My Kitchen Table Makeover is Blooming
So you’re probably going to think I’m crazy, but I got this idea in my head for my kitchen table makeover and I couldn’t let it go.
Often I’ll see the finished project so clearly in my mind, but sometimes it can take quite a while for me to figure out how to get to there.
That was definitely the case with this project.
Here’s the before… before the kitchen chairs makeover.
The table has seen better days so I decided I wanted to cover it with something permanent, and the best way to do that is with decoupage.
But first I wanted to paint the table so I gave it a light sanding.
For the top I’m using the same ReStore white paint that I used on the kitchen walls and on the faux tile backsplash.
And I panted the legs and skirt the same blue as the chairs and the china cabinet.
Then it sat for a few weeks while I tried to figure out the best way to get the look that I wanted.
I felt that the kitchen really needed something floral. I could see it in my mind, and then I saw it in the dollar store… on this $2 flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth.
It was perfect.
With four cats in the house it’s pretty impossible to keep a fabric tablecloth on the table for any given length of time without it getting damaged or ending up on the floor.
So I use these tablecloths all the time, but even they’ll be damaged by those razored cat paws eventually.
But I’ve never liked all the extra hanging over the sides… so I got this idea for a permanent cat-proof tablecloth.
When it first came to me I thought… no you can’t do that. It won’t work.
Then I kicked that nay-saying side of me in the butt and got to work. 🙂
I cut it down closer to the size of the table.
Here it is all ready to go.
Did you know that you can de-flannel a vinyl tablecloth?
I had no idea until I tried. It came off very easily by just grabbing and pulling with my fingers.
The flannel made the tablecloth a little spongy so I removed as much as I could. I was concerned that the flannel would affect how the mod podge adhered to the vinyl. This took about a half hour, so not too bad really.
One day I’ll try to do this for a project without removing the flannel just to see how it goes.
About a grocery bag full.
I’ll save it for stuffing a pillow or something.
I made sure the vinyl felt nice and smooth to me before moving on. If I felt any little lumps or bumps I removed them.
Then I grabbed my mod podge, a brush, and a brayer.
I spread the mod podge over half of the table and folded the tablecloth over that.
I had to move really fast because MP can dry very quickly.
I smoothed it out as much as I could with my hands….
and with my brayer.
I did the same to the other half of the table.
When the undercoat of MP was dry I trimmed the tablecloth with an sharp xacto knife, following the decorative lip of the table.
Then I applied three layers of MP to the top and let it dry for about 2 hours between coats.
Here what the set looked like before.
It went nicely with my old kitchen, but really needed a makeover to go with the new colour scheme.
And here’s the finished table and chairs set.
After letting the mod podge cure for a week I added two coats of the same Stays Clear polyurethane that I used on my decoupaged recipe countertops.
This project was kind of an experiment because I’ve never decoupaged with vinyl before.
Would I do this on an antique table or one that’s in beautiful condition? Probably not. But this beat up old table was the perfect candidate to give this a try.
There is some wrinkling here and there that came with the vinyl tablecloth. That might bother a perfectionist, but I don’t mind in the least. For me that just adds some personality and character. You don’t really notice them until you look real close.
I’m a jump in the deep end kinda gal, but if you’re unsure you could easily test decoupage a small piece of a vinyl tablecloth on a spare piece of wood to see if you like the look.
It seems to have adhered beautifully and it feels nice and hard on the table.
The only thing I’ll have to be careful of I think is placing things on it that are super hot, but I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be doing that on a vinyl tablecloth anyway. 🙂
I usually use pot holders or place mats so that shouldn’t be a problem.
And, of course, food should not be placed directly on it. Food safe dishes should always be used.
The beauty of this is I have an everyday look that makes me smile, but I can easily change it temporarily anytime I like by using a real tablecloth on top.
And most importantly, my permanent cat-proof tablecloth is staying put. My four feline friends will have to find some other mischief to get into. lol.
The tablecloth really shows off the curves of the table, which I never really noticed before, and the chairs aren’t hidden with the tablecloth overhang.
I absolutely love my table now, and I’m so glad I tried this even though I had no idea how it would turn out.
Sometimes you just have to go for it! 🙂 If you don’t you’ll never know.
Don’t forget to pin it!
If you enjoyed this kitchen table makeover please share with your friends, and if you’re not already a subscriber you can easily sign up using the sign up form in my side bar.
You can find all my kitchen makeover projects here.
Thanks so much for reading and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
I sometimes share my projects and posts at these fabulous parties listed here.
You should love your table make-over as it is Absolutely Awesome.
That turned out beautiful
Thanks very much Colleen! I’m very happy with how it turned out.
That’s a pretty genius idea. I don’t know much about Mod Podge, but am assuming it is not a permanent glue? So the tablecloth can be easily removed at a later date? Am I understanding this correctly?
Thanks Susan! Some things can be removed after using MP, but I’m pretty sure my vinyl tablecloth is on to stay. I think it would be quite a messy job to remove it. Not sure if I’ll ever try. If I ever want to change my table I’ll probably do some kind of treatment right on top.
Awesome. This gives me a ton of ideas! Thank you!
Thanks Beverly! I’m so glad that my project has inspired you.
Wow! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!!
I love it that you jump in at the deep end and somebody your projects always work out? 🙂
Thanks so much Jessie! Creatives leaps of faith are sooo fun. I’m not always sure what the outcome will be, but it’s fun taking the leap to find out.
Your table looks beautiful, Tuula! Mod podging a vinyl tablecloth on top is a genius idea! Who would have thought to do something like this? Oh, YOU would! You go, girl! What an awesome transformation!
Thanks Gail! I’m really having to stretch myself creatively with this kitchen makeover because I have no budget to stretch. lol.
No way! You did not just decoupage a table cloth to your table. That is amazing!! And it looks absolutely fabulous!!! You ARE the champ DIY’er in my book. I bow to your creativity!!! LOVE IT!!!! Dona
Thank you so much Dona! It’s crazy…right? I’m trying to get this kitchen makeover done with as little money as possible. I’m succeeding budget wise, and I hope I’m succeeding decor wise.
What a wonderful idea – I love the pop of color the red gives the table.
Thanks very much Kim! The red floral really adds some fun to the room.
Very pretty and so cheery! I would never have thought of doing this! Love how it looks in your kitchen now! You’re so clever Tuula!
Thanks Florence! Finding that tablecloth at the dollar store was kismet. Sometimes I just luck out.
I so look forward to your posts! I love to see what you come up with next! You have such vision ♥ Keep it up 🙂
*hugs*deb
Thanks very much Deb! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my projects. 🙂
Awesome makeover!! I really like how the white border shows off those luscious curves. I dream, you DO. You are amazing. And clever, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Thank you so much Fran! That’s exactly why I left the border in the white. I thought the tablecloth really needed that framing, and it makes the table look so much better. It starts with the dreaming, and then comes the doing. You can do too. 🙂
I love the floral with the checks on the chair! And if you want to cover with a tablecloth for special occasions, that option is still there! Having 6 cats myself, I know what they can do with loose tablecloths …I have edge clips all around to help keep it on straight and they still manage to mess it up. I like the nice clean look of your new table and am seriously considering a new look for my table! I like the way you think Tuula!
Thanks Linda! I know you can relate to the cat issue. We do love them, but I’ve had one too many tablecloths ruined over the years. It takes only one claw to pull some threads. So if you can’t beat them… decoupage a tablecloth on your table. lol.
I love it too. Very nice! Who would have thought you could use a vinyl table cloth. Great job.
Thanks very much! It never occurred to me either until I saw it at the dollar store. A lot of good things happen at the dollar store. lol.
Now if that doesn’t say spring and refreshed I don’t
know what does!! What a great idea. I could see this
applied on shelves or smaller side table tops.
Good one!!!
Thanks Mary! You’re so right. It’s kinda like contact paper without the adhesive. It just opens up the pattern possibilities.
How pretty this is. And I understand about the cats and tablecloth being a cat mother myself. This will make life easier for you to keep is clean also.
Thanks so much Debra! Another cat mother. How wonderful! They do bring so much joy to our lives, even when they’re being mischievous. :).
WOWZA!!!
Thanks Laura!
It’s really cute!
Thanks very much Barbara!
Oh my gosh! This is so cute! I never would have thought of trying that. Great idea…:) Enjoy your new kitchen and table.
Thanks very much Vicki! I was so lucky to find that tablecloth at the dollar store. It was fate I think. 🙂
You are just about the bravest decorator I know! WOW — that’s stunning! I DO know what you mean about having an idea (most of mine come to me at about 3 in the morning!), picturing it and then trying to figure out how to make it a reality. Sometimes it works, others, not so much. Yours definitely WORKED! Great job!
Thank you so much Lauren! I can so relate to the 3am idea thing. A while back I decided to start writing those ideas down because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten when I woke up in the morning. lol.
Shut UP!!! Wow, that looks awesome Tuula!! You are just so creative!
Tania
Thanks very much Tania! I swear I never would have thought of it if I didn’t find that tablecloth at the dollar store. It’s funny how one things leads to another when it comes to decor ideas. It’s really what keeps decorating fun for me.
All kinds of cool in this post! You are a brave brave woman, Tuula – but we knew that! I really love the effect and there are so many practical reasons to do it…thanks for taking the deep end plunge!
Thank you so much Michelle! Sometimes we just have to take the decorative leap and hope for the best. 🙂
I could never have imagined this in my wildest (décor) dreams, but you pulled it off! It looks amazing!
Thanks AnnMarie! I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t found that tablecloth this idea wouldn’t have come to me. How ideas happens is such a mystery to me still, but that’s what keeps me going.
Looks fabulous! I really like those colors together. The entire kitchen redo is amazing. Great job.
Thank you so much Judy! I think I’m coming into the home stretch of this room makeover. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the kitchen. 🙂
I have wallpapered a table top, but never imagined Mod Podging a vinyl tablecloth to the top. Sharing and pinning!
Thanks for sharing Donna! Now that I’ve never done… wallpapered a table top. Sounds like something to try in the future if I ever thrift a cool pattern that I love.
Tuula I’m thinking after all this hard work you need an island holiday, since I happen to live on a big one, come stay with me and help me do this with my table. That looks absolutely fabulous. I love it. I’ve been keeping up to date with your whole make over it’s glorious love love love it. Mel x
Thanks so much Mel! You’re so right about the holiday. I could sure use one in a warmer climate. It’s snowing here right now. Eeek! Will spring ever get here? Too bad your big island is so far away. 🙂
I think it looks beautiful too. Quite the idea there! I think if I were to ever want to change it out, I’d get a stencil and paint, paint the background color, and then add the stenciling on top, same kind of effect without needing the Mod Podge, and perhaps there is a finish that could be use on top of the paint to make it last longer as well as being food safe??? Just some additional thoughts, though I like the effect you have there. Blessings!
Thanks LynneDe! I appreciate the suggestion. 🙂 I’ve painted and stencilled furniture in the past and I don’t know of any completely food safe furniture finish. I agree that stencilling a table top is always an option, but I think this will be more durable in the long run. We’ll see. Only time will tell. When I feel like I need a temporary change I’ll reach into my tablecloth collection.
You sure do love that shade of blue!!! Yikes….it’s everywhere…..then you add a “red” tablecloth to go with that shade of blue???? Great idea, however!!
Thanks Monique! I certainly do. It doesn’t look like so much blue in person because the ceiling is white and adds a lot of balance to the space. For me aqua and red is such a happy combo, and my kitchen makes me smile every single day.
I’m curious how your table has held up so far. I’d love to do this with fabric to our dining room table that has seen way better days but with 4 kids and 2 adults, we make a lot of spills with lots of wiping of the table. Do you think the finish would hold up with that many people?
Hi Rachel! My table has held up very well and wipes easily, but it started as a vinyl tablecloth so that helps. Also, it’s just me and my husband so our kitchen table doesn’t get much abuse. If there is a spill it has to be cleaned up immediately or it could cause a stain. If that ever happens to me I’ll cut a piece of a spare matching vinyl tablecloth that I have and put that down in place to cover the stain. I have decoupaged fabric onto a desk, a bedroom dresser, and a night table and they are all holding up very well. But all of those pieces are low impact when it comes to use and abuse. I can’t say that fabric would hold up as well on a dining room table, especially because fabric tends to not be totally smooth after decoupaging… even with sanding. Although that does depend on the fabric you choose. Personally it’s not something I would do because I can’t guarantee that it would hold up well. If you want to see how it would work, try decoupaging a small piece of the fabric you want to use onto a spare piece of plywood and see how you like it and how it holds up. Whenever trying something new I always suggest doing a test run. I hope that helps!
So cute! Very creative.
Thanks Suzy!