Monday, November 29, 2010

Antique Ironing board turned to fantastic table

Years ago I saw a decorating show that used a technique of decoupaging book pages to transform and personalize bedroom furniture. I L.O.V.E. that idea because I love to read, and waited for years until I had my own home and furniture to decorate. 


When we moved into our first home, I decided I wanted our living room to be casual, but our dining room to be... special. The dining room has large glass doors to the patio on one side, a built-in bookshelf covering another wall, a widow to the kitchen on the third wall, and a completely empty fourth wall. 

So what to do with that empty fourth wall to make the room homey and special? 

I, fortunately, live in antiques heaven and scoured tons of local antiques stores searching for unique and up-cycle-able items for our home. I literally (Ben: "You said 'literally' so it must be true") screamed when I saw this antique ironing board folded up against a wall of one! I had instant inspiration that it would be a P.E.R.F.E.C.T. table for that wall-- tall, architectural, and shallow. 

I bought that wooden, antique ironing board for a mere $18. Can you say S.T.E.A.L.?

Materials
  • Ironing Board, or another wooden piece of furniture
  • An old book 
  • Glue
  • Foam paintbrush
Directions

1. Tear the pages out of the book, and rip them into differently-shaped pieces. Keep the pieces big, though, so there is less glueing to do to cover the furniture surface. Then use the book cover for a new secret compartment book! 

2. Brush a thin layer of glue on the surface. Add a book page and another layer of glue over top of the book page. 


I originally used spray glue. Don't make that mistake. I covered the area with newspaper, but the glue still sprayed E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. and I had newspaper stuck to me for a week. 

3. Be sure to layer your book pages in unique, textural ways so the finished look is interesting. 


 4. Review your piece and use the paint brush to smooth out any air bubbles or to add extra glue to areas that aren't sticking as well. 



I admit this project took a lot of time, but I am so thrilled with how I did it and the final product. I added a clothesline to the top of the wall with some honeymoon pictures attached with clothespins to continue the laundry theme. I just L.O.V.E. the way it turned out, and have made two more pieces of furniture (nightstands) because I loved that technique so much! 



yay. 





6 comments:

  1. way cute susannnah! you've sold me on this one! way to make a dull theme like laundry actually special and romantic even?!

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  2. great job, I love the ironing board. I have been wanting to cover something like this for some time.
    Love the photos strung above it too!

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  3. This is such a cute idea! Love the photos hung above it too. So easy to change them out. Thanks so much for stopping by :)

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  4. I am visiting via ABC & 123 and am thrilled to have 'discovered' your blog. This is soooo beautiful!Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Ok, this is awesome. I love it! And, you made me laugh with the spray adhesive comment! I used that stuff and things were sticking to my fingers forEVER! Ha!

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  6. This is such a creative and fun idea! I love any project that involves decoupaging book pages. I've seen vintage ironing boards used as tables before, but never anything like this. Love it! Thanks so much for following. I am your newest follower:)

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