Almost There— Dining Room

We got a ton done this weekend!  It's actually starting to look like we have a dining room again.  And, to be honest, I'm so ready for this project to be over.   Sixteen days in and I need a break from all of the dust and noise.  I need to eat at a dining room table again and not on my couch.
  
We started the weekend sanding the room and creating a dust storm.  TIP-  OPEN WINDOWS and cover the doorways when you do this.

It took a few hours to sand the drywall mud

DH looks like he's smiling as he applies drywall primer and sealer, but don't be fooled he was as miserable as I was. 

PVA Primer and Sealer preps new drywall for paint

We have wainscoting in the living room and want to continue the pattern through out the house.  measured the wall 36" from the floor and used a laser leveler and blue chalk to mark where we'd paint the blue and white paint.  

Mom and Dad lending a hand

Nine months after moving in DH and I can paint in our sleep!  We used Benjamin Moore's Santa Monica blue in a flat finish for the top of the wall, Behr's Snow Fall in semi-gloss for the wainscoting, and Behr's Swan Wing for the ceiling.  We painted the ceiling and moldings in different shades of white so that they don't blend into each other and you can easily see the crown molding's design when up against the ceiling.

After painting we tackled the coffered ceilings.  Unfortunately, DIY coffered ceilings weren't meant to be and I'm going to need a separate post to walk you through my melt down.

What DIY projects did you tackle this weekend?  How did you handle your first major construction project?