Saturday, October 8, 2011

My Dining Room - White Autumn Table Scape



It all began with an eight feet long poplar table, a birthday gift another lifetime ago.  I wanted a large table for hosting big family dinners. I loved this table! It was handmade and the maker oiled it instead of putting a durable polyurethane finish on it. Unfortunately, the oiled finish allowed the table to become stained and uneven looking. I tried sanding and putting a water-based poly finish, but still it wasn't great looking. It was poplar, and I'd gotten the pine hutch, so they weren't a perfect match. 




What to do? Well, what else? What better excuse to paint? I loved the mixed white thing, so I bought two shades of off white - the hutch is a tad grayish. The table also received a good sanding with the palm sander, and a coat of Minwax Gel Stain in walnut. It's been very durable, and I love the way it lightened up the dining room!






Currently, my walls are a beige-yellow color. I've enjoyed it for 8 years now. and have changed color schemes at least 3 times, and it has worked with all of them. (It's not as yellow as it appears in the photos.)
Now, I'm feeling a need for change. I don't know what that will be yet, but I plan to go neutral and light, so it will work with whites. 




In past years, I've decorated with traditional autumn colors - oranges, rusts, reds, browns, blacks, and greens. I still love those colors, but I wanted to play with a different palette this year - predominately whites. So for the past couple of weeks, I have painted orange styrofoam pumpkins with mis-tint satin wall paint,






and I have spray painted cheap gold-tone lanterns in glossy white. I've dug into my antique linens. I've unpacked my dried gourds, corn, leaves and Spanish moss.






With your help, I've learned that my little glossy white chubby birds are probably quail. 




I also had one vote for partridge. Both birds remind me of my faith - quail was provided to grumbling Israelites when they were wandering the desert. And partridge, well, a partridge in a pear tree reminds me Christmas is just around the corner! 




Did you notice the little hand-carved wooden sign on the wall by the hutch? I recently painted it white and distressed it. I think it stands out better than when it was old oxidized wood. It says, "Christ Is the Head of the House, The Unseen Guest At Every Meal, The Silent Listener  To Every Conversation."






I purchased it almost 20 years ago at a garage sale for $5, and I love it. It is quite detailed, with stars, leaves, and textures in the corners. I sometimes imagine someone carving it, and I hope somehow they know how much I treasure it. 






It pains me to tell you I loved this little hunk of wood even before I really knew or loved HIM. As pathetic as that is, it's a perfect reminder of how He loves us and works in our lives before we are even aware of Him. I am amazed and thankful that He is patient, loving and full of grace and mercy. I need an abundance of all those every day!



Words for the Day:

Luke 24:30

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.


1 Corinthians 10:21

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.


May you feel His presence at your table and throughout your day!


-Revi


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12 comments:

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Love fall vignette!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I love all the shades of white and cream. :D Very pretty!!!

Anonymous said...

I big juicy turkey would add just the color needed to that beautiful table.

TS

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Hi Revi,

This is so inviting. Your table is wonderful and I love all the special things you have in your kitchen. Very charming and warm. I'm a new follower. : )
~Tina

Elegant Economies said...

Revi, love your dining room and table and the Word for the Day. Hope your week is wonderful! Audrey

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Revi!!! Your fall decorations are so beautiful to me!!! I love the creams and whites as well ~ they blend so easily with the the colors we already have going on in our home! Orange is NOT an easy color to incorporate, is it??? Your blog is so wonderful!

I had to stop by to tell you, YOU WON MY MINGLE MAGAZINE GIVEAWAY!!!! Please email me at sewmanyroses@yahoo.com with your mailing address, OK? Wishing you a lovely fall week ahead, hugs and love, Dawn

Joy Tilton said...

I love your decorations and really love the sign... and the story. You have a new reader!

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Your tablescape is beautiful. I love the beachy vibe.

Ava said...

What a beautiful tablescape ! Now following xx Ava

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

How beautiful!! I really love all the white touches, and those lanterns> I want 'em!!!

I've signed up to follow your gorgeous blog.

Thank you for linking up to Modern Country Style's Fall In Love party!

Sarahx

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

What an incredible gift. I love the fact that it was oiled. Your tablescape beautiful. There's that warm hug again.

Linsey @ Farmhouse Porch said...

Love your hutch full of white! I'm following.
♥Linsey