DIY Repurposed Sewing Table Project

Dear Marc:
It seems like my friends always have it together. I used to be an avid seamstress but these days, I’m so busy with work and family obligations that my sewing days are long gone. I haven’t used my sewing machine table in at least half a decade. It’s taking up space in the corner of my cluttered bedroom and I’m thinking of re-purposing it. Any ideas as to what I can do with it?
Jackie

Dear Jackie:
No matter how organized, Feng Shui or Zen we try to be, there is something that happens in everyday design called “life”. Kids’ toys clutter our living rooms, the old sewing machine doesn’t see the light of day and we are at wits end trying to maintain hectic schedules. How do we keep up with the Jones’?

The first thing to realize; we are all in the same boat. Portraying the perfect home used to be a fad, an ideal, but has now transcended to a norm that is expected. How do we compete? As a designer, I can honestly tell you that it is much easier to work with a client that knows what they want rather than working with one that doesn’t have a clue. Thus, immerse yourself in design. Find your inspiration, your passion, and design will come to you.

The hottest trend in design is re-purposed and distressed furniture. Perhaps you’ve noticed these fab pieces gracing the pages of glossy magazines. I love the challenge of taking old furniture and re-purposing it. A sewing table can easily be re-purposed into a small bar. Then simply move the piece from the bedroom to the front room for easy access when entertaining guests.

Supplies:
– Old Sewing table
– Drill with appropriate bit
– Quart of paint (Whitewash White – P2089-00 – Para Paint)
– Chrome aerosol paint
– Black aerosol paint
– Paint brush
– Sandpaper
– Scraper
– Sponge
– Scrapbook brown ink pad
– Scrapbook vintage distress ink
– Paisley stencil
– Krylon silver leafing pen

Step 1:
Remove the sewing machine and wood flap from the cabinet using a drill.

Step 2:
Flip the cabinet and remove the screws that hold the top of the cabinet in place. Tip: The removal of the “double top” is key in re-purposing a sewing table.

Step 3:
If the cabinet has a veneer finish covering the wood, unscrew the sides of the cabinet. Flip the sides to have the wooden surface facing towards the outside of the cabinet. This will give you the ability to distress the wood.

Step 4:
Paint the entire cabinet in chrome using your aerosol paint. Then paint the top of the cabinet in white paint (Whitewash White/P2089-00 – Para Paint) and spray the outer edges in black aerosol paint.

Step 5:
Spray the tips of the legs in black aerosol paint.

Step 6:
Following the wood grain, scratch the wood using the edge of a scraper. Scratch all edges and crevices to create a “worn look”.

Step 7:
Smudge brown and vintage ink on the wood. Use a sponge to smear the ink over the wood. Tip: Be sure to get ink in the crevices.

Step 8:
Stencil a paisley design on the table top with a silver leafing pen. Wait until the paint dries then smudge brown and vintage ink over the table top.

Step 9:
Screw the table top to the cabinet.