Wednesday, July 21, 2010

End Table Redo

In our house we have a sunroom. It used to be just a place for me to fold laundry and watch TV. But since Con-Man was born, we have been using the sunroom for our guest room. Most of the furniture in there is a mix of leftovers that didn't fit else where in our house. Like these end tables I found on the curb:


(Sorry about the bad picture quality! I lost the charger for my new camera and have been using my old one...)

I like the style of the tables, kind of retro modern. But the finish on each is pretty bad, Cheap wood laminate. I never thought anyone would really see them but me, but we've been having a lot of company over lately and have some more coming this weekend. So I decided it's time for a little sprucing up. 

I thought a pattern on top of the tables would be a nice look. This technique didn't take me very long, just 2-3 hours for the whole project.



I really liked the pattern on this image I found on the internet. 


I enlarged it on Photoshop.



Then cut the shapes out with an Exacto Knife. This took me the longest. I knew choosing a complicated pattern would take more time but I liked it. (Ugh my camera is horrible!)



I did then a light sanding so the paint would adhere better.



Next I painted the tops of the tables with some leftover paint I had. 



I matched up the templates and taped them down to the table. For a really clean look contact paper would have worked better, but then I would have had to cut the shapes out twice since my printer won't print on contact paper. 

Then I went to work with the spray paint! I used Rustoleum Heirloom White.





I think they turned out pretty cute! Not bad for finding them on the street, all this project cost me was $4 for spray paint!


Here they are in the sunroom.


Next project has to be recovering those pillows that came with the couch. Can you see them in the corner of the pic? They're pretty blah.

Linking here

55 comments:

  1. What a great makeover! Love how you made your own stencil. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful find! It's so amazing the creativity that can make someone's garbage another one's treasure! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You made yourself a very special table. It is truly eye-catching, unique, a piece of art, as well as a table. I would hesitate to even set anything on it - I wouldn't want to cover it up. Beautifully done!

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW! You can beat that deal!!! I LOVE the pattern and the colors you used.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The tables are cute. I love the pattern you used for the design. I think I will try something like that. . . thanks for sharing.
    karie @karieschiccreations

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cute! Love the pattern!! Thanks for linking this to gettin' crafty on hump day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. those are adorable! maybe i will do this with my bedside table that has been every color under the sun. cute stencil too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, I gotta say those were ugly before, but you have restored them to very up-to-date tables.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This turned out so incredibly FABULOUS!!! I love that pattern... and with all that cutting with the exacto knife, this was definitely a labor of love! Thanks for sharing!

    ~Alison
    http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. GREAT GREAT GREAT !!

    I usually sell my furniture & knicks on my site, but this is a great idea to up-KEEP!

    does anybody know where she got the pattern from ???

    ReplyDelete
  11. ...and is that REGULAR PAPER she used to print it on?? HEEEEEEELP

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Randi! Just saw your comments. I did print on regular 8.5 x 11 paper. I found the image online here-http://www.rettaleritz.com/Details.php?ID=93
    I saved it then enlarged it on the computer. Then cut the shapes out. Let me know if you have any other questions!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Rachelle, You commented on my quatrefoil design stool, I cut out the template, then I traced the outline on my stool. I didn't use spray paint. I did it all by hand. It was time comsumming, but so worth it, because the lines are so clean and even. Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting on the stool. Karie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those came out terrific. It's so funny because I have two tables with the same exact shape, and I had no idea (until now ;)) how to renew them. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great project! I think those tables are a great shape, and I love the technique you used! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cute project, and I love that it was completed so cheaply! Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is fabulous! I just saw a table like this at Goodwill and I liked it but wondered what on earth I would do with it. What a great idea, and it turned out so nice!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So pretty. I just found a table like this and I think I am going to borrow your pattern idea. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
    -Crystal
    crystalscraftspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great make over! I love the shape of these tables and now that you've prettied them up they are really super.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, these look wonderful!
    Thank you for sharing~
    Have a good day!
    Leticia
    www.msbinglesvintagechristmas.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Those turned out beautiful! You did a fantastic job making them over! Great job!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have some like this too that are stashed in my attic. Guess I'll be bringing them down and have a re-do. Thanks Rachelle

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very creative! You gave a new life to these old castoffs, congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  24. i thought you had used mod podge!! great job on the stencil. i have a similar ugly table like this but i haven't decided what to do with it yet!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. So cute! Well worth the time to create the stencil!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Uh yes pretty darn good for finding them on the street!!~ My Grandmother had table like that...wish I still had them. You made them look very fresh and mod...I love the color too. Thanks for joining in on my party. Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! They look fabulous.

    You must be so patient; I don't think I could ever cut all of those shapes out!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great makeover! I saw a ton of tables like that when I was looking for an end table for our living room! I love what you did with it. They look very modern now!

    ReplyDelete
  29. They look so pretty and I totally admire your dedication to making that stencil!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Rachelle...

    Wow...I love your end table makeover! They turned out sooo pretty! I love the pretty design that you stenciled and spray painted on the tops! I bet they really add to the design of your sun room/guest room! Can't wait to see what you did with those sofa pillows...hmmm, maybe another Sunday Favorites post?

    Sure did enjoy having you for Sunday Favorites this week, my friend! I hope that you'll join us again!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

    ReplyDelete
  31. I adore those end tables. I can't believe you cut that stencil out with an exacto knife. That's almost as amazing as the finished project. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  32. those turned out super cute! you must have some patience to cut all that out! great job!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great job... They turned out great..

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday at Life As Lori!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Rachelle-
    Wow what a make over! You took tables from the 1960's and brought them beautifully into the 21st century! Your efforts were truly worth it.
    My best - Diane

    ReplyDelete
  35. These are so cute and updated now. The stencil looks hard to cut out. You did such a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Fabulous job...wow, that's quite a transformation!!!

    Have a great day!
    ~Michelle :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. LOVE this makeover!!! i love the look of the stencil, and it fits the style of the table so well. awesome makeover!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wow!! That was a ton of work to cut that pattern out. But the tables turned out amazing!!! I really like them a lot!

    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is awesome! But I don't think I would have the patience for cutting out ALL of that. But the end result is fabulous! Great job!

    Visiting from CSI.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello. I saw you over at One Pretty Thing. I have a table just like this sitting in my hallway waiting for some attention! Thanks for the inspiration. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Visiting from I love naptime - what a great project!! Love the pattern and color choices!

    http://megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  42. DARLING love the stencil and the color. Great job. Going to share this on my C.O.M. FB page. winks-jen

    ReplyDelete
  43. I simply cannot fathom cutting each of those out -- holy cow! What a work of art -- simply amazing and the color is absolutely perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a great job you did-cutting your own stencils and everything! I love these tables. They remind me of ones in our home when I was a kid. They are called step tables and they are on the list for my husband to build. I haven't been able to find any used ones around where I live.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow, they look incredible! I can't believe you cut your own stencil with an exacto knife . . . THAT is dedication ;-) Nice job, they are lovely!

    Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

    ReplyDelete
  46. The tables look fresh and perfect for a sun room. The stencil worked its magic well. Hope you'll stop by and see my new curtain. Jane

    ReplyDelete
  47. omgosh, what a great look! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  48. wow LOVE this! cute pattern. saw you on house of hepworths.

    new follower!
    kathryn
    www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi, Rachelle! I'm admiring all your creative posts here so can you please share them with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop? The link is at http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/04/creative-bloggers-party-hop-042411.html. Thank you so much :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Yay! you came :) Rachelle, thank you so much for coming and linking up :) Really appreciate your participation.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I enjoy reading and responding to each comment! Due to the amount of spam I have been receiving I am no longer allowing anonymous comments- sorry for the inconvenience.