Procrastination

While I should have been cleaning my house today, I decided to waste some time on Craigslist. I've actually sold some things on CL recently, but haven't looked at what's available to buy. You truly never know what you'll find. Like this . . .

A faux elephant tusk table with brass caps. I knew I had spotted something similar before, so, of course, I checked 1st Dibs. They have a similar console table available for a mere $7,500 . . .

And, here's one I found in the Atlantis Home blog lady's home . . . 

Source: atlantishome.com via Kathy on Pinterest

It is definitely a unique look. Can't decide if I like it or not. Hmm. The Craigslist table is actually offered as a set with the cool mirrored credenza, mirrored planter and six chairs for $2,000. A little pricey for Craigslist, but probably a decent deal if this is your particular style. I can never understand why people won't sell items separately. Someone might like the mirrored credenza even if the tusk table isn't their thing.

Pretty

 

Some other Nashville CL finds . . . 

Love the shape of this console table. Would be great in an entry or behind a sofa. Paint it the color of your choice. 

This huge vintage Moroccan rug is a great deal ($200), especially considering it's 10'x20'.

There were also some nice side/occasional tables . . . 

We had these same faux bamboo and glass side tables growing up. They're still in my parents' house.

Have you procrastinated by trolling through Craiglist lately? Am I the only one who does this?

Mission (Almost) Accomplished

Over the weekend I finally finished a project . . . well, sort of (is anything ever finished, really?). Remember my Parson's-style console/sofa table I got off Craigslist? I bought some grasscloth wallpaper a while back off eBay and finally set to recovering it this weekend. Here's the result . . .                                       

Just to remind you, here's what it looked like before . . . 

Bad 70's laminate.

Now, fresh grasscloth . . .

Let me tell you, this was not an easy task. And seriously, I don't think you want my DIY steps . . . I'm not the most adept DIY'er. I don't always make the best decisions. Like the laminate, for instance. Some of it was peeling off, so I thought, "I'll just remove it all and that will make a clean surface for the grasscloth to adhere to." Boy was I wrong. Once I started removing the laminate, I realized that it was starting to peel off the MDF underneath leaving holes. So, I quickly scrapped that idea and didn't remove it all - just some small sections (two of the legs and one of the sides). Second came the issue of how to adhere the grasscloth to the table. I had read spray adhesive worked. Not in my case. So, I went to plan B - hot glue. I used a box cutter to cut most of the paper, then I just wrapped it like a present. The legs still need some fine tuning. My husband took a very flattering photo of me during the process . . . 

If you'll recall from my previous post, I was hoping to paint the grasscloth to provide some contrast with my sofa. I had been leaning toward a dark, saturated blue, but now that I changed my lamps to black and I'll be painting my adjacent dining room blue, I think the table needs to be brighter. Now, I'm thinking of either a creamy white or going in a totally different direction with a coral. Any thoughts? Here it is again . . . 

Of course, I'm still searching for the perfect fabric to put on the stools which will reside under the table (at least some of the time). So, that might help make my decision as well. One decorating dilemma solved just to create another. Does it ever end? I kind of hope not, because I love the process (even if it sometimes is painstakingly slow in my case).

And through it all, my dear, patient husband humors my decorating whims. So, it's only fitting that I thank him today for putting up with me for all these years as today is our 14th anniversary (as I've said before, I was a child bride). 

Happy Anniversary, Matt . . . I love you!!

Seeking Console Counsel

One of the Craigslist items I was interested in worked out. I'm now the proud owner of a $25 Parson's-style console table.

Doesn't it resemble one Kelly Wearstler used in this interior? I still need some X benches to go under the table.

I love it and think it's the perfect style to reside behind my sofa. However, I'm not sure about the laminate finish. From far away, it looks nice and has a nice burled wood effect. Close-up, well, it looks like this . . . 

It's got that textured 70's effect. Hmm. Not so sure. Some people think it looks fine as it is. I agree to some extent, but I always thought I wanted a grasscloth covered console table. Once again, that brings up issues. For one thing, my sofa has fabric that resembles grasscloth. Plus, there is already a lot of brown in this room. I need some contrast. 

Then, I had a brainwave. Maybe colored grasscloth?

Not necessarily black, but maybe a saturated blue? I've run across a few online. Some are quite pricey.

Or maybe some faux crocodile?

Or, I could always paint it. Oh, decisions. Any suggestions? Are you digging the current laminate or do you think a makeover is in order?

Sources: Kelly Wearstler, Inc., DOXA Design Group,  Lumpreor, Burke Decor