Front Hall Table Reveal

If you like to decorate your home you probably understand when I say that the word 'done' just never applies.  During this past year as I redid our entire main floor, my husband would occasionally ask, "So, are you done in here?"  Which honestly is really surprising since he's been living with me for the last few decades.

So you'll understand when I say that I'm showing you my front hall table but what's on it will probably change several times in the next few weeks!  I never feel like I'm very good at creating table vignettes.  When I look at pictures that I like, I love a lot of 'stuff' on a table, but when I do it, it just looks cluttered to me.

I didn't want the traditional arrangement of a mirror, two lamps and a flower arrangement but I'm not really sure what I want.

Here's the table finished but not stained yet.  If you'd like to see how we built  it click here.

 After Mark had 'finished' the table he told me he had two boards left over.  I reminded him he hadn't added the 'x's' and he laughed and said, "That's what those two boards are for!"   We're a team!  :)

Mark and I put plastic sheeting under the table and also raised it up on blocks of wood so that I could get to the very bottoms of the legs.

I used a sander to sand the table well, rounding off all the corners to make it appear older.  (That weird little green thing in this picture is the hull from some paper whites I had sitting on here - not a bug.)

I first followed the instructions on the Minwax Pre-stain applying a coat all over and waiting 15 minutes before applying my stain.  I used Minwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak.  I applied it with a brush rubbing it in well and following the grain of the wood.  I wore plastic gloves. It took me a good hour to apply all the stain.

You should do this in a well ventilated area as the stain really stinks and will give you a headache if left to accumulate in your house.

I finished it about 3:30pm and let it dry about 24 hrs.  I then lightly sanded the top again with an extra fine grade sand paper.  And it was finished.  The Minwax is a stain and sealer so it's really all you need.

I laughed when I looked at these pictures because if you look closely you'll see accessories change from picture to picture.

It'll probably be different tomorrow.

I got this great mirror at Joss and Main.  I love their website and have ordered several things from them.

The table looks a little small to me after having the bench here for so many years.  But it's really not.  The fun thing about making furniture is you can custom it to fit your space.  The table is 36" high and over 5 ft long.  It's just a big wall.  

I may experiment tomorrow and decorate it more for Christmas.  I just wanted to try things that I already had on it to figure out what I like. 

Also, see the updated version here.

Have a great rest of the week!

Love and blessings!

"Teach me to do Your will for You are My God.  Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of the uprightness."  Psalm 143:10 

I'm linking up with these parties:

Miss Mustard Seed

Christmas Tour

It's Christmas time in Michigan!  Outside, it's a winter wonderland and inside we are enjoying the warmth of family, fireplaces and food!

If you've been following our blog you know that we have been redecorating.  Our Christmas decorations were also changed to match the new decor.  Come on it and take the tour!

The Entry Hall

The Livingroom

The Dining Room

The Family Room

Merry Christmas from the Brandlys!  We hope you are surrounded with family and friends this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Love and blessings!

" And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:1-20

PS - I've linked up with Frommyfrontporchtoyours  She is having a great link party of Christmas mantels.  Check it out!

Making a Hall Table

Well, a while back I talked about repainting our 'mudroom.'  I had spent 3 months stenciling the walls with a blue damask pattern on white.  I finished it about two years ago.

The mudroom with damask stencil

But when I redecorated the main floor (living room, dining room and family room) I was not happy that the mudroom did not match.  My husband's response was, "The mudroom is blue (royal blue) and the rest of the rooms have blue (robin's egg blue), so what's the problem?"

But after thinking and thinking and thinking about it, I painted over my stencil job and made the room 'Interesting Aqua' by Sherwin Williams.  It's lovely and I really like the color but it's looking a little 'plain' after all the pattern.  I'll finish the decorating and decide if it needs a stenciled pattern over the paint - lol.

We've also had a bench in this room that my husband made out of king-sized head board and foot board 10 years ago.  We have loved it but lately I've wanted to have a big 'buffet' at the front door.

When my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year I requested he make me a table for this spot.  And he did!  In two days!

On Thanksgiving Day, while I was fixing our dinner and waiting for company to arrive, he was out in our garage sawing away.  Then two days later, on Saturday, he brought all the pieces into the mudroom and Matt helped him put it together.

the table top

We used a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes to screw the table together.

the frame of the table

added the bottom shelf

then turned it upside down and attached the top

The whole thing is made out of 'white wood' and cost about $65.    We took our bench apart and are using it for its original purpose - a headboard and foot board - and the new buffet has taken its place.

We found the plans on ana-white.com  The plans were actually for a kitchen island and if we ever move I'm hoping that's what we can use it for.

It needs to be sanded and stained and I will do my best to get to that this week.  I also bought a new mirror from Joss and Main to go above it.  I will post as soon as its finished!

In the meantime, I still have to finish the skirt on my slip cover!  Right?  :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We have so much to be thankful for!  God is good all the time.

Love and blessings!

" It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it."  Proverbs 10:22