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!

'Tis the Season....

We spent the weekend celebrating the Christmas season.

We started with our Church Christmas banquet and finished with Mr. D's work Christmas party.  

The Girl was a champ.  

Taking in all the festivities.  

Unfortunately, Sunday morning she had her little seal cough back.  

We spent the day nursing her back to health and hope she is back to normal ASAP. 

Next weekend is a busy as this weekend was.   

No time for sickness.

This year I helped with the decor for the banquet.  It's always a fun time to get in the Christmas spirit and spend time with some other great women in our church.  I'm not going to lie, I enjoy the lead up as much as the actual event.  The decorations for the banquet are always tricky.  We have next to nothing for our budget and a large naked room to work with.  The theme was "Old Fashion Christmas" so the tables were decorated with lanterns from IKEA, burlap, glittered pine cones, red ornaments and gingerbread men at every place.  

To go with the "Old Fashion Christmas" theme we strung popcorn strings on the tree.  This was a fun project.  We got a bunch of women around a table with Christmas carols, treats and lots of chatting!

My friend even convinced her husband to make a snow globe...that's right a snow globe!  This man is every DIY'ers dream!  They saw something similar at another Christmas event they were at, next thing you know he's building a better version for his wife.  Isn't it amazing?  

We also painted a winter scene (by we, I mean, I painted a few trees and the yellow windows...another one of my friends was the master mind behind this...I was impressed)  It was the perfect background for families to take pictures.  There was also a fake tree and a life size frosty made of newspaper and a white blanket.  

Here's a view with the shoes and Frosty!

Fall is Everyone's favourite....

The more I read the more I realize I am not alone in my love for fall.  It's the change in temperature (for most regions), the traditions that come with the harvest and the fun decor of course.  Here are some cheap and easy ways to add a little fall to your home.

I found this on Shelterness.com.  How cute is this little project and completely free.  Collect some acorns, a twig and a brightly coloured leaf and you are ready to go.  We all have an unused frame lying around the house and if you don't you can pick one up at your local thrift store for under a dollar.

Shelterness also suggests this pinecone garland.  What a great transitional piece from your fall decor into your Christmas decorating.  Again practically free.

Simple little pumpkins area also inexpensive and can go a long way to adding some fall flare to your table display.  Check out this simple but festive table found at decorating ideas for home.  They have hollowed out some of the pumpkins and added hurricane lamps to the top.  Any candle or vase with a candle inside could be substituted to give a similar look.

What have you done for your fall decor?  I would love to see it! 

Please email me at cheekydinheels@gmail.com to be featured.