for two years...I finally got a buffet!!!

And get this...It didn't come from Craigslist gasp!  My mom found it at a garage sale here in town...$50.00 later...My mom chipped in $20.00, so it cost me $30.00  & it was all mine!!!



It is sanded, primed, painted & still being distressed...I ran out of my tough as nails sandpaper tonight & decided to call it a night.  I'll be back at it in the morning & I'll have some completed photos to share!!!

My mom also bought this pitiful desk at sale yesterday for $5.00  I have never seen such ugly shiny paint in my life!  This stuff was like automotive paint or something...Seriously I think it's the stuff they use on car parts!  Lol

After a day & a half of sanding & stripping it finally turned into this...



Finished photos coming tomorrow...

I also decided to put tung oil on my TV cabinet & I love the way it turned out...I was afraid to put anything on it since I loved the wood SO much, but I love it even more now!  =)

I also added rope knots for the pulls.

Oh...My daddy bought us a 32" flat screen for the living room today also!!!  No more monstrous TV on my pretty new/old cabinet!

For the last of my ongoing projects...

I have been pretty iffy with my current drapes in the living/dining.  Although they are better than the chocolate brown ones, I'm just not loving them.  So, I decided to buy a piece of burlap to try.  I'm still a little eh...I'm just not sure what I am envisioning...

Any input?  =)