Tuesday, November 13, 2012

To "new" or to "re-do"

A couple of months ago, we decided to take on a project that we have been wanting to do for awhile: revamp our dining room table and chairs.

Originally, I just wanted Shane to sand out the many scratches (matchbox car derbies anyone?) and spots where the finish was worn completely down (mommy rubbing crayon marks off the table a little too vigorously, I guess) and put a new layer of clear lacquer on the top.

I'm so glad Shane had a better vision!  He grabbed the boys one day, 
took the set out to the garage, and got to work.

Each boy got a turn or two with the sander.

Cameron was so funny--he said he liked how the sander on the table
made his ears feel funny! That kid. :)

My sweet Ethan, enjoying his turn with the power tools

Cameron's turn--and Ethan with his head on the table now! *giggle*

Daddy decided to distress the table a bit.

He added some "worm holes"....

....and some deep scratches.

{Overseeing the boys with the sander}


Distressing the sides of the table

After everything was sanded and distressed, it was time for a good cleaning to get allllll the dust off!

"I'm good with a paintbrush. I can help stain, right? Don't you trust me?!"

Time for the stain!

The boys were absolutely enamored with this process. It was really cute to watch.

The worm holes and scratches after the stain had been applied

A big color difference from before to after!

Completely done with coat number one

After the table was done (one more coat of stain and several coats of polyeurathane) it was on to the chairs. Boy, that was a project. Yowsers. Sanding our chairs was incredibly time consuming and painstaking work, due to the lattice work on both sides of the backs of the chairs. We estimated that the sanding alone took us about 20 hours. But they were worth it!

Shane putting the cushions back on

After Shane got the chairs in, he decided he was ready to take on one more project 
that we have talked about doing for a while: building a bench. It was done in a few 
hours, and it has quickly become the favorite seat in the house!

My beautiful Lolee enjoying some lunch :)

Favorite spot. See!?

The last step was personalizing the bench. Shane wanted something we'd remember....

 ....so each child got their hand prints stamped into the inside of the bench.
(Shane made it to open, like a piano bench.)

Ethan's turn

Lola was very excited to "paint."

One hand at a time....

She definitely loved the idea of painting more than actually having paint on her fingers. *grin*
{Note to self: do more messy, hands-on projects with Lola}

I love how it turned out! Such a great keepsake.

So now, my table matches my hutch! I love how everything turned out!

Another project in the books! Whooo hoooooo!

8 comments:

. said...

It looks awesome Dev! (Shane and kids too of course!) Totally crazy we are in the middle of working on our table! I stained the last pieces today, although I want to do a quick thin coat once the top gets put back together. If it wasn't hunting season it would have been done, it's killing me that we are just picking at it here and there. I want it done already!! I'm hosting thanksgiving so hopefully I'll have it by then!

. said...

It looks awesome Dev! (Shane and kids too of course!) Totally crazy we are in the middle of working on our table! I stained the last pieces today, although I want to do a quick thin coat once the top gets put back together. If it wasn't hunting season it would have been done, it's killing me that we are just picking at it here and there. I want it done already!! I'm hosting thanksgiving so hopefully I'll have it by then!

Mary Ann said...

Looks great! I think girls like us are so blessed - handy husbands are the best!

Kara said...

AMAZING!!!! How do you find time to do that!?! We desperately need a new bigger table. I love how yours turned out. I can't wait to see it in person :) Love you!

janzi said...

What ajoyful blog, what wholesome and pretty children and parents, and how clever your husband has been.. making furniture like that, carrying so many memories, will be so special all your days.. well done, very envious.. hugs from across the pond to you all Janzi

Anonymous said...

You need to blog more often because I seriously love reading about your adorable family :)

Katie

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Julie said...

Gorgeous! Miss you friend.