Très Magnifique Tray Makeover

While strolling through the Topanga Vintage Market a few months ago, my friend spotted a set of three very rusty old tray tables.    

They were in really bad shape, but she thought they would look good in her rustic garden.  She asked me to keep them for a few days until she could "sneak" them into her yard when her husband wasn't looking. [Hee-hee, can you relate?]

Well, a few days turned into a few months.  When I reminded her that I still had the tables, she said she really didn't need them, so they were all mine.  The price was right, so I decided to see if they had potential.

I started with just one of the tray tables.  First, it got a really good cleaning.  Then I made chalk paint with leftover antique white paint mixed with Plaster of Paris.  Using a small roller, I applied three coats of paint to the tray.  It took three coats to hide all the rust.  What a difference paint makes!  

I decided the tray needed a pretty Parisian typography graphic.  I found this lovely Paris Apartment sign at The Graphics Fairy.  It was perfect as it reminds me of our vacation in Paris two years ago.  

I used the freezer paper transfer method.  So easy.  

Here is how the tray looks now:

I painted the legs in gray to coordinate with the typography, and sealed everything with a spray matte sealer.

Now the tray table is ready 

for a cup of coffee in the morning, on the patio

Or high tea in the afternoon

Or just because!

Here is a photo of the before and after:

I like the tray table makeover.  

It is Très Magnifique!

Do you think my friend will want to reclaim the tables now?  

[Geez, I hope she doesn't read my blog!]

OK, time to get working on the other two tray tables. 

Thanks for visiting!

You may like these other makeovers:

Flea Market Stool

Industrial Chic Makeover

Thrift shop Parisian table

Chicken Wire & Burlap Frame Re-do

I'm being featured at:The Graphics Fairy
DIY Serving Trays

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Flea Market Stool Transformation

I love strolling through the aisles of flea markets.  

It's relaxing, fun, and all that walking IS exercise, you know.

You also meet friendly people.  

Just today, in fact, I met two women who are also Pinterest Mavens.  

Of course, we exchanged account info and now have new Pinterest friends.

Recently, at our local Topanga Vintage Flea Market, 

I fell head over heels with this adorable stool.  

It was actually in pretty good shape: 

a nice vinyl cushion and a naturally aged-distressed metal frame.

Did I say distressed?  I love distressed furniture, 

but in this case, I actually wanted to de-distress it.

After dismantling the seat, I recovered it with printed burlap.

I could've left it just like this and called it a day.  

However, I had other plans for this treasure.

Now which color to choose?  

I narrowed it down to these four: 

antique white, black, white and sunflower (a very soft yellow).  

Sunflower won.

A few coats of paint later, 20 minutes to dry, and seat cushion back in place, 

and I had a new (well oldish new) Parisian theme stool.

Now, where to place it?  

In the foyer?

Near the fireplace?  Yes, the perfect place for a cup of tea.

Now that I'm back in the groove, 

what's my next transformation going to be?

Check back soon!

Thrift shop Parisian table

You may find me sharing my projects here and

Coastal Charm

Talk of the Town

Romantic Home Show & Tell

Making Home Base

Home Stories A to Z

Thrift Store Table from Drab to Fab with Parisian Flair

Isn't it great when you're walking along, minding your own business, when you hear someone something call out your name?  That's exactly what happened to me last summer.

This little "beauty" stood right outside a tiny thrift shop, waiting to be rescued!  It was in good condition, just a little dreary-looking.  All it needed was a new home and some TLC...

and my
BIG GIRL TOOLS!

First, I sanded the table.

Then painted it with "oops" paint

I found at my local Home Depot for fifty cents. 

It needed three coats.

While the paint dried, I looked for a French transfer printable

to add some flair to the table top.

I knew exactly where to find a great selection:

The Graphics Fairy.

I chose this beautiful graphic

from a pastry shop advertisement

dating back to the 1880's!

The transfer method was easy:

Print the graphic onto freezer paper in a reverse image.

Transfer the image onto the table

by rubbing the freezer paper

with the back of a spoon.

I also decided to add a smaller graphic to the bottom of the table,

then finished the table stand with two coats of paste finishing wax.

The table looks right at home in our guest bath,

which is decorated with a vintage Parisian theme.

 

This was such a fun and inexpensive project.

One of my aspirations this year is to transform several pieces of furniture.

I've got a magazine rack just waiting in the wings.

[Well, it's actually waiting in the garage!]

You might also like my

transformation of this pugly step stool.

I'm partying here and

Miss Mustard Seed


The CSI Project Furniture Transformation Challenge

[Note:  This post first appeared in January as part of my Crafty Contributor Series on The Ivy Cottage Blog, which is no longer available.]