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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Burlap Sack Table Tops

I had big plans for these two tables that I got free from my neighbor's garbage.  
Even though they were press board, I knew I would be able to paint them with homemade chalk paint since that will stick to anything.  The tops had that bubbling from getting wet and my plan was to decoupage fabric to cover it up. 

But not just any fabric!  Turns out the burlap sacks I got from this garage sale fit the tops perfectly.  
I kept going back and forth about how to clean them and I wound up putting them outside in the rain that was in the forecast for the next few days.  It did a great job of rinsing them out. 
Meanwhile I painted the tables.  I had the idea to layer the paint so when I distressed you would get to see multiple colors.  Both got layer #1 in white, layer #2 in red and then one got layer #3 in black while the other got layer #3 in red again.
You can see in the photos above, that after I distressed, the white didn't really show up.  I think it would have worked if I lightly sanded the tables before I started to paint to have given a better bond to the white.

Next part was to put the burlap sack material on the top.  There are tons of different blog posts on how to Mod Podge (MP) material on furniture.  I just followed a combination of a bunch of different ones.
  • I cut the sack into two pieces.  There was printing on both sides, so I only needed to use one sack for the two tables.
  • I put a layer of MP on the table top and placed the sack on top and positioned it.  I was able to move it around easily.  Once I was satisfied with the placement, I put another layer of MP on top of the burlap.  
  • There is a lip to the table top, so I was able to use my stapler to secure the burlap from underneath.  It was a little tricky at the doors, I just stapled further back.  Of course I ran out of staples at this point.  
  • But it was okay because the MP needed to dry.  The burlap was very delicate and was starting to rip.  
  • The next day the burlap was very hard and fully adhered to the table top.  Under the lip, where I stapled, the burlap was still soft, so after I stapled the heck out of it (with my brand new box of 1,250 staples), I added more MP to make the burlap stiff and strong to hold onto the staples.
  • The last step was to turn the table over so I could trim the excess burlap with a brand new razor blade.
And here's how they came out!
I am so happy with them!  I love the way the printed grain sack fits on the top--it was totally meant to be!
The black table was finished with the dark wax "glaze" technique.  
The red table got a coating of Minwax dark walnut to give it more depth and tone the color down.  It is a nice affect, but takes forever to dry, especially when it is humid.  I finished it up with Minwax Finishing Paste.

I would definitely do this again as I have a bunch more sacks.  I would like to try it on a plain rectangular table as well as maybe a small dresser on the drawer fronts.  It would all depend on what I find that they fit.  


Linking to:
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Featured by:
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Modern Baby

46 comments:

  1. Good Afternoon Susan, My word, you have transformed these side tables. I love the colours you have chosen, especially the red.
    The grain sacks fit beautifully on the top of the tables.
    These are lovely, and I am not surprised you want to cover a small dresser, I think it is a lovely idea.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  2. Those are cool. I've had a table like this in my garage for some time now. I don't like the shadow and was thinking if just using it for pieces. But these are so nice I'm reconsidering now. Love how you gave them such great character with that burlap. I'm impressed by these for sure!!

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  3. I have one of these tables & have planned to chalk paint it as well. I love the colors that you used, and the burlap looks really nice on top. Thanks for the ideas!!

    I've been giving milk paint a try over the weekend on an old dresser that I stripped years ago. I have had a lot of trouble with clumping, but then strained it through an old pair of knee high stockings (Lord knows why those were still around.... they did the job though!). Hopefully it turns out as well as I have envisioned after looking at your work and that of other bloggers who have used milk paint.

    Thanks for the inspiration and tips!!
    Megan

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  4. Nice ! Living off the fat of the land !!

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  5. What a great idea, Susan! I love how they turned out!

    Thanks for linking up to The Creative HomeAcre blog hop! : )

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  6. I am so impressed with what you do to furniture. I very much like both of these pieces with their layered colours.

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  7. That's beautiful!!! So unique.

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  8. Paint and burlap are put to good use in your creative hands Susan! Thank you so much for sharing your talent at the Pretty Things party :)

    xo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

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  9. Beautiful, Susan! I love the red in both pieces and the burlap sacks are genius!
    I'm visiting today from Mop Up Mondays. I hope you get the chance to visit my blog, linkup and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Link Up Sat thru Friday @ DIY Showcase Link Party

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  10. I got a tall 5-drawer dresser in this exact same design. Pressed board circa 1971. Found mine for $23 at Salvation Army. Not as good as free, but $23 is great for a tall piece with 5 large drawers. It looked awful when I got it, but with a coat of lime green paint, it now looks amazing in my Sewing Room to hold sewing/crafting supplies. Looks awesome with the lime green and teal fabric I am using for window treatments. It is truly amazing how old junky furniture can be transformed with paint!! I lightly sanded, primed, and used Valspar paint-with-primer. I just wanted to go the extra step to ensure adhesion on this shiney laminate piece. It was totally worth it. Gives my sewing/craft room a pop of color & great storage, and no doubt I could sell it for more than I spent on it should I later decide to get rid of it. Win-Win!!!

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  11. I really like this! I swear my grandma had these exact end tables!

    I hope you stop by and link up with us!
    http://www.sowderingabout.com/2013/06/on-display-monday-linkup-6.html

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  12. This is so neat! what a great idea! Thank you for linking with HickoryTrail

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am completely OBSESSED with these tables and your use of those burlap sacks. I never have any luck finding great vintage fabrics like that- must.keep.trying!

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  14. This is great! I love the black with the red showing and I really love the sack with the big ol' fish in the center. Great job!

    Kristin
    Www.exploringdomesticity.blogspot.com

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  15. What great tables and a great makeover! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world! I would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party which is still live. Here's the link if you want to check it out. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/06/make-it-pretty-monday-week-54.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  16. LOve this!!! I see these tables all the time at garage sales. And great choice of color! Thanks for visiting DIY Showcase! Come back every week and show off!

    Shelly- Cohost
    minettesmaze.blogspot.com

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  18. Love it! What a great idea using the burlap to cover the table tops.

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  19. Cool table! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.

    Holly at Not Done Growing

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  20. What a great idea putting them out in the rain to clean them. Thanks for stopping by and sharing!

    Robin @ Fluster Buster

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  21. What a wonderful idea. They turned out so adorable! I love the grain sacks on top.
    Have a wonderful week,
    Bev
    @ Eclectic Red Barn

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  22. I absolutely love those burlap table tops. The tables turned out beautifully! Visiting from the On Display Monday party. Pleased to "meet" you!

    Jenn/Rook No. 17

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  23. What a great idea! Very cool looking.

    Thanks for linking up to The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop. We hope you join us again this Sunday!

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  24. you are so creative.I'll be interested to know how the burlap holds up as a table top. thanks so much for linking up to Paint Parade
    Fiona x

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  25. What a fun project! My mom totally had one of these tables for years! this would have been so much fun to do! I would love it if you would share this at my linking party today! http://www.fidlersunderoneroof.com/2013/06/fidlin-fridays-link-party_21.html

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  26. wow, super cool. i really love the black one!!!
    Thanks so much for linking up to support Habitat! Good luck and hope to see you back next week!

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  27. What an awesome idea! I love how it turned out :)

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  28. Wow! Great idea! Never would have used burlap sack for a top, but they look great! Thank you for sharing at Give Me The Goods!

    Dimples & Pig Tales

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  29. Such a fun idea! Love how the grain sack looks on top! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  30. wow - quite the transformation

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  31. These are absolutely adorable! I found you through the DIY Showoff Link Party. I'd love it if you stop by my page! :-) www.justdoityall.com

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  32. They turned out GREAT! You are one clever gal, always such a treat seeing what you're working on!!! Thanks so very much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  33. Very cool Susan! I love the layers of color and the burlap!

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  34. Brilliant idea...the grain sacks look fabulous! This is soo cute! Come link up to centerpiece Wednesday linky party and share this post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-decorations-and-centerpiece.html
    Karin

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  35. This is so cool! I grew up with two of these tables, almost identical. They are hard to reinvent, but you did it way out of the box, or drum, lol! Featuring at my party tomorrow, thanks for sharing!

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  36. Very nice style! Yes I loved the colors you choose and the burlap on top is great! Congrats and thank you for linking withTransformationsbyjacqueline.blogspot.com

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  37. Great idea! What a great use for burlap! Your tables look great!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ <a href="http://usscrafty.blogspot.com/search/label/Submarine%20Sunday>Submarine Sunday Link Party</a>

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  38. What a creative idea! Love the finished look.

    We'd love to have you come link up at Remodelaholic.com where we host a Remodelaholics Anonymous linky party every weekend (Friday through Monday) for all types of home projects. Come share this or any of your other posts, too!

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  39. What a unique idea - love this ! They are so different than anything I have seen!

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  40. Susan, I simply love how creative you are. The tables are fabulous. Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!

    xoxo
    Denyse

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  41. These re awesome "new" tables....LOVE it!

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  42. I love these...especially since I believe that we had these exact tables growing up!! Yours look way better than ours did....even when they were new...and from Ethan Allen! ;) I am showing my mom your post! Great job!

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  43. I believe I have a pretty good imagination for makeovers but even I wouldn't have expected the result you came up with- so creative! I've seen ugly tables like those many times and that's about the only type of furniture I haven't brought home...LOL. I did Mod Podge pieces of a burlap sack onto the sides and doors of a cabinet before, but I hadn't considered the top. It's a great transformation and I'm glad you linked it up to Throwback Thursday! (Pinning)

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  44. These came out really cool. I've been planning on doing something similar but my table is glass top. I was thinking if I bonded the burlap both between table and material and on top of material to harden it, that might work. But I'm not sure what to use for bonding. Any thoughts?

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