I don't have any before or during pictures, because I'm just too impatient for that. So I will just say that the table, which I got from my dad who inherited it from his aunt, was originally a dark wood color. You know, a normal person's table. At first I painted it a sort of faded lime, which my husband got free from his old work. Then I decided I didn't like it and an amazing idea popped into my head. I thought, what better use for that can of Rust-oleum Aubergine spray paint that I bought just because I like the color and don't have any other practical use for?
Brilliant. But just in case you're considering getting yourself a can (I ended up using nearly three), please note that your first coat will be less aubergine, more HOLY CRAP THAT'S HOT PINK. Which is exactly what I thought. But I was already committed and I'm not afraid of color, so I persisted. And I'm glad I did. To finish it off, I coated the legs with spray sealant, and the top of the table with some brush on polyurethane (I find the spray stuff doesn't work quite as well on a surface that will get a lot of use).
As for the chairs, which somehow appeared in my dad's garage in a box, as things do, they were that weird orange color wood sometimes has. And the fabric on the cushions was this sturdy, ugly weave with specks of brown and orange. I painted them with a few light coats of Rust-oleum Heirloom White spray paint (after deciding I was too lazy to sand and prime, by the way) and finished them with some spray sealant. After I removed the fabric (and about a million stubborn staples) from the cushions, I covered them with some fabric my dad brought home from China (my dad's house apparently has a wealth of DIY materials). I was reluctant to cut the fabric at first, but then I remembered it was meant to be made into something and besides, it was just sitting in my closet.
All in all, my dining "room" is now that much closer to being as awesome as I know it will be one day. Once I get around to painting the walls and hanging two of this awesome yellow pendant I've been eyeing at Home Depot (and getting some candles for those candle holders), it will look amazing.
The coveted pendant.
The color is not quite as pink as it appears in the picture.
Hello, you cute little monkey!
This will not be our dining table forever, by the way. For one thing, there are only two chairs and we have a third little person who needs to sit down. Secondly, having twins means we will eventually need a table that seats at least five people, and this one just won't cut it. There's a leaf in the middle that folds down, so this will make a good console table or something like that. I didn't expect at first I would love the table with this color so much, but I do, and I will definitely be keeping it around my house in some function or other for quite a while.
