Friday, February 11

Table transformation: turning a cheap table into a cool accent piece

Years ago I needed a table to set beside the chair and ottoman in my living room. It needed to be small, just big enough to hold a drink or a magazine. Nothing special. This $24.99 TJMaxx special filled the bill:



Not a bad little table, really, but over time the purplish-brown color got to me. And the speckled finish. See the speckles?



I grew weary of the speckles. Still, the table was just the right size, and I liked its graceful lines. And I didn't want to spend any money to buy another table.

Meanwhile, on my 25th anniversary trip to Paris last year, I found this pretty little cushion cover.


It's a lovely little tapestry that I found at one of my favorite places in all of Paris: Sainte Chapelle. I like the pop of the French blue, and I like having an item I use everyday remind me of that special trip. So I decided to take a cue from my pillow and turn my little table into something that looked as if it had come from Grandmere's attic. If I had a Grandmere.

First the table got a coat of blue spray paint. A little garish--okay, a LOT garish--but headed in the right direction.


Then I sanded the edges for a distressed look. . . and stencilled a fleur de lis pattern on the top. . .then sanded some more. . . and finally added a coating of Valspar Mocha glaze to tone down the color and to add a bit more patina.

And now my humble little table has gone from this:



to this:



And here it is in its place in my living room. Now that I've seen this photo, I think I need to do a bit more glazing on the legs. That'll be easy, though.


Up close and personal so you can see it with its inspiration pillow:



What do you think? Would you want to curl up beside my fire and set your drink on my little blue table?

This transformation was especially fun because I spent $0 on it. I had a can of blue spray paint, the fleur de lis stencil, gold craft paint, and the glaze all in my stash. So I spent a little time but no money.


I'm joining some fun parties with my table. Check these out for more inspiration!

23 comments:

  1. Love the blue! You did an awesome job!

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  2. O.K., that is a perfect little table! I think the glaze was just the right touch. Love it!

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  3. That is an awesome match for your pillow! I was a little worried when I saw the first blue picture because that is a really bright blue...but you did a great job distressing it! I love the fleur de lis detail too!

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  4. I love what you did with this table. That pillow was great inspiration and it all comes together perfectly!

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  5. Richella, it is perfect!! I love that blue and I am jealous that you got to go to Paris. I hope you will join my Wow us Wednesdays party some time.

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  6. Your little table turned out stunning. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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  7. Your table is perfect...I love the final shade of blue...I am not that familiar with glazing yet. What a great transformation!

    XO,
    Jane

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  8. Hi Richella...I like your little table re-do...it looks good.

    Hey, I have an award for you over at my blog for you...and I am sending my friends your way to enjoy your blog.

    Hop on over and meet some of my other new friends.

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  9. Wow! I love it! It goes perfectly with the pillow. You're so smart! ;)

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  10. I love it! I have a little table I was just thinking of doing something like this to...What kind of glaze did you use?

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  11. oh! ahhhh! That is really well done! Great job!

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  12. I love the pop of blue against your chair with the coordinating blue pillow. You did a great job transforming this piece!

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  13. Yes, yes I would like to curl up beside your fire and set my drink on that table! It's beautiful. I do so love that Paris blue. : )

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  14. Oops! I was signed in under a different google account on that last comment. You know it's me, Scooper. : )

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  15. Very pretty! It looks great with that pillow. I love the fleur de lis stencil.

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  16. Love how the blue just popped in the room! Great Job!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

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  17. Honey, I'd want to come sit by your fire if you lived in a van down by the river! : ) But I do love the little bleu table! Or should that be table de bleu? : )

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  18. Sainte Chapelle is a hidden secret of Paris--not that many people know about it, but it is the most beautiful place! I love what you did with the table--i'm not sure I have that kind of talent!

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  19. i love it! you are so good at the painting and the distressing! and what an inspiration!!! glad you are still savoring that trip :)

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  20. Wow! Richella, you are so talented! I love how the blue matches the pillow cover. Beautiful job! I love using items from special travels to fill my home with memories. :)

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