Progress Report

Well, this banquette/dining area is taking quite a bit longer than I expected but I have to say I am please with the results so far.

If you remember from my last post...I wasn't really happy with how the table turned out once I sanded it down and finished it....

It turned out just too red in colour and too "finished" looking for my liking.  I wrestled with the decision to re-do it and I am really glad I did.

I took this piece I had made for our dog's bowls (out of a table at the curbside) as inspiration.

It has the more rustic look I was going for on the pew and the table. 

So back to the workshop I headed.  I wanted to make the table top darker and decided to paint the base white (one order of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is on it's way to me as I write this).  So I sanded the table...again....to take off the oil finish and then added a coat of Dark Walnut Stain.  Then I re-oiled the top....I left the base as it was since I was painting it anyway.

Of course once I did that I took a look at the pew and wasn't happy with it...it's sort of an annoying habit I have.

I really have an aversion to orangey/red coloured woods...like really really have an aversion.  The pew was in it's original state and I was hesitant to mess with it.  But my theory is, if you don't really love something why have it in your house?  Don't we already have spaces that are too small, lives too busy and funds too short to put up with things we don't like just for sake of tradition.

Soo....my little pew underwent a mini makeover.  However halfway through my sanding...yes again sanding...I honestly was doubting the wisdom of this idea.  At least this time I decided to move outdoors to do all the work so the house wasn't covered in dust again.

Here are the results so far.....

Now all that is left to do is paint the base of the table (I am going to cover everything but the very top oval) in white, distress that paint a bit, wax that paint finish and re-cover the two chairs in a fabulous-yet-to-be-found-fabric.....sounds easy right?

I'd love to hear you weigh in on whether I should paint this table though...I have been flip flopping on whether to paint the base white, or just stain the whole thing dark like the top.  My gut says paint since we are redoing the floors in hardwood and I think it might just be too woody for my liking...thoughts?

This is what I am picturing it to look like ....

I plan to finish this project just as soon as my paint arrives....so hopefully that little brown UPS truck comes rolling up my street real soon...