New Chandy Bling & Spring

A few weeks back The Hubster and I installed our new yard sale chandy. I really liked it but I was not quite in love with it in our space. To me it was missing something. Something that would make it flow better with our decor.

I researched chandy bling and ordered some. I was afraid that they would not look as beautiful in person as they were in the listing picture. You can pretty much make anything look amazing in pictures with the right editing!;) To my surprise though they were even more beautiful. They are made from glass and not plastic so they have extra sparkle. I got 12ft for just $24.50 with free shipping. A pretty good deal I think.

The first thing I did was to swag the crystals around the entire chandy.

After adding swags around the chandy I decided to add a crystal to each tassel to ensure that it all tied together. I wanted the new bling to look original to the chandy. To help ensure this I made sure to order crystals that had the same silver loop as what was already on the chandy. 

After all the bling was added I decided to add some gold accent by highlighting the candelabra holders as well as the leaf detail with some Rub N Buff. 

Now the beautiful chandy is even more beautiful and ties in perfectly with our space.

And because I could not take pics of the new chandy bling without sharing the first signs of spring in our home here are the spring touches I added to the dining room.

I made this bunny centerpiece last year and instead of coming up with something new I decided to use it again.

We did not have the hutch this time last year so I enjoyed decorating it for spring.

My favorite bunny bowls I purchased from HomeGoods back in the fall.

I decided to show y'all the side of the dining room you never really see but it is the first thing you see when you walk in our front door. I love my federal mirror collection even if it is small. 

I am now saving up for new dining chairs. I want to put the ones on the ends back in the office. I am thinking maybe some wing back chairs with slipcovers and then two frenchy oval back chairs for the side by the hutch.

Thanx for stopping by and I hope your week was a good one!
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AN bunnies, chandelier, chandelier crystals, dining room, french country, french country dining room, rabbits, spring decor

DIY Wood Plank Table Top Reveal

I shared this picture of our dining room a few weeks back  right after we changed out the chandy. The chandy change prompted me to envision a new table top. I had seen so many planked table tops out there that I just loved. I shared a few of them here. Is it a project that I really should have tackled? Should I just have left well enough alone? Am I the only one who asks those questions when attempting a makeover?

I talked myself into making the plank table top because I was tired of looking at this. This is what you never saw when I shared pictures of our dining room but I saw it every day. Not only was the tabletop scratched but the finish was starting to come off every time I cleaned it which was often because it had a shiny finish. 

We went out and purchased boards from Lowes. We used two different sizes to change things up a bit and to keep the new top in line with the size of the old top. We used three wider ones and two skinnier ones.

We laid the planks side by side and then screwed the braces onto the bottom.

We used three braces to ensure it would stay together and of course plenty of screws!;)

I wanted to make the planks look like they were old barn wood. To accomplish this I took some of my Country Gray AS chalk paint and watered it down a ton to create a wash effect. It took very little paint. Yo can see the difference in the knots of the wood from top to bottom. Top with wash. Bottom without.

Next I used some DIY stain made from steel wool and  Apple Cider Vinegar. I tested the stain after it sat for just 24 hours but it came out very orange and took 6 coats to get it to show up so I let it sit longer. The longer it sits the darker the stain. I ended up letting my jar of stain sit for 5 days before I attempted using it again. The home made stain was BEYOND stinky and honestly took way too many coats to get the color I wanted.

With the DIY stain not giving me the results I was looking for I decided to use some Minwax Provincial stain. It helped me achieve the darker color I was wanting. In between each coat of all of the stains I used a heat gun to help it dry faster which resulted in a more weathered look. I suggest if you use the heat gun to do this make sure the area is highly ventilated. You basically are burning off some of the stain. 

After many attempts to get the old top off the base in one piece we got fed up and just hammered the heck out of it. It was actually made from particle board so there was really no need to save it for a later date. There are two pieces to the base because it had an extension. At this point I was still questioning if I was doing the right thing. I mean really who in their right mind would basically destroy a well made fairly expensive....we got ours on clearance at a STEAL because of a few scratches four years ago... solid dining room table? I guess that answer is me!;)

Next we used the original braces from the base of the table and screwed the new top on.

The next day I would walk by the table and it just was not right to me. I decided that the base was way to shiny and new looking and was lost in the black rug. FYI the rug is from Ballard Designs. I have had many inquiries about it.

Out came my chalk paint once again. I used dark wax to dull the paint. I think by adding the chalk paint it makes the top flow much better with the base.

I am truly in love with the new top and how it turned out!

I was not liking our dining room chairs with it though so I stole some chairs from our office that I purchased a few years back. I still need two more chairs which is fine because before I even decided to change out the table top I was already on the hunt for new chairs for in here. There was nothing wrong with our chairs they just were not the look I was wanting.

Here is how it all has pulled together thus far. I am debating on whether or not to change out the fabric on the end chairs or to attempt slip covers. I am also debating on whether or not to paint the blue bench.
I am really torn over it all. I am so indecisive it is not funny, so be sure to stay tuned for more changes in here. I am hoping to luck up on two oval back frenchy chairs to replace the other two chairs that are not in the picture. I am also waiting on the new bling for the chandy that I ordered over a week ago. Hoping it will get here soon.

 The total time for this project was 4 days from start to finish to allow for dry time. I forgot to mention I put on several coats of rub on ploy to protect the top. Total cost was just $54 for the lumber and screws to make the new top. All other supplies I already had on hand.

Linking up to the following linky parties:
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AN dining room, dining table, DIY table top, farmhouse, farmhouse table, french country, shabby chic, vinegar stain, wood planks

Wood Planked Tables

 I have always loved the look of planked table tops.

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 I like to think they have a story to tell with their rustic beauty.

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They can be dressed up or down.

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One of my most favorite wood planked tables is this one from over at Peeking Thru The Sunflowers. I have been admiring Des's dining room table for some time now. Her hubby made it for her from reclaimed barn wood. It is swoon worthy I think.

Surprisingly enough The Hubster gave in to my request to create our very own planked table top. Can you guess where it will be going?

If you guessed our dining room you would be right.

I spent 30 minutes taking every screw out in hopes that the top would just pop right off.

That was a huge negative. Apparently we purchased a very well made table. I have no idea just how we will be getting the top off but trust me it will be coming off.  

In the meantime I spent time out in the garage working on the new top.

I am hoping to be done with this project by the weekend but we shall see.

Linking up to the following linky parties:
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AN dining room, DIY table top, farmhouse tables, french country, shabby chic, wood plank tables

Winter Dining Room & HomeGoods Love

This week I have been working on accessorizing the house. Everything was looking so bare after the Christmas was taken down. 

The first room I have completed "winterizing" is the dining room.

I went to return something to HomeGoods and found Mr. Roo. He HAD to come home with me. I had been wanting one for several years now.

Those of you who follow along with me on FaceBook know that I recently found some french looking linens with red stripes at HomeGoods. Well the same day I found Mr. Roo I also found the linens in black and well I could not pass um by. They hopped right in the cart.

I kept things pretty simple and basic till I bring out all the spring decor.

I pulled out my Pottery Barn finials and gave them some dry brushing with Old White. They were too brown before. This wreath is another HomeGoods find from the last month. This time of year is always my favorite time to shop HomeGoods. They have the best stuff after getting rid of all the holiday.

All of these accessories I already owned but they all came from HomeGoods too! I think I may need to join HGoholics!;) They always have the best deals. No this post is not sponsored by HG. In my dreams!;)

Speaking of deals look what I brought home!! I found it on a local yard sale site and fell head over heels. I had been saving my Christmas money in hopes of finding an antique secretary but that all went out the window!;)

So now that I have it and the two matching sconces I have a decision to make. I LOVE my chandy's with bling. This one here in our dining room matches the one above our kitchen so I could take this one down and put it in our breakfast room but I really like the one we have in there. The other option is to use it on our stair landing but The Hubster thinks if we do that then we would have to change out our foyer light to match. Don't freak just yet Papa!;) If we did do all of that then we would put the matching sconces on the outside of the office but that would involve running electrical work. The last possibility would be to put it above our master tub but that too would involve electrical to be run.

Decisions decisions decisions. What would you do?

Do not forget to stop back by Sunday for the first "How I Found My Style Sundays". Who will be the first featured blogger? I could be contacting you next!:)

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AN dining room, french chandelier, french country, Home Goods, winter decor