Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The laaaasstttt set of chairs (this year!)

....otherwise entitled, "Chairs for the laaaassstttt table!"

Sorry to keep you waiting (if you were) for more about the table I posted last time. I was supposed to get to this post yesterday, but our family had an unscheduled stop in Rexburg, Idaho, last night! We were on our way to Montana for Thanksgiving, but we got caught in a nasty blizzard, and there was no going any farther!

So, without further ado...what is a table without chairs? I had an idea in my mind that I wanted eight different chairs around my table, and one day, I found SIX different pressed-back chairs for sale on KSL.com.

I am missing some pictures, unfortunately, but here are the two arm chairs that were with this collection:


Aren't they gorgeous? I hit up my friend at Di~Vine Consignment for two more pressed-back chairs, and she came through for me. Now I had my eight!

One of those, unfortunately, looked like this:


So I had to do this:


Which meant I had to order this:


So I had my first experience of re-caning a chair! (It wasn't bad!)

The chairs got wiped down with liquid sander, and although it helped, I can't say that I was overly impressed with it. I still resorted to spraying on some Zinsser 1-2-3 primer before the Sherwin Williams Creamy paint. I will frankly admit that it was almost a shame to cover up the beautiful wood on these chairs...but I was going for a look here!

I will also say that I sprayed a LOT of spindles! Well over ONE HUNDRED when all was said and done!

Here are the chairs after painting:


And here's a look after they've been distressed and glazed, and were just waiting a polyacrylic protective coat.


This set was *such* a lot of work, that I honestly wasn't sure I was going to be able to stand it in the end! Once the chairs were done, and the table was mostly done, however, I put the table together and placed six chairs around it in my garage and stood back and looked...and wow! It was actually pretty!

How nice.

Next step: put a leaf in and see how it looks with eight chairs!!

(((((crickets chirping)))))

"Houston??? We have a problem!"

Has anyone guessed what the problem might be? I certainly didn't. In case you're as clueless as I was, I'll spell it out for you.

Remember how this table has a beautiful, elaborate base that is separate from the table top? Meaning that when you expand the table, the top spreads apart, but the LEGS STAY IN THE SAME PLACE? Which means that when you put a leaf in THERE IS NO MORE ROOM FOR ANOTHER CHAIR BETWEEN THOSE LEGS??

Yah. Neither did I.

This was a deal-breaker for me, folks. If you normally only needed six chairs around your table, and only brought out the extras for occasional guests, it would be fine. But it you have to have eight chairs around your table every day, and you can't push those chairs IN!! Well, it's not gonna happen in my kitchen.

So, the table that was supposed to be for me...wasn't meant to be.

But here's what it looked like!


With one leaf:

With two:

With lots of pretty chairs:


Here's a full shot of the chair I re-caned:






And those beautiful legs:


One last beauty shot:

They may not have been meant for me, but they have found new homes...because, believe it or not, someone wanted the table but not the chairs, while another wanted the chairs but not the table!

And as for me...well I got some cash! (Which will hopefully finance a project I have in mind for my boring family room.)

We (me and my buyers!) have much to be thankful for.

Hoping each of you also have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! May your day be filled with wonderful company and excellent food, and the chance to reflect on your many blessings!

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special






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10 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

The LAST table and the LAST chairs look good enough to host the LAST SUPPER.

I usually don't like paint on wood, but even I have to admit how nice that all looks now that you are finished with it.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Beautiful-- so glad you found buyers!
The chairs were lovely. Was caning the seat very hard work? Any special skills for that job?

I loved the dark top and the distressed legs. You did a great job!

Tania Pelletier said...

Wow! It's so beautiful! Looks like LOTS of work though!

Tania

banclothing said...

I love the mismatched chairs. It is something I have always wanted to do but haven't been able to find enough that 'go' together. Too bad you couldn't keep it after all that work.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

I love those chairs! Definitly looks like alot of work! Well done!

Rachel said...

I wouldn't/didn't have caught that either! Oh! To have put that much work, effort, and imagining it in your kitchen, and then to not have it happen!

I am glad that you were able to find buyers. Guess it is back to looking for another project/table eh? So much for being able to park in your garage. :D

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Love all the chairs and the table was gorgeous, too, but looks like you've come out on top of the whole thing. With your creativity I'm sure there will be something wonderful for your next project.

Adam, April & Aidan said...

I never would have caught that either! Bummer. The set was beautiful!

Elle Uy said...

Love the mis-matched chairs painted in the same color. Cohesive but with so much interest! Love your dining "set"

You got a new follower here :)

Ashlee Marie said...

they turned out great! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesdays!