Wow some freaky Friday the 13th for us bloggers, wasn’t it. I had noticed Blogger having some issues yesterday, but that they would go down completely came unexpected. Well our blogs were still there, even if our last post vanished into a void for a day, and all is good now.
If you happened to have missed my last post, you might want to check it out. I did quiet a cute Tablescape with homemade lace napkin rings.
So what did I do to fill my day now that I couldn’t blog? Well of course I turned to painting. Painting something white, again…. of course…..
I couldn’t help myself, I really honestly contemplated going for another color. That lasted about 5 seconds flat and then out came the white paint.
I am painting our new old patio table.
Remember when I told you that our old table looked far too small under our new back porch? I really wasn’t exaggerating. Look here, this is a picture I took in the Fall of last year after the work on our patio was just finished.
The porch stretches over the entire width of our house and the terrace even extends a bit further into the garden. That sad old table that was falling apart anyway, really didn’t cut it on this terrace. The proportions were all wrong. And to be honest I never liked its size in comparison to those big Lord Yo chairs anyway.
Well that garden table has been repurposed into my new planting bench as you all know (btw I am so excited, that makeover is reaching its final stages, can’t wait to show you). So we were on the lookout for a new patio table.
We wanted something long and narrow because that would fit best.
We found it: an old refectory table (= kloostertafel).
We were so lucky in finding this one. I had my eyes out for one all through winter, but all the ones I saw on the Dutch Craigslist were either not suitable or too expensive. Right after Christmas we met the carpenter who had built the patio again in his showroom where he also sells garden furniture. His wife was there too and I started chatting with her about our search for the new table and asked if she thought I could find a new table in that awkward size. Her husband joined in and we went back and forth a bit about it and whether it would be worth it to have it custom made, and he promised to keep a look out for us, when his wife suddenly said:
”But we have an old refectory table in the basement, we don’t use anymore, remember I got it with my father when the convent down the road was clearing out”.
Yes! They had to sleep over it for a night and then decided that they were willing to part with it and for a price that we jumped on. So home with us it came.
This table is, as you can see, very long and very narrow. All the real refectory tables are like that.
I did a little research and found that in most convents and monasteries all the sisters and monks eat together in the refectory. In most convents idle chatter during meals is not allowed, instead meals are a time of contemplation and gratitude for the nourishment.
The tables are either set up in a circle shape like above, or in lines behind each other.
Only one side of the table is used so if you are eating you are either looking at the back of someone in front of you, or that person is sitting on the other side of the room (I even saw pictures where the tables were pushed up against the wall so you’d be staring at a blank wall while you eat).
Now that makes for interesting tablescapes, don’t you think?
Anyway that is why our refectory table, that came from a convent a few towns over, is so narrow too.
And that is exactly how we want it. There is plenty of space for us both to spread out the newspaper, or for me to craft on one end while my Love studies on the other, or for hosting diner parties with 10 or more people.
The table is exactly wide enough to hold two plates opposite of each other, so when I do have a lot of people over my planting bench will have to double as buffet table.
This table is old, it has had a life, it needed some TLC badly. And that eighties yellow pine color wasn’t working for me. Hence the painting.
I am using sturdy outdoor paint to protect it from the elements. Although it is standing under a roof, it will have to endure harsher temperature and moisture conditions then it is used too. So I am giving it a coat so to speak.
I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
So now that you know what I’m doing during the weekend tell me what you will be doing? Something fun planned? Does it include white paint…..?
And what did you do with all that extra time, when Blogger fell into that big black hole?
Geweldige tafel…en wat een mooie veranda…..heerlijk weekend……xxx…
Great project, I lake it!
Have a nice weekend.
I'm so glad it worked out! Never know who's going to have what in a basement or something. It all looks fantastic!
Brenda
Oh my goodness, that table is fabulous! I want one too, it looks just awesome! I love all the wonderful old photographs! Happy I found your blog!
Nancy
What an interesting and educational post. I've never heard of a refectory table. Interesting also about how they were used in convents. You learn something new every day don't you? Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
What an interesting story. How lucky can you get.I am glad it worked out for you. By the way I love your new porch.
What an interesting story. How lucky can you get.I am glad it worked out for you. By the way I love your new porch.
What an interesting story. How lucky can you get.I am glad it worked out for you. By the way I love your new porch.
What an interesting story. How lucky can you get.I am glad it worked out for you. By the way I love your new porch.
What an interesting story. How lucky can you get.I am glad it worked out for you. By the way I love your new porch.
What a fantastic table. I've been looking for something I could make into a potting bench with so far no luck. Maybe I need to ask all my neighbors to look in their basements.
I love your table. Your backyard is lovely. It looks like a wonderful place to sit and relax!
What a neat table, with a neat history!
And honestly, I would LOVE it if I could have a "mealtime is for contemplation and silent gratitude" rule for a couple meals a day. Blessed silence, and possibly the chance to actually *digest* my food. lol
What a cool piece! Love that it doesn't take a ton of room too.
It's my son's bday this weekend so we are going out to have some kid fun!
Donna
Love your table. It is perfect for your space and love your chairs also! Happy Saturday.
Je vorige post verscheen wel in de Reader maar ik kon geen commentaar geven. Mijn post voor vrijdag was al verdwenen voor hij gepubliceerd werd. Gelukkig hebben ze hem netjes teruggezet en kon ik hem handmatig pubiceren. Ut is wat!
De tafel is erg mooi! Ook zonder wit jasje, ik hou wel van hout. Maar wit is ook erg mooi. Helaas ben ik geen held in verven. Ik heb laatst een ladekastje van Ikea geverfd en kreeg er al stress van. Het ziet wel leuk uit.
Ik zou graag de hal verven, maar daar laat ik maar iemand voor komen. We hebben er een lambrisering van 70-ger jaren schrootjes zitten, die wil ik wit laten verven en de muur erboven in een kleurtje. Het hout moet echt goed gebeuren anders kunnen we na een paar maanden opnieuw beginnen.
groetjes,
Marianne.
Geweldig wat een mooie tafel!
What an interesting post on the history of these tables! Very cool.
What a great table and a great porch, how I would love one of those, looking forward to seeing it with all the finishing touches x
What a perfect find for your porch! Very interesting to read about how they eat in monasteries. We actually have one in our town but never visited. Wish you a pleasant week /Therese
Such a gorgeous table. I am with you – white is my go to color. It seems to make everything pretty.
Oh – The final stripping pads I used for my brass aging tutorial look like a scrubber you would use for washing dishes. They take the place of a super fine 0 guage steel wool. They really worked well – took the finish off and did not scratch the metal.
Gorgeous table. The white is really going to bring it back to life! I can't wait to see it. I love all the history behind it as well.
Sarah
Grand job Marianne – looks fabulous