I have one of those ideas in my head that I should ignore. But I don't think I'm going to. Uh oh. Here we go again.
me, two years ago just before Christmas when I decided to build bookcases in my dining room.
It has been exactly 2 weeks since my house has looked like the bottom of a dumpster. I've been out of a major mess, (after finishing my new, old dining room floors) for exactly 14 days. That mess involved floor sanding, floor finishes, paint trays, paint brushes, stained clothing and plastic hanging in my doorways to contain the sawdust blizzard to one room.
I am always in a mess. Not sometimes, not usually, - always. Mainly always anyway. I'm definitely in a mess more often than I'm not in a mess, as anyone who has ever come into my house on any day other than the day a magazine is shooting here will tell you.
And actually even then it's a mess, but it's not my mess, it's the photographer's mess.
Let's review just a few of the messes I've gotten myself into over the past couple of years shall we?
A Look Back at Some of My Extraordinary Messes
This is my backyard mess from building my pizza oven.
This is the mess from building my library/dining room bookcases 2 Christmases ago. It's actually the clean up of the first mess (putting in the bookcases), before the starting of the second mess (cutting and installing the trim and crown mouldings).
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
The redoing my kitchen mess. I remember it fondly.
The more recent "I'm just going to pull up one floor board to see what's under here mess."
The "I really like what's under those floorboards, I'm gonna rip up ALL THE FLOORS IN MY HOUSE!!!", mess.
This is just a small sampling you understand and doesn't include less significant messes like tearing out walls.
Now, with Christmas just moments away I'm considering getting into another mess. It's my dining room table. I love my dining room table. I had it custom made from antique barnboard. The entire tabletop is only 2 boards. One of those boards is 27" wide!
My dining room table at Christmas a few years ago. The photo is desaturated a little bit, so the table is actually more orange in real life.
But when I had the table made I thought the man making it would leave the original patina. I mean, that's why you buy 150 year old pieces of wood, right? But he didn't. He sanded that wood down to a glossy new finish and I've been disappointed with it ever since. He did a beautiful job finishing it and building it. It's a masterpiece. It just isn't exactly what I wanted. I wanted a table made of old wood that looked old. But I didn't convey that well enough. Also. It's orange. That's the thing about pine. Finish it in any way other than a water based finish and your lovely pale pine goes orange.
From the day it landed in my house I've said I was going to refinish the table eventually. And now I don't think I can stop myself from doing it. I want to strip off the finish and stain and bring it back to a natural wood. Right now. Moments before Christmas. I blame it on my new/old dining room floor. I love the floor so much and it's the look I've always wanted for my dining room table.
I just don't want the mess.
Have a good weekend!
Kim C
OMG just DO IT !!! You're bonkers and a bit of bonkers is what'll get that table looking even more fabulous! DO IT!
Linda in Illinois
Do it!!! You will love it.
Jane Doe
Here's to moving towards better.
Kristi
NO! You wanted us to be your voice of reason during moments of insanity or weakness... For just once, STOP, grab yourself a glass of wine and a gingerbread, S L O W L Y walk through your house and just ADMIRE it. Don’t look for new projects. Don’t fix or move anything. Don’t complain about the things you don’t like. Just drink, eat, wander and admire what you’ve created. Maybe even stop to smell the oranges?
Karen
"You wanted us to be your voice of reason during moments of insanity or weakness…" ... I did?? When did I say that??? I refuse to believe I ever said anything like that. ~ karen!
Ann Brookens
Hey, wasn't this the whole point of the Christmas Pledge: leave December free to refinish your dining table before the festivities? It's two weeks away...you have plenty of time! We believe in you, Karen! Have fun! Keep us posted! Make a mess!
Karen
I know, lol! I'm a bit energetic. My time might be better spent meditating, lol. ~ karen!
Ann Brookens
Of course you never said any such thing! We are your cheering section, boosting you on to your amazing messes! "Do. It. Do it. Do. It. Do. It!!!!!"
Stephanie
I remember one December we were set to leave for Key West. The night before when I should have been packing, I decided to completely rearrange every bit of furniture in every room while getting out and putting up EVERY Christmas decoration I owned--this was before "simple" was in. After that mania I vowed to never do anything like that again. So each year when I have something happening, I take up another project. Sound familiar? Go for it! I must say I really haven't regretted it but I do take a bit longer to recover. So glad I'm not the only one who does this stuff--strip that table! You won't rest until you do!
Gerald Dlubala
Do it...Do it...Do it.
Karen
You're a bit of an instigator aren't you Gerald, lol? ~ karen!
Peg
THIS is actually an argument for not following your Christmas Pledge! If you were still busy prepping for the holiday, this would have to wait till after New Years. ;)
Karen
Trust me. I thought of that! ~ karen
Debbie
Please, please do it!!!! I have lived with a "dining room table" for the past 20 plus years that I absolutely HATE! It was given to me by my folks so it has sentimental value (some what). I have not found a table I wanted to replace it until last year. Of course, I need to win the lotto to afford it!
Your table redone will be as fabulous as your floors. DO IT NOW!!!!
Cathy Reeves
Meh, it’s just a table, right? I mean, how much time can it take? You’ve got a solid 17 days, 16 if you have plans for Christmas Eve. But it’s just after 8 am here, so I imagine you’ve at least got your tools out and a corner of it sanded down, #amiright?
Ella
OMG YES! Do it! It’s only the 7th of December. You have scads of time!!
LeeAnne Bloye
If you do this just remember: Kick ass it. Always.
No one will ever accuse you of needing a hobby.
Karen
This year my mother said she didn't know what to get me for Christmas. I said HOW?? I have more hobbies than anyone in the world! She said, "You do? Like what?". LOLOLOL. Oh lord. ~ karen!
Grammy
Karen, that was Betty's version of an intervention.
Teddee Grace
This sounds like a perfect post New Year's eve project! Hang in!
jaine kunst
I think we need to do an "intervention." LOL
Mary W
A Christmas miracle!
Marilyn Meagher
Go for it ,you will anyway🤣
Tracey
Do it!! You definitely won’t regret it! But, then again, I decided that this month was a great time to sand my floors and start a kitchen renovation... Have you tried connecting your sander to a shopvac? The mess is so minimal.
Karen
No, I've never tried that! Hmmmmmm ~ karen!
Suzette
Throw a tablecloth on it and wait until after Christmas!
Alena
I think it would be worse than having a mess in the house over Christmas. I would be so annoyed that didn't start the project and I would not be able to think of anything else the entire time. Nope, that suggestion won't fly!
Nicole
Wait, where's the linen tablecloth? I was thinking (well, there's my first problem) that you should hold off on doing it until after the holidays, to combat the post-holiday blues. I mean, we all know you won't, but it'd be an idea. :)
Christine Francoeur
But aren’t you tired yet? Maybe just relax for a while...get a massage or manicure??? Oh you are insane in the membrane (insert sleep for me).
Sideroad40
MINWAX WATER BASED OIL MODIFIED! I've been stripping lots of orange pine as of late and using this to seal the raw blonde beautiful surfaces. I'm told it's way less prone to turning orange over time and so far so good. Goes on like a charm....recoat in 2 hrs. Great to work with.