I was doing a happy dance when this little occasional table came into our house because they are hard to come by. Normally I would not paint an antique but this one had seen it's better days and required a few repairs. We purchased it from a local online auction group, my go-to source for furniture these days. I am quite pleased with how pretty this Edwardian hexagon spindle rail tea table turned out after just one coat of chalk paint in a pretty sage color.

Those of you who have been following my projects for the last few weeks are probably thinking, "I thought she said we saw the last of those dang lilacs". This table was photographed back in May and I promise this is the last you'll see of my lilacs...this year. 😉

Edwardian Hexagon Spindle Rail Tea Table

This pretty table was for sale under my tent at an outdoor market in May. I had it sold and while the buyer went in search of her husband to pay for it, this happened...

It was a cold and rainy day and a gust of wind hit the wall of the tent where this little table was sitting and knocked it over onto the concrete floor. Of all the pieces under the tent that day, it had to be this one! So much for being sold.

Thankfully the damages are repairable and the plan is to return it to the tent in the Fall.

This is what the table looked like before the makeover...

The legs were loose and needed to be reglued and the screws tightened and the joints on the trim needed to be tightened. The extent of the damage on the tabletop are hard to see in the photo above.

Here it is after with just one coat of paint...

After lightly sanding the table to give the paint some tooth, I brushed just one coat of chalk paint in the color Sage Advice by Country Chic Paint.

Instead of repairing the scratches and gouges, I kept a timeworn look by distressing the paint with 180-grit sandpaper. It really brought out the details on the spindle rail and turned legs. I think the dark wood showing through this soft paint color is so pretty.

I also used 180-grit sandpaper on the top letting the paint decide where it randomly revealed the wood underneath.

Pictured below you can see the distressed finish along the spindle rail base. The pretty sage chalk paint was protected with a clear wax finish.

I looked for every possible reason to keep this pretty occasional table but the problem is that I have more tables in this house than I have room to put them. Sadly and regrettably the table sold and I've been kicking myself ever since.

You will find this project shared at these inspiring link parties.

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It's Frugal Decor Tuesday and you know what that means, another thrift store find has been re-purposed or given a fresh new look.

How could I resist buying this adorable handmade wooden spa caddy? Someone put a lot of time and love into this little caddy and being a DIYer, I could appreciate their handy work. I mistakenly assumed that the letters on the front were wood craft letters glued to the front but I quickly learned when trying to remove them, that they were carved into the wood.

Handmade Wooden Caddy Makeover

For a second, I thought about using it in our bathroom for rolled towels and hand made soaps but I wasn't a fan of the blocked letters.  Part of me regrets not sanding the paint from the letters and the hand hewn handle and staining them for a rustic look. It was the perfect size caddy to sit on a bathroom counter.

But sadly, that is not what I did.  Instead, I meticulously chiseled and sanded until each letter was removed. I gave the entire caddy a gray wash with chalk paint and a clear wax finish. I found the adorable galvanized mini garden tools at Michaels and attached them with upholstery tacks.

You can see how I transferred the vintage graphic in my Antique Chair Spindle Garden Caddy post.

It sold at the outdoor market in May and knowing the buyer personally, I know she too appreciates the craftsmanship in this adorable Handmade Wooden Garden Caddy.

Having regrets about this makeover, I'm curious what you would have done.  Kept the carved letters or removed them?

On Thursday I'll be sharing a gorgeous Antique Edwardian side table makeover that I was quite proud of until Mother Nature decided to mess with it.

You'll find this project linked at these fabulous Link Parties.

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Outdoor Portable Beverage Bar Cart

It's Themed Furniture Makeover Day, one of my favorite days of the month and the theme is Outdoors.  I just happened to have the perfect piece in my stash that I planned to repurpose for our deck.

When Mr. Frugalista, a.k.a. my furniture buyer saw this wooden lattice tiered table online he asked if I would be interested. Heck ya! For a couple of years, I've been wanting a small portable beverage bar cart for our deck and this would fit the bill perfectly.

This is what the tiered side table looked like when we got it...

What I didn't know, before bidding on it was that it had a gorgeous wood laminate top. Bonus!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links so you can find the products I used for this project. What that means is that if you click on one of the product links, I will receive a small portion of any sales at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure policy.

Outdoor Portable Beverage Cart From A Tiered Table

The first thing I did after a good scrub with soap and water, removed the shiny finish on the laminate top with paint stripper (*affiliate link).  Then I sanded it down to the natural finish using an orbital sander (*affiliate link).

You can see in the photo above that the laminate top is attached to plywood with nails no less.  The raw edges leave little to be desired so it got prettied up with a piece of oak trim with 45° mitered corners.

I thought about painting the base in a bright bold aqua color, like the Vintage Patio Nesting Tables I refinished for last month's coastal theme or the Candleholder Repurposed Into A Bistro Table and Bistro Set.  Knowing this was going to be a keeper, I decided to stay with the sage green color we have going on our deck to keep things unified. I decided to give Rust-oleum Chalked paint (*affiliate link) a try in the color Sensible Sage.

With all the lattice slats I knew painting the base with a brush would be tedious so I pulled out my Homeright Finish Max Pro Paint Sprayer (*affiliate link) to do the job. After running a velocity test, I thinned the paint and applied three coats.

Once the paint was dry I flipped the table over and applied Minwax Wood Finish (*affiliate link) Dark Walnut Stain onto the top using a clean lint free rag.

It's my go-to stain color...

I sealed the top and painted base with a mixture of dark wax and linseed oil (*affiliate links).  I love how the dark wax added depth to the sage paint color.

I had these hand painted porcelain knobs (*affiliate link) in my stash and thought they would make perfect hooks for hanging things like bar essentials.

In my stash, I also had this fun pewter garden tool hook (*affiliate link) and thought it would work perfectly for hanging a tea towel.

This past weekend we enjoyed using the cart for snacks and beverages while taking a break from our DIY wedding decor projects. Our daughter is getting married in two weeks and if you've been following me on Instagram, I've been sharing sneak peeks at all the rustic wedding decor we've been making. I'll be sharing the reveals on the blog after the wedding.

Another thing I found in my stash was the perfect casters to add to the feet, putting portable into the Portable Beverage Bar Cart.

I'm thrilled to finally have that portable beverage cart that I've been pining for the last couple of years.

I can't wait to see what my talented friends in the DIY Furniture Girls group created for their Outdoor furniture pieces.  Please pin directly from the original source.

An InLinkz Link-up

You'll find this project shared at these fabulous LINK PARTIES.

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Welcome to another edition of Frugal Decor Tuesday. If you've been following me for any length of time you know, besides my love of vintage jewelry box makeovers, I also enjoy transforming wooden trays. The inexpensive natural Winsome wood breakfast tray I'm sharing today can be found at many retailers, including thrift stores.  What I especially liked about this one was its size.

This is what it looked like before...

Rustic Homestead Blend Coffee Tray

A popular and functional tray with a melamine top that makes wiping away spills very easy. But frankly, they completely lack any personality.

We go through all the work of cleaning our houses, preparing delicious food, and mixing our favorite drinks for our Summer soirees and then serve them to our guests on a lifeless, boring tray.

We're going to change than TODAY because I'm going to show you how to quickly and easily inject some personality into these babies.

Step 1: Adding Layers Of Paint

The first thing to do is rough up the Winsome wood with sandpaper or a sanding block so the chalk paint has some bite. Apply your first color, mine is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Louis Blue.

Once that dries to the touch apply your second color - mine is Sage Advice by Country Chic Paint. Repeat the step above except remove some of the excess paint from your brush onto a paper towel. This is called dry brushing and with very little pressure, sweep the paint across the surface with long, random brush strokes, Let the brush land where it may so you don't cover the base color.

Once that dries (mere minutes) repeat the second step with a third color.  This time hitting the side of your bristles along the edges and corners to give them definition. The dark gray color I used is Rocky Mountain by Country Chic Paint.

Step 2: Decoupaging Scrapbook Paper Over The Melamine Top 

I used two pieces of scrapbook paper that I had on hand (I show three pieces in the photo but I only needed two).  Simply lay the first piece onto the top in the direction you want the pattern to face. Run your fingertips along the bottom edge of the tray to get the perfect measurement for cutting the paper. I always use a paper cutter rather than scissors for a nice crisp edge.

Repeat the process for the second sheet of paper.  Now that you have the paper cut to the correct height you need to measure the second piece for the proper width.  To do this, just like hanging wallpaper, find the pattern repeat.  Hold the paper in place with one hand and make a crease with your fingertips for the end cut.

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the tray and onto the back of the first piece of scrapbook paper. Line up the paper to the outer edge and with a credit card or handy decoupage squeegee, rub the wrinkles out as you go. Wipe away any excess Mod Podge that might seep through around the edges with a clean damp rag.

Repeat the process for the second sheet, lining up the edge perfectly with the pattern repeat on the first sheet.

Step 3: Applying A Stencil

Once the Mod Podge is completely dry, add a fun stencil onto the top. I just love my Homestead Blend Coffee stencil and have used it on multiple projects.  I used it on a Coffee Mug Holder that I made for my daughter's kitchen.  I also applied it on a Photo Tray and Thrift Store Wooden Tray transformation.

Lay the stencil onto the center of your tray and hold it in place with delicate surface painter's tape. Using the same Rocky Mountain chalk paint color, I applied the paint with a bristle stencil brush in swirling motions.  The trick is removing the excess paint onto a paper towel so very little paint remains on the brush.

Step 4: Protecting The Tray

To protect the paper top, simply apply two coats of Mod Podge, letting it dry between coats.

I protected my tray with clear wax, applied using a clean lint free rag because I love how the wax intensifies the colors.

This is a great afternoon project and the possibilities are endless!  Go all funky with bright bold colors and patterns.  Let the scrapbook paper be your guide for color and style.

My Rustic Homestead Blend Coffee Tray sold quickly at the outdoor market in May. I had numerous customers ask if I had Tea Trays available.  Being a coffeeholic, the thought never crossed by mind but you can be sure at the next market there will be something for the tea drinkers too.

If you like my Rustic Coffee Tray please share it with a friend and/or Save it on Pinterest.

Okay my friends, I know you've probably been wondering, "what's up with the lilacs already"?

This bouquet has made frequent appearances on the blog over the last couple of months. Truth be told, most of the projects I've been sharing were finished and photographed in May. Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers that grace us with their beauty for such a short period. Consider these the lilacs that just keep on giving.You're welcome!

Have I inspired you to look twice at those wooden trays during your next thrift store jaunt?

Come back for a visit on Thursday for Themed Furniture Makeover Day where I'll be sharing a piece I decided to keep for our deck.

You will find this project linked to these fabulous Link Parties.

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DIY Adirondack Fire Bowl Table

It's time for this month's edition of the Power Tool Challenge and the theme this month is Anything Goes. In July 2014 I shared How To Build A DIY Adirondack Fire Bowl Table and thought I'd pull it out of the archives today considering it's that time of year when many of us enjoy spending summer evenings outdoors with friends.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have space for a backyard firepit.  This is a great alternative that fits easily on a deck or small patio.  These are NOT meant for burning firewood but are great for burning small eco logs or gel burners.  

It all started one afternoon when I unearthed our 20" fire bowl (*affiliate link) from the side of the house that had been used just a handful of times. We have a backyard firepit but sometimes just feel like lounging on the deck in the evening instead.  This was a great way to create an inviting conversation area and warm our toes at the same time.

How To Build An Adirondack Fire Bowl Table

Step 1: Refreshing the fire bowl 

It was pretty rusty so after a good scrubbing with a wire brush I gave it several coats of High Heat BBQ Spray Paint (*affiliate link) in flat black. Good as new!

Step 2: Materials Used

We built our table using  2 x 2 lumber and 1 x 6 fence boards.  I ripped the fence boards in half on the table saw.  You read that right, I'm getting braver with power tools involving a sharp blade! 

Step 3: Building the frame

To create the hexagon shape, cut each 2 x 2 at a 16° angle. Each joint is glued and screwed together. You will need two hexagons, one for the base and one for the top.

Step 4: Assembling the table

Measure the 2 x 2 uprights to the height of the top rim of the fire bowl plus 2-inches to raise it from the deck and create feet. With galvanized screws, attach the 2 x 2's onto the outer center of each hex, ensuring they sit level on the top.

Step 5: Attaching the slats on the top

Attach the ripped fence boards from the underside to avoid exposed screws on the top.  Leave a small gap between each board.

Tip: Place a shim or piece of wood between the boards for perfectly even spaces.

Add supports to the underside of the top, following the hexagon shape 2-inches from the outer measurement of the fire bowl. This will accommodate the opening for the fire bowl.

Tip:  We realized afterward that two supports running directly across all seven boards, a few inches out from the hole, would have been sufficient. 

Step 6: Attaching the slats on the bottom

Repeat step 5 for the bottom shelf, minus the underside supports.  To add some interest, run the slats in the opposite direction from the top (as pictured in Step 7).

Step 7: Cutting the hole for the fire bowl

Mark the center point of the table. Place a screw in the center and attached a pencil on some string measured to the diameter of the fire bowl.  Using a jigsaw, cut out the circle.  The fire bowl fits snug as a bug!

Step 8: Adding the pretty

Sand the entire table and smooth the edges of the fence boards.

We used two coats of  Solid Stain (*affiliate link) in the color Sage Green to match our Adirondack chairs.

When not in use there is plenty of room to use the table as a foot stool.

I love how well it looks with our Adirondack chairs and makes for a comfortable conversation area on our deck.

We have since added a DIY Water Wall to our conversation area which adds even more enjoyment to our time spent on the deck.

Don't have room for a Water Wall, we also turned a trio of Plant Pots Into A Water Fountain.

Did you spot Sexy Rexy trying to hide from the camera?  He has claimed that chair and will literally lay in this spot all day sleeping and lazily watching the birds and squirrels. When the fire bowl is going, he's right there with us.

Now for some IMPORTANT safety tips...

Obviously, because our table is of wood construction you would not use it for a rip-roaring bonfire!

Pictured above are a couple of heat sources you can use. We prefer the Eco Logs cut in half with a chop saw. With either of these, you do not get a big flame or hot sparks flying out of the bowl, thus creating a fire hazard. They give off just enough heat to keep you toasty warm.  The added bonus is that being Citronella, it helps keep the mosquitoes away!

Many a Summer evening is spent around our fire bowl enjoying a bottle of wine.

Now let's see what my talented friends in the Power Tool Challenge Group made for their Anything Goes project.

DIY Family Sign by My Love To Create

DIY Aiderondack FireBowl Table by Interior Frugalista

DIY Headboard Bench by Domestically Speaking

DIY Wall Sign by Designs By Studio C

Easy Bird Feeder by Virginia Sweet Pea

DIY Headboard Bench by Designed Decor

DIY Small Pet Bed by H2OBungalow

How To Use A Kreg Jig by My Repurposed Life

You will find this project shared at these fabulous Link Parties.

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