Hello, lovely Beach Cottage-ers, how the devil are you? I've had a busy, interesting, fun and good weekend. Hope you did too?
Anyway, just when I thought it was safe to go out and copiously buy up every can of grey paint I can find in New South Wales, I decide to transform an old deck table. With bright and beachy white…
I've had this old beauty for, like, ever.
I had been on the lookout for a Farmhouse Style table for the deck. For, like, ever.
Then, one day, I happened right upon what I was after, not only were the legs delish, the top was not too wide but kinda skinny. I liked that. I wanted skinny and not too wide, a bit like how I like my bottoms.
Sooo, anyway, that was months and months ago and from that day, after bribing Mr BC to go pick it up and strap it to the roof of the car and doing some serious sucking up to those males in this tatty old place to get it settled in the garage waiting for some love, it stayed there.
Until, happily minding my own business a week or so ago, Layla's new old Farmhouse Table transformation popped up. Talk about speak to me across the miles. It was, people, an epiphany of the decorating blogworld kind.
OMG, I needed to get that table up from downstairs and on the deck. How quickly did I run to the garage? Let's just say it was double quick shall we?
And I will elaborate here 
You see, for a very long time, I have had this nagging at the back of my head about the deck table. I bought it at Target, in, I think, the third week of living in Australia. We had just arrived and had rented a hideous modern house on one of those horrid divided blocks where a house has been plonked right slap bang in the front garden of another house, meaning neighbours not only literally overlook you, they walk past at all hours of the night making, ahem, a bit too much noise.
It was 6 days 'til Christmas and not only were we oh-so-fresh off the boat, it was stinking hot, we had, no beds, no furniture, no fridge, no car and more importantly no table. Hence a hasty buying trip. An all purpose, all weather, all very 'nice modern', all mass produced, all mall-style anonymity.
It isn't that actually that table hasn't served us well, we've sat outside on it most of the year, and though not aesthetically pleasing the whole setting worked for us…but I have to tell you, dear Beach Cottage Readers, dear lovely happy-to-lurking Lurkers, dear white-loving aficionados, that table has done remarkably well to take it's place in this old beach cottage for all this time…
The new old Beach Cottage Farmhouse table is probably half completed, I've been musing whether or not to distress the edges a la Layla but couldn't quite decide and so thought I'd ask, as every, you guys whatchya think? But then, actually, I'm probably almost there with a full on sandpaper attack to get this baby up there in the Top Ten of Vintage Farmhouse Delights.
I grabbed various chairs from the garage and stole ones from the breakfast table for that ole mis-matched look we all are lovin' but hopefully soon I'll be come across some chairs that I can paint that are just right for this area…
And that is how I will leave you, with a white table that is nowhere near finished, that is dressed with my fallback-of-the-moment Dahlias, but one which when the season allows and I first see Layla-Style-Tulips, will be swiftly dressed in white Spring delights, a touch of apple green and if I'm really really lucky with my treasure hunting, the odd egg or two 
.
So long kiddos
find the other side of the deck here, the transformed sofa here, and the white side table before and after here
blogged for Kimba's weekly extravaganza, thanks!
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If you have kids/teenagers in the house, your table will be distressed in no time with no effort on your part! Correction..it will have ‘patina’ in no time:-)
Love it. I think distressed is better. That way, I don’t get distressed when my kiddos bang in to it and give it nicks and scrapes. My dining table is dark and I have been waiting here in the states for the weather to break so I can get it out into the garage for a makeover. As always, your photos are absolutely stunning.
Love the table very much but guess where my eye was drawn, yes the colour of your decking. I REALLY love that especially as our big ol verandah is that Indian red colour that was all the rage in the 80/90′s Could I ask what colour it is as now you have got me started. Oh and I also found the most divine table today at the oppy but my darling hubs cant pick it up till Saturday, oh the torture of waiting!!
alicia
Hi Sarah. I was over at Layla’s too and saw her amazing table! I want to do that so badly to my table but truth be told I’m nervous. For so long I’ve been covering it with white linens thinking it would be enough for me. Maybe. We’ll see.The color of the wood is quite lovely butttttt…. yea we’ll see. Yours looks great as usual. <3
I love it! I definitely think distressing it would look great and then you don’t have to worry about keeping it perfect. My husband and I made some similar big box purchases when we were first married that I am now slowly replacing with antique/vintage finds. Love the arrangement you have on the side.
I have seen Layla’s transformation and I do like it.
I also like yours as well.
Either way you decide to go will be perfect I’m certain.
Hi, I think the table is looking fab in solid white – but I also love the look of Layla’s table too! So either way you can’t lose.
Your table looks great! When I saw Layla’s I wanted to drag mine out of the garage. It’s perfect. But at the moment I am not able to round my boys up to help. Funny how they scatter…..
LOve your table! And the driftwood too!
For myself I wouldn’t distress it. Mostly because my DH is such a perfectionist he can’t handle distressed furniture. But for you I would distress it. It’s your style:)
Great table. I’d definitely distress it a little. will look great with the chairs!
I reckon go for a ‘patina’ – it is looking rather ummm shiny and fresh
Jo x
Lovely Sarah! Looks great! I also love the mix matched chairs, they look adorbale! Such a great taste! Have a wonderful week!
Looks great!! I have a pine table using as a desk at work. Moving into large exposed brick old bldg for our design studio so think am going to borrow your idea and transform it for new office!!! Thanks to you! I love white and did a post on it a couple of weeks ago. Thanks. Cheryl ( will post finished product)
Sarah, I love your new old table and yes, by all means, distress the death out of the top. And when you’re finished will you please come to my house and do mine? I am scared to death to distress it. I am so afraid I will hate it, but then what is there to hate? I love the distressed look!
Be brave! Cindy S
Gorgeous, your table is my table’s twin. I found ours at the thrift store and gave it a new coat of crumb cookie and it looks so much better. I think yours would look great either way, looking forward to seeing which way you go.
I like the table the way it is – I like to eat of a clean surface, therefore I would not distress. Plus the chairs you have now give it enough of the distressed feel. Live with it for a while at least until you find the chairs to you want for it.
I like the wall detail – neat-o!
I know this is NOT what blogging is all about, but I am really starting to get a complex. I have not completely finished a project for about a year. (other than work related)
Between you and Layla and all those other energy pumped gals out there, I am feeling very sluggy and disorganized.
Not that I don’t enjoy looking at and reading about your accomplishments, on the contrary–I’m totally HOOKED!!
So today is the day the powder gets painted. Completely and totally painted.
But first, a trip to town to buy more paint, a stop at the hardware store, laundry to do, snow to shovel, dishes to wash, dog to take out… oh, and let’s not forget the trip to the hospital to give a little blood. I’m gonna need a few extra hours today.
annie
I’d call that a job well done. I like the contrast between the table and chairs. I feel quite sure you’re going to distress it though, and it will be beautiful!
Love the table. I vote to distress it….will be perfect!
I say…get the sandpaper out…a bit of distress will give it that Beach Cottage look we all love. I am in the midst of re-doing my 18yr. old family farmhouse table…sanding and then…not sure…repainting whitewash or leaving the wood in faded loveliness. I am also painting a pale pale pink wicker coffee table in bright beachy white. Now back to your table…looks great with the mismatched chairs and driftwood overhead. Maybe a piece of driftwood and shells on the table too? I find many a long lasting items at good ole Target.
I love it! I also really like the mismatched chairs. They add so much character.
lOVE it All~
Hi Sarah,I love it the way it is but if you showed me the table distressed I would say the same,so I guess I’m no help.So I guess go with what your kids a like,if they are rough and ready kids I would beat them to it and beat and sand that table,but if they are darlings(not like mine)I would enjoy the perfect table.Joanne
Love the table and although you are a complete world away…I have a similar table with wonderful legs. Mine is about 80+ yrs old and has tons and tons of character. It even makes this creeking noice anytime someone leans on it. Mine has not been repainted {at least not by me}. It is still this very warm, dark brown. That doesn’t mean that I won’t someday paint it a cream color, but for now we use it as our coffee table and love every creek it produces.
Jan ~ BellaCasa
Actually I would leave the table as it is.
If you get chairs, you will probably decide that they should be distressed.
I have a theory in decorating for myself, that sometimes you can have too much of a good thing.
Because something fabulous, repeated, lessens the impact and can look over done.
You have done a few distressed items, so leave this plain, and play around with the new chairs when you get them. If you don’t get new chairs, the ones in the photo above, are distressed enough to provide a nice contrast.
Anyway as some readers suggested, the table will acquire its own distressed look in time. This will be a patina thats come about from great times around the little table.
I hope this helps.
Stop messing about and get the bloody sandpaper out! Go on………… you K.N.O.W you want to……..
I love what you’ve done with the gorgeous table!! I’m so excited to have found your beautiful blog! I love your lovely airy style, and I’m excited to dig around in your old posts
Happy Monday!
Tracey
ps….I notice you’re a white slipcover fan too…I just posted about them a few days ago! I’m hooked!
myhouseofgiggles.blogspot.com
Love it, love it, love it Sarah!! That is exactly the type of table I am searching for to go with my $4 chairs I found at the tip shop last week, all together to be our outdoor setting! Great find and it looks fabulous white and on your deck:) Enjoy it!! ~ Tina x
I love it just as it is. Do you know I have pulled out my white tins tody. Don’t know if I will do anything with 30 degrees and it’s accompanying humidity predicted here but I hope, hope to find the energy to transform a couple of pieces in my bedroom. Spreading the white!!! Cherrie
I am sure that in our beautiful hot sunny Aussie condtions and with general wear and tear it will distress itself beautifully
Alison
Love the table, I think I would give it a little distressing though… I too was inspired by Layla’s post and my dining table ended up getting a do-over with the whitewash, haha.
I love what you have done Sarah!
Layla has been an inspiration to me too.
Now after seeing what you have done…I might try finding some mismatched chairs and redo my doing room. Sarah….You have a way of taking simple and lovely ideas and making them all your own. The rooms you have shared are so warm and so inviting!! I just want to curl up in one of your chairs with my favorite book. That’s what I want for my home!!! I’m going to give it my best shot and see what I can do!! Wanna go shopping with me Saturday?? I sure could use the help!!
Sally
xoxox
Hi Sarah, I’m one of those lurkers that your always on about. Just my opinion but I just love slip covered deck chairs just like the striped one in your pic. I would love to see some of them around your lovely table (distressed) in some gorgeous fabric looking all casual and beachy. Your blog is my absolute favourite by the way.
Cheers, Mandy.
XOX
Looks great Sarah,
I think a sand paper attack is well in order.
And thanks for the link to the lettered cottage. Great coffee break relaxation.
Distressed for sure! But not too much… I hate that! I love the table though! And the mismatched chairs are so adorable as well.
ahhh heellllloooooo’
Now seeing this here gorgeous table, I really wish I’d picked up the old brown one from down the road I saw the other day.
Not too big. Sweet legs. just right…
ah anyway I’m happy to look at yours and its glorious makeover.
I love it undistressed against the old chairs.
Love that flower too
x
~justine~
So lovely, could just see you having a nice cuppa and reading a mag there – love your outdoor area. Sarah i am having a giveaway that i think you would LOVE so pop over. Mel xxx
Great photos! It looks lovely! I really like how you’ve decorated your porch! All the neutrals look great together!
Okay chickadee… you know you want to distress it!! Break out the sandpaper – LOL.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Oh you know you wanna distress it!
XOXO,
Layla
PS..You know I’m just kidding with you. It’s fabulous, and will continue to be fabulous whatever you decide!