Junkaholics Unanimous: Fall tablescape

Showing posts with label Fall tablescape. Show all posts

Friday, September 27, 2013

$10 Find: Antique Farm Table and Fall Tablescape

*This had been my most popular post on all forms of social media so I decided to share again for all the fun fall parties of 2015. We moved last year so I have a new dining room to show this upcoming weekend as well. I hope you'll check it out too!

Hello again all you fellow fall-loving friends! Today I am so excited to show you our fabulous yard find, an authentic antique farm table! We only paid $10 for it! The top was covered with a cheap veneer and I was just going to get the table to use in our basement because it seemed like a solid table, but my husband looked underneath and noticed it had the big wooden planks. We tried not to do the happy dance right there in the stranger's yard and offered the seller ten bucks (she was asking $15). Sold! We brought it home and he immediately ripped off the veneer, sanded, and stained. When it was completely dry we used a paste wax to give it a nice smooth finish. The bottom part was ugly flat brown so he just chalk painted it and distressed it to match our buffet. At some point someone had chopped the legs just a bit to make it an odd height, but never fear, this junker keeps a stash of junk in the basement with several sets of vintage casters "just in case." We already had the paint, stain, wax and casters so it actually did only cost $10. Similar tables sell anywhere from $200-$1500. And this people, is why I am a proud junkaholic!

Here it is right after it was finished. It turned out stunning! Love the morning light coming through and resting on the table. We are really getting that blend of a farmhouse-cottage feel now and it's so
cozy. I hadn't really set a tablescape yet in this picture, but even unadorned it is beautiful. I had some
faux pumpkins so I stuck them on top with some leaves until I could get to the market for some real
pumpkins and gourds. So pretty for early autumn.

In my "Saying Goodbye To Summer" post I showed pictures of our white table for the last time. I was
a little worried that the farm table would be too primitive but actually it ties in all of the romantic
farmhouse style elements that I have working into the cottage, so it's pretty much perfect for our décor. And yes, we use it. It's sturdy and wonderful!

You can't help but wonder what meals and stories were shared around this well-worn table. I love the gorgeous depth and age of the wood.

I love coming down stairs and seeing the table first thing in the morning, especially now that it's adorned with autumn goodness!

I have been trying out some some different color combinations of pumpkins and gourds for the centerpiece and they all have looked wonderful. I have so much fun playing with pumpkins it will probably continue to change and evolve through Thanksgiving.

While we are touring the dining room a bit I'll go ahead and show you my chalkboard. You can see it in the background of some of the photos but it's always a bit blurred.

I just came up with a quick free hand design for early autumn. My younger sister is a very talented artist who just graduated with a degree in graphic design and she loves hand lettering. She's coming to visit this weekend so I'm going to have her create something unique and spooky for Halloween. I'm so excited for her visit!

I digress easily. I get excited, it's fall! It's almost October! Okay, back to the table. For the center I used a very old antique linen runner topped by a few faux gourds mixed in with real gourds and
pumpkins, deer antlers and fall leaves.

I found the awesome jute place mats at Home Goods for $2.99 each and they matched the Pottery Barn rug ($20 yard sale STEAL!) perfectly. Then I simply set out my cream plates and saucers with tiger striped pumpkins on top. I will add gold flatware, napkins, vintage amber glass saucers and goblets in November.

I have been playing around with different candles for the table. First I used one single pillar and it was nice. Then I used two primitive battery operated flicker candles and they were nice. Finally I

settled on dollar store pillars that I embellished a little with twine, antique lace, fall leaves and old skeleton keys. Love them!