Wednesday, January 12, 2011

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!
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54 comments:

Lisa_Groves said...

I love SW Adhesion Primer!! I used it when I painted my kitchen cabinets and I can't believe how well they have held up. I've hired a painter to paint the rest of the doors and trim in my house and I'm asking them to use the adhesion instead of the oil-based product that they use (too many fumes in the winter with 4 kids). Hope that it works well for you. What a great piece of furniture!!

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

Oh I was all for you painting it! Not because I hated the finish, but because it will work better in space. I can't wait to see the outcome!

Isabella's Mommy.... said...

Can't wait to see what it ends up looking like!

Isi said...

oh wow, the console looks great!!

greetz from germany

http://theisiwayoflife.blogspot.com

Lana said...

I totally agree with you our formal dining room is the least place used in the our home but when I had people over I love that it is the best place to hung around.

Been curious for a while on how your going to incorporate the newly painted console to your new room design....Can't wait!

Bryn said...

Awesome!

I LOVE that grasscloth!! I'm just waiting anxiously to get the samples for my powder room.

christine {bijouandboheme} said...

It's going to be gorgeous and I can't wait to see the grasscloth- I'm kind of obsessed with it atm so excited to see a new project.

Lisa said...

Oh grasscloth - love! Can't wait to see your console transformed. I absolutely love your style, Janell!

Bobi said...

Love that piece. Can't wait to see the finished product, good luck!

Sally J said...

Yes! Paint it! I love Softer Tan (I have Macadamia all over my house!). It has a creamy richness without going pink or yellow. It will look beautiful with your gray. Love the grasscloth too...can't wait to see where you hang it!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Well, I can't wait to see that, Janell! You're reverting back to a dining room and I'm wishing I could change my dining room into something else! : ) With preparing to go on the market, I'll have to leave it alone though and save my ideas for the next house.

Rene said...

This is a great project Janell. Do you ever sit down, ever?

-Rene

Clean Design Fan said...

That grasscloth will look great in this space. I really like the textured walls, I think they bring a lot of warmth to a space. Will keep an eye on how things turn out, Thanks!

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

What a BEAUTIFUL piece. Cannot wait to see it finished!! And grasscloth? Ooooo!

Designing Domesticity said...

Can't wait to see your new dining room. I love how you repurpose space in your home to better suit your families needs. Very inspiring. Liz

Mary said...

I love grasscloth. Even Nate says it hides smudges and nail holes if you move pictures around.
Can't wait to see how the console turns out. Will you be keeping the hardware?
Did you sand it out in the garage? It's too cold here to work in our garage so those kind of projects have to wait several more months.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

What a great piece of furniture! Looks like a big job. Can't wait to see what you do with it! :)

Emily A. Clark said...

DON'T DO IT!!! Ha! Just kidding. Don't you love when people leave comments like that? :) Can't wait to see. You're still leaving that chaise against that stenciled wall, right?

Jessica said...

Hi Janell,

So many fun projects you have going on.

Can you tell me where you ordered the grasscloth from? I think I need to have it in my house, but where yet is the question!

Thanks :-)

Kelly @ JAX does design said...

First of all, I LOVE the pattern on your wall!

The console is a beautiful piece, and I'm sure it'll look fantastic once you're done sanding & priming & painting it :-)

Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for the grasscloth...

Lisa said...

The console alread looks fab naked, sort of a Restoration Hardware look. I can't wait to see the grass paper project, and I would love to know about that gorgeous wall in the photos, is that wall paper or stencil?

Hamptontoes said...

I have a feeling you are going to do a "pop" color...can't wait to see your final project. All of your work is wonderful, so I'll anticpate the surprise!

Lori said...

can't wait to see it - any suggestions on where to order grasscloth? love that look!

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

The wall is covered with a stencil pattern, here is the link to the tutorial:
http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/how-to-stencil-a-focal-wall/index.html

The grasscloth was ordered through Sherwin Williams:
www.swdecorating.com, Gramercy, Design by Color, Page 14

Janell

Paula said...

I love this console and would love to know where you originally purchased from. i like the original finish very much but I'm sure it will look equally beautiful after you've finished it.

Erika at BluLabel Bungalow said...

My first thought was "Wow, that looks like a big job." But who better than you to tackle it?! Loving the grasscloth wallpaper, too!

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) said...

Such a gorgoeus piece, I can't wait to see it all redone. Hugs, Marty

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Janell, that is going to look fabulous when you're finished. you are gearing up for a productive year so far. Thanks for stopping by & chiming in on my frugal fashion post.

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

I have to say I love this console in its current sanded state. I know whatever you come up with I will love completely!

melissa said...

Love it! I am really wanting to do grasscloth in my powder room. Do you have a good local resource and installer you can suggest? :)

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Yes! Chuck of Wallpaperpro, I've used him on a few jobs, he is excellent. And when looking for wallpaper I start at the paint store, a great accessible resource.

Wallpaperpro: 503-750-6525

If you call please tell him I referred you to him! Thanks, Janell

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

I'm very anxious to see what you've got planned for the PB chinoiserie console. I have that piece in my guest room and though I love the lines and admired the unusual finish and color at the time, I'm now also jonesing for a new look/finish.
It's far too good a piece to kick to the curb or craigslist, so I'm hoping to glean some major inspiration from your redo magic ;)
Cheers, Alcira

nerochronicles.com

kpowe said...

I love all of your projects. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Kheushla
www.southerndiva-kp.blogspot.com

lisaroyhandbags said...

Great console! Can't wait to see it complete! I'm loving the super-adhesion primers out there - it really saves a ton of time and effort :)

Michelle @ Ten June said...

Love the console. Can't wait to see the finished product!

lealou said...

Hi there,

Can you tell me where you got the actual stencil? I would love this pattern for my bathroom!

Steph

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Hi, Yes! The stencil is from here: www.whitewallco.com (the Mirium).

I did a tutorial for this stencil and also featured it in a post on my blog, if you need more information:

http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/2010/08/stencils-fabulous-stencils.html

All the best with your project, send pictures if you end up using it!! Janell

Cristin @ Simplified Bee said...

Looking good... hard work isn't it?

Love the color choice. It is going to look great w the dark hardware.

xo,
cristin

Carol@SofasandSage.com said...

That console is so fantastic, can you mail it to me? Seriously, can't wait to see it in the new color. That stencil wall still wows me every time I see it!

Sheri said...

Janel,
That console is GORGEOUS! I agree - it looks better already. Can't wait to see what it looks like when you're done.
Sheri

A Perfect Gray said...

J., I love it better already and it's just sanded. but I think I always like a rougher, less shiny surface...

looking forward to the finals!

donna

Peace Love & All Things Creative said...

love this!

Gina@NewEnglandHomeandGarden said...

I love the direction you are headed with the console...I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Gina

Courtney {a thoughtful place} said...

That piece will look great. It will be well worth the sweat equity. Don't you love when you move things around on a whim {like entertaining} and it opens up a whole new world.

SHERRY HART said...

I think it will look great painted!!! I know you have the talent to make it shine :)

eddieross said...

Very beautiful!
Happy Wednesday!
Xo,
E&J

Annie Wilcox Designs said...

Can't wait to see more more! I am loving it so far!

Jenn K said...

WOW! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Averill said...

Love the idea of painting it to match the kitchen cabinets; you're so right that it will really tie the spaces together. And that grasscloth is gorgeous! Can't wait to see where it goes.

Megan {Honey We're Home} said...

I love to see how people do their dining rooms. Will be especially great to see yours!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

You have one of those blogs that I'd come to even if you posted about cleaning the mud off your shoes! I just love reading what you do!! Everything you touch seems to turn to gold. This is looking beautiful.

Sarahx

Amy said...

amazing what a can of paint can do...Changes the whole feel!

Danielle Tubbs said...

What is the brand and color of the paint on your walls?

Danielle Tubbs said...

never mind. I found it in another post.