CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE REFRESH: THE DINING ROOM PROGRESS

You guys.  This is truly a Dining Room progress report today, I don't have one thing finished for this space yet!  However, lots of things are in the works so I'll show you what I've been up to and where we are.  (If you missed my "Before" and plans with design board last week, go ahead and catch up here.)

I'm thrilled to be part of the group participating in our Choose Your Own Adventure (3 week!) Refresh hosted by Jewel of Jeweled Interiors.  We've got and awesome variety of 12 stunning projects in the works, I can't wait until all of the reveals next week!

(*This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure policy here.) 

Alright, as of last night, here's where we are.  I took most of these photos yesterday... this project is truly happening real time, friends!

HOST CHAIRS-

Ta-daaaa, you saw them above!!  I'm in love!  We had one perfect spray paint day on Valentine's Day (the only day in recent history it's been over 50 degrees and not crazy windy) and I took advantage of it and knocked these chairs out.  I sprayed the frames without removing any of the upholstery!  Here's a look at how I did it, and I saved my process with more details in my Instagram Story highlights under "Chair Painting" if you want to see more. (Chair Color here)

I removed the seats (they unscrew from the bottom) and pulled the double piping off of the back side (surrounding the floral fabric) that I planned to switch out anyway. Then I completely covered the upholstery on both sides of the back with tape and plastic.  Needing a way to hold the edges of the foam back away from the wings a bit, I used some strips of stiff foam board and wedged them down between the padding and the wing, then pulled the two pieces together and secured with tape to hold them back a bit.  It ended up working great and my upholstery came out unscathed when I later removed the plastic.  I just need to make and add the new cording to the backs and these will be complete.


TABLE-

Remember, I bought a vintage Thomasville table off of Craigslist that was in good condition, it just had a couple of water damage spots and scratches on the top, and the finish was way too shiny.  I sanded down the top enough to take off the glossy finish and the edges where they were scuffed, then just finished staining it yesterday.  I will be starting to put the final top coat of polyurethane on it today and finish with a second coat tomorrow.  I didn't touch the legs at all, just freshening up the top.

I'm loving the table, the lighter color is a nice change from my former super dark one, and you can see how big it is with all of the leaves... We'll be able to fit 10-12 people around it!  For every day I'll just keep one of the leaves in and seats for 8.  That photo is after I sanded but before any staining.  I'm doing that inside since it's continually so cold outside, but we ended up having to move it in the Study where I can close the doors.  The cats occasionally hop on it to look out the window, don't want them doing that when I'm waiting for the poly to dry!  ;)  We'll run some fans in there also to help cut down on the fumes and keep them contained.


SIDE CHAIRS- 

I hired my son to strip off the upholstery and it was worth. every. penny!!!  (He was happy to get some extra cash and with the school holiday this week and an extra snow/ice day we had, he had plenty of time to knock them out.)  I'm getting new foam for the seats since the old wasn't that good and had really broken down and that will be ready to pick up tomorrow.  Today we're having one more decent weather day, thankfully!, so I'm planning to get the frames all sprayed white today.

Last week I shared that I'll be adding more Chiang Mai Dragon fabric to the backs, and I wanted to give you a bargain tip today.  This is an expensive designer fabric, so I always look for remnants at a discount online.  While searching, I came across some 17"x17" sample pieces for sale.  They were the perfect size to trim for the back of my chairs, and they were only $13 each!  (Way less than purchasing yardage.) This is such a great option if you'd like to have a touch of this fabulous fabric.  It's not quite big enough for a good pillow, but I could see it running down the center of a lumbar with another color blocked on the edges.  The only drawback is that you don't really get to choose the design on the piece you're getting, so I ordered one extra just to have an option if I needed it.

Here's the big change of plans from last week/surprise for this week...  I said that I would probably use a pretty chambray colored solid chenille for the inside back and seats of the round chairs, but I couldn't get super excited about it.  After searching hours online and coming up empty, I checked out a few local fabric stores one more time, and hit the jackpot!  As soon as I saw this navy and green geometric fabric, I knew I had to use it.  Granted, I hemmed and hawed for a few days trying to decide if it was a sensible choice- even though my heart was totally in it- but finally decided to go for it!  I've never seen this fabric before and there wasn't any identifying information on it, so I know nothing about it, sorry!  The color is a bit off in the photo, it's a true kelly green velvet/chenille mixed with a smooth navy.

Floral Fabric sample  ||  Floral Fabric yardage  ||  Dot Curtain Fabric

My biggest drawback when trying to decide whether to use it or not was that it's such a strong pattern, it might be difficult to work around with all of the tablescapes that I do.  Ultimately, though, I decided I'd rather have something exciting to look at every day than design around an occasional tablescape that's set up!  ;)


LIGHTING-

We haven't had a chance to install the new Garden City sconces from Hudson Valley yet, but I have a feeling they'll be one of my favorite parts of the room!  There will be one on each side of the China Cabinet.

ARTWORK-

Although our group is super grateful for our sponsor Minted,  I wanted to use some personal artwork in my space.  I would have loved to select some abstract art, but since my DIY abstract painting is just across the hallway adjacent to this wall, I didn't think it would work.  I spent plenty of time looking, though, and these beauties caught my eye!

I'm planning to do something a little different with a couple of family photos, but am still trying to decide which frames and arrangement I'll use.  Here are my options (with a rough photoshop of the sconces added in):

I have a pair of bamboo frames (pic on floor is same frame as top, border edge just isn't painted black like top one) or a pair of the chunkier, plain frames.  I really want to use the bamboo but am trying to decide if they're big enough.  If I use the bigger frames, I'd probably paint that dark wood toned inset another color. Regardless of frame, I'm planning to use a white mat for the photo I put inside.

(Total rabbit trail... that framed picture on the floor was by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Did anyone else grow up hearing her story and reading her biography like I did? She was paralyzed as a teenager from the neck down after a diving accident but learned how to draw and paint by holding a brush in her teeth.  She has lived such an inspiring life!  I bought the picture at a thrift store because I knew I'd want the frame some day, but it was a neat surprise to find her label on the back.  I didn't even realize until I dug this out to the attic that I already had the exact frame hanging in my bedroom with my kids' picture in it, must have been another thrifted purchase!)


If I end up using the bamboo frames, I could add a platter over the artwork to fill the space a bit more.  Decisions, decisions!

So, there you have it, a whole lot is happening but nothing is complete.  My goal to be finished by Tuesday so I can style and photograph for Thursdays reveal.  I'd say I have my work cut out for me, don't you think?

To Do:

*Make cording for side chairs and host chairs

*Side Chair Upholstery, seats and backs

*Complete table refinishing with 2 coats of polyurethane

*Select family photos to frame, cut mats, and assemble

*Assemble and install Hudson Valley sconces

*Freshen up China Cabinet Styling

*Style the table and photograph!

We all want to give a huge thanks for our sponsors, can't wait to show off my installed sconces to you next week!

Now, head over and check out the progress from these other lovely ladies.  I'm sure everyone else is farther along than I am!

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