A tale of two tables…

One of the best ways to add interest to your decor is to think outside the box when it comes to furniture function. Need a side table? How about a tree stump? Looking for a new coffee table? What about an oversized drum?
For our new master bedroom, I really wanted to be creative with nightstands. I didn’t want them to match, and I loved the idea of using something unexpected. So, I hit the bricks…er, the antique store…in search of something interesting that would be a good height next to a platform bed. For those of you who live in Nashville, one of my favorite spots is 8th Avenue Antiques.

On my hunt, I found two things that fit the bill! First, this bar cart.
It looks nicer in this picture than it actually was. The shelves are thing particle board with a layer of wood grain paper on top, and the “wooden” arms were actually stick on…yikes. Just recently I visited Graceland…the home of 1970s decor (and Elvis Presley), and this bar cart would have fit right into that tacky 70s shrine. But I saw sparkle in its future.
Did you know you can buy mirror pieces at Lowes or Home Depot and they will cut them for you in store? I found a mirror for $12 that was the exact length and exactly twice the width that I needed to replace the “wood” particle board, so I had them cut it in half in store, took it home, and stuck the pieces on the cart. Then I scraped off the “wood” sticker arms, and voila. Done. Easiest transformation ever! No tools and no paint, and I ended up with a fantastic nightstand alternative for less than $50.

The box that says “Antiques” is what I use to store what I would normally put in a nightstand drawer, and on top a couple of picture frames, books, and a lamp from home Goods finish out the simple styling.
For Jeremy’s nightstand, I found a mid-century side table that was a little scratched and dated, but I knew some paint would spruce it up, and the size and scale were perfect. It sits across from a mid-century dresser, so I like the combination.
I just painted three coats of Glidden Gripper Primer (for more on painting laminate furniture, see this post) and two coats of plain white semi-gloss paint. It doesn’t look perfect, but as The Nester would say, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

So think outside the box when it comes to accent furniture. You never know what you might find!