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How to Quickly Update an Ugly Accent Table

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

July 7, 2015 By Jackie

This is my season of playing catch-up around the house. We are in the middle of one bigger secret project (more on that soon, promise), but during the in-between times on that project I am tackling all the tiny projects I’ve wanted to do for ages, but haven’t gotten around to yet. The funny thing is most of the projects I’m finally doing only take 30 minutes or less. Simple with big impact.

How to quickly update an ugly accent table with FABRIC!

First up is a long overdue accent table makeover. When I bought this little table I was drawn to the ogee patterned base and the petite go-anywhere size, but I’ll admit I was not a fan of the black finish. I always knew I would change the color. This little table has floated all around our house, but we love it best in the living room. In this room we don’t have a lot of bulky case good furniture, preferring to keep the space open and light. Plus with a super long sofa we don’t have space for larger end tables. This little table is perfect tucked at the end of our long sofa.

black-accent-table-before

This post contains affiliate links to the products I use and recommend. I may receive a small commission on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

It finally got the makeover it deserves. Step one was to coat the base with my favorite gold spray paint. Bye-bye black. If you’ve been reading for while, then I am guessing you already know how I feel about black. I do not subscribe to the myth that every room needs a touch of black.

I planned to spray the top gold too, it looked horrible. It’s hard to get an even finish with spray paint on a large flat surface. So I went to plan B: cover the top in something to contrast the gold base. I considered painting the top white or covering it with wood veneer, but I craved some pattern. So step two was to cover the top in a pretty pattern.How to quickly update an ugly accent table with FABRIC!

Turns out I had the perfect sized scrap of my favorite fabric, Cloud Gazebo, to cover the table top. I decided to keep this project as simple as possible. I simply stapled the fabric on the underside of the tabletop. I used lots of staples while pulling the fabric tight to avoid the fabric puckering around the round edge. Before reattaching the base, I finished off the underside of the table with decorative masking tape to hold down the raw edges of the fabric. If I ever want to change the look of the table again, the cover is completely removable and replaceable.

Gorgeous idea - cover a table top in pretty fabric!

I adore the fabric texture and the large scale floral pattern next to the gold ogee base. This once black eyesore in our otherwise light and bright living room is now a pretty little gem and delightful surprise when you take the seat closest to the window.

Now to find a replacement plant for the corner. That gorgeous guy stealing the show up there happens to be toxic to dogs. I found that out after we brought it home. Our dogs didn’t bother with the plant, but I don’t want to risk it. So I am on the hunt for an attractive, large plant that isn’t toxic to dogs. Something the same size and with as much personality as the corn plant had. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. jessvii says

    July 7, 2015 at 7:42 am

    Some house plants that are non-toxic to dogs are:
    – A rubber plant (they can get big)
    – A fern (Boston variety or Lemon Button variety or Cliff Brake variety)
    – A prayer plant (they can get big but mine have always died)
    – A cast-iron plant (they can get big and are supposed to be hard to kill)
    – A money tree (they can get big but the larger ones look too spindle-like to me)
    – A palm (Areca variety or Ponytail variety – note that although from my experience palms are hard to kill, they can tip over, creating a mess to clean up)
    – Bamboo
    – A fake plant

    Sources of info. found here:
    – http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/06/7-unique-non-toxic-houseplants.html
    – http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/8-indoor-plants-that-are-safe-for-pets-also-improve-our-health.html
    – http://www.decoist.com/2014-08-15/pet-safe-houseplants-ideas-displays/
    – http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/keeping-your-pets-safe-10-nontoxic-house-plants-aspca-137830

    If it were me, I’d probably buy a couple different plant varieties and just see what does best in that spot with regards to the light conditions, humidity levels, etc. in that location. It’s not like finding another spot for the “loser” or finding a friend to adopt the “loser” plant would be difficult.

    • Jackie says

      July 7, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Jess,

      Thank you for doing some research and sharing your experiences. I am taking this list to the garden center. I almost bought a rubber plant until both my boys broke the tips off the leaves and got the sap on their hands. I might need to train my kids more than my dogs :)

      I do have and love a money plant. It’s smaller, but I love the look. I will have to see if I can find a bigger one.

      Thanks for all the ideas!

  2. Gwen says

    July 7, 2015 at 9:38 am

    First off, love the table. I’d have never thought fabric!!! But it makes this piece so unique. And not in a space you use often so no need for protection. Secondly, I’m really impressed with your corn plant growing ability. No burnt leaves. Lush. Green. I noticed rubber plants were making a comeback. Lots of literal dusting so I’d get my cotton balls and dish of milk and cloth to wipe dry. It made the leaves shine!!! Was very quick reward work. And quite easy to grow for it lived years. Lol.

  3. Lisa says

    July 7, 2015 at 11:04 am

    Hi Jackie,
    It’s good to see you doing some DIY projects again. Love that fabric!

  4. Susan Noble says

    July 7, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Great Post it turned out gorgeous love it!

  5. Elizabeth at Pineapples and Polka Dots says

    July 9, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing your project. I love the idea of fabric on the tabletop! I know how you feel about dog-safe plants, I’m in the same boat with a houseplant I have. Good luck!

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