This week is my first time to be in Metamorphosis Monday! And I do have a dramatic change to show you all today. In spring, more than ever, I like to see an explosion of color in every area of our little house. This year, even more so, maybe due to the endless gray days we have been having here in Dallas.
I decided to tackle our dining room first, poor little dark room. It just doesn’t get any light, and the cranberry painted walls really don’t help. But I love the color, so I have decided to brighten all of the furniture instead. First up, the darkest piece, the china cabinet. Our “china cabinet” is actually a vintage armoire. We bought it about 14 years ago, and I have wanted to paint or refinish it ever since. I had covered a piece of cardboard in a Waverly fern print and used that as the background, and we installed some shelves covered in the same fabric. This photo is from Thanksgiving 2008, with the dark wood and green fabric.
Look at it now! That’s what I call an explosion of color. It makes me so happy!
It only took four coats of paint to cover the dark wood. Should have been five. That’s what I get for not using primer!
My favorite roosters moved again! they have been everywhere else in the house, but I don't think they have ever been in here.
This blue glassware would never have shown up with the old colors. The blue transferware never really showed up well, either, and it’s so vibrant now.
The doors now display some botanicals that I moved from the foyer. I would love to find a few more lovely pieces of art to hang on these doors. The one on the left hides a stash of my work items in the corner, another convenient storage area in this tiny house of ours. And under the middle shelf, this toile curtain creates a whole new storage area in the bottom half of the armoire. I’ll be able to store so many more serving pieces here now that this area is completely hidden.
Someday we’ll install proper lighting in here, also, as that crooked little picture light hanging at the top drives me crazy! It works for now, though, and adds some much-needed light to the cabinet.
I’m so pleased with the results! Crazy that it took me 14 years to do what I have wanted all along. I hope that this inspires someone else to do their dreamed-of projects, and not wait so long! Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see the other makeovers.
Happy Monday everyone!
Andrea
Oh your hutch looks marvelous. What pretty things you have in it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Posted by: Shelia | February 28, 2010 at 07:56 PM
cute love love those checkered plates and Rooster!
Posted by: mishelle | February 28, 2010 at 08:56 PM
Nice transformation. It looks much "happier" now!
Allison
Posted by: Allison | February 28, 2010 at 09:37 PM
It is amazing the difference a bit of paint makes! I love how the roosters look in your "new" cabinet.
Posted by: Sue | February 28, 2010 at 10:33 PM
That is an explosion of color -- all of my favorite colors! It looks great.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who keeps moving things from place to place in her house.
Posted by: Kim | March 01, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Beautiful! I love the toile and I have the same roosters. :) Great minds think alike.
Posted by: Stacey | March 01, 2010 at 10:37 AM
It turned out fabulous!!!! I love the red and blue transferware....the red toile and the roosters....LOVE everything!
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home and Lavender Hill Studio | March 01, 2010 at 01:56 PM
What a beautiful transformation! Nice job, I also love the roosters!
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2010 at 01:00 AM
I love it! I saw you were from TX...I had to stop in and give you a BIG TX Hello! Hi, I'm Meme from Screaming Meme...It is so nice to meet you! I want to personally invite you to stop by...I hope to see you soon! Meme
Posted by: Screaming Meme | March 02, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Wow, what a huge difference it made. I love it now. Everything really does pop out.
Posted by: Treasia | March 03, 2010 at 01:57 PM