Just a quick coat of General Finishes Gel Topcoat…
…and it was time to install the custom glass shelves and call it a wrap!
Handan donned her gloves and inserted the shelf pins.
The final moment had come.
The room was silent.
The air was still.
The dogs whimpered in their beds.
I picked up a shelf, and we held our breath as I placed it upon the…
“What the hell! Babes, this stupid shelf is too small!” I said.
Handan took the shelf from me to confirm what she’d already seen. I left the room.
The two interior cabinets were 25 inches wide. The glass in Handan’s hand was 24 inches wide. I was the one who measured the space. I was the one who ordered the glass. I was the one who screwed up.
Again.
It’s all fun and games when it comes to writing the post, but my years of screw ups were starting to get to me. Handan took it very well. She was amazing. No judgement at all. I wasn’t so kind to myself. It’s times like this that I wonder if I’m losing my tenuous grip on sanity. Would I even realize if my mind was slipping? I questioned my very existence. How could one man make so many mistakes, month after month, year after year? How could one woman keep forgiving him? She is a treasure, and I am so lucky to have her. [and I’m lucky to have you, my babes! – Handan] I don’t know how or why she puts up with me!
I pushed those thoughts aside and headed out to order more glass. I was going to order 24 7/8 inch glass, but I changed it to 24 15/16 at the last minute. A one week delay, thanks to Knucklehead McGillicuddy and his Incredible Shrinking Brain!
Well that one week ended this past Friday. I picked up Handan from work, and we headed to Manchester Glass in our neighboring town. The owners were kind enough to give me a 50% discount on this order since I botched up my original order. Handan and I picked up the new order and headed home to install the glass and finish the project before my parents arrived for dinner that night. I unwrapped the glass and tried to install a shelf.
The shelf was too long. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get it to fit.
This was bad. We needed to finish the project done so I could write this post. We needed to finish the project so we could move on with our lives.
But the glass was too long!
It was 4:25 PM on a Friday. Manchester Glass would close at 5:00. It was a 25 minute drive. We had company coming for dinner at 5:00. I hadn’t started cooking dinner yet.
I called Manchester Glass and explained my predicament. They said that if I could get there by 4:45, they’d be able to grind a little off the length by 5:00. I told them I’d be there, though I knew there was no way I’d make it in time. I grabbed the glass and ran out the door.
While driving through Manchester center, I hit every red light, slow poke driver and left-turner, all during Friday evening rush. I pulled up to Manchester Glass at 4:56 and ran inside with the shelves. There were two people ahead of me, and by the time it was my turn, it was already past 5:00. I was sweating bullets. The guy took the glass, and I asked for another 1/8 inch to be taken off. I thanked him profusely. It was Friday night. I knew he had better things to do than fix my mistakes. But he did it with a smile and without judgement. That’s how you run a business. That’s how you get loyal customers. If any our readers live in the Hartford area and need custom glass, please don’t hesitate to call Manchester Glass.
I drove back home in the same infuriating traffic. I arrived at 5:40, but there were no cars in our driveway. Weird. I went inside and installed the glass, finally, into our antique china cabinet. It was a prefect fit.
My parents showed up 45 minutes late (a good thing), and we ordered pizza instead of eating the Afghan pilaf I was planning. Instead, I will make that dish today, for my babes’ birthday 🙂
Okay, enough drama, enough yapping, enough prelude! Let’s get on with the glory shots, eh?
We filled the cabinet with our treasures, many of which we picked up during our travels overseas.
Opium pipe replica from Vietnam and marble elephant from India
Marble vases from Afghanistan
Marble goblets from Afghanistan and winged Isis from….Cape Cod (lol)
Carved soapstone elephant from India
And it really comes alive when the sun goes down!
Dining Room Makeover Checklist
Moodboard and plan.Paint the room.Create a gallery wall and design printables for it.Decide on the rug.Buy Chairs.Build dining table.- Build a small console table.
Makeover/upcycle antique wardrobe.- Makeover/paint the buffet table.
- Decorate dining room.
Click here to see more dining room makeover posts as we continue to cross items off our checklist!
We love it when you share our posts on Facebook and Pinterest!
Nicole says
Wow. That looks spectacular!
Greg says
Thank you, Nicole!
Sara says
Wow this is a showstopper! Great work and a stunning addition to your home!
Greg says
Thank you, Sara! We love it! 🙂
Susan says
Absolutely beautiful! A one of a kind treasure. I just love your posts!?
Greg says
Thank you so much, Susan!
Teddee Grace says
You’re a great writer. Thanks for the entertainment. And welcome to the “Monkey Do, Monkey See” Club, one I originated. The piece looks great by the way.
Greg says
Thank you, Teddee! 😀
Laura Laskey says
I absolutely LOVE it! Great job!
I cannot believe you work in the garage however – it has been soooo cold in CT lately! Hope you have a heat source! I have to work on the porch so not one project has been done yet this year. Hopefully we won’t go right from winter into summer. 🙂
Greg says
Thank you, Laura! Oh no, I don’t work in the garage usually. My workshop is in the basement, but this piece was too big and clunky to carry down, so some work had to be done outside or in the garage. 🙂
Derry says
Magnificent!
Greg says
Thanks, Derry! 🙂
franki says
Well…IF I can stop laughing (tears) from Page three to type this…it turned out FABULOUS!!! Send a photo to that antiques place and address it to the wife…nah. franki
Greg says
Lol, thanks, Franki! Oh, I don’t think she’d be too happy with that photo! 😀
Terra says
Wow. Just Wow. That looks absolutely amazing, and all of your souvenirs are fantastic! (Handan, I am a little disappointed in you, after all, you weren’t wearing pajamas in any of the pictures! As a happy, pajama-wearing woman, I thought I’d found a partner! LOL!) Good job, both of you! I can’t wait to hear the story of the garage renovation. (That should prove to have lots to keep us entertained!)
Greg says
She was wearing pajamas, Terra! I guess none of those pics made the cut, though, lol.
Cheryl says
I swear that woman with the boobs has a bigger smile on her face now that she’s been refinished!!!
Greg says
I think you’re right, Cheryl 😉
Melva says
Greg, what a story! Well, it turned out fantastic! You are an awesome carpenter. Congrats on a job well done!
Greg says
Thank you so much, Melva! 🙂
chris tucker says
this is freaking awesome and i do not even like antiques very much lol, these are great posts, a story inside a diy,you guys are the best xx
Greg says
Thank you, Chris! Everything is better with a good story! 🙂
Barb says
You two always do such great work and this is no exception! She’s a stunner!
Greg says
Thank you, Barb! She sure is!
Shirley Long says
It is absolutely gorgeous!! Great job.
Greg says
Thank you, Shirley! 🙂
Janice says
Wow! It turned out beautiful. Well done!
Greg says
Thank you so much, Janice!
Sandy R says
Wow!! Great job bringing an old piece back to life. It looks beautiful with all your treasures in it.
Greg says
Thank you, Sandy! It really does!
Revital Mitchell says
Wow! It turned out amazing!
Greg says
Thank you, Revital!
Giselle says
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the hinges!
Greg says
Thanks, Giselle! Yes, those hinges are awesome. House of Antique Hardware has really cool stuff.
Dawn says
That is an amazing blog. And a GORGEOUS Piece! Love that you brought it back to it’s beautiful self!
Greg says
Thank you so much, Dawn! 🙂
Karen says
WOWZA! Gorgeous. Happy birthday Handan!
Greg says
Thank you, Karen! 🙂
Handan says
Thank you so much, Karen! 🙂
Jennifer says
Wow! That cabinet looks fabulous!!! When can I hire you two to come to my house? LOL! Love all your posts! 🙂
Greg says
Thank you, Jennifer! We should be finished in our house in about 2037, so we’ll be right over after that! 😀
Jason Jones says
Wow. That looks absolutely amazing, and all of your souvenirs are fantastic. Great job bringing an old piece back to life. You two do such great work and this is no exception. Hope so your experience will helpful for all and thanks for the sharing with all of us.
Greg says
Thank you, Jason! It was worth the effort!
Amy says
Stunning!! You all did an amazing restoration job. What a unique piece that deserved nothing by the best, and that’s what it received. Haven’t used the GF gel stain, but thanks for the user tips. I’d like to try it sometime.
Greg says
Thank you, Amy! The General Finishes Gel stain is a wonder – you’ll love it!
Michelle Leslie says
That’s the best boob job I’ve ever seen guys. It looks amazing
Greg says
LoL, thanks, Michelle! 🙂
Mary says
That china cabinet is a treasure which is housing treasures. Beautifully and lovingly restored. And Greg we all make mistakes. So many measurements and so many numbers to remember. What matters is that it turned out brilliant in the end.
Greg says
Thank you, Mary! You know, as it turned out – I was correct in my measurements! The glass shop made the error. They made the new glass for no charge. I never bothered to update the post with the new info, lol.
Russell A Palmer says
I went through all four pages but never saw the finished Cabinet. Where is it?
Greg says
That’s odd, Russell. The finished cabinet pictures are all there on page 4. Perhaps try again?
Amir Mohtashemi says
Have to say, that’s one best way to restore old cabinet. Thanks for sharing the tips….
Greg says
Thank you, Amir!