The small dining room just off the kitchen.
My favorite bloggers, YHL, featured our dining table today as a Reader Redesign! You seriously have no friggin’ idea how very excited I am right now! If I weren’t holding a baby I think I would have jumped about three feet off my chair, really. If you haven’t seen it already, head on over to Young House Love and check it, check it, check it ouuut.
Over the weekend, we decided to repaint our dining room, completing the transformation. We used the same color as the basement, which extends up the staircase and is visible from the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
I cleared the room and taped off the trim while Ben was at work. After removing the curtains, I decided that I liked how open the window looked. So, I took the outer curtain supports down, patched the holes and sanded it smooth.
I don’t have much time to paint with a three-year old and four-month old. Fortunately, Ben is a quick painter and the area is small. It literally took about eighteen minutes to repaint. Here he is, hard at work.
We had to do two coats. One on Saturday afternoon.
And another on Sunday morning.
Ben hung the curtain brackets about 5 inches from where they were. It’s really amazing how much more open the window seems now. I love it.
I did love the old, dark blue color (Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy), but this definitely fits in with the rest of the house. The curtains are more fitting with the wall color, too. Sure, the plates don’t pop as much against the new wall color, but the dark table top was just too dark with the old wall color.
The room has come a long way in the past few years. Now it’s exactly as I had imagined. The plate rack is a nice feature, serving as art and storage.
We have some touch up paint to do, especially on the white, but it’s good enough for now. I’m a happy camper. Touch up paint can wait. Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
Here was the dining room as I received it, thanks to Ben’s decorating.
Then we added trim, a plate rack and repainted. We also bought a new rug and I made curtains. Then we had this:
We recently installed a new light fixture and Ben built an ah.maz.ing table for us, bringing us to this point:
And here we are today!
Do you have any projects to take on this weekend?
You may recall that we’ve recently built a new dining table.
After using it for a few weeks, I’m happy to report that it is still as fantastic as I hoped it would be. Most visitors don’t believe it was a DIY project, either. Score!
We were a little hesitant to get a marble top because marble can stain easily, but we haven’t had any problems so far. We actually poured a little grape juice on the sample and let it sit for a good 20 minutes. Then we wiped it off and we couldn’t see a stain or any sort of discoloration. A few coats of a nice quality wax will help prevent stains, too.
Our son also loves his new fort. He couldn’t play under our old table due to the pedestal design. Another benefit when dealing with small children: the steel was spray painted, so it will be super cheap and easy to touch up down the road. Simply remove the top, haul the base outside and give the table a coat or two of plain ol’ spray paint. Heck, we could change the color if we wanted to.
The World Market chairs we picked up are comfortable, too. The size is perfect for our table. I love the color and the slightly rustic finish is a great way to disguise future wear. The stacking Target chairs are so convenient to carry up and down the stairs and are easy to store.
When we planned to build a table, we knew we would not have the option to expand the table to add leaves, but most often, our old table was at the smallest size. Over the weekend, we had several guests and missed the larger table. Only for a minute, though. This table looks so much better than our old table and all the options we could find locally. We plan to buy a card table or two for future large gatherings.
Overall, we love the table, chairs and usability of the set. With that said, I’m curious to know what piece of furniture made your lives easier?
We recently revealed our new DIY dining table, complete with a dark green-black marble top. This isn’t the first (or last) piece of marble or granite in our house. In fact, we have quite a bit in 1 1/4 inch thick slabs and tiles. I thought I’d give a pictoral view showcasnig the granite and marble we have in our home.
All three of our bathrooms have granite-topped vanities.
The main bathroom granite is Giallo San Francisco:
Our master bathroom color is Galaxy Black:
The basement bathroom counters are Verde Maritoka:
Part of my office desktop has Carrera marble, while the other areas have Brazilian Cherry.
Each bathtub has a matching granite sill to rest on. Both the main and master bathrooms have marble tub surrounds, too.
The master bathroom floor is covered in white marble and absolute black granite checkerboard. The main bathroom has white marble floors in a brick lay pattern.
We decided to install granite and marble as some of our window sills to protect them from moisture.
The kitchen and dining room sills are Silver Spark:
Our master bathroom has Carrera Marble:
The half wall by our stairway has a brown granite topper:
Our love of marble extends to a few pieces of furniture other than our dining table. Two small side tables in our guest bedroom have marble tile tops.
This little table had a clear glass top, but it was easily replaced by one 12 inch square tile, left over from our bathroom remodel.
Why limit marble to counter tops when you can have a marble table lamp like this:
Just to recap, we have 4 countertops, 3 tables, 6 window and tub sills, 2 shower surrounds, 1 lamp and we haven’t remodeled our kitchen.
Why do we have so much marble and granite you ask? We love the timeless look, durability and we can get remnant slabs for a great price. And, it’s almost easier to work with than wood.
Here’s a source list for items in our house. If you have questions about anything, just ask!
Living Room:
Paint: Wicker Chair by Olympic and Behr’s Vermont Cream color matched in Wal-Mart’s Colorplace brand Rug: Flor Sofa: HOM Furniture Chairs: Dolce Lounge Chair from Target End Tables: Dror by Target Lamps: TJ Maxx Curtains: Target Throw Blanket: TJ Maxx Pillow Covers: Hand Sewn Fabric from Joann Bird Candleholder: Target Picture Frames: Wal-Mart, Target, Michael’s Artwork: Custom made by me Front Door: Home Depot Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood
Living Room Other Side:
Rocking Chair: Lay-Z-Boy (is now in the basement) Desk: Repainted hand-me-down Desk Chair: Target Black Picture Frame: Target Large Frame: Target
Chair: Hom Furniture Mirror: Garage Sale-only $5.00! Candle Sconces: Linens N Things Pillow: I made it. Here’s how.
Entertainment Center:
Entertainment Center: Custom Built by Ben Door Hardware: Home Depot Modern Bar TV: 32″ Vizio from Costco Silver Picture Frames: TJ Maxx B Monogram: Target Candle Holders: Target Clock: Restoration Hardware on Ebay Tall Blue Vase: Crate and Barrel Short Blue Vase: TJ Maxx Wooden Sculpture: Target Magazine Files: IKEA painted Green Books: Used, Barnes and Noble Print: Made by Me Hour Glass: CB2
Dining Room:
Paint: Mistinted version of Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage (The paint is from Wal Mart and they used the light base. The formula for one gallon is B-37, E-39.5, and T-37. This is the color used in our basement, too. It can look more green in some light) and Behr’s Vermont Cream-both color matched at Wal-Mart Dining Table: DIY Table Chairs: World Market Rug: Flor Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric From Hancock Fabrics Fruit Bowl: Thrift Store Plates: Linens N Things and Target Candle Sticks: Target Light Fixture: CB2 Curtain Rod: Wal-Mart Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood
Guest Bedroom:
Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Sea Green, color matched to Behr and Behr’s Vermont Cream Headboard: Free from an apartment tenant Floral Bedding: Ross Sheets: Linens N Things Blue King Pillows: TJ Maxx Striped Pillow: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Joann Picture Frame: From my Great Grandma Photo: Forsyth Park Fountain taken on our Honeymoon in Savannah, GA White Nightstand: Built by Ben Lamp: Target Clock: World Market Candle Sconces: Bed, Bath and Beyond Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rod: Target Apothecary Jar of Shells: Michael’s Pendant: DIY with coffee filters
Guest Bedroom Other Side:
Mirror: Found in the Trash-from Target Bedside Carafe: Two Glasses from World Market Shell: Target Artwork in the Hall: Family Tree made by Me
Main Bathroom:
Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Lilac Vanity: Built by Ben out of Maple Drawer Pulls: Home Depot Countertop: Giallo San Francsico Granite Remnant Vessel Sink and Faucet: E bay Mirror: Reused from Remodel Light Fixtures: Home Depot Picture, Frame and Mat: Michael’s Glass Box: World Market Soap Pump: Target Lotion: Bath and Body Works Candles and Jars: Target Purple Towels: Target White Towels: Linens N Things
Main Bathroom Shower:
White and Grey Marble Tile (also on floors): Home Depot Faucet: Delta at Home Depot Shower Curtain: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot
Master Bedroom:
Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel and Behr’s Vermont Cream Bed: Custom Built by Ben Coverlet: IKEA Pillow Shams: Linens N Things Throw Pillow: Hand Embroidered by Me Nightstand: IKEA Lamps: Home Depot Clock: World Market Pictures: E Bay Picture Frames: Michael’s Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rods: Wal-Mart
Master Bedroom Other Side:
Mirror: Michael’s Upholstered Bench: HOM Furniture
Master Bathroom:
Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel Curtains: Wal-Mart Floors: Absolute Black and White Marble from Home Depot Toilet: Kohler Highline from Home Depot Vanity: Built by Ben Countertop: Galaxy Black Remnant Ben Finished Shower Curtain: Target Towels: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot Clock: Gift
Boy’s Bedroom:
Paint: Ralph Lauren’s Riesling and Behr’s Vermont Cream Crib: Garage Sale Dresser: Hand Me Down Curtains: Wal Mart Curtain Rods: Home Depot Crib Blanket: Crocheted by Me Sheets: Target Crib Skirt: Target Rocking Chair: Family chair Storage Bin: Tuesday Mornings Mobile: Made by Me Owl: Made by Me Silhouette: Made by Me E and V: Hobby Lobby Pillows: Made by Me
Bed: Hand Me Down Painted Red Bedding: Target Stuffed Animals: Kohl’s Pillows: Hand sewn by me Footprint Art: Inked Feet of my Boys Artwork: Canvas Painted by Me Bookshelf: Hand Me Down
Office:
Paint: Benjamin Moore’s Raisin and Behr’s Vermont Cream Cabinets and Shelving: Custom Built by Ben Countertops: Brazilian Cherry and Carrera Marble Desk Chair: IKEA Desk Lamp: Target Storage Boxes and Magazine Files: IKEA Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Hancock Fabrics White Marble Vases: Restoration Hardware Small Blue Vase: Target Little Bird: Felt Pincushion from Etsy Picture Frames on Shelves: Target Map Frame: Michael’s Map: Art.com Light Fixture: Home Depot Magnetic Tins: IKEA
Office Bookshelves:
Chair: Target Accent Table: Target Picture Frame on Table: Target White Vase: Target (was a reed diffuser) Storage Boxes: IKEA Brown Frames: Hobby Lobby Art in Brown Frames: My modern portraits Drawing Figure: IKEA Rose Candle Holders: Michael’s, Big Lots and Ross Bird Art: Custom Painted by Me Orange Clock: Hobby Lobby Wire Buildings: Target Butterfly Artwork: Custom Made by Me Globes: Garage Sales and Target Vacation Jars: Hobby Lobby filled with vacation items Books: Barnes and Noble, Thrift Stores and Garage Sales
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