Why- you ask? Well…let me tell you!
I have been a busy girl with all the flowers, kids, back to school prep…life’s obligations (of which I can hardly wait to share …(another time)…and a little bit of this and that…okay…a lot of “this”…ya wanna see?
I am so relieved that you said yes…or we’d be stuck in a rather awkward moment here…haha…
So the story begins…after all the obligations and commitments are taken care of each day, Tootsie has got to play...
There is a lot changing in my and my kid’s world lately…and we are taking steps to change things from drab, worn and sad, to Tootsie Style , fresh, and FAB!
This dining room set has been in my house for a few years now. We use it every day three times a day. It is pretty isn’t it?
ya…pretty sad…pretty worn…pretty old lady-ish and looking very drab…
What’s a Toots to do when she is looking at things…and they either bring back an UGLY memory, or they are looking a little past their prime?
Well…SHE CHANGES THEM!!!
Out came the sander…out came the primer, the stains (all 3 colors) and out came the rags, brushes and of course the camera.
I started with the chairs…and slowly but surely got them all done…then moved on to the table and the china cabinet. I thought I’d give a small tutorial of how I did this for those who might ask…
Step 1. Sand off the shiny finish
Step 2. prime
Step 3. Rub Dark Walnut gel stain over the primer to desired shade.
Step 4. Add accent color with Cabernet Gel stain
Step 5. Detail with Black semi-gloss paint
Step 6. Rub lightly again with Dark Walnut stain…
Step 7…ENJOY!!!
Here is how it went for the table…the steps are the same…but the mess is very different…the table is heavy…too heavy for me to move…so I did the table and cabinet in the house…
I added the leaf to the table…and let the sanding begin…
did I mention I had a lot of help???
‘The Duch’-age 11 my hero
‘Busy’ age 5 my shadow
‘Georgie’ age 9 my delightful challenge
oh the giggling!!! they were supposed to be using sanding sponges…how did they end up with both my sanders???
ya…they really enjoyed themselves…we all had a great time!
But the job got done…and the mess was huge…we had stuff everywhere…and dust…let me tell you…no..on second thought I won’t…you can just imagine…haha
The table was done and I had to do the china cabinet…so I borrowed some muscles from a friend…and had the top removed from the base…did the whole process to it…and then left it all to cure for a day or so.
The big day rolled around…and all I could think about was getting things put away…I had dishes all over the house…dust everywhere and being a clean freak in a mess like this was no fun at all…but how will I get the cabinet back up on the base??? It is solid oak…and heavy as HECK. (you thought I was going to say a bad word didn’t ya??? hahaha) My borrowed muscles were away for a couple days…and I did not want to wait for another set to come over…(it was a 5 hour wait!!!) So…I did it myself!
How the heck??? yea…I know you want to see…(you are just nosey that way) haha
I dragged the shelving in from my greenhouse…and made little steps with it! I’d lift it up…and “Duchy” (my 11 year old son) would push it steady. Then we’d add two shelves to the pile…and the process went on and on until…
We had a couple huge stacks…and
WE WON!!! All my son could say was “Man mom…are you ever strong!”
“ROAAAAAAR!!!! that’s me! – I couldn’t have done it without you“ I said! haha My son is not only very protective of his old mom…but he has been a great help to me these past months. This project brought me and my little gang even closer together than we had been…and we loved every moment of it. I’m glad I let them help…but…I fear I have created three sanding monsters!!!! haha
Okay..back to the finshed product.
After an entire day of cleaning…touching up..and primping…okay…Okay…okay….just look!!!!!
TA-DAAAA!!!! Take a look!
from this…Old Lady Drab…
To Tootsie Style FAB!!!
and as a bonus…Bad memories got to be erased…
Damaged surfaces erased…
Old lady drab …gone.
memories made with my gang…
..and the promise of many more wonderful memories of true friends and wonderful family to be made on my one of a kind creation!
So? What do you think? Will you be trying my stain mixing???
My next project to finish up involves the installation of a fireplace in my house! I can’t wait to share it!
Until then…hugs and smiles to all the great followers of Tootsie Time…and as usual winks to a very special three…*) *) *)…you know who you are!!! {;)
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
24 comments:
Oh my Tootsie what a ton of work but beautiful results to show for all that elbow grease!It looks like everyone was having fun helping too!!
bee blessed
mary
I always love seeing your projects, Tootsie!
This is absolutely gorgeous and you are deviously clever, haha! You figured out a way to get it back on the base by using your head (and some muscle power!).
Looks like you all had a wonderful time and made some memories that you will cherish with each meal in your dining room.
Thanks for linking up today!
Am I seriously first to comment again? Holy @#%!..what's happening? This is great Tootsie, I love it and the kids looked like they were having a blast. What kind of primer do you use, please?
Crap! I knew I wasn't first again, forgot about the comment moderation thingy....
Wow Tootsie that looks like a huge project. I'm impressed you did it yourself. Awesome! I'd love to have your energy. You did great girl. Everything looks wonderful!
Wow Tootsie that looks like a huge project. I'm impressed you did it yourself. Awesome! I'd love to have your energy. You did great girl. Everything looks wonderful!
Wow Girl! Fantastic!!!
And you all got it done together....
Wow Tootsie, this is totally amazing. I absolutely love it and love that you did it with the children. What a fun project for them. I so hope you will link to TTT. I think this is just perfect. You did such a great job and boy it was a huge job. Your table and hutch look stunning. I agree with your son, "man you are awesome." Hugs, Marty
When I saw the kids helping I grinned. That is something they will always remember that is a fun and happy time. They will look at their handy work with pride. Great job.
I just stumbled upon your blog a couple of weeks ago and I love it! Your yard is so beautiful! I have a question for you... What do you cut the grass for the edging of your beds with? It always looks so nice and tidy, do you trim it every week? Thanks, Monica
Wow! What a transformation! Great job everyone!! Everything turned out beautiful!
Well kiddo my back is broke and I am plume worn out just reading what you did. Quite the work team you have going on there too. What can I say it looks fabulous. So pretty! Another Tootsie original.
What a great job and with such adorable helpers!
Eileen
Fantastic job, Tootsie, my hat is off to you, wow did that turn out great! The entire set looks brand new! It's great your little ones got involved too, children can help so much if we adults let them. Special memories for all of you!
Glenda, you rock! You remind me of a part of my mom. She never let things stop her, she would get the job done.
It looks great.
I know you have been blessed with some great talent and energy but the best blessings are those happy faces of your helpers. Let them know they are the stars of this post.
Hi Tootsie,
Do you hire out your little darlings??!!
It looks FAB!!! Is there an easier way to get those results??!!
Love the photos of you and your helpers.
Warmly,
deb :)
OK Please tell me your a lousy cook at least...what can't you do daughter...It looks FAB my sweet friend and seeing the kids helping you was just PRICELESS girl..they will alway remember this fun time with mama...Girl please ship me a bottle of your energy I'll even pay the shipping on it ha ha!! Love ya my sweet girl...hey I posted my laundry room their might be a few things you want Len to put in the U-haul ha ha!!
Calle me Wednesday I'll be home can I hear an amen to that...Hugs and smiles daughter...Gl♥ria
It's so very gorgeous! The memories made while doing it are priceless too! You constantly amaze me. I was wondering when does this Tootsie ever sleep or rest, lol!?
Wow, that looks like such an overwhelming project, but it turned out Fab and the memories will be priceless!
Hi Tootsie, your project and the huge undertaking of it all, has me speechless. Well, not really but it looks so beautiful. I am tired too, just reading about it. Smile. Your children are darling and the family project will be something they will always remember. Good job and great photos documenting the terrific family project. I know I don't have to say...you go girl. You have already done that. HA!
Hugs, Jeanne
I am gobsmacked to say the least. Not just by the redo (which BTW, is Fab U Lous), but by the sheer willpower you possess to put it back together!
You made some wonderful memories and added to your kids education in the same process. They learned never say never and where there's a will, there's a way! Good for you Mom...or should I say Super Mom?
Debbie
OMG!!!! Girl you rock!!! looks wonderful great job! Pat H
you just never stop! you finish one project and don't even take a break before starting on the next - or - do you have more than one of those big projects going on at one time? I think we're a little alike in not wanting to wait for muscle - I've moved entire rooms of furniture from one room to the next BIG FURNITURE too!! Hubby comes home and asks who did I get to help me :) Just me in overdrive!
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