Our "New" Dining Set

Ok, so it's not like we meant to go furniture crazy. We were going to wait until we moved to buy a dining set. However, last week as I was blog wandering I happened upon something I thought was amazing. Now when I get a hold of an idea, and I mean totally awesome inspired idea, it's hard for me to let go. I immediately started looking online for a used dining set. I told Ryan about it, to which he replied I thought we were waiting to buy a table and chairs. I said I want to refurnish a set myself and once we get into an apartment there may not be anywhere for me to do it. I had barely started looking on the KSL listings when I found the perfect oak dining set for $100.

I felt like Ryan thought I was a little crazy. The listing had just gone up and it was in Salt Lake City. My heart sank a little when he gave me the list of reasons why it wouldn't work to get it. It was in Salt Lake City, it wouldn't fit in our car, we couldn't even get it until the weekend and why would they take down the listing and wait for us to come several days later when they could sell it sooner. Plus ( I tried to console myself) we really hadn't seen it except for the pictures and it might not be that great. *sigh* Still my wonderful husband made a call and left a message for the people selling it.

I tried to let go of the feeling that it was meant for me. Still (silly me) I said a little prayer that if I could at all get this table set that it would happen. Ryan came home the next day after he had been on campus for the morning. He told me that the guy with the dining set had called him back and gave a good description of the set. He also said that he'd take down the listing and if we wanted it it was ours. Ryan had called Grandpa Mangum and asked if he could trade our car for his truck Thursday night. He told me that if I still wanted it he would go to Salt Lake and get it Friday. Best husband ever!!!

So that's how it all began. Ryan being the impatient person he his decided that we would start our project right away. I have to admit it was a bigger project than I had anticipated, what with my being about 5 months pregnant and all. Ryan has supported me 100% though and we've had fun doing this together.

Grandma and Grandpa Mangum graciously let us use their back patio for our project.


Here is Ryan stripping (Hee hee)


The "Before"


Me sanding down some edges.


I filled in a few cracks with wood putty.


Day 2: Did I mention it snowed while we were doing this? The sun came out for a brief moment and I laid down for a break.


I'm staining the inside of the legs.


Ryan putting first layer on.


Woo hoo! First layer on!

So this is what we did this weekend. I went back today and put another layer of stain on while Ryan went to work. We also bought some fabric and foam to redo the cushions. I wasn't sure if I liked the fabric or if it would even work, but Ryan said it cost $4.00 and wouldn't be the end of the world if I wanted something else. Of course, I couldn't keep changing my mind otherwise this would get expensive.

More to come when we finish!