A little French Chocolate

I will admit it. I am ridiculously excited to share my latest project! It turned out just like the picture in my head--and that does NOT always happen!

I started out with this:

It was a very beat-up garage sale table, but I loved it the moment I set eyes on it. All the chains, screwdrivers, and hammers in the world can't recreate that perfectly "naturally distressed" look like this table had! And I loved the industrial feel of the iron base.

And here's what I turned it into!


I wanted the table to look like it had been made from an old shipping crate...and I think I succeeded pretty well.

Here's how I did it:

I started by looking at clipart from The Graphics Fairy. Once I found this French Chocolate ad, I didn't have to look any more! It was...the picture in my head.

I sanded the old finish off the table, but I didn't worry at all about smoothing out nicks, dings, or scratches. I wanted 'em all!

I printed off my clipart, and then took it to Office Max and had them copy it onto an overhead transparency sheet. That cost about $1. I had sent out a Facebook plea to see if anyone had an overhead projector, and one of my friends DID! I wasted no time in getting over to her house to borrow it. (And she may never get it back! Sorry, Marci!)

Then, after I got all my little kidlets to bed, I set up the overhead projector and the table on the floor of my kitchen!

Then for the next two hours, I looked like this:

and this:

and this!

(and yes, my back REALLY HURT by bedtime!)

But this was the result of my work:

I was so happy;
I made my husband get off the computer and come admire it with me!
(That didn't make him so happy.)

The next step was to sand and distress the letters down a bit more. Then I used a cheap chip brush to brush on a coat of Minwax Antique Walnut stain, wiping off the excess (I didn't want it to look too smooth and perfect). Finally, it got a couple of coats of Minwax hand-rubbed polyurethane, and then I played with a few accessories that didn't distract from my beautiful "antique" French chocolate table!

What do you think?
Does it give you a vintage/industrial/French vibe?
Are you craving chocolate now??

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Linking up to:

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(If you like this table, be sure to check out my NEW one at Remodelaholic!)

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Thanks to The Graphics Fairy,
Apartment Therapy,
My Uncommon Slice of Surbubia,
The Homeless Finch,
Boiserie & C. (this one is in Italian!),
Deco-Pasja (this one is in Polish!),
My Repurposed Life,
Craft Gossip,
The Ivy Cottage,
Better After,
Social Salutations,
Chic on a Shoestring Budget, and
West Furniture Revivals for featuring this project!

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Linking up to these great parties and andand

June Blog of the Month – A Delightful Design

The Red Door Home June Blog of the month is just as the title says - delightful!

A Delightful Design is written by Abby Manchesky, an interior decorator and owner of M. Interiors. Abby began her business after years of helping friends and family with their homes.

Abby's son's room (old house)

One of my favorite features of Abby’s blog is her “Dear Abby” column in which readers are invited to submit photos and questions of their decorating dilemmas. Abby answers these questions with detailed advice, pictures and sources for all of her ideas on the best way to solve the problem.

To get a sense of Abby’s style, take a look at this pretty design board she created for a little girl’s nursery through her e-design service.

Her client recently shared the beautiful result photos shown below.

The newest happening at A Delightful Design is the recent sale of Abby’s house.

Of course I loved the red door!

Her family purchased a new home and Abby has already started renovating and redecorating. I am looking forward to following along!

To visit Abby at A Delightful Design click here. I am sure she would love for you to leave a comment to let her know you stopped by!

Link Party No. 56!

What is your "taste of summer"? Since I always have been a big fan of food, I have many that I can think of off the top of my head... watermelon, sloppy, corn on the cub, soumen (Japanese cold noodles), etc.

The newest taste of summer for me would be Pico de Gallo. I started making it a few years ago, it was good, but when I made it with the tomatoes that we harvested from our own garden, it tasted EVEN BETTER! I didn't really have a recipe that I followed. I made it so many times and I found my best combinations. It is easy to make, and inexpensive, perfect for summer parties.

{Pico de Gallo}

7 to 8 Tomatoes (I am big fan of Roma tomatoes)
1 Can of black beans
1 Can of corn
1/2 medium size red onion
About a handful of fresh chopped cilantro
1/2 to 1 lime
Salt & pepper

1. Dice tomatoes, red onion and cilantro. Put them in to a large bowl or container. I chop the red onion very tiny. I love the taste of onions, but I want them to blend in and not be too over powering.

2. Open the black beans and corn, drain the liquid. Add them to the bowl in step 1.

3. Squeeze the lime into the bowl, and add salt and pepper. This part is totally up to you how much you want to add. I guess most people won't add pepper to Pico de Gallo, but I like the little kick.

4. Let it chill in the refrigerator until time to serve. Serve with tortilla chips.

My family love to make nachos and pour the Pico de Gallo over it. It is soo good. :)

Say ahhh...



OK, it is time for you to show off your creations, sewing, crocheting, cooking, anything you made is welcome. Link up and have fun! :)

As always here are the rules:

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


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