A Happy Ending and Tablescaping

Thanks for every one's opinions on the table makeover. I decided on the "all black" for a sleek and classy look. To recap...
Table before:
Table after (last week):

And the table now!

I am loving it all black! I decided to use the three chairs I purchased at a thrift store recently instead of the chairs that came with the table. They gave the table height and matched perfectly. But now I am on the hunt for a fourth chair, grrr! Note to self: purchase chairs in even numbers next time!

So as I was setting the table for a dinner party, I stepped back and realized that I had created my very first tablescape! I didn't realize how using simple things from around the house can transform the look and feel of the table. Here are some close-ups:





I used my fine china and stainless steel silverware over silver chargers, but to counter-balance the elegance, I used sisal place mats and quirky glassware. I added variations of candlelight for coziness and mood, and a centerpiece with fruit to give the table life. I placed a basket to hold the extra silverware for a rustic element. And the sunflowers add color while complimenting the earthy tones.

If you haven't tuned in to the art of tablescaping, you are definitely missing out on letting your creative juices flow. You can scape whatever you fancy - rustic, elegance, chic, quirky. The possibilities are endless! Can't wait to do some tablescaping for the holidays :)

Design Intervention - A Table Ending

This is a semi-makeover since I am calling on your opinions on how to "finish" this makeover ending.
I found this table and its 4 matching chairs on Craigslist for $40. It came with an extra leaf for extra seating so I thought that was a good deal. We desperatly need seating in the breakfast area.


The table was yucky maroon with lovely off-white legs. I think the legs and the curvature on the chairs is what appealed to me.

My original inspiration for the table came from this picture:


So when I started sanding the table, I was so bummed to find out that the top was not wood but plastic! Okay, so obviously now a stained wood top would no longer work. Uh!

Then I knew that we have plans to paint our kitchen cabinets white (hold your breath, some day!) - so I need a bit of contrast in the space. Hence, I decided to paint the table black.

And here is the play-by-play:

Step 1: I first wiped down the table to clean off any dirt, grease and dust.

Step 2: The paint job on the table was horrible. I was peeling it right off. Got lazy and decided to use paint thinner. Paint thinner took forever so I decided to sand right away. I really should have stuck to just peeling the paint off. But I got to use this lovely lady (yes, my tools are feminine):


Step 3: After hours of sanding, I got impatient and decided it was time for the primer. I used a gray primer since I was painting the table a dark color.



Step 4: After priming, I spray painted first with Rustoluem Black - Flat. This was a mistake and it made the table look like charcoal. I then went out and purchased Black semi-gloss paint. The table started to look much better.



Step 5: Finally for durability and protection, (since this will be a high traffic piece of furniture), I used Wipe-On Poly.


Here is the before again:


Here is the after:


Now, I need your help on how this happy ending should play out for this table. As you notice, I left the legs as-is. My husband likes it this way but I am not completely sold. I would like to paint the legs black as well. What do you think?


Second, what should I do with the chairs? Should I paint them all black as well?


You all are so talented and I know I can count on your great ideas.

I am still not completely finished with the top of the table as I have a little bit of "personalizing" to do to make it my own. Here is a sneak peek.

Can you read what it says?

I will be back with hopefully the final reveal of the whole set.

The Message Board Bed Makeover Reveal

It has been incredibly busy over here at Haute House :) But I finally got around to finishing my first furniture makeover; what I call the Message Board Bed. I have to pat myself on the back for this one because I never thought I have it in me to do a furniture makeover. But I can do it, you certainly most definitely positively can too.

Let's recap.

Remember this oh-not-so-interesting dorm room bed?


It has been transformed to this:


Here is how I did it, step by step:

Step 1: Set-up your work area. By then, I had finished the footboard and was moving on to the side base boards.


Step 2: Sand your surface. For the footboard, I had done this manually with a regular sand paper (medium grit). But for the base boards and headboard I decided to do something different, per advice of hubby and used this varnish stripper.
Tip: This stuff is strong! Wear gloves, wear a mask, and use in ventilated area.
Tip: If I had to do this all over again, I would not have used the stripper and sanded manually. In the end, I felt with the mess and clean-up this created, it didn't save much time and effort.


Step 3: Lay on stripper thick as to keep a bubbly surface.


Step 4: You can use brush to spread the application evenly but be careful to not brush it too thin. The directions say to leave on for 30 minutes but this stuff evaporates quickly - so I only left it on for about 5 minutes for it to work through the varnish.

Step 5: Scrap away the varnish (should come off really easy now) with a flat knife.


Step 6: Prime surface. I used white primer here.


Step 7: Spray your surface with chosen paint color. In this case, I used blog land's favorite spray paint of all time, Heirloom White by Rustoleum.


Spray paint away!


For the message footboard, I followed all the same steps above (except manually sanded instead), taped off the inner section and painted it with chalkboard paint. Tip: I would have preferred to use chalkbaord spray paint instead but at the time I couldn't find any at Lowes.

I really need your opinions on what you think of my first furniture makeover. Do I pass as a wanna-be designer?

Furniture Makeover - Part I

As part of the guest bedroom remodel, I decided to give the ugly dorm room twin bed a makeover.

This is my very first furniture makeover and wanted to "practice" on a piece that didn't cost much and in this case, costed NOTHING. We picked this up from a neighbor who was foreclosing on their home and was giving away several items for free. While I am not fond of its bland style (or lack of), I figured this will do for a designer wanna-be on a budget :) And I am just imagining how much nicer this bed will look with new and soft bedding.

So, I am doing this bed makeover in three sections - 1) Footbard 2) Headboard and then 3) the frame sides.

Here is the whole bed before:

Here is the footboard before:

After sanding, priming and spray painting, here is the footboard after:

I decided to do a "message-board" footboard to personalize our welcome for each of our guest. So what you are seeing as the black paint is actually chalkboard paint!

More pictures and a tutorial post to come!