Well, I’m going to warn you. I’m revealing this dining set, but it’s not going to be a post full of staged, beautiful photographs. It’s just not possible right now. The prettiest shot you’re going to get is of one chair.
Here’s the full set. In my basement workshop. Such as it is. Embarassing. The fluorescent lighting and band saw in the background really add to the look, don’t they? I can hardly stand it! I’m ready to clear out my entire dining room and move this all upstairs just to get some proper beauty shots.
So sorry! The set is pretty, though, isn’t it? I was so tempted to swap it out with my dining room set and sell the one I have. I think I’m at peace with selling this one, though.
Here’s how it looked before…this is the Craig’s List picture. So sorry again!
I painted the entire set in Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint in Old White, distressed the chairs and table base and then finished them in a clear coat of wax. I stripped the top and refinished it in dark walnut with a coat of dark wax. The seats are upholstered in antique European grain sacks. Oh, it pained me to cut them up, but they really “make” the set in my mind.
The chair before…
…and just to add insult to injury, here’s a horrible picture of my gorgeous tile. It’s grouted and dry and delicious. We had the chandelier hung this weekend and that looks great, too. Next up is bead board and paint.
I’m taking the set to sell at the Lucketts Fair on May 21-22, if you’re interested!
Pam, my “picker” from Tennessee is coming this evening with a truck loaded with goodies for me. Have I mentioned how much I love Pam?
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Oh, come on, you know it's a gorgeous transformation! I love it!!! Thanks for inspiring so many of us aspiring creators
It's gorgeous! Love the touch of the antique grain sack chair cushions, so cool! I have a very similar set — a table and 4 side chairs + 2 armchairs, that I am DYING to paint with the chalk paint. Mine does not have a nice wood top, though, it's got a hideous greenish formica top, so the top will be painted as well.
Now all I need to do is have my lazy bone removed and a MMS-ambition bone tranplanted in its place. Wish it were that easy! Your energy and ambition amaze me …
Best,
Kimberly
Amazing what a little paint & fabric & a TON OF WORK will do! The set is wonderful, lucky fammily that buys this!
Your tile is stunning can't wait to see it all later!
i love the set… what else is new… i love everything you do. : )
I can see why you almost kept it…it is gorgeous!
Wow it's gorgeous!! You do amazing work!
Beautiful once again.I think your readers are all past the piont of staging,what I mean is we wait with antisipation for your work to be shown no matter how it's set up. Although all love the way you stage. Love the tile!
beauuuutiful!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the color of the chairs and the burlap for the seats! I have forgotten what your dining room looks like but I'll be its amazing. I might have to go back through and check! Love your style!
Megan
You know, even in the workshop your talent shines through! I think I'd be tempted to keep this set myself and I agree those sacks make the whole set divine!
Wow, looks great , well done!!!!
I HEART that table! Great job! And I need that tile!!! I am redesigning a client's home…this would be perfect!!! Can you let me know where you purchased it?
XO, Meme
BTW, I want to let your readers know I am having a $100,000 giveaway..lol…ok $100…:D I hope you can stop by and sign up!
Thanks MMS for your advice on the coffee table! I hope to link up here with it some day!
I am so inspired. I did a Craigs list table like that, but we painted the top. I am tempted to get back to the client and ask her if I can have it back and strip the top and make it lovely wood again. This turned out gorgeous!
It's gorgeous! I LOVE it!
Hi Marian~ LOVE LOVE LOVE the diningroom set! I know how much work it takes to get it looking as good as you do on all your finished pieces. It will sell fast, I know it!
I have a question for you …., I finished my 12 piece dining room set in Ralph Lauren satin water base paint. I also waxed it with minwax clear paste wax. Previously, I had a dining room set I finished in clear poly, but as it was so much work to do it this way (with all the chair carving, etc) I thought I would try the easier quicker wax finish. But the finish on my table, chairs etc has now gone smeary and gummy feeling. What did I do wrong? Can you help suggest what I shld do now (hope it isn't that I now have to sand/strip and refinish again…bwwwaaaa). I know you are crazy busy but I hope you can pass on some suggestions/help to the problem I now have.
Thanks and take care and best wishes for great weather and turn out for the big sale.
Patty/BC
This is absolutely amazing. Such great vision you have. I would have seen this and passed it by myself. Wish your store was local – I would really have to talk my husband into getting this set =)
Gorgeous! The table top is absolutely stunning.
Don't ever worry about staging…we don't mind seeing your workshop. You create such incredible "afters" and we are thrilled that you share with us.
Pat
Breathtaking, Marion. So pretty. The set has such pretty lines to begin with. I would buy it in a minute if I were closer….
That table and those chairs would shine anywhere you put them!! We can deal with some "real" reveals now and then!! So Pam is bringing you a truckload of goodies……do they all have to be painted?? I hope not for your sake!! Sounds exciting though to open the truck and see all the goodies…..I think I'm jealous!!
Looking forward to seeing what all you will have for the fair, I know it will be wonderful and wish I could be there to snag some of your pretties! Take care, VBg
PS: the tile is scrumptious!!
I think I may have owned a similar set years ago. What was I thinking selling it!
Your bathroom tile is so pretty! Can't wait to see it all come together. It's such a process when you're trying to run a business though. Hang in there!
I am so amazed to find this, as I am NOT a good decorator but desire to be. I was given a table that is too fancy for us, as we are like bulls in a China shop! So what you've done~right down the burlap, is EXACTLY my vision!!!! Maybe keeping the tabletop white though… *THANK YOU!* for this! It will be my first project, every. YIKES!
Hi, Marian! I finally found a dining room set perfect for our family and will be refinishing it to look something similar to your dining table here. My question: it came with several leaves. Is there a method you use to make sure a leaf matches up with the table when you’re done? You know so many tricks, I thought I would ask before I start this project. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your help!