Vintage Light Fixture Facelift

Little by little, 

the parts of our new kitchen are coming together.

Last week, I added some art in the back splash area 

and the new counter stools arrived 

and this week I finally found a wall sconce for the dining area!

I needed something to complement the vintage chandelier in the kitchen 

and I found a pair of sconces at The Courtyard in Hinsdale.

They are green, wrought iron fixtures with brass accents.

I thought maybe the color would work, but once I got them home, 

the green looked pretty awful.

So I got out my trusty brass metallic paint and got to work.

They have some nice details that you can see in this close up...

Here it is in brass...

I like it.  

I'm not sure where the second sconce will go, but I have some ideas....

To see how this one would work in the space, 

I banged a nail into the wall right under the old, Handy Andy fixture that's there now!

I just hung the newly painted fixture on the nail, for a an easy look-see 

until I can get the electrician over here to install it.

Here's a peek at the two fixtures on the wall in the dining area.

This dorky picture will probably go viral....

Don't judge.

My new table and chairs should be here any week now.

This old set has served us well, but it's time for the golden oak to go...

The whole table was once the color of the leaves in the center.  

Amazing how much it has faded in the sunlight.

I have the leaves in to see how I like the size - the new table will be about this same size.

I think it will work.

And I have some ideas for the space where that little desk is, on the right.

It's just there now for size and storage.

This corner cabinet used to be on that wall.

I might bring it back in and paint it to match the kitchen cabinets, 

but I want to see the new table and chairs in place first. 

This corner used to be kind of crowded and we are enjoying the open space.

The dining area is part of the kitchen as you can see here.

Much more open without that old corner cabinet, don't you think?

(But, but - I love that corner cabinet.....)

The new chairs will be taller than the old ones 

and will be upholstered in this paisley fabric...

It works with the green of the counter stools

And the new sofa .

I only ordered four new dining chairs.

I have some skirted Parsons chairs in our study that I can pull in for extra seating.

I had them recovered in the same green fabric.

Now that we're empty nesters, 

I didn't  want to feel lonely sitting down to dinner with Mr.Grand 

at a table with six chairs!

Somehow, four still feels right...

Can't wait til the new table and chairs arrive- 

I'll share them soon!

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Counter Stools * Before and After!

My Kitchen is still a work in progress....

(You can see the Before and After here)

The hardware finally arrived and it looks good.  

So nice to be able to open the cabinet doors and drawers!

And my counter stools were just delivered from the upholsterer.  

You may remember these stools from this post...

Here's the before version:

I bought them at Pier One as sort of a stop gap measure 

while we debated fancier versions.

I was in favor of stools with backrests and Mr.Grand was not.  

He felt they would be a barrier when we entertain around the island.  

He doesn't have strong opinions that often, so when he does, 

I try to accommodate them.  

The problem is that most counter height stools are only 24" tall 

and to me they look kind of short in the space.

My solution was to add some upholstered cushions to the tops 

in fabric that coordinates with some other pieces in the room.  

Our kitchen is a "Great Room" and so things kind of have to flow!

You can see the sofa and chairs and pillows here.

Here the stools are with their new cushions:

The fabric is a great woven green that I used on our sofa 

and on some dining chairs that are still in the works.

I like the way they look 

and I think they will tie the kitchen and great room together nicely.

Plus they are way more comfortable...

I borrowed some vintage botanical prints from my dining room 

to use in the back splash area.

I love having the V groove paneled back splash.  

I can hammer nails in and hang whatever I want there. 

 I know I am in the minority, but I just did not want tile. 

I love it for other people, but for me, I just wanted the painted wood.

Here's a close up.

I picked these Zinnias with my friend Shaun 

 at the Dinges Farm in Michigan this morning! 

You can read about that enchanted place right here...

I have kind of a botanical theme going for my kitchen 

and I'll share that in a future post.

Stay tuned!

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Treasure Hunt Thursdays at From My Front Porch to Yours
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed