August 20, 2012

The Ugly Side Table I Used To Pass Up

You can find these side tables at any thrift or estate sale and I always passed them up until I was looking for a bigger side table for by my couch and thought this might fit the bill


It had a lot of room on top which was what I was looking for and although I usually see them without the drawer I really wanted drawers to throw all of the TV remotes and dental floss in LOL!


It was not much of a looker, but I thought I would see if I could spiff it up


I used a grey paint I had Ace Hardware custom mix


Well, it didn't turn out to bad!  I will definitely pick another one up from time to time to sell in my booth.  


Unfortunately I didn't end up keeping this one because It was way to low when I put it next to my couch.  

So, here's my question......... are couches higher than they use to be  in the 50's and 60's? 

This one went into my booth and sold in a three days for $45.00. I'm still on the look out for the perfect side table for my couch.... It's always fun to be hunting for something!

Happy Creating!
Carol 

43 comments:

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Love that table--great job on the colors. Yes--couches are higher now than they were in the 50's and 60's--people are getting taller I guess. Not in my family--my husband is only 5'8"--but then his Grandfather was only 5 foot :)--so I guess maybe even our family is getting taller.

Anonymous said...

Carol this is a cute little table- the drawers are so fun. Sorry it didn't work out for what you were wanting but someone is happy with this little piece!

I am sure you have mentioned it before but I am wondering if you spray paint or use a paintbrush for your furniture projects? I have a ton of things to paint and need to get some of it done as I now have 2 booth spaces and need some things in there!

bee blessed
mary

Unknown said...

Carol, you did a marvelous job on re-creating this pretty piece.

Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Yes, I agree with you that couches, sofas, living room furniture in general is definitely bigger, puffier, fuller today. But I'll tell ya, they sure aren't made as sturdily as those constructed in the '50s and '60s. That smart table's a good example! I remember Mom kept nail clippers in our table just like that one, too!

stefanie said...

turned out so cute...you know, I have been looking for a new couch and alot we have been looking at are so low.

Maureen Wyatt said...

I'll be looking at those tables with a different eye now! I have a refurbished couch from the 20's or 30's and the sides are very high. It's difficult to find a piece that works as and end table. ~ Maureen

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

yes! I think the couches of today...are definitely higher...the seats sit higher, the rolled arms are higher, and the back (head rest) is higher.

I'm not a really short person; but am I the only one who feels like Edith Anne when sitting on contemporary furniture?

...Edith Anne? yes, I'm getting old, Y'all google her if you don't know.

I love your table and see those a lot-- I think you made it beautiful! Pat

farmhouse-story said...

it not an ugly duckling now, carol:) happy hunting for your table!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks great, Carol! What an improvement! Your post reminds me of a similar table with the two levels only they don't have drawers. I used to glance over them quickly until I saw how nice they come out when they are painted. If and when I get a booth, I would definitely buy them and transform them with paint.

Dina said...

Wow! It's awesome, Carol! I've never seen such a side table with drawers on top...I love it! :D

Stacey said...

THat is so pretty - the white with the distressing is just lovely.
Thanks for sharing!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

What an improvement you made!!! Love the colors....wish its size had worked for you but now you have an excuse for more shopping! Happy hunting!

Ruby Jean said...

Hello Auntie Carol...Yes, I do believe couches are higher these days. Probably because they have to add so much extra padding because people spend most of there time on them. Back in the days they were just a piece of furniture to entertain guest while over for tea, other than that they sat empty.. :)
Love the table and the colors you used!!! :) : )

Simply Lokal said...

Another great "re-do" from you. It turned out beautiful. I also think couches set higher today than in the past. - Revis

NanaDiana said...

Yes- I think couches are taller now than they used to be. That table turned out great- I hope you can find one that works for you- xo Diana

Connie said...

Your side table is goreous . . . I love it. I am seriously thinking about having a booth next year, so I am gathering ideas and scouting garage sales, and having a ball making plans.
The post before this one with your wedding table center pieces. They are so charming. You can not get that kind of charm from new things.
You certainly are a creative gal. Have a great week, Connie :)

Honey at 2805 said...

Your turned her into a beauty! I agree, couches seem taller than they used to be. My feet never touch the floor unless I sit on the edge!

Sisters Treasures said...

Great job, Carol. I've passed those end tables also because they seemed a little too early American for me, but with your refinish it turned out "Shabbi-tastic"!
We just put a mid century sectional sofa in our shop and it is definitely lower than today's sofas.
Take care. Betsy

Anonymous said...

I think you may be right,
things aren't the same hieght they were once,
This is so pretty now, I'm not surprised at all that it sold so quickly, a friend of mine just brought two table the same as this home from a junk shop, I haven't saw what she did to them yet,

Unknown said...

Good luck hunting!!! I LOVE your sidetable and how you altered it! Very very lovely!

Hugs,

Unknown said...

So pretty! I see this style of table ALL THE TIME whle thrifting. I am going to get one and give it a makeover.
xo

Connie said...

Hi carol, I have been going through your past posts. I have decided that I am going to read everyone. As I read I know that I will have questions. I hope you don't mind.
Instead of Julie & Julia
It's Connie & Carol
Do you have a book . . . you should . . . you are incredibly talented.

Question #1
What is a water slide decal?
I read about them on a post where you made labels for bottles.
They were beautiful!

The more I dig into your blog the bigger fan I become!
Connie :)

Unknown said...

looks amazing!

Chris said...

Hi Carol,
Yes, I believe furniture is taller than it used to be. The tables we have in our livingroom are fully 6" taller than the ones we had 40+ years ago. Look at beds! Our bed is quite high by itself (a reproduction of a field marshall's bed made by my hubby) than add the height of new mattresses - 16" deep opposed to the original 6" thick mattress. We had a step back apothecary table just like yours many years ago.

Debbie said...

Carol, I have walked by the double deckers like that many times, and I usually walk right by too. I've never seen one with the drawers like that. That's what makes yours so pretty! I was thinking as I read this that since so many of us grew up with tables like that, I think they might be one of the things we see trending soon. Yours gave me the warm and fuzzies!

Gina said...

I have to laugh because I tend to pass right by those kind of end tables when I see them too! I am pleasantly surprised though. Your creativity & some paint has transformed that table for the better. Super job!

mammakaz said...

I have never seen these in the uk. What a great idea for hiding all your little bits of clutter. Nice job Carol

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

I love the new colors. You really brought it back to life. I'm glad you sold it quickly. Maybe couches are higher now, especially with the big arms... Good luck in your search for the perfect table!

Have a great day.
Pam

Anonymous said...

LOL...I just recently bought an old table to go by the sofa too and had to do a lot of measuring to get the right height. Yep...the sofas of today are taller and puffier. :) Like you, I needed drawers to put important things like remotes, dental floss, clippers, pen and pencil, nail polish, etc. :) But unfortunately the perfect table I found had no drawers. I bought it anyway! It did have a shelf on it so I use a filing drawer to keep all that important stuff in now. Have a great Tuesday Carol.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Now Carol, I would have expected you to add to the feet on this to make it the right height ! Have done that but have had luck using bedside drawers/tables, they seem to be higher.
(())

Linda said...

Love what you did, even tho it didn't out for the intended use! You're an inspiration to those like me that want to find that piece of trash and turn it into something beautiful and useful at the same time. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You are too funny Carol and what a great transformation! =)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol,
Love this table!! You always do amazing work and i love that you do affordable pricing on your pieces.
I don't think couches are higher, I think the arms on the couches are. I remember my Mom's "new" furniture that she bought in the late 60's and there were hardly any arms on the end pieces of the sectional. We had similar tables to these and they worked just fine with this style of couch. Even my chairs and sofa that I now have in the Living Room have such huge arms that I pretty much have to have something the height of a regular table on each side to be able to actually reach anything on that table....

Hugs,
Deb

Unknown said...

Super job Carol. I know what you mean about the thrill of the hunt. I've "hunted" so many things lately that I need to go hunt up some more money! Congrats on selling the table so quickly!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I usually pass these little tables up because they take forever to sell. I think it's because they sit too low next to the sofa or chair...so I guess they are higher than they used to be.
I love the paint color and the technique you used. Maybe I won't pass them up so quickly from now on.

hugs
Sissie

Gypsy Heart said...

Love the color you had mixed...really pretty. I think furniture is sized differently now too ~ seems some of the old pieces don't jive with the new. Great job ~ as usual!

xo
Pat

Chenille Cottage said...

What a delightful transformation, Carol! Isn't it amazing just how gorgeous something can be after a bit of paint?
I love this and always find new inspiration on your delightful blog!
Blessings,
Carolynn xo

Barbara said...

I think couches are higher now though my grandmother's old victorian couch is high but stand was made in the 50's or 60's when the sofa's were much lower. Love it though and good you sold it right off.

Createology said...

I cannot imagine anything being too ugly for your wonderful transformations. Like the drawers for containing stuff that always accumulates. Happy hunting...

GrandmaSoucie said...

AAAmmmmmaaaaazzzzzziiiiinggggg!!! Who woulda thunk it??? It looks terrific!

Vintage Street Designs said...

Very cute! I love this style & I'm not surprised it sold quickly! :)

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

I always pass these up, too, but yours looks great. Love the color choice!

Nancy said...

Oh this turned out so adorable!! You know I never gave it much thought but back then couches were shorter than there are today. Something surely to remember the next time I need a table alongside a piece of furniture or tell my customers~

Huggs, Nancy