Recently I was looking through some old photos and realized that I had never shared the changes we’ve made in the breakfast room.
The centerpiece of the breakfast room is the heirloom farm table that once belonged to my grandparents. It’s approximately 150 years old and has quite a history.
When the table was passed to my parents in the early ’70’s, it was in pretty bad shape (literally falling apart), so Mom and Dad repaired it, sanded it down to the raw oak wood, and then sealed it in layers (and I mean layers) of varnish.
(This is what the breakfast room looked like before the changes.)
The table was passed on to me about twenty years ago, and I have always wanted to give it a lighter look, but I kept putting it off, dreading having to remove all of that old varnish. I could have just painted it white, but I really had my heart set on more of a raw, weathered wood look. And I knew if I could get the old varnish off, the oak wood grain would be perfect for liming or whitewashing.
A few months ago I had a moment of insanity and decided it was time to tackle this project.
Thankfully, hubby didn’t even blink when I told him that I wanted the table taken outside and completely sanded down to the raw wood.
(Here is the breakfast room as seen today.)
After the varnish was sanded off, I used Amy Howard Lime Wax and massaged it into the raw wood, giving it a weathered whitewash look.
I love the way the grain of the oak wood still shows through.
The set of flea market french chairs also got a little update.
I found this set of four french chairs at a local flea market for $15.00 ea…..a total steal!
I decided to leave the caning of the chairs in the original stain and just paint the frame of the chair with Miss Mustard Seed milk paint in the color Ironstone.
They turned out beautifully, naturally chipping and flaking in all the right places.
I placed the little french settee that we redid in grain sack scraps at the back side of the table, and we hung a new chandelier that is a little larger than the one that was originally there.
I just bought this antique french postal sack at auction and filled it with a king size bed pillow, placing it in the settee.
We also moved the Mora clock that was in the breakfast room into the foyer, and placed the new (afflink) Mora clock from Antique Farmhouse in it’s place. We propped our antique European bread paddle and large bread board against it.
I’m enjoying the new, lighter look, and I’m thinking that I want to make some little ruffled slips for the chairs, which means getting out the dreaded sewing machine…..ugh, it hates me.
Cheers,
Cindy
On a personal note: We are still working on the study. I’m almost finished with a major element in there and it’s looking fabulous! Hubby is working on the formal living room while I’m finishing up in the study. He’s scraped the popcorn ceiling, and repaired a few places in the sheetrock, and now he’s prepping for paint. Working on two rooms at once is making the reno pace much quicker!
It’s exceptionally gorgeous, along with the rest of your home. I pretty much love every thing you do. You’ve got incredible style!
Thank you so much, Shannon! You are too sweet!
Hi Cindy. You did an amazing job. Everything is beautiful! I do have a couple of questions. May I ask what grey you painted the walls in? I love the neutral shade. Also, what color of grout did you use in the foyer where you have the beautiful chest? It’s not to dark or light and blends so well. I’m going to have similar tile laid and I would love for the grout to blend as your did. Oh yea, is the planked ceiling made u of solid pine? I love that also. I need to cover a a popcorn ceiling and that wood is amazing. I justst found your blog and I look forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Angela! The color of the wall is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, and the color of the grout is Pearl Gray from Lowe’s. The planks are solid pine, but they are very thin and lightweight, also from Lowe’s. Thanks for following along!
I am interested in finding grill grates to use in Cabinets in my kitchen. I saw the cabinets that you posted and wondered where you found the grills that you painted.
Hi Elizabeth! We found the replacement grill grate at Lowe’s in the sheet metal section!
Oh my gosh!! ALWAYS look forward to your posts so I can see what magic you’re working these days. Your talents (and hubby’s) are beyond fantastic. I wish I was your neighbor so I could watch and LEARN from you two! Glad Maryann asked about the brick in the floor because I was about to do just that. I’ve been looking for a French wooden bowl for my counter. Rather hard to come by in St. Louis. I can’t wait to seee the study and living room. All the bloggers have such great finds from yard sales (your chairs). I had to get mine from world market and paint them and cover the seats. Oh well.. what else would I do with my time if it wasn’t for painting things!?
Mary, I’m sure your chairs are gorgeous!! We are bringing the French dough bowls back in stock early next week, so you might check out our online shop for one! https://www.etsy.com/listing/270559859/antique-european-dough-bowl-trencher?ref=shop_home_feat_1
This is so lovely! Everything about this room is perfection!
Thank you Kim!
Lovely, Cindy! That settee is just stunning!!
Thanks Lory!
Cindy,
I have a French table in our breakfast room that is made of pine but with a darkish stain. I’ve been trying to decide whether to replace it or paint it. Do you think if I did sanded and whitewashed it, it would look fine with the pine coming through?
Linda, if you sand it down to the raw wood, you could use lime wax, whitewash it, or use Minwax white pickling stain on it to give it that weathered look.
Your gorgeous space is so fanstatic and fabulous, until all I have left to say is, please come to our house and make it look this fab!
I love the lime wash on the table. So Pretty! I’m DYING to see the study – we have paneling in our master bedroom, and I’m eager to change it up a bit. I’ve been waiting to see what you do with yours <3
~Cindy~
Happy Spring !!
Looks lovely !! $15 a chair wow , I never find the good stuff !!
How is your sister ? prayers for her .
Hugs
Paula
IN
Cindy, Reading your blog is like a religious experience for me. I can’t tell you how excited i get when I see an email from you. I turn off my phone, close the door, and slowly savor every word and picture. You are so talented and your home is a perfect canvas for all of your ideas. It is stunning.Enjoy this beautiful first day of Spring.
Cheers.
Thank you Charlotte! You are too sweet!
Hi Cindy,
Yah, the floor is very pretty, I really love it. A very nice Parisian feel with the little sofa, pillows and chandy. Chairs, trough and birdies just capture the look. I love family pieces that have a story and your heirloom table is a great one. That makes them extra special, and you smile every time you see them..
And, hey, don’t you just love a kitchen table on wheels! Me, too! We call ours “Meals on Wheels” hehe. My kitchen is more English in style so my table redo is X legged trestle I striped to raw, stained in charcoal, wiped almost dry, then again stained white oak and it came out the most beautiful weathered grey colour. I found it at a thrift store (I call those places my “Mall”) it was a total wreck but well built by PB.
My friend, Marianne and I head out on Saturdays, just jeans, tee shirts, lips and lashes only and shop the flea markets. We have this joke. As soon as we park the car I ask her, “Well, do you feel like running?” We both scream “Yes!” We usually have to borrow one of our hubbies trucks to bring home our stash.
So delighted to see your post. My Mum always said to stay busy and I know you are pushing yourself. Well done you! The whole house is just lovely. Waiting on the office reveal is like waiting for Christmas…..Please give Miss Ruby Lou a kiss or two for me.
Much Love,
Suzanne
Thank yo Suzanne! I know you and Marianne must have a wonderful time, and the memories you are making are priceless!!
What a most beautiful transformation of the breakfast room…from the table and chairs to the new chandy and clock. Love the new lighter look. You and your hubby did such a wonderful job on both the table and chairs. I came across a very similar Mora clock while traveling in Georgia….it was a great price, but no room in the car! I know what you mean about the sewing machine…lately for me it seems that it rebels when I use it! Have a most wonderful week!
Thank you Shirley! You should have strapped that Mora clock to the roof of your car!!
Love how the table turned out. Love your whole style. It’s by far my favorite. Can’t wait for an email pop-up! Finally got the chandelier…took forever but worth the wait.
Hubby is putting it up today. Hope you are doing fine.
Linda
So glad you finally got the chandelier! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Omg! I can’t believe you purchase those gorgeous French chairs for only $15 each….I love how you transformed them with a little paint and how it’s just chipping away beautifully….
Your table also turned out beautiful Cindy….I’m so looking forward to viewing your other home projects….your blog is my very fav…..
Wishing you a happy week ahead~
Mari
Thank you sweet Mari! Have a great week!
Cindy, I always get excited when I see a new post from you! I love what you did with your kitchen table. Perfect with the grain showing through and I love those chairs! I know how hard and lovingly you and your husband work as a team to accomplish the renovations of your home. A labor of love! I wish I could do something like this with my oak Hoosier cabinet in my kitchen. I love the oak but not so much in love with the orangeness of it. I sanded a huge architectural piece down to the natural wood and the painted it and sanded off most of the paint and love that look! I haven’t tried any Amy Howard products yet and think I need to. Take care and have a great week.
Thank you Sandy! Oak is the perfect wood for lime waxing because it has such great grain. I bet your old Hoosier would look fabulous lime waxed!
Good morning Cindy! Love this room as well as all the others!! I too enjoy seeing an update of yours showing up in my inbox! I’m really looking forward to seeing what you’ve done with the panelled walls in your study! I remember you showed us half a dozen inspiration pictures so I’m dying to know which one you decided on!!
Take care:)
Celia
Thanks Celia! The study reveal is coming soon….hopefully! 🙂
Beautiful! I can just imagine having a cup of my favorite mocha flavored coffee, early in the morning in that quiet, beautiful room; watching the birds and butterflies out the window….. Pauletta
Thank you so much Pauletta!
Hi Cindy, love any posts to have for us,love the table and can’t wait for the study reveal. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Sue! All of the prayers are much appreciated!
The Breakfast Room is now light and beautiful! I love the finish on the table and the “French Chairs”. The circular floor adds great texture and the contrast wood of the dough box. Great Job!
Thanks Nancy!
Cindy, love your style and generosity! …and always appreciate your Sunday morning greeting. Thank you, and Blessings to you… Question… I notice that your French doors, that I’m guessing are segway to your patio, are painted black. I’m tossing design ideas in my head and am considering painting doors that lead outside, black. Do you have a rule of thumb when it comes to painting doors black? I’ve seen examples of homes with all doors painted black and I swoon. My house doesn’t have enough natural light to support that option. Though it would be rich at night, I think it may be too dark during the day. Do you have guidelines, or do you, like I, go by intuition?
Thank you for all your inspiration… and the joy of sharing beautiful images.
Regards,
Sheri Gjormand
Hi Sheri! I have all the doors that lead outdoors painted black (Sherwin Williams Inkwell), however most of the interior doors are painted gray (Sherwin Williams Pussywillow). Like you, I love the painted black doors but felt it was a little dark for our interior doors, so the only ones I painted black were the doors leading outside.
Cindy, your breakfast room looks beautiful. You did a wonderful job on the table, and what a treasure! Those chairs are perfect too…what a bargain!
Thanks Shannon!
Cindy, your blog has always been one of my favorites. Your style is so lovely and I love that you and your special husband work together. I wish I could tour your home when you finish. Keep up the excellent work and keep those pictures coming…..Rebecca
Thank you Rebecca!
Forgot to ask where you got the adorable moss birds!?
Pinky, they came from Hobby Lobby!
$15.00 each! You thief:):) They are beautiful and the table looks GREAT! I love this room….well I love ALL your rooms! The brick floor is just amazing.
Thanks Pinky!
I always love to see your posts pop up in my email box!! The table looks wonderful and those chairs are heavenly. You scored big time!
Thanks Amy! Yes, those chairs were a steal!
Wow Cindy thanks for sharing I don’t think I had ever seen the “before” of this! You make everything seem so effortless and lovely, even though I know how much hard work goes (and has gone) into your home. Love and hugs gf
Thank you sweet friend!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I luv everything you do to your home. I wait with bated breath for each new post and avidly share them with the Mr. ☺ The table is just so pretty with all the graining showing through the lime wax.
Happy new week!!!
Hugs, Gee
Thank you Gee! Your sweet compliments mean so much to me! Have a great week!
Beautiful transformation, Cindy, like anything you do, but I’m still stuck on $15 apiece for the chairs! What a steal. I just paid a fortune for a set of six plus shipping.
Thanks Kim! We found those chairs at a little local flea market. They were stacked in the very back of a large room filled with mid century furniture, and I couldn’t get to them fast enough, hoping they weren’t going to be priced too high. They were originally $20.00 each, which was an unbelievable price, but hubby loves to negotiate so when he carried them to the checkout, he talked them down to $15.00 each!
I love the lighter look.. and I especially love the circular brick design on the floor! Very unexpected for inside a house. I just love your home!
Thank you Maryann! The circular brick floor in the breakfast room is original to the house and we were able to preserve it when we renovated the kitchen.