Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Pre-Owned Table & DIY Upholstered Chairs

Hello there my fellow Do It Yourselfers! 

We have had this table with a glass insert for a couple of years now. 


When we purchased it, it really did catch my eye right away. Our dining room is fairly small and I thought it would be the perfect fit. 


I really liked the lattice design and carved flowers in the center of the table and on the backing of the chairs. 


However, over time I have noticed that the glass top was always so hard to keep looking clean. It always looked dirty, dusty and full of finger prints. And it's just me and Hubby at home! 

Also, when we had unexpected visitors I was always conscious of how the glass looked. Who wants to have yummy food served to them on a dirty looking table right?

So, I told Hubby that I wanted to try and sell it. He was probably tired of hearing me mention the dirty glass and told me to go ahead. However, selling a dining table when you don't already have one to buy is a little nerve racking. I was worried that we were going to be eating all of our meals picnic style on the floor for who only knows how long. I was having second thoughts about it.  Luckily when my hesitance kicked in, Hubby stepped in and gave me the push I needed to try and sell it. 


I love my Husband. We are such a great team. We are both fantastic individuals, but together we are phenomenal! There is nothing we can't accomplish together. When one is weak the other is strong. He is my happiness. 

Okay, back to the task at hand. I went to my nifty Craigslist Ap and posted an ad for the dining table. About five days passed and I finally got a bite. A very nice man came to look at it, negotiated on the price and took it home. Woot! Woot!

Now I'm on the hunt in a hurry for a table for us! On my most recent Swap Meet trip I came across this rustic table and cabinet. 


I just love Mexican Rustic Pine Furniture. We have many rustic pieces in our home. This set was being sold for a total of $125. Which, I thought was a pretty darn good price. 


The only thing I didn't like was the table top. It needed a good sanding, but my main concern was the cracks between the planks. I wasn't sure I was talented enough to fix it.  Though, I did get the sellers # in case he didn't sell it. I actually gave him a call the evening we sold our table, but he told me it had sold. And for $100! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. 


A week prior to selling our table I had came across this ad on Craigslist. The price was right and I just adored the carved legs on the table and the chair backings. It reminded me of a farm house table and the chairs as chicken coop wire. And at the same time it reminded me of a table fit for a king and queen in medieval  times. I thought it was a very unique looking piece.  


The fabric on the chairs was not so pretty and I knew I would change that. 


I showed Hubby a picture of the table and he said it was nice. I also had sent a picture of it to a couple of friends and one said it was "ok" and the other said it was "nice".  Hearing everyone's lack of enthusiasm made me lose interest in it. Though, I still thought it was great. 


This Pottery Barn Table is what it kind of reminded me of. Ooh how I wish that one had 6 chairs. Though, two that work might not be very hard to find. 

After looking through Craigslist the evening we sold our table, I was really disappointed that there was not one dining set I was interested in. Not one! I didn't even see the Farm House Table Ad on there any longer. However, I had taken quite a few screen shots of the Farm House Table and did have the sellers #. I sent the seller a message and they told me it was still available. I made arrangements to see it the very next day. 

Once I got to the Sellers home, I really was not that impressed with the table. It was on their back patio in not the cleanest of conditions. It was more scratched than I expected and the seat cushions were very dirty. 

I must have looked at this table up and down for a good 15 minutes. Usually I know very quickly on whether I want to buy something or not. Though, in the end  it came home with me. 


Once home, I brought in the chairs and cleaned them up super well. I used Murphy Oil Soap and Pledge Revitalizing Oil. They polished up very nicely. 


When Hubby got home, we brought in the table and I worked on cleaning that as well.  


Even though the wood was cleaning up nicely. The seat cushions were really grossing me out and making me regret my decision on buying it. I knew those seat covers needed to be changed ASAP. 

I started thinking of what color fabric I would use to cover them. Then, I remembered about some silky fabric I had on hand and a couple of cloth shower curtains I had. I brought them all out. None looked good. 


Then I remembered about two curtain panels I am selling and have stored in the garage. We have a winner folks! 


I have never reupholstered chairs before, but have always wanted to try it. I watched a couple of YouTube Videos beforehand that made it look really easy. I was feeling confident! I unscrewed the seats from the chairs and decided to cut the curtains. I placed the seat on the curtain fabric and cut 6 inches wider than the seat on all four sides. 


Then I used a staple gun to secure the fabric to the bottom of the seat. I like that this doesn't have to be perfect. I ended up only using one 82x50 curtain panel to cover all four chairs.  Curtain Panels!  Who knew! 


Ta da!  I'm no professional, but you wouldn't know it! Looks like my first time was a charm! 


Kitty agrees! 


Ooh Baby! Love those legs! 


I now adore our table! It was a great buy.  Even though I didn't think so at first.  I can't believe I purchased this table, cleaned it and reupholstered the chairs all in one day! I am woman! Hear me roar! 

And to top it all off, Hubby only had to have his bowl of Cheerios on the floor for one morning. Though, the kitties enjoyed his company.  ;0)

Till next time! Never be afraid to change something you are unhappy with. If I can do it, you definitely can! 

            

2 comments:

  1. I love the bowls, and all of the other TREASURES that you picked up for me!

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You
    always come home with the BEST TREASURES!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anything for you Darling! And I'm glad you like them!:0)

    ReplyDelete