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.
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 edgesa 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
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.
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…..
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:)
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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!!
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
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
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
Well G’day Beach Cottage ladies. Of course some of you guessed correctly, no flies on Beach Cottage gals are there? A Summer House window dressing, beach vintage style. One that I got very wrong. I’ll keep this short and sweet The vintage crochet patchwork curtain? Love. Pure love. But, put it this [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
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. 
. 
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!