Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Lettered Cottage- Coffee Table

The first time I saw this coffee table in a Pottery Barn magazine, it was love at first sight. But priced at $599, I knew I had better start looking for something comparable (but priced waaay lower) at the local flea.



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...


91 comments:

WhisperWood Cottage said...

So beachy and elegant! You've done it again, girl!

Amy

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

You did a great job on making over that table! I know that must have been alot of work.

shortmama said...

Oh.my.good.gravy, I love that table!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Beautiful! I would rather rehab furniture than buy new any day. Turned out perfect.

Sa-Sea said...

wow!!! 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!!!

Leah S. said...

Hi 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!
www.coveredincolor.etsy.com

Funky Junk Interiors said...

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. :)

Lovely table!

Donna

From the Old InkWell said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this table and what you did with it. The whatnots on the table are just too cool!

Great job!

Unknown said...

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.

Michelle said...

Love, love, love the school desk/coffee table!

cotedetexas said...

I love this!!!! love love love it!!!!! wonderful. as usual!!

Evy said...

So simple and elegant! I love your style!

Daryl at Vermont Cottage said...

Great job on the table, Layla, and congrats on your many thrifty finds!

Daryl

Lynn Kellan said...

I love it when you find similar items for much less $$!

Denise said...

I 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!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Love your coffee table! What a cool Barq's soda crate. And the rug as a "giant coaster" is a clever idea, too. :-)

Suzann said...

Absolutely Wonderful!

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

Awesome makeover! Wow!

Vanessa Greenway said...

Very elegant! So chic!

Meg said...

Just watch Pottery Barn's website...pillow covers tend to go on sale. That's how I've acquired mine for half the price!

Kris said...

Wonderful 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.

Kris

Unknown said...

Wow, wonderful job on that table. what a great find. Y'all have the best flea markets down there in the South!

Christy said...

I love it! I never would have thought of using the Barq's crate or the rug...brilliant! Beachy, casual, and yet still somehow elegant!

shortmama'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.

Chris said...

Love it!! It fits perfectly in that space, and I love the book openings! So cute!

Natalie Meester said...

I love it! You are such an inspiration to all of us! Thanks!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Well, butter me up and call me a biscuit, I am going to have to second the "Oh my good gravy!" comment. Nice job!

beth said...

Oh, 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.

Cheryl said...

You 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?

Do 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.

Melissa said...

That turned out so well. I love that little table! What a beautiful job you did refinishing it, too.

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

Layla, 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...

stephanie h said...

Layla, YOU ROCK! You totally make me wanna completely redo my house!

Teresa said...

I 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.
Love it!
Happy Day

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

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.

Rachel said...

Patience and hard work really do pay off!! I love this!!

Cheri said...

Layla,

You 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

Lisa said...

Fabulous re-do!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

The table turned out incredible!! Love the coastal look you have going on :)!

Jennifer said...

OH 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?

My table has some sort of plastic (???) top, though. Any suggestions for what would I do about that? Would you mind emailing me? Thank you!

The Bliss Journey said...

What a beautiful job. it looks great.
Kathleen

pve design said...

You have a good eye and tlc!

Bekki said...

Gorgeous! I love how you did the table. Now I want to go shopping!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful..your style is amazing.

LeAnn

nanasewn said...

Layla, how do you clean up painted items such as the Barq's box before using them? thank you great ideas!

Elise said...

Thanks 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!!!

Kasey said...

I think you need to be the spokesperson for t.j.maxx!!
lol.
cool deal.
xo

Michele said...

Just to let you know, Kmart has a very similar pillow to the one with the button-
http://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!!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

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)

Tara said...

Wonderful 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! :)

Alison said...

I'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!

The Ultimate Cottage said...

You did good girl! That coffee table looks awesome! You are so talented. You sure have an eye for things. Have a beautiful day!
Pam :-)

Melissa said...

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 :)

The Knight Family said...

Looks amazing Layla! You are the best at accessorizing!

Kerrie said...

YEAH! 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. :-)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

I love the tablescape on the top!

Aura said...

I 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..."

Lulu and Co. said...

Ohhhh I love it all!
Lulu

Unknown said...

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.

Old Beach Bungalow said...

So totally boss!!

Cindy said...

I 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.

Katy said...

Wonderful, great job on the table and all of the accessories!!

Little Lovables said...

love it!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

You are a genius! You are a genius! You are a genius! You are a genius!

Holly said...

Love that table! Just found you on TCB and am sooo happy to see you posting tons of pictures for me to use for inspiration!!!!

Megan said...

fantastic- 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!

Megan

Anonymous said...

I love your table 100X more than the pottery barn table. Amazing eye & super job!! Yay for you!!

2kids2close said...

You 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?

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Love the coffee table... your hard work paid off. And I love the wooden crate and the wire basket. What great finds!!

Unknown said...

I think PB is selling their take on the vintage soda boxes for $15 each.
I was thinking of ordering a few along with some pillows next month.
I wish we had some vintage stores in my neighborhood.

Montee said...

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.

Kim G. said...

What a fabulous makeover you did with that table! Really!! Love the old soda crates too!!

Kat said...

Awesome 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!

CJ'SMOMMY*KIMBERLY said...

I 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.

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

GREAT 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!

But seriously - your school table work looks amazing. GREAT JOB!

xo - Tracy.

Nori said...

That school house table is too yummy! I love the way you refinished it!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I remember when I first read this post back in May, I thought, "She's a genius!" Now I KNOW it!

{northern cottage} said...

all 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!

Elle Jay Bee said...

I can't believe how great that table top turned out! I also love the burlap runner. I am digging burlap this fall! :)

Thanks for joining the party!
Linda

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Your school house table is adorable - love th color you chose and the items you used on top. Linda

Patina said...

I 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!

white flower farmhouse said...

Your 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

maryboys said...

absolutely wonderful...ooh!

mary

Lara Harris said...

Very nice!Love the schoolhouse table being that I taught 3rd grade for 6 years before becoming an artist :)

Caron said...

Wow! What an eye. I love the idea of the rug as a giant coaster.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

What a great table and accessories. Just beautiful!

Sherri said...

LOVE the table! It is an amazing find and a wonderful piece. You prettied it up well! ;-)

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Love your table! It looks great!

That Barqs crate is really neat, too.

Jocelyn said...

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.

Jocelyn said...

oops, I forgot to tell you, I'm at
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Robyn said...

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!

grannyann said...

You did good! I love the accessories you added on the top of your great table.

Colleen for Swede said...

If 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.