Dinning Room Makeover {Table}

The next step in our dinning room makeover was the table. We spent time looking at every table known to man kind.  I started with a budget of about $500 but over time bumped that to $1,000.  When I was ready to spend $1,000 on a table I didn't love I knew something had to give.  I just couldn't justify spending that much on a table.  Feeling frustrated I told my family over dinner about our frustration in trying to find a table.  My brother and law said "We have a table you can have."  Excited about another DIY and the possibility of coming in way under budget I double checked that he knew I wasn't going to just put it in our dining room...I wanted to white wash it.  As we talked about it I found out that this table has had many homes and been past from one sibling to the next....so on that note, thank you to all my extended siblings for adding to the character of this table.

Here is the table...

It started as a fairly ordinary, well made, sturdy table.  I love the shape of the table but felt as though the yellowy orange stain didn't match the rustic chic look I was going for.  So I decided to strip the table, sand it down and white wash the top.

One of my favourite parts of this project was spending time with my husband.  Normally when I launch into project mode, he rolls his eyes and heads for the couch...he watches football while I work on projects via trial and error.  This time he was excited about the project (maybe just the money he was saving???).  This is him stripping the table and next is him using a power sander...not going to lie, he looked hot with a power tool.

Once all the sanding was done I mixed one part paint with two parts water to white wash the top and since it has been awhile since I actually finished this table I can't remember what the final measurements were that I used.  I added more white paint as I felt it was too subtle.  Essentially I painted the mixture on then wiped it off.  Just that easy!  We wanted to seal the top without getting a shinny top so we sealed it with a matte clear varathane.

Our first dinner for two at our new table!

Making Me a Star...

We are back from the cottage and I am making me a star!  I don't know what it is about drift wood that I love so much, but I feel so inspired by it whenever we are at the beach.  My very first post was a display including long driftwood sticks I collected last year at the cottage.  This year I was on a mission for smaller fatter pieces to create my Pottery Barn inspired star.

I loved the look of this star and knew just from picture that it was super easy recreate.  What I love about driftwood is that it crosses many style lines.  This simple star looks nautical and fun in this gorgeous outdoor lounge area.  It would however, look equally adorable and fitting in a Christmas display.  My plan is to put it in our new entryway.  However if it looks awkward I will gladly find somewhere else to put it. 

Stay tuned for the tutorial and where it ended up in my house!