Finally, after some intense searching, I spotted this antique childrens schoolhouse table for $125. Normally, that would be waaaay more than I would care to spend too, but I really felt a connection with it. To cushion the blow a little, I put it on lay-a-way. :-)
Now, several months later, after weeks of painstakingly removing three layers of gooey-backed wallpaper (some of which had been painted over), sanding the top down until it was completely unfinished, and distressing the body & legs- I gave the whole thing a few coats of "Provencial"-colored stain from Lowes...
One of the things I was most drawn to about the table were the openings on the sides of it....I could just see them filled with books:
Now I just need more of these books!
It was so much fun accessorizing the top...
The $7 blue-and-cream striped rug came from Kohls. Because its a rug, and made to stand up to some moisture, it works great as a "giant coaster".
The rope knot came from TJ Maxx for $3.99. Pretty great price, considering the one below is $98!
Design Within Reach
The wire basket came from TJ Maxx:
It was only $14.99:
I love the single, aged-wood handle:
The vintage soda crate came from a flea market in Milton, Florida.
It's located inside of the old Post Office building, right on the main drag...
They had lots of delightful, colorful things, all grouped together, which you know I'm a sucker for...
But when I saw the darling blue Barq's crate on the bottom of this stack, I just had to get it!
These crates are normally priced between $12 and $20 at most flea markets, but I scored this baby for just $7.00!
Anywho, now that I've got the coffee table figured out, I'm on the hunt for the perfect 5x8 area rug to use on the floor underneath it.
An assortment of these pillow covers, to cover the pillows on my sofa and oversized chair are also on my list:
They're all from Pottery Barn, and again, a little more than I'd like to spend, so I'll just wait 'til someone posts them on Ebay. (OR until someone surprises me with some for my Birthday. ("cough, kevin, cough, 2 of the Oxford Stripe ones, cough!") :-)
PS...The personalized burlap runner in the photos above is by Grace of Coastline...
So beachy and elegant! You've done it again, girl!
ReplyDeleteAmy
You did a great job on making over that table! I know that must have been alot of work.
ReplyDeleteOh.my.good.gravy, I love that table!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I would rather rehab furniture than buy new any day. Turned out perfect.
ReplyDeletewow!!! i love it all!!!! and I am DEF going to google search that shop!!!! love it soooo much better than the pottery barn one now! So Inspiring!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Layla! My friend and I have an etsy shop where we sell pillow covers inspired by the very ones you posted. If your interested take a look at our site. We don't currently have any in the colors you listed but we do costum orders. Hope that helps you meet your goal! We would love your business!
ReplyDeletewww.coveredincolor.etsy.com
Ohhhh tricky... I like how you removed the slots inside the soda box! I have the red coke one in the pic I could use as a tray myself. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely table!
Donna
LOVE LOVE LOVE this table and what you did with it. The whatnots on the table are just too cool!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
It's so much fun to see the process of creativity at work. Thanks for sharing your finds. I'm going to keep my eye peeled for similar treasures.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the school desk/coffee table!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!!! love love love it!!!!! wonderful. as usual!!
ReplyDeleteSo simple and elegant! I love your style!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the table, Layla, and congrats on your many thrifty finds!
ReplyDeleteDaryl
I love it when you find similar items for much less $$!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see an updated picture of your living room with the fireplace makeover, new accent pillows, a new rug and that fabulous coffee table!
ReplyDeleteLove your coffee table! What a cool Barq's soda crate. And the rug as a "giant coaster" is a clever idea, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome makeover! Wow!
ReplyDeleteVery elegant! So chic!
ReplyDeleteJust watch Pottery Barn's website...pillow covers tend to go on sale. That's how I've acquired mine for half the price!
ReplyDeleteWonderful table makeover. It looks like it came right from the Pottery Barn showroom. I love the little book cubbies and the rug/runner used as a giant coaster. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteKris
Wow, wonderful job on that table. what a great find. Y'all have the best flea markets down there in the South!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I never would have thought of using the Barq's crate or the rug...brilliant! Beachy, casual, and yet still somehow elegant!
ReplyDeleteshortmama's "oh my good gravy" comment made me LOL! I miss the South! I used to say "good gravy" all the time. If I said that here in Fl (ok, I know technically FL is the south but really y'all, it's just NOT) they'd look at me like I had two heads.
Love it!! It fits perfectly in that space, and I love the book openings! So cute!
ReplyDeleteI love it! You are such an inspiration to all of us! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWell, butter me up and call me a biscuit, I am going to have to second the "Oh my good gravy!" comment. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love it!! I have had my eye on that coffee table from PB, also, but I like yours better. Gosh, you're so lucky to have such great flea markets to go to.We don't having anything like that around here. Why don't you try making your own pillow covers to look like the ones from PB. It's super easy, and of course a lot less expensive.
ReplyDeleteYou did beautiful work with the table. I had to laugh out loud at your not so subtle hint to your hubby. Does he read the blog?
ReplyDeleteDo you sew? If so, Joann fabrics has decorator fabric 50% off and they have some fabric like that. You could make your own pillows for way cheaper than buying them from Pottery Barn.
That turned out so well. I love that little table! What a beautiful job you did refinishing it, too.
ReplyDeleteLayla, I love your style! It wouldn't fit in my house, but in yours it looks so complete! I love how you can stick with one type of style, I have a hard time with that, I'm drawn to so much, it's never clear cut... Maybe one day I'll save up and purchase a design plan from you! LOOOOOVE that little blue table...
ReplyDeleteLayla, YOU ROCK! You totally make me wanna completely redo my house!
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to keep up with all your ideas-you are on creative gal! my new home is going to look like you design it =) because I'm filing these ideas away to use soon.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Happy Day
Layla, I just LOVE your new/old coffee table. As usual, you have given it your own wonderful spin. It turned out darling along with all the great finds you added to it.
ReplyDeletePatience and hard work really do pay off!! I love this!!
ReplyDeleteLayla,
ReplyDeleteYou did a fantastic job on the table and $125 maybe more than you would like to spend but it beats $599, right? You'll find the perfect rug I just know it. How is the cottage next door coming along?
Cheri
Fabulous re-do!
ReplyDeleteThe table turned out incredible!! Love the coastal look you have going on :)!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH, I love this! It's crazy how excited I am over this, b/c I have a similar table upstairs (it's holding our old ginormous tv and Wii in the gameroom). We got it for free from the preschool department at our church a few years ago when they built a new building and bought new tables and chairs. The coffee table I have right now is not casual enough for the furniture we bought last year. I've been searching and searching, but nothing just says "I'm the perfect coffee table for your living room.", ya know?
ReplyDeleteMy table has some sort of plastic (???) top, though. Any suggestions for what would I do about that? Would you mind emailing me? Thank you!
What a beautiful job. it looks great.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
You have a good eye and tlc!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love how you did the table. Now I want to go shopping!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful..your style is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn
Layla, how do you clean up painted items such as the Barq's box before using them? thank you great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing on my blog, this will be a very new experience for me. I love all your work, it is beautiful. Such an inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to be the spokesperson for t.j.maxx!!
ReplyDeletelol.
cool deal.
xo
Just to let you know, Kmart has a very similar pillow to the one with the button-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_048B727411140001P?vName=For+the+Home&cName=Pillows%2C+Throws+%26+Slipcovers&sName=Pillows
and its under $10!!
It looks fantastic! How I would love to have that Coca Cola crate. I've been asking my local antique mall for one and they get them in and then don't call me ;0(. I've got to keep my eyes open for one :0)
ReplyDeleteWonderful finds and what a gorgeous table! I love the wood crate with the little basket in it...the colors are perfect!! I agree with Kasey, you should be the TJ Maxx spokesperson, you would be great! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm checking out your blog for the 1st time today and already I am hooked. I love your style and I love the kids table turned coffee table. It reminds me of the table I had in my playroom as a child...if only I'd hung onto it! Can't wait to check out all the other fun stuff in your blog!
ReplyDeleteYou did good girl! That coffee table looks awesome! You are so talented. You sure have an eye for things. Have a beautiful day!
ReplyDeletePam :-)
Layla~I love this! It is a perfect addition to the room. I'm loving that rope ball~I wonder if one could make one...hmmmmm...you've got my wheels turning :)
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing Layla! You are the best at accessorizing!
ReplyDeleteYEAH! Love your style and looking at your refurb furniture. I cannot wait to get going on my house someday! I ran to my local TJMaxx and Marshals and scored some ball knots. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the tablescape on the top!
ReplyDeleteI saw those rope balls at TJ Maxx! We share the love of that place, I'm there ALL the time. The table looks great, I like yours better than the Pottery Barn one. And you sound like me...every little thing I buy I say in my head "hey I saw this in Pottery Barn for ten thousand dollars..."
ReplyDeleteOhhhh I love it all!
ReplyDeleteLulu
Great vision and great results! All that work was definitely worth it. I love love the blue Barq's case, I really need to keep an eye out for one of those. I too love the PotteryBarn book series, so far I have Home Offices, Storage&Display, and Outdoor Spaces. Thanks for yet another inspiring post! You never cease to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteSo totally boss!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, and I REALLY love that table. If you're looking for the Pottery Barn books on the cheap, you should check Ross. I've purchased all of them for $5.99 or less. If you don't have one of those near you, check Half.com by Ebay. They usually are pretty reasonable there, too. If that fails, let me know, and I'll check my Ross for you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, great job on the table and all of the accessories!!
ReplyDeletelove it!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius! You are a genius! You are a genius! You are a genius!
ReplyDeleteLove that table! Just found you on TCB and am sooo happy to see you posting tons of pictures for me to use for inspiration!!!!
ReplyDeletefantastic- i love seeing inspiring and fresh spaces- most especially when they come from someone's vision to see beyond what's right in front of them, to see what it COULD be! love it!
ReplyDeleteMegan
I love your table 100X more than the pottery barn table. Amazing eye & super job!! Yay for you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented!!! I enjoy reading your blog daily to see what new things you are working on. I do have a question for you - you seem to be a painter/sanding & stripping expert - what is the beat way to paint metal? I purchased a metal wall hanging at a local flea market and it is a dingy beige, I am want to transform it to a rusty brown color - any suggestions on how?
ReplyDeleteLove the coffee table... your hard work paid off. And I love the wooden crate and the wire basket. What great finds!!
ReplyDeleteI think PB is selling their take on the vintage soda boxes for $15 each.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of ordering a few along with some pillows next month.
I wish we had some vintage stores in my neighborhood.
I love that little table you bought. It has so much more character than that $599 thing from PB. I do love PB, but you beat them on this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous makeover you did with that table! Really!! Love the old soda crates too!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job!!! Perhaps instead of getting the pillows, you could find some goregous placemats that you like, open up a seam, stuff 'em and voila, instant pillows at a fraction of the cost!
ReplyDeleteI got the larger tied knot for $5.99 at T.J. MAXX today and started to get the wire basket but ....didn't.I knew I had saw it somewhere and loved it! Now I really wish I had got it.
ReplyDeleteGREAT finds!! love them all. I see those old soda boxes all the time at the flea. If my cottage weren't so small, I'd have them all over!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously - your school table work looks amazing. GREAT JOB!
xo - Tracy.
That school house table is too yummy! I love the way you refinished it!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first read this post back in May, I thought, "She's a genius!" Now I KNOW it!
ReplyDeleteall of it is just scrumptous!! I'm a soda crate freak as well - love em!! you have such an eye for putting the best pieces out together. nice!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how great that table top turned out! I also love the burlap runner. I am digging burlap this fall! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the party!
Linda
Your school house table is adorable - love th color you chose and the items you used on top. Linda
ReplyDeleteI love the schoolhouse table. I was so excited to see it as I just picked one up this week-end and I'm thrilled with it!
ReplyDeleteYour table blows the Pottery Barn table AWAY. You certainly saw the diamond in the rough, and it came out gorgeous. You are welcome to visit here anytime. I would LOVE to take you junking. All the best, Lori
ReplyDeleteabsolutely wonderful...ooh!
ReplyDeletemary
Very nice!Love the schoolhouse table being that I taught 3rd grade for 6 years before becoming an artist :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What an eye. I love the idea of the rug as a giant coaster.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great table and accessories. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the table! It is an amazing find and a wonderful piece. You prettied it up well! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove your table! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat Barqs crate is really neat, too.
woo-hoo we have an old school desk just like yours. Only ours is in great shape solid oak. My hubby got it for me about 25 years ago. As a matter of fact, the computer I am writing from is sitting on top of this little jem. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteoops, I forgot to tell you, I'm at
ReplyDeletehttp://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
That table is freaking to die for! AND I seriously, SERIOUSLY can not tell you HOW long I've been looking for a basket like that...and you find it at the MAXXX! I swear girl, you have like a magic touch!
ReplyDeleteYou did good! I love the accessories you added on the top of your great table.
ReplyDeleteIf you really love Pottery Barn products, why don't you shop at their Outlets? I saw that table in that color at our PB outlet last week but forgot how much it was but will look next time I'm in there. They would have your pillows too. But you did get a steal on the table with the book storage underneath the top and it looks great.
ReplyDelete