An Antique Drop Leaf Table

I didn't mean to buy this antique table. When I drove all the way to Franklin, CT about a month ago, I was intending to purchase a round oak pedestal table. I met the guy at his storage facility (sketchy, I know) and he also had this gorgeous little table. Everything in the storage unit was for sale, but the two tables were really the only things of any note. The table needed to be refinished, for sure, but even in it's untouched state, it was gorgeous. I tried to convince my husband to let me keep it, but I couldn't think of a single place where we could put it in our house, so I lost the battle. I re-did it custom for a client who has an innate eye for design (her kitchen is SO CUTE). We used the handle of an antique rolling pin as inspiration for the color and surface. The table should be going to its new home this weekend. I have to say, I'm in love with the blue-teal color of the table base. I may need to work it into my decor somehow... hmmmm.

Our inspiration rolling pin

A Sweet Antique Desk

This is a good example of two pieces that started life separately, but with a little paint, are now a perfect pair. I picked this beautiful antique desk up along with several other pieces a couple weeks ago. It was painted an antiqued yellow with floral decoration. Really, it wasn't bad, but the paint had gotten worn and tired, and the whole thing just needed a lighter brighter tone. I found the chair at my local consignment shop and loved it immediately. Such gorgeous delicate lines! I knew it would be the perfect desk chair. Both pieces got painted a bright fresh white, waxed, and buffed. The drawer pulls on the desk were salvaged from another 19th century piece, and then repainted. This one's going up on craigslist, so let me know if you're interested - kateaverydesign@yahoo.com

On Trestle Tables

Several things prompted this post.
1. I really like trestle tables, they're such a classic functional form of dining table.
2. Being that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, it's seasonally appropriate that we should discuss the single most important piece of furniture on turkey day.
 3. I may be embarking on an interesting barn born trestle table project this evening, and with all projects, I like to do a little research ahead of time.

I've worked on a couple trestle tables this fall (pictured below), and now that I've looked at a bunch of other images of them, boy do I want one for myself. It's a good thing I only have one (very small) dining room!
I had some completed projects to show you as well, but I've yet again lost the cable to my digital camera. Hopefully I will find it when I get home and I can upload some pictures then.

I love the light bright surface on this one. Such a gorgeous eat-in kitchen space!

The delicate proportions on this trestle table balance out the rustic materials,
and add an unexpected quirkiness to the kitchen.

A pair of saw horses and a plank top get dressed up with fantastic dining chairs. The entire set is a master class in texture and elegance. 

Cheerful and casual, this hefty trestle table looks right at home on a four season porch.
And those blue aluminum chairs, LOVE.

This is a trestle dining set I did in October. The base included clever built in storage!

A beautiful space, this dining room combines a love seat, two upholstered armchairs, and two resin ghost chairs seamlessly. The trestle table grounds the set and keeps it from becoming too busy.

Limed oak looks ever so sophisticated in this grand dining space.

One of the best dining rooms I've seen in a long while. I love everything about the space, the massive trestle table, the refined chairs, the parquet floors, and all the breathtaking architectural detail. 

A simple, straight forward pine trestle table and matching chairs look sweet and unassuming in this space. 

A Mahogany Dining Set

Sometimes it's fun to work on furniture that's a little more formal than my usual farmhouse material. I got this beautiful mahogany dining set within the last few weeks, and was very anxious to get started on it because it looked like such a fun project.  The table top turned out soooooo fabulous and rich and smooth, just like glass, and there's an additional leaf, so you can feed an army at this table! I painted the antique chairs a soft creamy white, as well as the base of the table (except for the great original copper feet, which I left as they were). The set also comes with this beautiful antique mahogany sideboard. It's got wonderfully carved legs, and is such a convenient, petite size. This set would be so pretty set for Thanksgiving! It's available, so email me if you're interested!
kateaverydesign@yahoo.com

Before and Afters below!

Farmhouse Dining Set

Phew. I'm so tired I can't see straight! Worked on furniture out in the cold all day. I'm now so exhausted that rather than go to the gym, I've decided to stay home in the warmth and blog. Let's all agree that I burned enough calories out in the cold for 8 hours, and carrying chairs, tables, and sideboards up and down the basements stairs over and over again. agreed? fabulous.
So I finished two dining sets today, and got a good start on the third. Plus I started a very sweet antique desk set. I wouldn't have been able to get as much done without the help of my new part time chair painter extraordinaire, Brian S., who spent five hours braving the cold today to paint coat after coat onto chair after chair. Thanks Brian S.!
This is a wonderful solid pine dining set that I purchased from the original owner a couple weeks ago. It's solid as a rock, really high quality pine, excellent construction. We painted the chairs a very crisp bright white, and refinished the top. It's amazing what a difference refinishing can make! The set includes six matching captain's chairs, the round dining set, and two leaves. It's a really big wonderful table. Would be perfect for Thanksgiving! This one is going up on craigslist tomorrow, so if you want first dibs, shoot me an email at kateaverydesign@yahoo.com
Before and afters below ~

before

before with top sanded, re-stained, and a single coat of poly on it.