Have you heard that rule that if you’ve worn it before, you can’t wear it again when the style comes back around? Or something like that. Something my mom says.
She also says, “Just because it’s in style, doesn’t mean it looks good on you!” She means that in the most I’m-gonna-keep-you-from-embarassing-yourself-and-because-I-love-you, sort of way. (Good advice, in my opinion.)
My point is, is it the same way with furniture?
I have this thing with step end tables lately.
As a child of the seventies who has already had the step table experience, can I go there again? It wasn’t my furniture, right?
Enter the prettiest step end tables I have ever seen:
Well maybe not yet…
We rolled up to a yard sale on a Friday morning (Love those, they’re like secret yard sales meant just for you!) and these beauties were nearly hidden under a ton of junk several other well kept, uh-hhmm, items.
Guess how much? You better be sitting down for this one, empty your bladder first if necessary…$1 each. That’s one dollar per table!!! Don’t they suddenly look better?
I thought about it for about a half a second. Then I said to myself, “Self, pay the man and get them in the car as fast as you can!”
And here is their big reveal:
You like?
I did keep them neutral just in case I sell them, but I really want them for me!
Even with the little rosette missing, they are so charming.
I used home made chalk paint and Annie Sloan’s clear wax. Waxing leaves such a beautiful sheen.
The tops of them were pretty gross before:
I used a bit more elbow grease than usual to prep them.
You would never know how bad they looked before…ah the power of paint. Paint, I love you!
I love the metal detail on the sides.
My house really wants to be a little oceanside cottage. Wouldn’t these fit in there perfectly? Unfortunately the outside doesn’t say cottage at all… I’m working on a merger…
So that’s my deal of the century, unless you’ve seen what I’ve been talking about on Facebook!! (Go see!)
XO,
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Patricia Krank says
I love this! I actually have one of these tables in my garage that I’ve been wondering what to do with. Thanks for the inspiration and blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Patti! I’ve seen these around more and more lately. I was so excited to find these ones:)
Zuni says
GREAT results! I’m afraid I would’ve passed them up…I won’t in the future!! ~Zuni
Christy K. James says
I wouldn’t have blamed you, they were pretty gross! 🙂
Christy says
On Saturday morning, my husband calls me and tells me, “Honey, there’s some kind of table in the neighbor’s front yard that you might like.” So, I walk right on over there and sitting there in all it’s glory, is a step end table that is similar to yours! I picked it up and walked right back home with it. Yes, it was free.
I have been trying to figure out what color I was going to paint it, and now I know….white. Yours inspired me!! Yours are beautiful!! Well done!!
Christy K. James says
What?? You got a better deal than me ha ha!! Good job, husband! 🙂
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
I love these old step tables. The white looks awesome. We have reclining end sofas, love seats and chairs. My current tables must be set further out so our hands can use the pull out handles. I bought an old step table and spray painted it… best little table in the house L.R. The top is high enough for my lamp to give plenty of light and my coffee can stay low nearer to my hand swing!
Christy K. James says
Well one of these works out perfectly for your needs! I bought these to redo and sell, but I don’t think I’ll be able to part with them!
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
Very pretty! I can’t believe they were only $1!! What a deal! I popped over from Give Me the Goods–thanks for sharing!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
I know, right?! Thanks for visiting me, Abby 🙂
Jennifer says
Awesome find! My son had one of these for his nightstand growing up, which we found, yes at a yard sale! And it was free at the end of the day 🙂 Yours turned out great. Jennifer
Christy K. James says
Most people probably see this style as dated, so maybe nobody could see the potential? I love their charm anyway!! And free is even better than my deal! 🙂
Andi says
Omigosh…$1 each??? You lucky, lucky girl. At first when I saw “step table,” I thought it was going to be the child of some dining table you married… 🙂
-andi
Christy K. James says
You just made me laugh out loud! Glad I didn’t have food in my mouth!! 🙂
Liz @ Quirky Vistas says
I think they are adorable. They look like they have leather insets. It’s fun to see they can be painted right over. My friend just found a side table that looks like it goes with your two. It has the leather inset as well and one of those little pull out shelf thingies. Glad you scored such a deal. Woo! Thanks for stopping by Quirky Vistas and seeing the sanity in my junk crime. Sorry I have to reply here but you were coming up as no reply. Keep up the great DIY. Such cuteness!
Liz
Christy K. James says
Thanks for visiting me back! Sorry about the no reply, there’s no way around it with WordPress. I saw my own struggles in your story today…I can’t NOT stop when I see to potential goodness just sitting there for anyone to take!! But it really can become a burden! It just wasn’t meant to be!
Pat says
Oh those are so pretty!
I need something like that next to my bed!!!
now, I’m going to be looking.
…via CLH, Pat
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Pat! 🙂
Suzan says
I grew up with these tables as a little girl – that’s how all end tables used to be lol
But wow you’ve really transformed them into sheer beauty – fantastic transformation!!!
Visiting via Savvy Southern Style
XOXO
Christy K. James says
I grew up with these too which would normally be a turn off for me, but for some reason I really like these. Thanks for visiting, Suzan! Always happy to have your input! 🙂
Susan @ SunfowerHugs.blogspot.com says
Total score! And they are the best looking step tables I have ever seen too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Susan! I have seen your tables with the coordinating drawer liner featured a couple of times tonight…so pretty! I always have to link and run so I can get my kids in bed and then I come back and check everything out! 🙂
katie says
LOVE what you did to this step table!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Katie! 🙂
Jamie Koenig says
I see those tables all the time at our local thrift stores and would of never thought to buy them. Yours turned out really well makes me want to buy some.
Christy K. James says
I know, they are definately a style seems to be stuck in a time warp, but I have been drawn to them lately and I have no idea why. My mom already talked me out of one at an estate sale. When I saw these, the $1 price tag was enough to convince me and now I just love them! Thanks for visiting, Jamie!
Jenna says
Wow! I honestly had no idea these kinds of tables could look this good! Great job! Thanks for linking up to Give Me the Goods! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
These look so pretty, Christy! I think these are the prettiest tables in this style I’ve seen. Love the curves to it and the white gives it a really nice cottage look.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kathy! I’m trying desperately to find a place for them so I can keep them! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Love those Christy! I have 2 pairs of that similar style (among about 5 other pieces) in my garage that I’ve yet to get to! I love what you did with these…and the price was right! 😉
Thanks for sharing on Project Inspire{d}.. Pinned!
Nancy
Kristen Daukas says
I have a table very similar to this just dying to be remade. LOVE the chalk paints and I swear it will happen this summer!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring by posting with LOBS!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for coming for a visit, Kristen! Glad to link up with you girls tonight! 🙂
Cindy Eikenberg says
Hi Christy! Thank you SO much for joining us and sharing your wonderful projects at Best of the Weekend! We love having you join us! Pinning to our party board and will be sharing on FB and Twitter. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy…glad to join! 🙂
malia says
Hi Christy, Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice blog post comment. I so appreciate it! I absolutely love your project too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for returning the love, Malia! 🙂
Debra says
Wow they look great, love the idea of using these older tables, giving them new life! 🙂 Enjoy and thanks for sharing them with us. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Debra!! 🙂
Toodie says
First of all, I’m SOOOOOO happy to hear that your self talks to you! Mine does too, and I get the funniest looks but hey, I thought it was normal! Thank goodness you came along to let me know I’m not crazy!
Second of all (which really should have been first)…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how your tables turned out. Now, having seen those ugly dang things most of my life, I can honestly say that they didn’t do anything for me then. But now that I’m all grown up (wayyyyy grown up) they take on a different light because I know they can be changed. And you can bet your self talking to you that I would have paid a buck each for those too!
Christy K. James says
Oh how you make me laugh! Sometimes the best advice I get comes from me ha ha! If only I’d listen to it more…I am with you in these tables…the style is very dated, but I’ve been drawn to them lately! Glad I listened to myself this time 🙂
Marlin says
Beautiful tables ! You did a great job with the paint and color ! Most of all I love the price tag 🙂 Came from It’s overflowing party !
Marlin
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marlin! 🙂