We all at some time have to work around decorating obstacles. There’s the chair that your husband refuses to part with, the bedding your son is super attached to, or even a scruffy dog bed. But what if the thing you aren’t so crazy about is the elephant in the room?
For me it’s the table.
Let me say first, I’m not complaining. It is a beautiful table and it wasn’t cheap. It’s Drexel and well made. With all of the leaves it extends to 12 ft! But I don’t care for it any more, and we don’t have room for more than one leaf any way.
So I wondered, how could I make the room look more like I want it to without replacing the table?
Duh, use a tablecloth! Another simple idea that solved my problem.
I really think it makes the room look lighter and brighter. The beauty of this solution is that I already the tablecloth so it was free. It didn’t require painting, sewing, or spending money. Mr. CH says, “WIN-WIN!”
And of course it is totally reversible. Sure, painting the table was another solution, but I think that would be a big mistake. The top is crotch Mahogany that has been booked so all of the leaves match and were made specifically for this table.
My take away lesson is LOOK FOR A SIMPLE SOLUTION FIRST.
It may be as simple as grabbing a tablecloth from the closet.
UPDATE:
Since I wrote the post, I have a new table. Pictures to follow…
PS. Happy anniversary to my sweet husband, on our anniversary today.
It’s been 31 years.
Yikes!! Did I say that out loud?
ROFL! Sometimes what will be will be , lol. I love the tablecloth, but am very curious about the new table! Happy anniversary to you both! 31 years! Shout it out loud! It’s a wonderful thing!
Thanks Heidi
Happy Anniversary Anita!
Thanks Diana!!
I am new to your blog and I love it. I had a similar situation. I have a large kitchen table that just seemed to get in the way.
I had removed a small bookcase to update with fresh paint. I realized the table was able to fit horizontal, east to west, I added a table cloth I already had too.
Everyone loved it, the room felt more spacious, no more bumping into chairs.
I still painted the bookcase and placed it in a different area.
Bravo and welcome!!
Good choice not to paint that beautiful wood, even though I love painted furniture. I can sympathize because I lived in 3 house in a row that I had to buy new tables for. One was a rectangle, didn’t work in the next house, had to go smaller. Next house needed to go round, and almost all my other furniture didn’t work in that house too. When we were moving again I told my husband, my round table and other furniture need to work or I’m not buying. I am tired. I got off easy this time with just having to replace a couch.
Yes when we moved from a 5 bedroom to a 3 bedroom house I got rid of a lot when we moved. It was also a good time to purge the things I really did’t like any more. Some I consigned and some things I gave away.
Happy Anniversary…can’t wait to see that new table!
Thanks Linda
Anita!
Would you believe we have the same anniversary? Same year too! How funny! Well Happy Anniversary and enjoy your new table!
Wow Lisa, that’s amazing!! Have a blessed day!!
We also have the same anniversary and same number of years! Who knew way back in 1983 that August 20th was such a popular wedding day. We were married down South and as I recall it was about 100 degrees on our big day.
Wow, two days before, we had a hurricane hit our city. It was not a good day for a wedding in Houston.
Hi Anita, first of all bravo ! bravo!! on 31 years, and what a testimony to lasting marriages. Happy Anniversary to both of you.
Ok now on the table….although I love a good table cloth rustic farm out doors of course I have had a hard time throwing one on a formal table in doors. I think it’s because of growing up with grandmothers who used lace, linens and sometimes both together in a layered look on there tables at all times and to top it off clear plastic to protect the table cloth for everyday use. I know you paid a lot for the table and painting may be out of the question, but if you were to break down and opt to paint out of the fact selling would not recover your cost, and replacing is not an option at this time, and you feel you have had it long enough in use that it has paid for itself?Then would sanding it down to add a new look and feel to its elegance be an alternative to keeping it and loving its look all over again?
I did just that to a inlaid wood of Tiger oak that dated itself and sanded it down to then wash it with a vintage stain paint, using paint that you are milk washing the wood finish with. This can lighten the wood giving it that weathered mahogany look of old and elegant rustic a beautiful fit in anchoring your table to your homes style.
I have a piece that I did just that, giving it a lime waxed finish to the worlds most expensive woods that being African Mahogany now out lawed do to tree waste, yet the inlay on the surface was aging and dating. Most woods that are painted when you make a big purchase cost more due to its artistic take on paint finishes then a stain grade. You could create a look for your table that would have even costed you more being painted.
I love Restoration Homes weathered oak look that has this European farmhouse feel, the design centers for designers are going this direction in paint and washed finishes more and more on so many lines….my post in my daughters room has a 28 year old Tiger oak marble topped wash stand end table at the foot of her bed that I did paint, the piece cost me $999.99 that many years ago I thought no one will pay anything for it if sold, I got my use from it, and what the heck instead of buying a new table lesser quality woods why not give this a heavy paint finish and ding it up, and sand heavy aging to areas looking well loved and abused for the look of what she likes, I sanded the marble top to age it as well, and not surprising at all, I have an instant vintage piece to love all over again. No cost out of pocket buying a new piece to replace the old.
Come visit her rustic French room… I even re-painted the tall Ethan Allen chest that we had for 8 years that was $1,500 on sale turning it into a thrift shop find when we painted it, yet I love that it took on a much more or less mass-produced feel and look to it, I even gave it a water marked stained finish down the sides so it would look and feel as if it were stored where water damage got to it, a Ralph Lauren thing they do to their farmhouse finishes.
I hope you will visit and see that even pricey pieces I have taken and painted them saving me money on another expensive purchase. Now getting 3 more years of paint life so far out of them, and I am sure years more, paint finishes never go out of style, and always cost more at fine antique shops because of their history.
So I say you cannot ruin the table, only make it better, and if you want it to melt away seamlessly blending into your home, well then lighten it up with some great paint.
It will be so worth the effort.
Xx
Dore
Wow Dore!! I love your energy. Excellent ideas, and if I were talented in refinishing, I might have tried some of your ideas. Too bad you don’t live closer.
Happy Anniversary!!! I can’t wait to see the new table. By the way, love that rug!!!!
Cindy
Thanks Cynthia!!
Happy Anniversary! Ours was the 30th in 8-11-84!
Wow Carmen, happy anniversary to you!
Happy Anniversary and many more. I love the table and am not a fan of table cloths. I will watch for the new table!
I’m working on the photos as we speak Jeanie. Thanks.
I am not sure what u mean!!
About what Jeanie?
Anita,
Great things come to those who wait!!!
However, your tablecloth solution is an amazing one!!!
Of course, I’ll be back soon for the reveal of your newest “beauty”!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I had a huge table in a too small dining space and just got rid of the dining room and table ( and load bearing wall) when I renovated my kitchen. Gave the table to a church and had to take out the original hardwood floors (that killed me) in the 10 by 12 dining rm that was joined to a decrepit 10 by 12 kitchen. Now I have a 20 by 12 kitchen with 10.5 ft Island that opens into the old living rom! A table cloth never would have worked for me! Happy anniversary–I just celebrated 28 yrs on 8/16!!
Anita,
Congrats on your anniversary. Was the new table a gift for that? What will you do with the other beautiful piece now?
Anita, I think you were wise to leave the table as is and add a tablecloth. As much as I love painted furniture, your piece is too nice to alter. Happy Anniversary! (My hubs and I just celebrated 31 years in June. 1983 was a good year!)
Dear Anita,
Happy Anniversary to you both!
Glad you changed your mind and used the cloth; very pretty too!
I’m going to be covering my table in our nook, since I need a change .
Ann
you are so lucky to have a good husband and happy anniversary. it is funny you wanted a smaller table and i want a bigger table and 6 chairs.
Happy anniversary. Enjoy your wonderful site. Thank you for all the info. Have a great day!!!!!
So glad to hear that a new table is coming! Just can’t do tablecloths. Can’t wait to see the new table.
Congrats 0n the anniversary! August is a great wedding month my hubby & I will celebrate our 46th the end of this month! we were married right after I graduated high school!!
I love your table and I must say I wish I had that problem 🙂 We live in a small Cape Cod cottage in TN and the table we have is 36″ round (with leaves that fold down)
I totally understand not wanting to paint…I also love painted furniture…but not on a family piece such as yours….I also like the lightness of the tablecloth…Keep up the great ideas.
I am new to your blog and have enjoyed it immensely.
That’s fabulous! First, happy anniversary! Second, the table looked great with a tablecloth. But, I know exactly that feeling…… only changing a table would make us enjoy the room even more. I can’t wait to see it! Have a wonderful week ahead! ~ Vanessa