Monday, October 13, 2008

Dining Room Cabinet Re-Make


Do you know I get more great ideas from other bloggers than I do magazines! I really don't buy too many magazines anymore and I used to be such a magazine junkie. Anyway, dear Penny, mosaic artist extraordinaire, Lavender Hill Studio sent me a picture of her china cabinet (we have the same tassel hanging off the knobs of our cabinets) and I so loved the chicken wire that she had in hers, that I decided to add that to mine!


I already had chicken wire from a gardening project. So my husband just cut out the center portion of the door for me.



I cut the chickenwire to size and stapled it to the inside (do wear gloves, for some reason I didn't and I was very sorry for myself :-)




Before


After


I like it sooo much better! You don't have the distraction of the center piece of wood and you can see the dishes more clearly


I also had a strip of black and white gingham left and I made a cord cover for my chandelier and I hung two of my black transferware plates over the dining room opening.



I didn't want to mess with taking my chandelier down to put the cord cover on so I stood on my table and hand sewed it on!




I just need to figure out something to put on that blank wall next to the french doors. I rummaged around in my garage over the weekend and found a wrought iron piece I may use or I'll just leave it blank until inspiration hits me! By the way, I got the runner on clearance for $3 at TJ Maxx marked down from $12.99! Yes, in addition to a plate problem I have a linen addiction!

I hope you enjoyed watching the process of me re-doing my dining room. I really spent very little and my family and I really love the way it looks now!

This week I'm working on my living room. I don't usually spring clean I fall clean and I change all my light summery things out for a darker (well more red than white) cozier look.

I really love reading all your comments (well who doesn't love comments!) and I try to get around to everyone at least once a week, but it's just physically impossible for me to get to all of you everyday. Well I could but then I'd be leaving one word comments like "beautiful", "great" etc. and I really do like to take my time and actually read your posts instead of just skimming them or just looking at the pictures. I like to be able to leave a comment as if I'm really talking to you and I like to be able to answer my emails from you in a timely manner. To do all that AND post AND do all my projects AND take care of the day to day needs of my home & family requires time. There's just not enough time in the day to do everything! So I just want you all to know that I love blogging again and I want to keep enjoying it and I love visiting you, so don't take it personally if it takes me a while to visit you. I just want you all to know that I really appreciate you all taking the time to just read my blog, let alone take the time to leave a comment!




57 comments:

Adrienne said...

I really like the way you've done your dining room. It looks so nice! And I can't wait to see what you decide to do by the doors. Thanks for sharing - you're an inspiration to me. ~Adrienne~

Fran said...

Wow! It is amazing how different the cabinet looks. I really do like it better without the wood inserts. Great idea!

Fran

Salmagundi said...

I always appreciate any comment that you leave, as I feel you DO take time to read a post. Enjoyed the remake of your dining room, and am looking forward to pictures of your living room. Sally

Sue said...

The cabinet looks fantastic. What a differnce in the before and after shots. And I have always loved when fabric in on a chandelier cord. I can't believe you stood on the table and hand sewed it on....It looks great.

Shilo said...

Beautiful! I just smile every time I think of you standing on your table sewing away! :)

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I like the change you made to your hutch! It really does look so much better - I love when such a simple thing can give us a "new" piece of furniture!

Vee said...

Yes, I do enjoy watching the transformations. (Don't worry about visiting me...nothing going on at all. :D)

Anonymous said...

It just amazes me the little changes that you can make and the impact it makes on a room! You've done a really good job on the dining room. It says so much when both your hubby and daughter are enjoying the look as well. :)
I'm glad that I am not the only one who "fall cleans". The problem is that I am just now getting caught up so I don't even have my autumn decor out yet. So there is my goal for the week.
Have a great one,
Jen

Unknown said...

I have that tassel too. Cabinet looks great. and you hand sewn the chandy cord. You r as crazy as me,lol. Looking forward to seeing your living room. mishelle

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

The cabinet looks amazing...of course, it's my new favorite color!

Donna Gotlib said...

I'm stopping by for the first time and really enjoying my visit. You've done a beautiful job with your dining room. I found the colors very pleasing and really like the entire room. The room is very inviting.

Paula said...

Dear Manuela,

Your dining room is so gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your makeover. I love plates and linens too. $3 is a great price for the pretty runner. The flowers are lovely.

I love the chicken wire you put in the black cabinet. I agree you can see all your pretty white dishes better. I can just imagine you standing on your table hand sewing the cord cover. It looks so pretty! I look forward to seeing what you do in your living room.

You are so sweet Manuela and I enjoy your blog so much. Don't worry one bit if you are unable to visit very often. I understand and feel the same way as you do. Just enjoy blogging again!

Blessing, Paula

Missy Wertz said...

It is beautiful M! I have had so many people tell me that they sew their cord/chain covers on by standing on the dinning room/kitchen table and hand stitch it on.

Kathleen Grace said...

This looks fabulous! Penny really is inspiring in her decorating, and so are you:>)

Simply Heart And Home said...

Your cupboard is adorable with the chicken wire added to it. What a fabulous idea! Great work!

GlorV1 said...

That cabinet turned out great. I like how your dining area looks. Very cozy. Thx for sharing.

duchess said...

I love the look of the chicken wire. Great idea.

Elizabeth said...

I really like the improvements that you made in your diningroom. The accent colors are beautiful. The chicken wire in the cabinet is really nice. I would never have thought to do that.

Aren't blogs great for getting good ideas?

Good job!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Loved this and your blog. The name intrigued me int visiting. I will be back.

Cindy said...

Thanks for your comment. I've been looking for real white pumpkins but I may have to settle for the fake white ones if I can't find any. I'm sure our Michals here must have those too! Thanks for the offer to ship one to me though!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love your dining room projects and I also just want to say that I understand about having enough time to go and visit people...I wish I had more time to do it and make comments, but certainly don't want to sacrifice my family to do it. So we balance! I totally understand...
Carrie

Darlene said...

Your cabinet looks AMAZING!! What a difference that makes. I also LOVE everything in it...in fact every picture in this post....lol

That is so funny that you stood on the table and sewed the chandelier cover....I bet your arms were aching!

Emily said...

I found your blog through Andrea and love your taste. Thanks for sharing your talent!

Anonymous said...

Manuela,
You take your time and DO NOT stress about blogging.... we all love you and I for one totally understand about not being able to visit as often as you would like..... I do not know how people .... like you.... that get soooo many comments..... do it..... You are wonderful and I am so happy you are back blogging....
HUgs
Linda
LOve the chicken wire

Denise said...

Manuela, I really love the cabinet and prefer it without the inserts. I think it looks great! And you seem to have such a good eye for decorating. If you're ever in east texas and want a decorating job, let me know. I can't decorate worth a flip! Really, my place always looks like a bachelor's pad. *sigh*

Suzann said...

Very Pretty!

momof4azkids said...

What a great job you did...looks FANTABULOUS! I too used to be a magazine-a-holic, but now get all the inspiration I need from blogs. Love them!

Dawn Gahan said...

Manuela, this post made me smile because I was just commenting on a friend's blog the other day about her upcoming redo on a chandelier. I recommended that she take the chandelier down before painting it and adding the cord cover. I didn't take mine down and I just about killed my back muscles when painting the daggone thing standing on my kitchen table. Then when it came to adding the cord cover, I sewed the tube and used velcro down the entire opened side so that I could wrap it around the cord. What we women do!

Dawn

Linda C said...

I love your dining room cabinet remake! Amazing what chicken wire can do!! Beautiful and creative:)
Also, thanks for stopping by my place- come anytime.

~Linda

Screaming Meme said...

I love it! You do such great work! Your home has such warmth and love to it...Can you post about your movie room again! Im so excited to see what it looks like....Oh, I'll make you posted on The Screaming Memes Faux Extravaganza! I know you have a million things you could share! Love ya,meme

AJ said...

Well, I happen to love your blog. Your old blog was one of the very first ones I discovered-and then you left:( So glad you are back. Your dining room looks great!! Love how you changed up the cabinet!

Angie said...

I think the cabinet looks great with the chicken wire! I have really enjoyed seeing your dining room. It is beautiful!

Unknown said...

Hi Manuela,
The cabinet looks great. LOve the way it looks in your home.
Diane

Mrs. Homemaker said...

Hi! I was just browsing, and found your blog... I love that cabinet!!!! I have been wanting to do something with chicken wire for a while, but I don't have any furniture around yet that would be good to do this with. It makes me want to remake something!

And hand sewing while standing on the table is sooo something I would do! :-)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It turned out great Manuela! I am glad my chicken wire cabinet inspired you! We have such similar tastes...I think we might be sisters seperated at birth :-).

Love the chandie cord...I have always wondered how to do that when it was already hanging!
xo
P

Tammy said...

Beautiful job with the cabinet...I love the way it turned out and love that style.
Your dining room is beautiful, too!
~Tammy

Suzanne said...

Ouch! I hope your fingers are ok, and your arms must have been tired too after stitching upwards! But the outcome looks completely worth it! I love the new look, everything looks great!
And your daughter's Kellog (a few posts below) is a cutie!

Mimi Sue said...

Your cabinet turned out so cute! I have a little cab. in my bathroom that I might have to do that to. I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. Thanks for the idea. Mimi

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I was saying to myself "she stood up on the table to make that cord cover!" Then you said it LOL.
I LOVE the chicken wire treatment! Hope your hands are okay.

Anonymous said...

Your cabinet looks wonderful with the touches Penny's has. Your chandelier is the best part of the room for me. Isn't it fun just to move a few things around, repurpose a few things and it's a new room.

Gretchen
birdnestcottage.typepad.com

Sweetie said...

Manuela, You really did a great job with the chicken wire. I also like the added touch on your chandelier. Your dining room really looks nice - there are some unique touches.
Sweetie

Gabrielle Mader said...

well we are all so happy that you decide to blog again. your ideas are simple and cheap and make your home look like a first rate designer did it. I also have a love of chicken wire. I have a ton of it in my inspiration notebook and last year I bought a cabinet that I have yet to repaint and it has chicken wire in it. I'm slow....wish I was more speedyl ike you around the house. You inspire me.

Free Art Printables said...

I love what you did with the hutch! Brilliant idea!

Grammy said...

What a job of sewing by had while standing. My hat is odd to you. If I still has one. HE he. In my old house I had a wall full of black and white pictures. in black frames they were like $1.00 each for frame. I added old family pictures along with other picture I converted to b&w. I had a big b& w pic in the mix. This is just a suggestion you can use. I no longer have any of them.

Carla said...

You just THOUGHT you were done with this beautiful room! Perfect touches!

Debbie said...

I really like your dining room makeover. The wire in the cabinet looks good. It helps keep things from looking too formal. What an I say about standing on the table to sew the cover on......nothing stops you. Can't wait to see the projects for your living room.
Debbie

Kelli said...

Your diningroom is so warm! I love the cabinet makeover, it's beautiful! Thank you for your sweet comments; I appreciate them, too!
~Kelli

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

You do such a great job with your projects. I love the chicken wire addition to the cabinet, looks great. That tassel pic looks like a magazine shot!

And yes, it's so hard to visit all the time...that's the hardest thing for me too.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I LOVE the chicken wire, it is such a small change but it makes a huge impression. Beautiful!

I understand completely about the whole busy and trying to blog issue. :)

Anonymous said...

I love all of your picture at this blog. i love your dining room, i love your shelves, i love all. you are rock!!

Katy said...

I love what you did with your cabinet!!!! That looks fantastic!!

Janet said...

chicken wire looks. I want to do that too, but so far it is just a thought rattling around in the back of my brain. The whole dining room looks stunning.

Janet

Rue said...

Hi Manuela :)

Well said sweetie!

Your dining room looks fantastic and the chicken wire is perfect. I do have a stupid question... Do you put holes in your trays to hang them? I don't want to do that but I can't figure out any other way and my plate hangers are too small.

Anyway, everything is beautiful :)

rue

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Great idea to change out that cabinet door with the wire. It looks so much better. I also love the tassle hanging from that cabinet and your new great deal table runner.

Blessings,

Sher

Lady Katherine said...

I missed this post and I love what you have done in the dinning room. Love the chicken wire. Thing of putting it over some shelves. I almost painted c. wire on my painted kitchen floor, but went with blocks and a rooster in a brown egg instead.

Lady Katherine said...

Did you use glass behind the wire? Since I have been sick, I wanting more things covered up. Hubby does basics and boy I need some dusting and curtians washed. Come to my home, You love a lot of thing I do. I am going to paint my dining gold, It looks as if your is, then I hope to stencil plaster around the wall at the ceiling. My family room, needs help! Is your table length wise to kitchen or family room? I have no problem doing others home. But mine Oh man. Help!! lol love to now more. I thinking on getting a slipcover for family room, love to have new couch but grands are 5,4,2,1 Better wait.

Lady Katherine said...

Thanks for the info. I was trying to see which way your living room was. I am in middle of remodel of dinning room and family. I have dining figured out. But I have so many options for family, just need to decide. Thanks.