Today I am joining Susan at Between Naps On The Porch
for
Metamorphosis Monday.
Thank you, Susan.
I had been waiting over twenty-one years to redo our dining room, and I started the process about three months ago.
Here is a photo of our "before" dining room. You might wonder why it took me so long to redo this room. It is because the furniture belonged to my mother, and she doesn't like change. I finally bit the bullet and told her it was time.
The first thing we did was remove the wallpaper below the chair rail and add molding. I like the wallpaper, but there was just too much of it.
Then we added the molding and primed the walls. During this time, my husband changed all of the outlets and switches from ivory to white.
In the meantime, we contracted with a furniture maker for a built-in cabinet for a twelve foot wall. I also choose fabric and ordered upholstered, skirted parson's chairs to use as side chairs for the table. I choose a complimentary pattern fabric, and we recovered the seats to our two arm chairs. I ordered a rug to go under the table. I had two table runners made because my plan was to place them across the table, and it was impossible to purchase the correct length. I found an oil painting to place in a frame we already had and loved. Last year we added a new chandelier and ceiling medallion, so at least that was already off our to do list.
We had to move everything out of the dining room, and it took residence in our garage, our living room and our foyer. You know I was anxious to finish the redo so I could get organized. I admit to being a neatnik, and I had to turn my head the other way during this unorganization.
The built-in was supposed to be installed mid-October, but the job took longer than planned, and it was finally installed Thanksgiving weekend.
The carpenter set this work area up in front of our house. Everyone out for a walk stopped to ask what was happening.
The next picture shows the installation close to completion. The doors for the lower center section had to be remade because they were sized incorrectly.
Now we had the painter here for almost a week, and then we had to let the paint age for almost two weeks before we could place our things in the cabinet.
We are finally finished, and we are loving our "new" dining room.
Since the holiday season is already upon us, I displayed my Christmas decorations.
New painting. Old frame.
Madonna and Child.
Amazing Grace.
Table centerpiece.
