Thrifty Coffee Table Makeover

I've been looking for a coffee table to makeover for quite awhile.

 It had to be the right size for our small living room,

as well as a bit on the taller side so that the tails of our cats

wouldn't dip in our food and drink as they passed by.

 

 

Occasionally, I will make a stop at Habitat for Humanity

which is not far from my house. 

At this visit, I saw this table as well as a dry sink.

I wanted both.

I also needed the van to haul them back home,

 as well as the OK from hubby

to bring them home.

 

 

As you can see, it came home with me.

We were able to get a deal by purchasing both.

I started painting before I took the original picture,

but you can see here what it looked like

prior to the paintbrush hitting it.

 

 

I believe this is actually a side table,

but it is big enough for our small cozy living room.

I really like the unique character of the legs of the table,

as well as the square design at each corner.

 

 

It took me awhile to decide how and what colour/s to paint it.

Since the furniture is white, I decided on a darker colour for the table

and then paint the corners an off white.

This is where I needed to tape.

 

I made my own chalk paint using Lowe's brand of

 Valspar paint + primer in the colour Noir.

I was looking for black and it's amazing how many different colours of black there are.

This colour is a very, very, dark grey, that looks "close" to black.

Two coats of  clear wax was applied to the legs and sides of the table.

 

 

The corners were painted with some paint leftover from another project.

I applied clear wax and then a touch of dark wax.

 

 

I applied three coats of polyurethane to the top of the table.

I used wax on the top for other projects before but the wax and paint wear off,

and I do not feel like re-waxing all of my projects every few months.

 

 

I like how it turned out.

It has a unique look to it, that you won't find in the store.

 

 

I quickly threw something together to put on the table.

I think a smaller rectangle doily or a place mat will look better.

 

 

I bought a vintage family Bible that I found at a thrift shop

and thought it would fit perfect in the heart of the living room.

 

 I topped it with some ironstone.

(I have the Bible closed now, but I do like the look of an open Bible.)

 

 

It blends well with the other splashes of black in the room.

 

 

There will be a few other changes in here soon.

I'm still working on my corner cabinet to go where the make-shift hutch is right now.

As well, we were blessed with free laminate so it will be good-bye to the carpet.

The pillows need some updating, so that will be a project when the snow starts falling.

 

 

A different view of the table.

 

 

It was a beautiful sunny day when I took these pictures.

This room is cozy day and night.

 

 

 

It definitely adds more character to our living space.

I may have to open a shop soon!

I see so many things to paint but I don't have enough space to keep it all!

 

Thank you so much for visiting.

Have an awesome day!

 

Blessings,

   

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"Like a Little Candle" and Thrifty Finds

 

I love to go thrift shopping.

Probably too much.

It's the thrill of the hunt.

I think I could open a shop.

We find that funny, but our husbands don't!

 

I have found several (more than several) things recently but today is a simple post.

 

 

I'm sure you are like me, that when you shop, certain things just "jump out at you".

Some things you may have to think about,

but others there is no thinking twice.

That's how it was with this white porcelain candle holder,

and the hand-stitched doily it is sitting on.

 

 

 The colours are pretty and I like how the flowers are out-lined in black.

I have black accents in my main living area.

It makes the white "pop".

 

 

The edging is so pretty too.

 

 

It's been hot here the last few days.

I am not complaining at all.

Soon the cold months will be here and I'll be wishing for summer again.

But even in the summer,

I still like to have a candle or two on in the evening.

It helps to make the evening cozy.

 

 

I picked up the wicker tray at our Salvation Army thrift shop for one dollar.

The low prices are part of the thrill of the hunt.

Actually, everything you see there are thrift shop and flea market finds.

 

 

The insulators were half off at an antique market.

The white roses (fake) were found at thrift shop.

I enjoy making it all work together.

 

 

 

In my last post, I shared about the children's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me."

You can read about that here.

As I was researching it, I found out that the author's sister wrote, "Jesus Bids us Shine."

I've been singing it for the last week.

When I lit this candle, it made me think of the song.

 

It was hard to find a simple video, but I finally did.

This little girl is singing it for her grandparents.

 

 

To read more about Susan Warner, go here.

Susan and her sister Anna lived together on Constitution Island.

Neither ever married.

Together they produced over 106 publications.

They started writing to help with much needed finances.

They both taught the students at West Point about the Bible.

They are the only civilians buried at West Point.

 

It doesn't take much to be a light to someone in your small corner.

A smile, a call, a baked good, a card.

If you are a follower of Jesus, then shining your light will be a natural expression.

That expression is who God made you to be.

Your world needs your light.

"You in your small corner and I in mine."

 

 

 

Blessings to you,

 

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Using Vintage Graters in a Vignette



I've been admiring so many beautiful Spring and Easter creations,

 and I was planning to create a meaningful Easter vignette in my entranceway...

and then I got sick.

Yep.

I had the most awful sinus infection.

I was down for the count.

We didn't even visit family for Easter.

My husband was recovering from his bout with bronchitis.

It was just nasty.



But I'm all better now!

 I've been rearranging all weekend, so I'll have more pictures to share soon.

I bought some flowers. Three different stems to create a simple wildflower look.

Very inexpensive.

That was the first piece.

I don't know about you, but I can spend a very long time deciding on a vignette.

I mean, a loooooong time!

This is one of my weaknesses.

Indecisive.

I came across these rusty graters when I was looking for something else.

I like the look with the tea lights shining through.

When I saw this idea, I kept my eyes open for three different old graters.

Rusty graters sitting in a rustic wooden tray.

 

In keeping with Spring, I added this white bird that I just bought.

It was going to be a part of a vignette in my entrance way.

Beauty and Light

I've had the little church for quite awhile.

Back from my country days.

It's been everywhere! I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

I have scented tea lights lit here, but you could use the battery operated tea lights.

It adds a cozy warm look to the kitchen.

Cozy always makes my heart smile.

A nice mix of different materials.

Glass, tin, ceramic, wood, and a white lace doily.

Here's a mix of the feline kind.

They make me smile too.

 

Have a blessed week!

 

Sharing this at:
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Sew Many Ways
Thoughts from Alice

Peace and Plenty

I have wanted to change up our entrance way for a long time.

I just didn't know what I wanted to do.

I invited some friends for dinner next weekend and of course that is always the kick in the pants to get moving for me (maybe you too!).

 

I don't usually decorate for Autumn but I thought it might help me organize how to set up a vignette.

It doesn't matter what I had there before because it wasn't pretty.

I got an old singer sewing cabinet and machine from my mother in law, so after some rearranging,

 I put my other sewing cabinet in the entrance way.

This is the extent of the "Fall" decorating items I have.

I put them all together to see when we come and when we go.

I bought these mini pumpkins a few years ago on sale during the Christmas season.

I only got them because they were so cheap.

These golden fake leaves were purchased at the dollar store.

I love the old jugs.

The white ceramic pumpkin was purchased last year at the grocery store.

I love my country church but I'm thinking of changing the colour of the roof.

I put an old footstool underneath with a bowl of pears to represent the Fall bounty.

The wooden shoes needed a spot and they represent footwear for the rain and mud

(my uncle still wears them in the Netherlands).

This was my very first chalkboard project.

Amazing Grace is appropriate for any season, but when I get a chance I'll change it to Fall Blessings.

I bought some cute little signs several years ago at a craft show

 and thought this was perfect for this season.

Peace and Plenty.

It's amazing what a little bit of pretty does for your soul.

When I come home from work after a long day this will be the first thing I will see.

Ahhhh!

 

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon here in Southern Ontario.

Here is my prayer for you today.

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

Linking to these parties

Finding Silver Pennies
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The art of homemaking Momdays at Strangers and Pilgrims on earth 

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House