Pages

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover

Hey, y'all!  I have a makeover to share with y'all today that I've actually had complete for a while.  I took final project pics at least a month ago, but I didn't like them, so I haven't posted the project.  (I'm so critical of myself.)  Yesterday I had a chance to take some new pics, and even thought I'm still not completely satisfied with them, I'm FINALLY sharing my South Carolina End Table Makeover today.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
A few months ago I was at my local Habitat Restore, and I stumbled upon a table with a cracked marble top that was being sold for $5.  I couldn't pass up that deal because I knew the marble could be easily removed.  In fact after I purchased the table, I told the cashier that he could keep the marble because I didn't want to have to carry it to my car.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
This is what the piece looked like once I got it home.  It definitely needed a good cleaning.  After I cleaned it well, I spray painted it.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I followed my usual spray paint process: a coat of Kilz spray primer, followed by sanding with 220 grit sandpaper, followed by a few coats of white spray paint.  I then distressed the table and waxed it.  The table was much improved, but it still had a big gaping rectangle in the middle.  I decided that since the table only cost me $5, I could afford to do something a little crazy with it.  I cut a piece of wood the size of the table top and stained it dark.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
Then it was time for my bit of craziness.  I'm proud to be a South Carolinian, so I thought it would be fun for the table top to pay homage to that.  Yep, that's right.  I decided to essentially create a large sign for my table top.  I used PicMonkey to design a graphic the size of my table following my "How to Create Large Custom-Sized Graphics in PicMonkey" tutorial.  I printed the graphic using my "How to Print Large Graphics with Microsoft Word" tutorial and taped the image together.  I originally planned to transfer the graphic using the same technique I used to create my Vintage Quote Sign, but I wasn't able to.  Why?  The penciled transfer wouldn't show up on my dark wood table top.  (I didn't think to try a chalk transfer like I did with my Thanksgiving Pallet Art.)  So I scratched that transfer method and turned to my trusty Silhouette.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I recreated the graphic in my Silhouette program.  Since the image was larger than my Silhouette can cut, I used the cut tool to cut the graphic into smaller pieces.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I used transfer paper to transfer the vinyl onto the new dark-stained wood table top.  I sealed the edges of all the vinyl with Mod Podge to make sure that my paint didn't seep under the vinyl.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I then painted the entire sign white.  (Can we pause for a minute to appreciate what a neat crafter I am? *sarcasm*)
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
After the white paint dried, I used painters tape to create stripes.  I painted the stripes an aqua color.  While the paint was still wet, I removed the tape and the vinyl.  (I have found that keeps the paint from peeling.)  I then distressed the sign by sanding and aged it by rubbing a small amount of stain all over the table top.  I sealed the entire top with Polyurethane.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I love how it turned out!  I love that so much about South Carolina is on the table top: the outline of the state, the palmetto tree, the state motto, and the year the state was established.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
And I love the distressed white paint finish on the rest of the table.  It's a nice complement to the table top.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
This $5 thrift store table is now such a fun, quirky piece...that's really hard to photograph without a glare.
SC State Pride Thrift Store End Table Makeover pitterandglink.com
I actually hate covering up the table top with accessories so much that I've considered removing the middle, hanging it on the wall, and replacing the table top.  But then I wouldn't have a quirky end table, right?  ;)

7 comments:

  1. DIY projects don't grab my attention often, but this looks fantastic! I think I might actually try this one lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. This table looks amazing! So much better than the original!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love how it turned out, Bethany.

    ReplyDelete
  4. this is really beautiful! great work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love what you have done! I can't wait to get back to your Habitat. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I'm currently working on a bathroom renovation project. I found all of my high-end fixtures at that Habitat for less than $50. But again, love your table!

    ReplyDelete
  6. THAT is adorable! And I love my Habitat Restore here a LOT!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm beginning to think every thing you touch turns to pure gold!! This is so fabulous!! Just make another 'top' for a wall hanging!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)