Dining Room Progress (It’s In The “Worse Before Better” Stage)
I was really hoping that I could close out this week by having something finished in the dining room that I could show you. But instead, the dining room looks like a tornado has swept through, and I have a several project that are started but not finished. So far, the only thing that is finished is still my air-dry clay flower chandelier. So I don’t have any exciting progress to show you yet, but I didn’t want to head into the weekend without an update.
When I say it looks like a tornado swept through, I’m not joking. I got the fabric and batting stripped off of three of the four dining chairs, and then immediately took them outside and started sanding. And when it was time to stop working, I was too tired last night to come in and clean anything up, so the mess is still there. The good news is that I took breaks between sanding chairs to get the wall sanded where I had to make repairs and then prime the wall. So as soon as I can get the dust cleaned up, I can get the walls painted.
I’m also just completely out of room. I have the recliners shoved into the pantry, the TV leaned against the bench, the wood side table shoved against the wall, and all of the stuff from the shelves piled on the bench.
I’ve reached a point where I need to take a day and take pictures of things I no longer want and get them posted on Marketplace because, as I said, I’m out of space. Until now, the sunroom has been that place where I stash thing that I no longer want, and I tell myself that I’ll deal with it later.
Well, later has come because there’s no more room in the sunroom for me to stash things and put them off for later. I’m not a hoarder by any stretch because I have no problem getting rid of things. I have no emotional attachment to things, and I want them out of my house. But what I am is a woman with limited time. I could just give it all away, but even that takes time that I haven’t wanted to give up. But I’ve reached the point where I don’t really have another choice. Things need to be cleared out.
Anyway, I did get two of the chairs completely sanded and ready for primer, but of course, just as I was ready to start priming, the bad weather rolled in and we were under a flood warning. So now I’m not sure when I can get these primed and painted unless I just do it all with a brush so that I can do it inside.
I will be replacing the foam and this fabric on the back, but I left the old foam and fabric on because they’re protecting the thick cardboard backing, which I didn’t want to take off because it would be damaged if I pull it off, and I don’t want paint getting on it, either. So I’ll paint them and then remove and replace the foam and inner fabric on the back. But overall, I’m really happy with how smooth these chairs are now that the thick factory finish is off of them.
And the weather has also thrown a wrench in my plans to get the clearcoat on my table today. It’s still sitting outside under the carport, and the clearcoat is supposed to be delivered today. But now I have no idea when I’ll be able to spray it and get the table moved back inside. I may end up brushing the clearcoat on the table as well.
So things are progressing, but they’re moving slower than I wanted because of the weather. It’s so frustrating because we’ve had such nice weather lately, but then when I need to get stuff done outside, the bad weather rolls in. But I’m going to try my best over the weekend to get the dining room cleared out and cleaned up, get the walls painted, get the table moved back in, and get the chairs primed and painted. That’s the goal.
In other news, I’ve decided to go with a solid wall color. My mom’s idea won out by a huge margin, so I’m going with it.
But instead of just using the Classic Gray on it’s own (which is already much lighter than the gray shown in the mockup), I’m going to test out mixing half Polar Bear and half Classic Gray and see what that looks like. I just want to try it out, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll stick with the Classic Gray.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
What about the beautiful workshop you built over a year ago? I keep waiting to see you use it to work on projects. Seems the perfect place to sand/paint/spray when the weather doesn’t agree. 😊
I was thinking the same thing. What happened to the workshop? I thought the point of having one is to not have to work outside.
I came here to say the same thing. Also, that I might cover that beautiful new light fixture so all of the sanding dust doesn’t get all over it. But maybe it’s too late for that. I’m sure you have a handle on it.
You’re not using your workshop yet for anything?
I am glad you went with Team Mom. I don’t think you’ll regret that decision when the room is finished. The chairs have such a lovely shape! What color will you paint them? I may have missed that. Have you found fabric for the chairs? I would wait to spray paint the table and chairs so you get a smoother finish. Unless, of course, you want them to look hand painted. I am cringing looking at the tools and things piled on top of the buffet. Are you planning on repainting it?
I’m cringing about all the drywall dust on all those little flowers on the new chandelier. Ugh.
ha, me too!
You’ll get there, it’s looking great so far! I adore that light fixture. I have a question. I’m curious why the workshop is slated to be done last, after your other rooms are complete. It seems like you could be cutting/priming/painting in there regardless of weather, if that area was usable?
Oh gosh after I posted my comment about the workshop I saw others already adked about that. Sorry!!
Decision made is progress!
The paint you used on your table needs to cure hard before applying the clear coat. Check the label because each alklyd Paint has different cure times. The paint will still chip and peel if you dont wait.
As the old saying goes, you can’t make an omelet without scrambling some eggs! The mess will be taken care of in time, and you’ll get to the pretty parts. The chandelier is more beautiful each time I see it. What a prize! I am team Mom about the walls, and I think the solid color will make a great foil for all the colorful patterns in the room. Onward and Upward!
If your workshop had been wired with electricity, couldn’t you be working in there, painting and sanding and the like, with no issues due to weather? has it been 2 years since it was delivered?
and even if the workshop isn’t done, or electrified, why not bring in some temp lights on extension cords and use the space for the messy work?
You do realize that more than half of us following you are having panic attacks over all the stuff sitting on the buffet? It is beautiful! Please, please put a dropcloth over it to protect it!! Even an old comforter would help.
As far as the dust on the chandelier goes, put a large trash bag over it and secure to the chain. I’ve done this with light fixtures and small ceiling fans. The larger fans get their blades removed and a bag over what’s left hanging.
If the workshop isn’t being used as a workshop, could it be used as a temporary storage shed to hold all the items that you want to post on marketplace? This would give you more room to work with in the house 🙂
I know you say all the time that you are a messy DIY-er, and I find it fun to see that in process, lol. You bring the chaos to such order!