Dining Room Makeover

It all started with a tour of the 2012 Southern Living Showcase Home by Dillard Jones Builders that was built in our area.

  We toured the home a couple of months ago, which was gorgeous, as you can imagine.     We were told, as we entered, that all the furniture was for sale.     That piqued my interest and I made a point of carefully looking to see if there was anything that I could use or..... afford.  lol

 We had talked about making our dining this year's big project.   It was the only room downstairs in our house that had not been updated from Oak to a darker wood.    It was almost 30 years old, but still in good condition.

Below is a picture of the kitchen in the model home.  Isn't the ceiling stunning?   I fell in love with the table and bench.    Long story short.....we left without making any purchases.

Later, though, I was looking through the brochure and noticed the name of the furniture store that the table set came from. 

   My hubby had some business with them the following week and I tagged along.   I asked about the table and learned it was being returned to them, as no one had purchased it.   The little wheels in my head starting turning. 

  We didn't make it back to the store on the day the table was to be returned or even in the next few days.    However, when we did make it back there, the four chairs had sold.  The table and bench were still on display in the show room.

Guess what came home with us????  I love the detail on the table, bench seat and back of bench.

 Actually, the guys had to deliver it and put it together.

It's blackish/brown with beautiful gold and a hint of red scrolls on the top.

I found this side piece at Home Goods, just as it arrived and was put on the floor to be displayed.   Talk about timing and God blessing us.   Others were interested in it as well, but  I got a clerk to tag it sold in about 5 seconds.  lol     It goes perfectly with the table top, the round mirror and lamps that I already had.

I got rid of all the old pieces of furniture in the room and went on a search for pieces to refill the room.   I first went to different areas of the house to see what, if anything, I could pull from to add to the dining room.  See the metal corner cabinet.   I've had it at least 5 yrs.    I scraped, painted and sprayed it.     Guess where it came from?    Outside on the patio.  (see below)

It worked well in the corner outside for years. ( See it in the left hand corner.)

  Since the chairs had sold, we chose four fabric covered chairs that complimented the table top and colors in my drapes.   I had three pillows made for the bench in the same color fabric.

While in NC on business at a shop called A DAY IN THE COUNTRY I saw this small baker's rack.       It's  a replica of one that is in the Biltmore Estate.  It was a bit pricey and I didn't want to pay the sticker price.
The manager told me they had some in their warehouse and that it was open to the public.    I said, " Show me the way"!    It was another 15 min. up the Mtn. to Bat Cave.   I know what you're thinking...... but it's not that cave.......no  BATMAN or Robin there .   lol   Seriously it's the town's name.    Sure enough that little rack was $34.99 vs. 99.00 in the main store.
It's the Manual Woodworkers Outlet Store in Bat Cave, NC   They have tons of STUFF in there.  Have any of you been to either of those shops?

I pulled this painting from another room and painted it's red matte black.   What a difference that made.  Goes great with the mirror and lamps in pic above.

While in the outlet I spotted this Tuscan looking tapestry with attached hardware.     It was  $37.99 vs.  120.00 in the store.   You can't beat those prices!

The next pic shows it a little bit better.

Thanks for stopping by and taking peek at my dining room redo!

                                             Before                                       After

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

 These are parties I link up to:

 These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Tabletop Tuesday @  http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Rock N Share Wednesday @ The Shady Porch
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Show and Share @ Lil Pink Pocket
Link Up Wednesday @ Junk in their Trunk
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Show & Share @ Southern Lovely
Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue
Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Blog Stalking Thursday @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
American Pickers @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Free For All Party @ Five Days, Five Ways
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Share Your Creations@ http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time
Sunday Blog Love @ Cherished Treasures
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Sunday's Best Wrap Up Party @ My 1929 Charmer

I realized going through some of my picture files that I had never posted our trip to CA in Nov.

This is our daughter and family. Kris is the pastor of a church out there. Our granddaughters are such sweethearts. We miss all of them not being closer to us. I know some of you know that feeling.

We went straight from the airport to the girl's school. We were hoping to get there for a special assembly that day. Notice the shoe boxes in the kids hands. Olivia was all smiles with hers that day.

This is Emma. She was helping the younger kids to stack their boxes. They were all filled with goodies for under privileged children. The Samaritan 's Purse was going to distribute them.
Look at all those boxes they collected!
The girl's love their school!
More importantly, they love the Lord! They sang as a family on Sunday at church. Our daughter teaches voice and piano students. She has done a great job teaching the girls both of these.
We took a day to go to Newport Beach for a whale watch tour. When we arrived Olivia spotted this great looking bunch of firefighters and scurried right over and asked for a picture with them.
Neither of those girls are shy...lol

We had a little tailgate lunch and headed to the dock.
The people on the tour ahead of us were not too happy. They didn't see a thing out in that huge ocean.
Hubby, Andrea & I were waiting to board.
Hubby told the captain he had to find dolphins, whales or something for Emma and Olivia to see that day. We were not having any luck either when the captain decided to go out further and show the girls these sea lions.
Then all of a sudden he spotted a pod of dolphins in the distance and headed over to them.
There were thousands playing in the waves. Popping in and out of the water putting on quite a show. The girls were delighted to say the least! So were we! lol
Sometimes we saw three at a time jumping together. No whales though!

We had Thanksgiving together and thanked the Lord for time together and his goodness to us!
On that trip we saw first hand the first episode of pain that Olivia had concerning her tumor. Although her parents rushed her to the doctor that day, they could find nothing and sent her home. Since that time she had several episodes that sent her to urgent care, the doctor's office and the ER. Two weeks ago they discovered the tumor and removed it with one of her ovaries.
I thank all of you who prayed for her.
She's had a bit of a relapse this past week. Her temp. started at 103.6 a few days ago and Sunday was up to 104. It continues to fluctuate. Today has only been 102. Doctors believe it is a viral infection.
She has been treated with antibiotics for the last 3 or 4 days. We are praying for better days. She's been through so much lately.
Tomorrow we should hear on the biopsy.

Thanks for stopping by and for your prayers for Olivia! Have a great week!

Update on Olivia and A Messy Project

We are so excited that Olivia is now home and on the road to recovery! PTL
Thanks again for all your prayers on her behalf!

She's in her wheelchair getting ready to leave her room with assistance from a worker.

 Getting ready to enter the car.   She couldn't wait to get back home.


On another note......Here's the beginning of a mess, of sorts.




Can you guess what it is yet?



We've had several hail storms in the last two years and they damaged our roof.   It was time to replace it.
It was a beautiful day when they started on Wed.    Rain came on Thurs. so no work.



 Today is another blue sky day and they're baaaaaack....with all the pounding to go with it.   lol


 
They have another day or two before it's all completed but it will be worth it.



What's been happening in your neck of the woods?
Have a great weekend!     Till next time!

A Little Love in the Kitchen

I set a table in the kitchen for Valentine's Day using white plates and polka dot dishes. I have a lot of red in my kitchen so this tablescape fits right in.


What would Valentine's Day be without hearts and chocolate!

Pretty heart napkins from HG.
Polka dot dishes are also from HG.
Beaded coasters from Ceekay in AZ.


I used this heart shape dish for my centerpiece.

I filled it with hand made paper Chinese fortune cookies.




I used a few different pieces of craft paper and put different sayings in them.


After I glued them I used paper clips to hold them together till they dried.





Thanks for stopping by! Please let me know you stopped so I can return the visit.
Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm joining:
Between Naps On The Porch
Savvy Southern Style
Stylish Once Again
The Delectable Home

A Stroll Thru Life

Sweet Olivia

Thanks to all of you for keeping Olivia in your prayers! It means so much to know others are praying with you in times of crisis.
Olivia went for a ride in a wheel chair yesterday. In the afternoon she had a little set back and was given morphine again for pain.
Late evening she ate some and took a few steps.

With the three hour time difference I have not gotten a further update this morning!



Our daughter Andrea and Olivia.
I was e-mailed the pictures of the tumor and it's unbelievable that it was inside this small child.
Teratoma is the Greek word for Monster tumor. They are usually benign. We haven't heard any further news from pathology dept.
Thanks again for all your prayers. As Psalm 46:1 says, God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble.

Update

Thanks to all of you sweet people who prayed for Olivia. The surgery went well and she is in a room. Still on morphine and resting.
The Teratoma tumor was quite large and had overtaken the ovary. Unfortunately, the ovary could not be saved. It had already twisted her fallopian tube but they were able to straighten it and save that.

We are so thankful for the surgeon's skill and the excellent care she is receiving at a children's hosp. in CA.
They are, of course, sending the tumor to be evaluated.

She is very weak, as she has been unable to keep anything down since last Wed.

We are praying for her strength to return and a full recovery.

Thank you all for praying!

I'll update again in a day or so!

Prayer Request

Hi Everyone!
I just returned from a visit with my 86 yr. old mother in FL. She is doing well.
On another note, last night on our return, we got a call that our 8 yr. old granddaughter was in the hospital! She is having surgery today 11 a.m. Eastern time.
They are removing a sizable Teratoma tumor on her ovary. She has been in much pain and on morphine.
Please pray for Olivia and the team of pediatric doctors that will be doing the surgery and that her ovary might be spared and the tumor benign.
Thanks so much for your prayers!

We know she is in the Lord's hands, the Great Physician!