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Table Makeover

I have so many things in the works and so few things finished at this point.  I have babysitters coming for the afternoon over the next few days, so I can get some things in the “finished pile.”  Here’s the first piece…

I found this pretty table at a yard sale last week. 
Funny story…I was paying for this table and a few other things when I spotted a really cool antique shelf leaning against the barn.  It had a $10 sticker on it.  “Oo!  I’ll take that as well.”  I grabbed it and added it to my pile. 
 “Oh, I’m sorry, but I think that gentleman set it aside.” 
Total bummer.  Oh well.  The gentleman looked over at me.  I couldn’t resist asking, “Are you sure you reeeally want it?”  Eyelashes batting (not really.) 
 “Yeah.  Yeah, I do.  I’m going to put it in my workshop.” 
I had an image race into my mind of that ornate shelf hung in a garage, covered in cobwebs and holding old peanut butter jars filled with rusted screws and bolts. 
“A workshop!?!  That beautiful antique shelf!  No, please, no!  Don’t do that!”
OK, so you might be thinking I was just thinking those things to myself, but I was actually blurting them out to the gentleman.  Not only was I trying to get him to give up the shelf, but I was actually telling him how he should and shouldn’t use it.  I am a crazy lady.
A nearby younger gentleman who was with the older-shelf-abusing-gentleman chimed in.  “His workshop is like a gallery.  It’s really nice.” 
Funny enough, that made it OK for me then.  “Oh, OK.  Well, I’m at peace now!” 
Yes, I said that.  I gave him my blessing to use the shelf he was buying any way he wanted.  Wasn’t that gracious of me?
I loaded my things into the van realizing I got totally carried away and I’m way to opinionated about what people should do with things I deem pretty.  I’m going to have to travel with a chaperone to keep me in check.  Especially when there is lettering on my van advertising my business.

So, back to the table.  I painted it in a mix of Louis Blue and Old White with a wash of Old White.  I finished it off with a mix of light and dark wax, wiping the excess away.

I could stare at these legs for hours.  Have I mentioned I have a leg fetish?  On furniture, that is.

These go on all day long. 
This table looks a lot like the table I had in my foyer and sold at the fair in August.
The new one is missing the piece that stretches between the legs, but it doesn’t affect the stability of the table and, as you know, I don’t mind imperfect things. 

I’m off to do some shopping for supplies today to repair a dresser and finish a couple of projects for HGTV.com.  May is an insane month.  Have I mentioned I’m also the designer for a wedding coming up in the last week of May?  Insane.  I am a crazy lady.  In many more ways than one. 

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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65 Responses

  4. LOL – as long as YOU feel that it's going to a good place, then it's all good! Sometimes I say things like that and wonder what the in the world people think of me! That table is just another stinkin cute piece. love it.

  6. It's OK to be a little crazy! Most creative people are. I love the colors you used on the table. I picked up a similar color recently in the oops section of my local store. I always love your work!

  7. You're not crazy….because if you are than I am also! LOL You are an amazingly talented lady and using the gifts that God gave you for His glory! I am just tagging along! LOL
    Have a great day and share somemore inspirational pieces soon…..I am feeling kind of yucky…LOL….my pieces never turn out like yours! 🙁 Oh…one more thing, dark wax is very, very scary…..just sayin'.

  8. You are hilarious!! I would have asked the man the same questions, so you are not crazy! The table is gorgeous. Gosh you are so talented. You have lots going on, but I know that each project will be perfection!

  9. You are GREAT! Thanks for sharing your funny story. I would have loved to been there to see the men's expressions. Love the table!!! Thank you for sharing the paints and waxes that you use. Some day I hope to put that knowledge to use. 😉

  11. Beautiful table.
    You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You have a voice– and you use it, albeit passionately but you use it!
    I've given you a new name–
    I now DUB THEE "The Minister of Old Things" — your ministry is making sure that all old things are treated with care and respectfully!!

    Now GO and Minister! LOL…
    Pat

  12. This is beautiful and I prefer it without the piece between the legs… But I like imperfect things, too!

  13. This is an exceptionally beautiful table. And your shelf story is hilarious. Once upon a time I saw a double-wide oak bookcase in my friend's *garage* of all places. I offered to buy her husband a Gorilla shelf if he would let me have the bookcase! Believe it or not, he agreed! It's much happier in my house.

  16. I was told I needed a chaperone a few years ago. I reluctantly conceded and took MY HUSBAND with me to an auction… After I was victorious in out-bidding my competitor and "winning" a gorgeous old old old card catalog I turned around-knowing my husband would be glowing with pride-…he was gone. But don't worry, there was a note in my seat that read:

    "Call me when you want me to come pick you up. I'll be riding around."

    No more chaperones for me! Also, was curious about the louis blue & old white. About how much of each did you use? Have both colors and LOVE the way your table turned out! annamarshselby@gmail.com

  18. No, you are not crazy, you are just not average. I would have tried to make friends with the man so I could see his workshop. He might be making something really interesting, like wooden kayaks, or Nantucket baskets. I think really great women are those that aren't afraid to say what they mean, and also engage with others in everyday situations. That man might "dine out for a week" on the details of your encounter. I was thinking in a similar vein as Corn in my Coffee pot (what does that mean, anyway?). You have a very special ministry of empowering women in every day life. Ann

  19. Wow Marion, that table is TDF. That story about the shelf had me cracking up! Passionate about furniture much? and doing a wedding too… whew I don't know how you do it.

  20. It turned out beautifully – love those legs, too!

    Kacey

    P.S. I think it's great that you speak your mind!

  21. …I would want to go visit his gallery. And yes I'm one of those people who will tidy up items on display in a shop.

  22. Those legs are fabulous! I'd volunteer to be your chaperone except that I'd chime right in telling the man how he should/should use his shelf!
    ellery

  23. marion, you are too funny.
    I am willing to be your chaperon when you go a hunting for antiques. : ) (haha) Cute story.

    I hope you plan on taking some much needed time off after May is over.

    Lucky for you you enjoy what you do everyday. Have fun!

  26. hey there crazy lady … your craziness makes me smile a mile!!!!

    hee hee hee … you described the scene so vividly, i felt like i was there with you but didn't dare interrupt (especially when he said 'workshop' ~ the EXACT same image when through my mind!) … i think it would take a mighty big body guard type chaperone to keep you from saving a piece bent for demise!

    back to your lovely long legged beauty … g e o r g e o u s! … make that with a capital G!!

    thanks for the inspiration and smiles …
    xoxo
    prairiegirl

  28. you crack me up, i hate when i just miss something that i love at a sale! has happened way too many times! i wish i had all your energy, don't know how you manage to get so much done! i finally opened my chalk paint, it's pretty terrific! susan

  29. She does have a nice set of legs! Beautiful piece overall. We women have all kinds of excuses for the strange things that come out of our mouths. If we're younger, it can be that time of the month. If we're older, we're just "at that time of our life!"
    Brenda

  31. That table is beautiful! I would love to have seen the mans workshop also, he may have had a few treasures he would be willing to share with someone who loves old furniture too!

  32. I love the table Marian!!!
    Wow…you sure are a great treasure hunter!!
    And I can see you are loving the chalk paint…Id love to get my hands on some too..Im being patient 🙂
    Beautiful..as always!!

    Deborah xo

  33. Love your story and I am glad that you set him straight and had complete closure with the idea that a beautiful antique shelve would be used in a bad way……….. Too funny. Love your table and yes you do have alot of irons in the fire!!
    Sherry

  36. Oh, my goodness, I just painted a similar 6-legged table (and I used the chalk paint you recommended – which I love!)!! Come take a look on my blog… I love your blog, it's very inspiring!
    Isabel

  37. I love this table – so pretty. When I noticed that it was missing the center cross bar I thought "This is the perfect table to cut in half and use as 2 matching nightstands"…

  38. Ok that one has to stay with the house. So when I move your family out & I move in, I can run my fingers lovingly along her gorgeous top. I've always admired the original table & was heartbroken when you sold it to someone other than me lol. Now I can't comment without a question (hehe) for the paint technique you mixed the blue & white & then added water to the white & went over the entire piece?

  39. What a funny story…he probably thought you were out of your mind, ha! The table is simply stunning. I'd love to know how old it is…bet it's got some serious history!

  40. Love the table..I am in awe of the skill you have.. using the combination of paint colors..it is perfect !!
    The story..total crack up !!

  41. Love the table. And I love the ironstone pitchers. I just picked up several from ebay myself. I have found a source on your chalk paint in Texas so I can't wait to get over there to try it. Did I hear it works on metal also? I am redoing the bedding of a daybed on my back porch with linen and old feed sacks. It would be wonderful to paint the iron bed frame as well. BTW, I put your button on my blog http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/

  45. I love it! If the people selling this stuff could only see what you turn it into. They would certainly have sellers remorse. Funny story about the gentleman. I love that you told him that and I love that another man was there to give you the whole story. You would have been bumming about where he would put it for weeks I bet.

  48. I have a leg fetish also!!!! Everyone always thinks I am crazy when I talk about legs on furniture. Thanks for sharing!

  49. Amazing finds! The thrill of the hunt really is just as exciting as the transormations! Who among us doesn't love what you reveal. Every time I check in to your blog is like opening a new present. It not only gives me eye candy to drool over, but inspiration!

    Keep doing all that you do! I know I appriciate all the nicked fingers, additional paint on the clothing, pile of paint rags, body contorting, never having "perfect" nails, clean ups, being creative on a timer, thinking what in the heck is for dinner, and how will I ever get the laundry done/or will it just stop already, jamming to music favs and all the other layers of life that goes into one piece of furniture with its own history!

  50. Gosh! I just imagine the workmanship that went into making those legs. They are dreamy.
    Love the way you finished it…but my eye was drawn to the object on the wall. Very lovely piece. Old cabinet door? What is it's history?

  51. Crazy is a good thing! It's what enables us to look at things differently than others do! At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it LOL! Love the table – beautiful job as always! Your finds are going to be so fabulous at Lucketts! ~Leena~

  53. I have a chest of drawers that's made of brown laminate. I want to paint it…make it look attractive. But I"m not sure what is needed. Can you paint wood laminate?

  54. "I had an image race into my mind of that ornate shelf hung in a garage, covered in cobwebs and holding old peanut butter jars filled with rusted screws and bolts."

    Sounds pretty yummy to me! >:)

    Donna

  55. The table is gorgeous!! Love the color!
    I would have been concerned about the shelf going into a workshop as well…Ha!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  56. Gorgeous table, Marion! Love the color! I just found a couple of pieces at the thrift store in that same color. It must be the year everyone is getting rid of that yellow colored furniture! : ) I'm a leg woman myself. Even if there is no other detail on a piece of furniture, if it has nice legs I love it.

  58. It's a good crazy that you are! I want some of that craziness lol I have heard bad and good on having your business on your car. Bad cause when you cut someone off or blow your horn in frustration they remember you, good because it really can bring you business.

  59. You do the nicest work! I am loving that table! I am Adrianne from Dream Book Design, and Mandi told us we could schmooze the judges if we want to, and I want to! Hhaha jk. But really, I am very excited that you are a judge for the contest! Looking forward to the top 5!
    <3,
    Adri
    http://www.dreambookdesign.com

  63. I love that table, its so beautiful!! Hee hee wish I were a fly on the wall when you were ministering to the shelf gentleman!!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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