Shake a Leg

A book full of inspiration with Annie Sloane's always great paint techniques.

Last week, when I headed out to buy the Briwax for the painted finishes, I peeked in the SALE area of the shop and found what I've wanted for a long time..........and it was a huge bargain at 70% off! The shop makes custom tables, kitchen islands etc. with reclaimed pine tops and great painted finishes It also has an amazing assortment of beautiful antiques ~ armoires, cupboards, china hutches, dressers etc.

No, didn't spy anything quite as French as this....................but would have found it irresistible if I had.........

.........but did fall in love with this big hefty leg.........and three others just like it..........all supporting a scrubbed and waxed pine top!
For years I've been wanting to change my dining room table. It is a great one, solid wood with a custom finish to match six lovely Thomasville chairs I found on sale. It made eating, letter writing, homework assignments, French lessons etc. all elegant on a table which took a bow to Queen Anne, complete with cabriole legs, and two huge leaves which could never be inserted as the table then became larger than the small room it called home.
And then there's "the look". You know, the part your dh doesn't get! My efforts to make the dining room come together as a more simple French Country space required a country looking table, handmade, hefty, already with knots and a few scratches to make it look loved, a bit rugged and lighter in color. This table had my name written all over it ~ plus a price I'd never find again. I said I'd have to think about it, left with my can of wax, came home to visualize it in my room............and dreamed of it all night.

The next day I bought it! The following day a friend brought it home in his pickup. Now it's in the dining room and I'm thrilled with it. DH dislikes change ~ wonder how he puts up with all that I scatter around him. He has hidden old, heavy Queen Anne, and her leaves, in the potting shed ~ in case I change my mind and return her to the palace - doubtful!
What about chairs you say. Guess what.........I have a new painting project ahead and it's a tough one. Four side and two arm chairs need to be changed from polished dark wood into a soft French shade, thinking another soft grey with some darker blue grey peeking through. They need sanding, chipping, waxing, and then new padding and fabric on their comfy seats.
Have you priced really good dining chairs lately, solid, non-creaky, comfortable ones which cradle your back, and support your thighs perfectly as you slowly savor a two hour French dinner with friends.......raise a couple of glasses of wine, then sit back with coffee and a little glass of B&B or a snifter of brandy? Very pricey to replace six heavy, well made ones like this, so keeping and painting is the only option. Wish me luck!

Lovely paint finishes from Annie Sloane's book.

I'll show the dining room before I paint the chairs.......that may be a long term project and I'd hate to keeping you waiting so long!