Pages

Friday, July 26, 2013

Shades Of Gray Table

Do you ever feel like you create things more so to appeal to others rather than yourself?
There was a time when I painted furniture with bright, whimsical patterns. It was fun. It made me really happy.
Lately, it seems to be the same old thing...
paint a color that appeals to the masses, distress, wax,
or
paint a color that appeals to the masses, glaze, poly.

When I bought this little table at a yard sale for $10,
I decided it was going to be a piece I would have fun with.

I sanded the top (that's not the fun part)...
 and then gave it a coat of white paint.

Once the white paint was dry, I placed painters tape across the table in 3" increments...

Using a damp rag, I washed a gray color over the table...

I dipped the same damp rag into black acrylic paint and wiped it down one side of my gray stripe...

then I removed the tape and allowed the paint to dry completely...

 I repeated that process going the other direction...


I then painted a large flower using the gray, black, & white paint...


It was so much fun to paint this table! 
And, if no one likes it but me, it's okay...
I painted for enjoyment not approval.


So, what is painting for you...
work, fun, or both?
Pin It

Linking To:
 Someday Crafts, Sew Much A Do, Yesterday On Tuesday, Ginger Snap CraftsCreations By KaraRae Gun Ramblings, Adventures In Dinner, Ivy & Elephants,   Seven Thirty Three, Southern Lovely, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Seven AliveBear Rabbit Bear Crafts, Made In A Day, Katherine's Corner, Redoux, Happy Hour Projects, Joyful Stamper, Chic On a Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Blissful Bucket List, Ladybird Lane, Simply Sweet Home, One Artsy Mama, The Shabby Nest, Craft Junkie Too, A Little Knick Knack,  House of Hepworths, Momnivore's Dilema, Somewhat Simple,   Live Laugh Rowe, Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs Olson, Simply Designing, Truly Lovely, Create Craft Love, The Cottage Market, Country Momma Cooks, Funky Junk Interiors, Six Sisters' Stuff, Bowdabra, Addicted 2 Decorating, Tatertots & Jello, Young & Crafty Blissful & Domestic, Nap Time Crafters, A Vision To Remember, To Sew With Love, Boogieboard Cottage, Lovely Crafty Home, DIY Showoff, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, DIY Home Sweet Home, Under The Table and Dreaming, Keeping It Simple, Homemaker On A Dime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, The Dedicated House, Pinkapotamus, Lines Across, Coastal Charm, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts, Chef In Training, The Farmhouse Porch, Nifty Thrifty Things, Cherished Bliss, Natural Mothers Network, A Bowl Full Of Lemons, Me & My Boys, Mad In Crafts, Alderberry Hill, Flour Me With Love, Not Just A HousewifeLil' Luna, Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, The Trendy Treehouse, Homework, Kammy's KornerI Gotta CreateThrifty 101, Craftionary, 5 Days 5 Ways Lamb Around Domestically Speaking, Tales Of A Trophy Wife, The Kurtz Corner, Fine Craft Guild Katies Nesting Spot, Hubby Made Me, The Thriftiness Miss, Homespun HappeningsCurb Alert,   It's Overflowing, C.R.A.F.T., The Sasse Life, Finding Fabulous, The Answer Is Chocolate, Sugar and Dots, Sarahndipities, Skip To My Lou, Sumos Sweet Stuff, The Thrifty Home, Or So She Says, Diana Rambles, Adorned From AboveCedar Hill Ranch, Classy Clutter, Flutter Buster, Crafty Texas Girls, Twelve O Eight, Daisy Cottage Designs, Snappee Turtle, If It's Not Baroque, Sassy Little Lady, Nap Time Creations, The Shady Porch, Life We Live 4, JoJo And Eloise, Hope In Every Season, The Foley FamPJH DesignsHouse Of Hoff, Hickory Trail, Our Home Away From Home, Living Well Spending LessMiss Mustard Seed, Remodelaholic, A Lived In Home, Flamingo ToesVMG206 Finding Silver PenniesAshley's Dandelion WishesFrench Country CottageMad Cap Frenzy Gingerly MadePink WhenMinnette's MazeMade To Be A Momma Start At HomeLil Mrs ToriHomecomingThe Vintage Farmhouse,  

32 comments:

  1. Good Afternoon to you, Never mind fashion and trends, this little table looks fabulous. I have a piece of painted furniture which is maroon and gold and painted with flowers and I adore it. It has travelled with me to so many new homes and I think if you really like something, it stays with you.
    I never imagined when you started painting this table that this would be the end result.... I love it, so thank you for going with your instinct.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your table is lovely! You should always paint with joy because without joy where's the fun? LOL, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well said! Okay, how do you link up to all of those parties? I feel like I am doing some old school version of linking up? Love the table!
    laura

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! You did a great job! I like how it shaded. I find that I usually paint the way I want to paint that way if no one likes it, I can keep it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. WHAT!!?! That is completely AMAZING!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think that is the most difficult about doing what you love and trying appeal to the masses. There is a conflict and sometimes you just HAVE to create something for yourself and pure enjoyment! Great looking little table!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's fabulous!!!!!!!!!!
    Suzan's right - there can be a real conflict with what the masses want and what we want to do - I'm half and half on it - If I have to repaint something, so be it!
    But I LOVE what you did to this table :)
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your table!! Since I just started furniture painting, I haven't really found my style yet, but I have a feeling it will be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the plaid pattern already, but the flower makes it amazing!
    You have to have fun and make yourself happy--otherwise why bother?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This paint job makes my heart sing!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hopping over from Daisy Cottage Designs where I saw your link. This table is fabulous! Thanks for the tutorial...I want to try this. Hugs from ~ Wendi @ H2OBungalow

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Wow, This is AMAZING!! I love the plaid and flower...and well everything!!

    Thank you for linking up at the Paint Party
    Brooke
    startathome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. AMAZING and WONDERFUL. There are a few words for you to think about. My sister and I tried our hand at chalk painting a few tables. They will eventually show up on our blog but I wasn't that happy with them. They need something more.... like what you did to yours. AMAZING and WONDERFUL! PINNED. Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/08/what-to-do-weekends-31.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW this table is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! I am so inspired and impressed! We have a link party going on called The Project Stash and I'd love for you to stop by share this great project...it's OUTSTANDING!

    http://www.4you-withlove.com/2013/07/the-project-stash-9.html

    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think you did a beautiful job! Thank you for sharing. Do you have a special spot reserved for your table?

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great flower. This looks fab. I saw your link on Pin Me Link party and had to have a look at the flower. Really great work.

    Handmade at Warratahstree

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bravo, paint to please yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is beautiful. It reminds me of a dresser that Sawdust and Embryos did for their twin girls. I love the look!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a fun design! Sometimes I feel the same way, making things look "the same old", but it's fun to branch out and do something new! I love what you did! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful! You did such a great job. I'd love for you to link up to The DIY'ers! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-diyers-and-my-new-rug.html

    ReplyDelete
  21. My 2 cents: Don't worry about what appeals to the masses. Do what you love (like this table that I'd love to be able to afford to buy from you #). If you build it, they will come...

    ReplyDelete
  22. I LOVE it!! The pieces you do for your enjoyment usually are the ones that end up appealing to the masses since your love shines through it :) Lame, maybe, but tends to be true most of the time. I saw your link over at Kammy's Corner and wanted to personally invite you to my very first linky party that I am hosting - Tute's Tuesdays at UpcycledAntiques.com. This is my first time hosting so advice would be greatly appreciated! I hope to see you at the party! ;) And, while I am only one person, I must add I LOVE the table and would definitely be proud if I made it! Definitely a functional statement piece.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is gorgeous! Nice job! Thanks for linking to my Pin Me Linky Party.

    ReplyDelete
  24. No, I love it! I love how it's something you did because you like it, too, not because you were being influenced by current trends. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Virginia, I never met a plaid or a check I didn't like. Your table is definitely a piece of art! thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  26. So cool! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

    ReplyDelete
  27. ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! I have many pieces waiting to be done, but am so chicken to "just do it" Thanks for the inspiration and for linkin up to Sunday FUNday! XOXO

    Kristine -The Foley Fam {unedited}

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love the creativity of this table! Being a decorative painter myself, I can paint what I like when I want but when someone asks for something in particular with colors, ideas, etc., it totally takes the joy out of it -

    ReplyDelete
  29. Just lovely!! The way you painted the stripes is fabulous - I am going to remember that as I also paint furniture - and the flower is just gorgeous - well done!!

    ReplyDelete