Sunday, June 21, 2009

Dining Room Table

As usual, I'm not quite finished. These projects always seem to hit snags and take longer than anticipated, but here it is {almost} done. (I wish I could have taken these pictures with natural light, but its been so dark and overcast!)



And here's the table "before" ...


I was trying to match the sideboard and I think it turned out pretty well.




I told Mr. T that now that I see how many beautiful inexpensive but well made pieces you can find out there if you just look around, that I regretted purchasing the sideboard. His response was that I shouldn't regret it because it was my inspiration. I suppose he's right that it was my muse for this project.

I used gel stain for the first coat on the top and I have to say I'm not a gel stain fan and will never use it again. Traditional stain is much easier to use and dries in half the time. Complicating matters is the humid wet weather we've had which has slowed down the dry time so we brought the table back inside and its drying much faster now. I have to sand it once more and apply one last coat of poly and it will be done.

Also, I had planned to buy a small cabinet with either an open top or glass doors to display my milk glass. However, as I was sitting at my computer beside my great-grandmother's secretary like usual on Saturday, it suddenly hit me. I could move the secretary into the dining room. It is something I've seen over and over in blogland, but for whatever reason, it never occurred to me to do it myself!


I have been planning to paint it for a long time and probably still will since the finish is in terrible shape, but for now the dark tone now matches the other dark wood in the room and the contrast between the dark wood and the white plates is great. At least I think so. ;-) I also think the dark wood adds a more masculine element without taking anything away.



Check out all the other transformations at Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday!



37 comments:

  1. I love what you've done with your dining room table and I agree your grandmother's secretary adds the masculine touch and brings a nice balance to the room . I love the shelving with the wine glasses. Love the way you accessorized everything.

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  2. I love the table, and your entire dining room - you did a great job!

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  3. I think the table looks fabulous, it looks like it was made for the sideboard! I love the secretary in the room, I can't wait to see how you paint it. The whole room looks fresh & airy, great job!

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  4. It looks terrific! The secretary is perfect there and I think you're right about the dark wood showing off the white of the milk glass to it's fullest advantage. The whole room looks beautiful!

    Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts

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  5. The table turned out just fabulous. I think you did a great job of matching it to the buffet. It really looks pretty. The secretary in the room is so pretty with the dark tabletop and the white milk glass just screams pretty inside. Your room is turning out so lovely. Hugs, Marty

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  6. So pretty and fresh ! You really did a fab job !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

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  7. It is so pretty and I love the secretary in there. The white milk glass is stunning against the dark wood!

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  8. Love your painted furniture.
    We have that secretary too. It was my husband's grandmother's.

    I've seen it painted in a magazine, but don't have the nerve to do ours! Right now we are using it for display at the store because we have no room at home.

    Blessings,
    barbara jean

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  9. Just awesome girl...I love the whole room..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  10. You did a great job! And I love the milk glass in the secretary, you can never go wrong with some milk glass. Everything looks so pretty. Thanks for the info on the gel stain, I have never used it and now I won't bother trying it!
    ~Michelle

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  11. Just found your blog...we have quite similar tastes!
    Candy :)

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  12. Melanie,
    Your dinning room looks wonderful, I love your painting of the furniture. What a great transformation! Job well done.... Sandi

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  13. That is an amazing transformation. I love it! What a great piece. I know you will enjoy it.

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  14. you did a great job painting the table and chairs to match the sideboard. You have such a pretty dining room!

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  15. Melanie...this looks great! I'm so impressed that you did this yourself because it looks so professional. I know that was a huge undertaking, painting the tables and the chairs. Wow, but your hard work has really paid off! I think it goes beautifully with your sideboard! The secretary looks great and really does show off your milk glass. If you end up painting it, you could always paint the back of the secretary a different color so your milk glass will still stand out. When I paid the inside of my kitchen cabinets, I painted the shelves and everything inside white except the very back. I painted the back a different color so my china was contrast a little against it.
    Just thought I'd mention that in case it's helpful. :-) Thanks for a great Met Monday! Susan

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  16. Awesome job and I agree with your husband. Had you not bought that cabinet you would still have the same table.

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  17. Hi Melanie! It's nice to meet you! Oh, what a beautiful job you did on your table! It really looks like it came with your sideboard!
    I'm also adoring all of that beautiful milk glass you have!
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  18. I LOVE what you did with the table! I am sure it was a huge job but well worth it!!

    Karyn

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  19. What a great transformation! Your dining set looks so fabulous! I just recently found a french provencial dining table at the thrift store. It is solid wood and was such a deal. Tt weighs a ton! Now I need to redo it. I'm still hunting for chairs. Your redo has inspired me to get started on the table!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Tina

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  20. This is such a pretty room! You have done such a great job and it looks like I would be spending loads of time in there!!

    blessings
    mary

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  21. The table looks great. The cushions pop against the white. Your secretary is similar to an antique china cabinet that holds my milk glass as well. I've also decided not to paint it, but I hot glued some toile fabric on the back just to create some interest. You can see it in my blog if you'd like. Just thought I'd share!

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  22. You did a great job with that table. Your dining room looks wonderful.

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  23. My kind of project. I plan on adding you to my list of favs

    Cheri
    www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

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  24. That is a gorgeous re - do! You did an excellent job, and don't fret - the sideboard was your inspiration, like hubby said. Also, I have a secretary like that and for a long time I even left the doors open and enjoyed it that way - if you have room, do it! Linda

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  25. this looks amazing! the wood on top of that table is really, really pretty. great job! also really like the dark secretary, wouldn't change the color because it really anchors the room.

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  26. What a great job you made of the table. Love the look. The milk glass is beautiful against the dark wood. My mother collects milk glass so I am enchanted to see it in your home

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  27. You've done a really great job and it looks really well with the sideboard. I like all your milk glass too! Terrific post!

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  28. Yes, it does match much better! And it all looks so lovely. I wish I could paint worth a darn. I just end up making a mess and someone else has to fix it. I somewhat regret buying my new sideboard. It matched my dining room table. But I keep thinking I could have found something older, much better made, and redone it... Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. I would love to sit down and have coffee at this table with you!
    Brenda

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  29. You did so great matching the finish. I for one like the secretary just like it is. It is nice to have a dark piece in the room with all the white imo.

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  30. WOW,I LOVE it. I've been watching your progress. You've inspired my to refinish the top of my table, which is similar. I ADORE your sideboard!
    Love your blog, come by for a visit. I'm new in blogland, Debra

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  31. I love the dining room table & chairs painted!!! It matches the sideboard great. I think I would leave the secretary as is for now. You are right about the contrast with the white milk glass. It would get lost if you painted the secretary white. But it does look good in the dining room.

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  32. Your table looks fantastic! It looks like you purchased it with the sideboard. I have a table that I want to paint the legs either antique white or black. I'm having a hard time deciding, but I definitely like the look of your table. Great job!
    Traci

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  33. Hello - I love your table make-over! It looks fabulous. Everything blends so nicely!

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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Comments? I love comments!