Mr. Duncan

With Terrin in the basement, and the kids at daycare, we were able to continue checking our DIY projects off the list.  Next, the dining room table.  We found this table on Craig's List, and purchased it from a lovely women in St. Paul.  The table is a 1930's Duncan Phyfe (whatever that means), and it came with six matching chairs.  On the way to check it out, AP instructed me to keep my cool, so we could "wheel and deal".  I did my best, which was not very good.  As soon as I saw the table I gushed, "I LOVE it.  Like LOVE IT." I am pretty sure there were tears in my eyes as the previous owner told me how she raised her boys at that table, and did homework with them, and had holiday meals.  As the now college aged sons helped load up our new table, there was no doubt of the emotion from buyer and seller.

The table required some stripping, and we used some sort of goo for that process.  It was a huge mess, and honestly, I was too scared to scrape away at my beloved table.  We sanded the table a few times, and took the cushions off the chairs.  A few of the chairs needed some repair, and we used wood putty to fill holes and cracks.  We used 60 & 100 grade sand paper. (I should make a list of everything I learned this summer...)  After sanding, the furniture was wiped down with a damp cloth, and we put on a coat or two of primer.
     Aside note: A 4 inch roller may be the best invention ever.

The thing with painting is that you have to allow it to dry before you move on to the next layer.  In order to produce quality work, these times of rest were necessary.  This time also provided us with a well deserved rehydration break, and a time to meet our new neighbors.

A cool grey paint color was our selection. 

 Several coats of poly were added for safety.

The chairs were recovered with a bright red pattern (Thanks, Rudy!! I'll take my wine back now.)

I could not wait to get this table into our kitchen.  It took all my strength to let it sit in the garage for a few days and rest.  But, in the end, so worth it.

I can not wait to make some memories with Mr. Duncan.