What time is it? It’s time for lunch! If you have a preschooler, then you know why that was my automatic response! (Bubble Guppies) Those songs have a way of sticking in your head for hours. Actually it’s time for Themed Furniture Thursday!! That’s where I and a bunch of my favorite bloggers each make over a piece of furniture, but the catch is, there’s a theme! Because everything is more fun when there’s a theme, right?
This theme was actually a tough one for me…we had to make over a piece of furniture inspired by Pottery Barn. I have a little upholstered stool that was as close to something Pottery Barnish as I could get, until I came across this coffee table at a yard sale last Saturday:
For $15, I figured it just might work. I shared this pic on my Facebook page on Saturday. Can you see it in there?
That was my first official yard saling day of the season!
The coffee table reminded me a bit of the Tivoli coffee table by Pottery Barn. It has since been discontinued so this pic is the best I could do:
I know the legs are straight in their version, but I was mostly inspired by the color:
You know black is a stretch for me! The lines of this little table are really pretty though, and I think they show so much better with a little paint.
Instead of sticking with plain knobs like PB used, I added something just a bit prettier:
These knobs and scrolled back plate came from Hobby Lobby.
This was my first time making DIY chalk-like paint in black, and it worked beautifully.
The top already had these distressed spots:
Which I don’t mind a bit.
I sanded and waxed using Annie Sloan clear wax like I usually do.
I would have loved to set it up in front of a sofa, but I have a sectional and it was way too long, so in front of the dining room doors it is…
You might want to say goodbye to those old laminate floors because it might be the last time you ever see them! My new hardwood floors just came in today!!! I can’t wait to tear all this out!
So, what do you think? Does it resemble the PB version?
Not if you’re talking about cost, that’s for sure!
More importantly, is it an improvement over the before?
I think so.
It can always be painted over. Black makes a fantastic base coat. 🙂
Want to see how my friends were inspired by Pottery Barn?
Check their projects out at the links below!
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Now I gotta run…got some floors that need tearing up! Anyone want to come help? I’ll try not to sing the Bubble Guppies theme song the whole time. 🙂
XOXO,
P.S. You can check out some of my past themed furniture makeover favorites here:
Thrift Store Side Table Goes Glam
Mini Drop Cloth Rosette Stool Makeover
Duck Egg Blue and White China Cabinet
Sewing Stool with a Secret Drawer
Mason Jar Blue Headboard Bench
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at some of these great parties:
Home Stories A to Z Not Just a Housewife Kammy’s Korner The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Redoux Interiors Between Naps on the Porch The DIY Dreamer Oh My Creative Little Miss Celebration Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista House on the Way Addicted 2 DIY I should be Mopping the Floor Miss Mustard Seed
Heather J says
This looks great! I LOVE the decision to go with the pretty little knobs and plate. Perfect choice! The paint looks wonderful and this looks so good with that rug!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! I just couldn’t give it plain black knobs. 🙂
Deena says
I think it looks better than the Pottery Barn table. Love it in black with those knobs. It really shows the features compared to when it was stained. I may have to try the DIY chalk paint. What black paint did you use?
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Deena! I usually use Behr paints, but picked a quart of this up at Lowes ready-made. It’s Valspar in flat black. 🙂
Christina says
Christy, you did a phenomenal job making this Pottery Barn look-alike! I’m betting yours looks better than theirs. 🙂 I really like the distressed black! The hardware is perfect bling touch. 🙂 YAYYYYY CHRISTY!! 🙂
Christy K. James says
So glad you like it, Christina! I love the look of distressed black too…might have to consider this option more often. 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
So sleek and gorgeous…you nailed it, Christy!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Larissa! XO
Carole says
Christie, your table make-over is so much better than the Pottery Barn table. It is prettier and more interesting. I love everything about it, especially the new knobs. It’s a winner.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Carole! I’m surprised how much I liked it too, since I gravitate towards the lighter shades. 🙂
susan says
Like yours better!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Susan! XO
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says
Nice makeover Christy! I love the knobs. And how exciting for you to be having new wood floors installed! I can’t wait to see it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Angie! Can’t wait for my new floors woohoo! 🙂
Dana Garcia says
In your headboard bench, you said you used a spray shellac BEFORE painting. How did you get the paint to stick ?? Don’t you usually do that afterwards ??
Thanks,
Dana
Christy K. James says
Hi Dana,
The shellac was to seal the stain so it didn’t bleed through the paint, and I used milk paint which doesn’t require priming or sanding. It gives a natural chipped-over-time look. I usually use chalk paint which also requires no priming or sanding and sticks to just about any surface.
Dana Garcia says
Thanks for the quick reply. So do you always use this shellac on projects?? What is chalk paint and where would I find it? I hate sanding… Would this work on kitchen cabinets?? Also would love to make one of these for the back deck, but it is exposed to the elements. What would I paint it with?
Thanks,
Dana
Christy K. James says
I only use shellac if the stain is a red tone like mahogany or cherry. It bleeds through paint like crazy, and so the shellac seals in the stain. I first used Annie Sloan’s chalk paint with her soft clear wax to seal. I love it and you can look online for a retailer near you, but now I make my own. You can see the recipe here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/sewing-stool-redo-chalk-paint-recipe-revealed/ It works best on furniture. I painted my cabinets last summer, but I stuck with latex enamel because it’s easy to clean and very durable for heavy use. I share the complete process here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-a-step-by-step-guide/ Chalk paint is sealed with wax, which wouldn’t work well if left in the hot sun. I’ve always use spray paint on my outdoor pieces. 🙂
Kimm at Reinvented says
Beautiful! I am in love with those crystal knobs and the backplates. Have fun ripping out those floors! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kimm! I’m getting ready to tear up some floors as soon as I step away from my computer. Glad to have you on the tour! 🙂
Maggie M says
Yours is the best of all of the PB projects! Great job!
Christy K. James says
That is very sweet of you to say, Maggie! Thank you. 🙂
Lori says
It is soooo much more beautiful than the Pottery Barn version. They should be copying off of you instead of the other way around! The black looks just gorgeous! You have a great eye for style, Christy. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Aww you are so sweet, Lori! Thank you. 🙂 I love Pottery Barn, just not the PB prices!
Becky says
You definitely got this one right. Beautiful work, as always. : )
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Becky! XO
Debra Brown says
Christy I am curious how you handle the drawers. Do you paint the entire drawer inside and out? And if there is drawer slide hardware do you remove it before you refinish? I really enjoy your blog and the work you do. You have inspired me to try some of my own projects.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Debra! I love hearing that you are inspired to start creating! I only paint the face of the drawers, but I usually line the drawers on the bottom with pretty paper. This drawer on this table is fake, but you can see here how I like to do my drawers: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/lacy-drawer-side-table/ Hope this helps!
JP says
Beautiful job, Miss Christy!
JP
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JP 🙂 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Ah, not only does it resemble the Pottery Barn table but looks way better! Love your version with those pretty glass knobs.
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Marie! I forgot how pretty black paint could be. 🙂
Rita Spittler says
WAY better than the PB version. Genius indeed! I,too, want to know how you treat the drawer inside. Inquiring minds want to know!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rita! You just can’t beat a vintage piece, I guess! I usually don’t paint the sides or insides of drawers, only the fronts. This table’s drawer is fake, but you can see how I like to do them here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/lacy-drawer-side-table/ 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I love this piece made over with the black paint and it does look very much like the PB version. The knobs that you added are a nice touch. You should start doing more makeovers with black paint if this one sells quickly.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I just might add a few more black pieces here and there! XO
Jacqueline says
Yes and yes. Love it.
Christy K. James says
So glad you like, Jacqueline thank you! 🙂
Deb says
I think yours looks better than PB. I like the curves on the front panel. You did a fabulous job.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Deb! I didn’t really notice the curves so much when I bought it, but I love them too. 🙂
Ange says
Another beautiful job…you amaze me with your creativity. Years ago I hired a lady to redo our oak table, chairs and hutch in distressed black, like your adorable table. With just a little bit of paint It gave the old set a whole new look. BTW…good luck on your new wood flooring. About five years ago we replaced our carpeting with 5″ plank distressed hand scraped dark oak. It took us a month to get it done’ but it was well worth all the hard work and dust.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ange! Paint is like magic in a can, right? Sounds like I am putting down something very similar to yours. It also sounds like you remember it very well…there is dust everywhere here! 🙂
Ange says
I do love our wood flooring, but what I didn’t know when we installed the flooring was that the hand scraped areas would be an issue…they ended up showing wear marks. And the seams have a bit of a bevel and when I would use a swifter to dust the floors the dust falls into the bevel area. I have to vacuum the flooring…still looking for the perfect vacuum.
Christy K. James says
I don’t think our seams are beveled, but I did wonder about dirt and dust settling into the areas that are lower? I installed Brazilian cherry floors in my last house and they were gorgeous, but they showed every foot print, every speck of dust, you name it, so I was trying to get something that would be easy to keep looking clean! I appreciate your input!
Vivien says
I prefer your version to The a Pottery Barn one! They should be following you Christy. The knobs just give the black the lift it needed. It’s really lovely and I’m very impressed with the make-over!
Christy K. James says
You are too sweet! I’m so glad you like it, Vivien! 🙂
Breanna says
Yours is WAY better than the Pottery Barn version! I love the scrolled plates and knobs you chose, they’re perfect!And yay, for new hard wood floors, can’t wait to see them 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Bre! I am SO excited about my floors…although I’m not as young as I think I am and my body is feeling all the work I did today boo! It will be so worth it though. 🙂
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says
What a pretty piece Christy. Black paint along with a talented lady can make anything beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Kathy! The feeling is completely mutual! 🙂
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
You had me at Bubble Guppies! thanks, now I will be singing myself to sleep with it! Seriously though, I have always loved the Pottery Barn distressed black look and you did an outstanding job. The knobs make it even classier!
~Tami
Christy K. James says
Ha ha those songs just have a way of sticking in my head all day! That and Team Umizoomi lol! Thanks for the sweet comment! XO
Tina Matteson says
I love yours even better than the PB version! How is it that every one of your projects seems better than the last? I love them all. You are so inspiring.
Christy K. James says
Oh you are so sweet, Tina!! Thank you! This little table was a lucky find. 🙂
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Wow, Love the all black! Your table even matched down to the style of the legs! Great find!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendi! It was a lucky last-minute find for this theme for sure! 🙂
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Great find, Christy! It turned out beautifully!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, friend! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Fabulous job Christy! The table looks a million times better than before, and I agree that it looks better than the PB version too! <3
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jen! I don’t know why I stay away from black!
Helen says
It came out beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Helen! 🙂
Meegan says
You did such a fabulous job, Christy! I like yours even better than theirs. Black was the perfect color and the knobs and plates are just the right touch.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Meegan! I don’t know why I stay away from black. I might have to use it a little more often now. 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Beautiful!!! I’m always amazed at the amount of stuff you can fit in the back of that vehicle of yours!! lol
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Ha ha me too! Love that thing! 🙂
andi says
Yours is WAY better than the PB version. 🙂
-andi
Christy K. James says
You’re the best! 🙂