Let's Get Ready To Dine!

There are several projects I hope to tackle this year, including carving out space for a small office from a corner of the upstairs bonus room. However, bids are coming in slow and high, so we will have to see how that progresses!

In the meantime I'm turning my focus to the dining room. Prior to the holidays this room housed a piano, and it was only when I realized I needed a lot more seating to accommodate holiday entertaining that I moved furniture around to return this room to its designated function. An old table was brought in from the garage and we set up what I thought would be a temporary dining space. Interestingly, the new set up has proven to be a very popular and useful space. Not only has it been great to finally have a larger space to host dinners in and set out food during parties, but between the entertaining my kids have gained a functional place to spread out their projects with the option of leaving them there for awhile. (As opposed to working at the kitchen island and having to clear out when it is time to prepare a meal.)

My first project? Refinishing this console. It was purchased to serve as a long nightstand between two twin beds in Max's first bedroom. In our current home it doesn't fit in his bedroom and has been sitting in the entry until now. All this time I've been contemplating how it would coordinate with its surrounding better featuring a different finish.

I've considered many colors while thinking about this change over the last two years, but have finally opted to paint it the same color as we painted our kitchen cabinetry, SW Softer Tan. The cabinetry is visible from the dining room and painting the console this color will help tie the two spaces together.

The console has the thickest polyurethane layer I have ever seen on a piece of furniture! As a result I'm trying a product suggested to me by friends at the local Sherwin Williams store, Adhesion Primer, just in case I don't get all the finish removed while sanding.

And if you think refinishing this piece is a bad idea...sorry, too late! I've already sanded the piece down. To my eye it is getting closer to working!

I have also ordered a bit of this beautiful neutral grasscloth with just a touch of sheen...where it will be hung I'll share a bit later!