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Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Vintage Dining Table & Chairs Redo

Bonjour, Mes Amis!
You might not have caught the posts I did last summer, about our vintage dining table and chairs that I found.  Well, I realized that I never showed you how everything looked after their much needed transformation!

 I lucked out and found this solid oak circa 1930's dining table at a garage sale, but it was in need of some help!  It came with 5 leaves, and for just $100 I couldn't pass it up!  I'll show you what she used to look like in just a bit!
And later in the summer I lucked out and found this set of 4 antique dining chairs on Craig's list, for just $145.  But, they didn't look this pretty when we discovered them.  Oh, no!
 What drew me to the table and chairs were their great legs!  I did a bit of research on the chairs, and discovered that their unusually shaped front legs are called "barley twist", and that most likely they hailed from England, I'm guessing from the 1920's or 1930's.
I also am in love with the pretty design on the backs of the chairs.  I've never seen anything quite like it before.
 The table features 5 chunky legs (love!), with their original wooden casters.  I don't even mind that they have a few nicks and dents.  I think that just adds to their shabby appeal, don't you?

I painted them a creamy white, and did just a bit of distressing.  And since I love the look of a wood topped table with painted legs, that's what we decided to go with.
 Ok, here is what the table looked like when we found it.  Not bad, but you should have seen the leaves.  They were in really rough shape. Someone had started to refinish the table, then obviously ran out of steam!
 The chairs on the other hand needed help!  Not only was the red velvety upholstery so not me, it was old and smelled like cigarette smoke (yuck!).
 I couldn't rip that and the falling apart padding off quick enough!  The chairs proved to be a much bigger project than they should have!  If I had used a paint sprayer, it would have made the job oh so much easier! (next time I tackle a big painting project, you can bet I either will rent a sprayer, or buy one!)
It also didn't help that I was trying to paint during one of our major heat waves, with 100% humidity!
Thankfully hubby came to the rescue, and refinished the top of the table and all of the leaves, as well as painted the legs. 
And, he also reupholstered the chairs!  It was his first time doing so, and I think I think he did a terrific job!
 We had all 5 leaves in when we had my family over for Christmas dinner. It comfortably fit all of us!  When it's just the two of us, we only keep one leaf in. The only part about the table that I wish was different is that when you have leaves in, there's a big gap in the boards along the sides. But I can live with that!
 I've added a vintage white eyelet runner to the table, as well as my favorite mercury glass votives.  I so am enjoying the simplicity of the look, after all of the holiday decorations.
 We are so happy with the way the set turned out!  It was worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears!
(ok, maybe not blood, but certainly sweat and tears!)


 Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I also lucked out finding the upholstery fabric!  It is a gorgeous heavy tapestry, that coincidentally nearly matches our couch! And, it was on clearance at Jo Ann's, yeah!
 In this last shot, you can also get a glimpse of our curio cabinet to the right.  Also a Craig's list find last summer (to replace our original one that we sold before we moved from Washington).  I'll have to show it to you another time, but notice it also has a similar "twist" design on the front, which I think ties in with the chair legs.
Have a warm and cozy weekend!
Sharing with Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

15 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

What s great find, Donna! It looks beautiful after all your hard work and time and hubby was a sweetheart to help you! The fabric is just gorgeous. I wish you many happy times at your new table! :)

XO,
Jane

Tete said...

Love, love, love it all. Hubby did a great job on the seats and all the painting, too! It really came out beautiful. Love the barley twist and the twist in the curio, pulling if all together. Love the variations of the votives, too. Pretty. I know, that gap always got to me, too, but it is something worth living with. Love the white paint and wood top. I have a rummage find coffee table that's going to have the top painted and the bottom dark this summer. The top is really bad and needs redone, but the bottom is in good shape. Its oak and only cost 7.50! I figure while we are painting the deck, we can slap a couple coats on the top of it.
Hope you have a fun weekend and get some more projects done.

The Bear's Blog said...

Beautiful. You certainly are an expert at furniture refinishing.

The picture of little Emily sunning her paws is precious. My favorite picture in this post. (o:

Hugs

Renee said...

Very pretty Donna! Thanks for sharing.

a house full of vintage said...

The table looks amazing after the transformation...love the color!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, WOW I just love your table and chairs. Barley Twist is one of my favorite designs. You sure found a treasure and the way your redesigned it all is gorgeous. I too love the wood stained top with white bottom and this is how our bedroom furniture is designed.
Love how you have the runner diplayed with the candle votives. Beautiful redo my friend.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, CM

Musings from Kim K. said...

Just beautiful, Donna. Your transformation is just stunning. Chris and I are on the hunt for a much larger table with leaves. Yours is perfect. Your hubby did a great job helping out.

NanaDiana said...

Donna- It looks beautiful. I really, really love it- It turned out great. I love that you left the table natural looking- xo Diana

Pascale said...

Great job! I really love it.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This turned out so beautifully, Donna! And 5 leaves...what a wonderfully big table for your holiday gathering!

Debbie said...

Believe it, or not, I wondered about the table, and what you did with it!!
I LOVE how you left the top natural. I like the contrast between the table and chairs. The chairs are beautiful! John did a great job working with you on this big project.
I can understand why you are so happy with this set, and the way it all turned out, Donna. It's gorgeous!!!
xxoo

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Donna, this is just beautiful!!! You never cease to amaze me with your many talents and abilities to create such pretty things. The transformation is stunning and you've created a lovely set to be found nowhere else.

hugs
Sissie

john said...

Hi Donna ...yeah I remember the post and yeah they are great ....your hubby did a great job on the table too !
Gail x

Bente said...

Wow, Donna. I looove the chairs and the table. What a great job. The fabric in the chairs is beautiful.

Hope you have a great week.

Hugs

Home Stars said...

beautiful table and chair. thanks for posting them.
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