Kitchen Table Sneak Peak

Ok so here is the first part of my table and chairs overhaul.  For this project I bought Valspar Gloss spray paint and let me just say that I will now only use valspar.  It coats evenly and looks great.  Krylon is easier on my poor trigger finger, but it just doesn't cover as well and its kind of drippy.  Ok that being said, the color was Mediterranean and it is such a pretty blue.  I also incorporated this color into a frame wall that I am working on in our dining room.  I love it, pics to come soon.  :)

So far I'm happy with the transformation.  The big question is whether I want to apply a black glaze to the whole thing, or just leave it alone and put a clear gloss sealer on it.  hmmm decisions decisions.  I'm leaning towards just the clear gloss sealer so that it looks clean and crisp.

Enjoy!

BEFORE

I sanded it with a medium grit sand paper - really just the top.  Since I had painted it black and applied a stain, I wanted to rough that up a little bit to help the primer stick good.

See, it already looks way better and that's just the primer!

One of the things I really love about this table is the drop leaf on both sides.  Makes it very versatile.
That's all you get for now... But let me tell you the blue on my table looks so fanfreakintastic I can't even stand it.

Chair makeover

Not to be confused with my kitchen table/chair makeover.  I've had these chairs for several years.  I got them at a garage sale.  Yay for garage sales!  Which reminds me, I am in desperate need of a garage saling Saturday.

Anywho - like I said these chairs were from a garage sale, and they have seen better days.  So now they are in a nifty little corner of my living room and I painted them a sundried tomato and then wiped on a light coat of stain for a little dimension.  Totally livens up my little corner, don't you think?

Chairs - $10 for 2 - which may sound pricey, but he wanted $10 each, so I basically got one for free.  :)
Krylon sundried tomato spray paint - $10 for 2
Small can of minwax early american stain
Pretty new chairs - priceless

Notice the spray paint -no need to prime or sand.  Now that's my  kind of paint!

BEFORE

AFTER

Cleaning

Let's talk all natural cleaning supplies... Quite a while ago, I switched over to all natural cleaning... I get lazy sometimes and don't feel like mixing up a new batch of whatever and reach for the windex, but for the most part, I only use all natural ingredients to clean the house.

This is one that I use all the time on everything including windows and it works great...
I can't remember exact measurements, I think I usually just eyeball it

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
Spray bottle
1/2 vinegar - vinegar is an excellent disinfectant and deoderizer.  Once it dries, the vinegar smell goes away
1/2 water
1-2tsp liquid soap - I use ivory, but you can also use Dr. Bronners liquid castille (found at health food stores or drug stores)
2 tbs borax - found in the laundry aisle

Leave a little room in the bottle so you can shake it all up. And just shake it a little before you use it.  But we clean counters, tables, windows, outside toilets with this mix.

TOILET BOWL
You can use straight vinegar inside your toilet.  Disinfects, deoderizes and cuts through any rust stains.  Just pour maybe 1/2 cup in, let it sit just a bit, and scrub away.

LAUNDRY SOAP
Ok, this one takes up a little more time, but it is worth it.  I do notice a difference when I use this compared to a store bought brand.  The clothes just seem a little brighter and fresher...
2 bars of grated ivory soap, or you could use 1 big zote bar - can be found in laundry section of grocery
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda - NOT baking soda, they are slightly different products - also found in laundry section
Blend everything up in a food processor until it looks like powdered laundry soap, store in a covered container.   For large loads use 2 TBS, for small loads use 1 TBS.  Doesn't sound like alot, I know but trust me your laundry will be clean.  You can also use straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in your machine.  This helps to deoderize your laundry and prevent static cling.

Look at that, you learn something new everyday.
I would love to hear if you have a great all natural cleaning recipe that you use.

I have a few more to share, but I'll save those for another time.  :)

Kitchen Table/Chairs Re-do

So in my last post I showed off some fabulous pics of what I wanted to do to our kitchen table and chairs.  This weekend is when the transformation will take place.  Actually I have a couple of projects on my to do list for this weekend, including cleaning my entire house.  I wish I could just read design blogs all day and do projects.  :)

Anyway, here are a few pics of the way our table and chairs look right now.  I will post during and after pics once I'm done, hopefully next week sometime.

I have to say that spray paint is like my new best friend.  Why have I never utilized paint in a can before??  So much easier than a paintbrush.  And they make so many different kinds of spray paint.  I find myself in the craft store and I've spent like 45 minutes in the spray paint aisle.  No joke.   Anyway, just a little side rant there for ya.

Enjoy the before pics.  I can't wait to show you the afters!!

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So Many Ideas So Little Time

I have been itching to repaint our kitchen table for quite a while now.  I did refinish the top several years ago.  I painted it black and distressed it.  The chair seats all have roosters on them, and I love roosters, but I've looked at them long enough now.  The table and 4 chairs were given to me for free!  Holla!  The set itself is quite country.  Everything has that crackle finish on it.  But while I was searching the web for ideas on what to do with the table I came across these kitchens.  Hello!!! Aren't they just perfect.  Holy cow, I love the turquoise and red together like that.  So the decision has been made.  I will definitely post before and after pics on this set.

Kitchen table/chairs inspiration

I love these old 1950's tables. They always remind me of my grandmothers house.
 I keep my eye open for one every now and then.
I just don't want to pay as much as they sell for.  :(

Isn't the turquoise and red just so classic and clean looking together??  I wonder if the landlord would freak out??