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Thursday, April 28, 2011

El Table de Chevron

This project happened on a Thursday. I work from home, which sometimes drives me stark, raving mad. I was having a particularly busy and frustrating day, so by 4pm.... I was DONE. By done, I mean DOOOOOONE. I could not stare at the computer screen any longer.

Later that evening, my roommate and I were expecting company for dinner, although, at this time we didn't yet have a dinner table. Thankfully, our friends are willing to sit on kitchen counters. I could have gotten dressed up for them. I could have. Instead, I put on my number 5 (a term we used in the community service group I traveled with for almost 2 years for the worst clothes you own... the kind you don't mind ruining with paint, sweat and whatever other gross things come your way). To give you a description... I was wearing a hoodie I found a few years ago in a lost and found bin where I worked. The hood was so tight I assume it originally fit a girl with a toothpick for a neck, so I ripped that sucker. The pants were a pair of tights I used for dancing in the show I was a part of with the community service group. One day, while on tour, I was too tired to do laundry, so I wore my dance tights to a service project where we painted a house. They became painting clothes after that. My hair, as usual (because I'm a tomboy who doesn't like to blow dry) was in a frizzy bun on top of my head. I'm not sure why I felt the need to describe my clothing, but there you go. As my roommate would say, I looked like an orphan.

I have these two tables in the living room that have traveled with me across states, and I can't bear to get rid of them. I'm not even sure why I love them.... probably because they were free. I can't pass up a good deal. FREE?! Yes. Free. I literally pulled them out of the dumpster when I was working for Bath and Body Works about seven years ago. There was also a ridiculously cute hutch, but there's no way I could have gotten that sucker into the Ford Focus (thanks to the 2 transmissions I had replaced, it was also known as, "THE WORST CAR EVER.") The tables had been taking up residence in my little brother's room at my mom's house for the last couple of years. I'm surprised they weren't dented/burned/demolished/broken/smooshed/slammed/stained. He is 17, after all... that's all that 17 year old boys know how to do....destroy things. When I moved into this new house, I immediately confiscated the tables, like a thief in the night....along with my stool (from the baby sister) and desk. Sorry kids, get your own furniture! :P

The tables are an ugly beige color. See below.

Ugly, and you ain't got no alibi.

I forgot to take a before picture of the little table, and now that I think of it.... I forgot to take an after... so that'll have to come another day... It's a story in itself, anyway.

This time around, I was a smart girl, and bought myself a mask from Home Depot, along with Kilz primer (thought I'd give it a whirl), and some Rustoleum Heirloom White (apparently, in the blog world, Rustoleum is the new pink).... I was on the fence about if I wanted it to be white and aqua (because I'm Aqua Obsessed) or if I should use a darker blue (as seen on the ugly owl here). My roommate decided aqua (Krylon's Ocean Breeze), so I obliged.

Kilz Original Primer Spray Paint, White 13 ozRust-Oleum 240254 Painter's Touch Satin Spray, Heirloom White, 12-OunceKrylon Blue Ocean Breeze 5 Ball Decorator Aerosol PaintKrylon Indoor/Outdoor Aerosol Paint 12 Ounces Blue Ocean Breeze 1000A4-51512; 4 Items/OrderRUST-OLEUM American Accents Acrylic Aerosol Paint 12 Ounces Heirloom White AA-7921; 3 Items/Order

Because I've spent the better part of a month drooling over Twice Lovely's Chevron Dresser, I knew it was time to try my hand at it. Because I'm impatient, I decided to eyeball the pattern with painter's tape. It took awhile, but it was good mind-numbing fun. I think it turned out pretty well. I wanted it to have a non-chalant, hand-painted attitude.

Look into the table, you're getting sleeeeepier....





I then went for the aqua, while my poor friend, Anthony, watched and told me his latest girl stories. At this point, everyone was at our house, but I was determined to finish this project, dinner party or not. Worst hostess ever, right?





Taking my lead from All Things Thrifty's Glazing Tutorial, I knew that it was time to glaze away. Glazing is interesting. I had no idea if I was doing it correctly. You basically put on a bunch of tinted paint, try to get it in all of the nooks and crannies, and then, in my case, take an old ratty t-shirt to wipe it off. You can adjust the amount of glaze you slop on, and adjust how many coats of glaze, to give it a different look. It took a little trial and error. (Probably more error.) I put on several coats of glaze until I really felt like it was staying on the table, rather than completely wiping off. I do think it'd be easier to glaze if the piece had been more aged, carved or even somewhat less smooth than a baby's butt. Regardless, I really love how the piece turned out. I did later decide to attempt some sanding to give it a more aged, beachy look. I wish I had thought to do it before glazing, as I think that would have looked better. 

Check her out... what do you think? 

Hey, girl, hey!

I heart you, aqua chevron table.

I do need to take some better photos of it in the house. The lighting here just makes it look dirty. It really is adorable and brings some funk into our living room.


Update: I couldn't stand looking at those gloomy pictures, but my awesome camera is dead. These iPhone pics are going to have to suffice:
My grandmother hacked up my Hyacinth plant because, apparently, I was killing it. EEK. 



15 comments:

Lisa Weidknecht said...

Hi. I hopped here on the SCL Blog Hop, am following you via GFC, and hope you'll come follow me at Planet Weidknecht!

Unknown said...

I am extremely impressed with your table, it looks great! I like it in your living room too, very cute! Have fun with it.

Kristin said...

OK, you are hilarious...and I love your blog! I like your table, too!

Stumbled you! My post is:
http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/04/please-help-lizzie-get-her-wish.html

Thanks!
Kristin :)

The Painted Parlor said...

Girl, you are funnny! Made me LOL when I saw your grandmas dyed Easter eggs. And how grandma loves her sandwich bags, I'm still laughing! Ok, your table is precious! I'm your newest follower, yay me! Please check out my lil' blog and I'd much appreciate if you would be so obliged to follow along ;)

Design It Chic said...

The table looks so pretty in the after pictures! Job well done:) Oh and I am now following you thanks to Social Parade Follow on Friday, and it would be so nice if you could share the love back on my blog;)
Also today we have the coolest blog hop there is... no rules just fun and would love you to join in with us at Boost My Blog Friday, where you can meet lots of friends and have a great time:) See you there!
Happy Friday

Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely said...

Great job!! That taping really takes some patience, doesn't it. :)

Lisa @ MMT said...

Cute, cute table! I love the chevron design. Great job!

Richard said...

Great work on the table! And you have a really grand grandmother! I enjoyed visiting and following your blog via Blogfrog!

Anonymous said...

Wow great job on the table! I love the discription of your clothes though! :) Your friends are really cool to be willing to sit on your kitchen counters but it was nice of you to funk this table out like that! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant job. Love the colour and pattern ... :0)

Just popping by on the weekend blog hop and I'm following.

Shirl x

Lauren said...

I've been wanting to make something with the Chevron stripes! it looks great!

Patrish said...

Hi! I love this project. I just finished a dresser and nightstand re-do for my daughter. I used mod podge and zebra print paper and it worked great!

I look forward to seeing more of your projects!

Angel said...

I stumbled your post. :-) I love the table, it turned out great!! I love doing DIY projects. You end up with fantastic, original pieces. I would love to try this on my bedside table with a deep purple.

I am following you in all ways available as well. Have a great night!! :)

Angel
Chasing Serenity

Sarah AKA The Thriftress said...

Girl I love your table and your attitude! Thanks for sharing the link with me.
Sarah

Sonishka: Far and Away said...

You sound like crazy fun person.I like your writing style and your DIY table looks rather nice.Great blog!