Do you remember that baby pram I shared last week?
Well, now it’s a side table!
I spot these pretty carriages/prams regularly while I’m out shopping and they always tug at my heart. Those wheels, the craftsmanship, the generations of babies that may have been pushed in them. I almost always have to stop a minute and appreciate them, but I never buy them.
The reason is that they aren’t functional at all! What in the world is the average person going to do with it in their home unless they have a doll collection to display. I’ve tried to think of practical uses for them, but I’ve never come up with one.
A funny little story… a few years ago, someone gave me a beautiful 1950’s navy blue and chrome pram that was in almost mint condition. I was so in love with it, but I didn’t know what to do with it. For a long time, it just sat in our dining room and one of our cats napped in it now and then.
One day, I wanted to take my youngest son, Calvin, for a walk, while Marshall was at preschool. I got him all ready and stepped outside, only to see that Jeff had the van with the stroller in it. Well, I eyed that pram and decided to take it for a spin. That’s what it’s for, right?!
So, there I went, walking around the neighborhood, pushing this huge 1950’s pram with my baby inside. I felt like I was pushing a caddy and should’ve been sporting a crinoline and red lips.
Anyway, I spotted this one and, as usual, was pulled to it. The wheels were so perfect and, because the basket was pretty rough, it was inexpensive.
As I looked over it, I realized the basket had a wood bottom and sat flat on the undercarriage. This could totally be a table. I went inside and looked around, thinking the idea was a little too nutty to pull off well. But, I kept thinking about it and decided to go for it.
I removed the basket from the undercarriage with a screwdriver and pliers. It took more time than you would think, because the hardware had been painted over at least once, so we had to battle it out. I won in the end, though.
I then simply screwed the hardware into an old wood tray I had. I painted it in two coats of MMS Milk Paint Ironstone without sanding or adding the Bonding Agent, so it could chip. I liked the idea of it being chippy, so it would blend in with the wheels. I brushed a bit of Ironstone over the legs as well, so the color would be uniform.
I distressed the paint and sealed the entire piece with Tough Coat, which is our topcoat that is best for sealing chippy pieces.
I left the carriage hardware intact, so the table can actually be lowered! I had to offset the tray a bit in order for the hardware to work, but I think it works, especially since the tray isn’t symmetrical, either.
So fun, right?
This piece will be available for sale at The Market on Chapel Hill (Oct. 3, 2015 in Pike Road, AL).
We have everything done for Megan’s Office Makeover and she came to pick it all up today to put it in the room. We’re nearing the final reveal…
Oh my goodness!!! Love this.Marian. I loved the pram but the table is fabulous. Can you re purpose the basket too?
That is so lovely!
The original would be so cool with towels or quilts rolled up and standing inside the wicker!
I agree with Betsy. I would have left the basket on it and let it hold throw blankets and quilts in the living room, laundry in the laundry room or towels in a bathroom!
Marian,
I adore your blog and have been a faithful reader for years. I wanted to let you know there is a video add now that starts playing when I go to a post. Just thought I’d let you know.
Lucinda, It sounds like you have some Adware on your computer. You might want to check out purchasing an Adware-Malware program in addition to your Virus protection. Hope this helps! D
Marian,
Your table is lovely. The original would also look sweet in a laundry room as a laundry basket.
I hope, that one day, I have a great reason to create this!!
I will never pass one up again! What a success story this is!!
You could also bill it as an upcycled bar cart at the Market. With as popular as those are again, it may sell even quicker as such. Good job!
Rita
I have a quick question for you not knowing how else to ask you?
how do i remove the wax from a previous painted piece of furniture beside sand it all down ? I want to change colors of paint on an old cabinet
Thank you so much since you are the internet expect on painting and repurpose furniture I knew you would know
Wipe the piece down with Mineral Spirits…it will remove the wax.
I have really enjoyed the past few posts you have shared where you have repurposed your found items – the cabinet doors and now this table! I really love the creative ideas and building/construction aspect to them. You’re right, the pram was beautiful, but give me some legit functional pieces any day.
I have an old pram in my garage – I’ve been wondering what to do with it. I love this idea; I hope I actually do it some day!
I love the new direction your blog is taking! You see an end table and I see a Bar or Tea cart! Just need to attach the handle! Vintage Bar/Tea carts are selling for, on the upwards side over $1,000.00, and middle range prices are between $300.00 and $500.00 dollars. Wowzer! Upcycling prams is a fabulous idea!
Brilliant!
Great makeover! Funny story, wish you had a picture of that, but the picture you painted made me laugh anyway.
Finally, a use for those FABULOUSE old wheels! I too love the old baby buggies, especially the wheels, but never know what to do with them! A quick question about the Tough Coat… as I have pieces similar to this one that has chippy lead based paint on them and need to be properly sealed! Does the Tough Coat come in a matte finish? If not, can you recommend a matte top coat that will not yellow old white paing? Thanks so much!!
The Tough Coat has a satin finish, so it’s not glossy, but it’s not matte, either.
Marian, when I saw you removed the basket, I hope you kept it, I pictured filling it with TONS and TONS of evergreens and a pale blue bow for Christmas…perfect for your studio when you decorate it. LOVE YOUR BLOG! Karen L.
Looks amazing! From the original picture it seemed lower to me so I was thinking coffee table but it looks great as an end table. Someone said they hope you saved the basket….totally agree…it may be in rough shape but it would look really pretty filled up with plants (edible or flowering) as a raised garden bed. Or you could fill it up with blankets or kids sports equipment on a porch/patio.
Another fabulous idea!
Marian, I would have NEVER thought of this but then I was in love with the vintage wicker to see past it . . . . This is genius! I just LOVE it . . . Came out great! You go girl!
What a great idea for the pram. I would never have thought of using a tray in place of the basket. So very cool. Those wheels are just my favorite…..
So so cute! You are a smart lady to have seen that as a table.I love it.
The table is too cute! I wish I lived close so I would have s chance to purchase it!! You did a great job!!
Sob! I sold my OLD pram at a garage sale! Yours is fab!
Very creative idea, Marian. It looks great as an end table, but it reminds me a bit of a rolling bar cart from the 1950s that I recently purchased.
I like what you did with the pram but what did you do with the wicker basket???? I’m not a purist because I LOVE to paint wood furniture but it was WICKER!! ?. Just sayin
Can you put tough coat over a layer of hemp oil once it has dried?
This is a brilliant idea. The wheels are usually my favorite part! Love this!
Such a fabulous piece Marian, as per usual always killing it with your makeovers 🙂
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx