Dining Table and Chairs Make-Over

I've been on the lookout for months to find a dining table and chairs. I've searched everywhere from Pottery Barn to Cosco, and just couldn't stomach the money!!! The ones I love are wayyyy beyond my budget, and the ones that even sort of fit my budget just didn't make me feel happy.

Oh so luckily, as I was perusing Craig's list one day,I found this one for $125.00...

It was sturdy, and in great condition.

I had a vision of white, lots of color, and chevron come to mind {thanks to THIS ONE by Brooke}, and set off to work...

Fits in our little dining nook perfectly....

I know I'm crazy, but as I worked on the table and chairs, they took on a life of their own. I couldn't help but name them :)...

Seriously, it's made an awesome difference at meal times!!! My kids actually WANT to sit at the table. Hopefully that lasts :)!



Making over furniture is not hard, but can definitely be time consuming. Here are the steps I take:

1. Clean off the furniture

2. Optional- sand. I only do this if there is cracking paint already on the furniture. 

or

3. Optional- Cover furniture with liquid sander/deglosser. This helps when there is laminate or finish already on the piece of furniture you're working on.

4. Prime. I use Kiltz spray primer. Never go the cheap route on this part!!!

5. Lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper and an electric sander (if needed). This smooths the roughness sometimes caused by primer and paint.

6. Paint 1st coat. I used Krylon Gloss spray paint on the chairs. On the table, I used a high gloss Ivory Bear brand from Home Depot-brushed in on. 
I like "gloss" because it cleans up a lot easier, is more durable, and  I think it looks more professional.
Also: NEVER EVER get the cheapest paint on this! Quality matters!!!!

7. Paint another coat.... and even another one. Three coats is the best. Then it's covered and durable. Let dry thoroughly between coats. 

8. If needed, sand rough spots with light 220 grit sandpaper with electric sander.

7. Optional: glaze or antique.

I used this Valspar Antiquing Glaze from Lowe's. It's already tinted black. With other brands, you have to tint the paint yourself.
Brooke from All Things Thrifty gives the best lessons on glazing HERE. Watch before doing!
HERE Brooke gives more answers about glazing or antiquing.

8. Optional- seal with Polyacrylic.

 It is available in both spray or a can. I used this on the table since I know we will use it and scrub it daily! I didn't use it on the chairs.

In the next few days, I'll give the basics of reupholstering kitchen chairs. 

I'll admit, I'm happy to be done with this project! Even happier that I did it! 

XO,
Nancy 

Refinished Metal Lantern

Give New Life to the Rusty Trash in Your Home!

 Now if that heading didn't pull you in like a hungry trout I don't know what will! But if you find an old yucky item that has potential to be cool deep in it's rusty heart then read on.

 I was browsing aimlessly at my local Deseret Industries the other day when I happened upon this metal lantern, rusting in many places and looking sad. I coughed up the buck fifty and brought it home to my husband. His glance at me read, "hmmm so this is how hoarding begins. How wonderful that my house will eventually be crawling with mice and dead cats." I assured him more confidently than I felt that this was going to look really cute once I was done. He nodded and turned on the tv.

 I began by roughing up the surface with some sand paper. I know you are supposed to use a steel scrubber but sand paper works pretty good too. It was kind of like sanding a crazy cheese grater and I had to use some thinner objects (like the pencil) to get in between the tiny spaces. It's important to get as much surface sanded as possible so the paint will adhere. I've done it both ways; the lazy way where you just paint and go and the prepping way where you actually take the time to prepare the surface and trust me, it's much easier if you do the prep.



 After you have it sanded as much as you possibly can, choose your favorite metal spray paint color.  Make sure to take it somewhere that can be painted like the garage or the backyard so if paint gets everywhere you won't be cursing so much. Make sure to spray about 12 inches away and constantly move the can back and forth. This will make sure you have a nice even layer without drips and bubbles. 

Do as many layers of paint until you are satisfied with the color and coverage. I did a couple layers on this lantern to get it evenly coated. Drying time is pretty quick only four hours or so. It was so easy and both my husband and I were happy with the result. Woosh!  So be brave, grab that sad junk, spray paint and have some fun!

~Maren