Remember this citron yellow console table? I accidentally sawed a big line in it with my circular saw when we were doing the plywood floors in the studio (whoops!). Rather than toss the table, I felt like it could be salvaged with a little thinking outside the box.
There is a place in Phoenix called the Fabric Depot (it’s in Cave Creek) and they have what looks like the best price and selection of leather hides in the Valley. Half hides are usually about $60, which is just about as cheap as my leather place in Brooklyn! Yay!
I picked up this black half hide there and when I got it home I saw this little brand or something with JM initials. Meant to be ours. ;)
The first step is to make a pattern of all the sides of your console table by flipping the hide over and tracing each piece out. (PS the old IKEA Malm console table would work really well for this project or the current Lack sofa tables seem like they could work well also.) Oh, and I spray painted the table black first in case there were any little gaps between the leather pieces in the end, hopefully they would be less noticeable.
I cut out the pieces and then used Fabritac to secure each of the pieces to the table.
It helps to use a glue brush to make sure there’s an even layer of glue and no too-thick parts that will show under the leather.
It’s most important to get glue right at the edge of the leather, so the edges lay flat.
I used these small brass escutcheon brads as nail head trim. I wanted the brads to be more subtle than traditional nail heads and these worked great.
We marked out the first row, but it was pretty easy to eyeball the right spacing (about an inch) after I got in a rhythm.
After all the nails were in, I could see that some of the leather had pulled a little bit and the edges needed to be trimmed with an X-Acto knife, which was pretty easy to do. (see the JM here?)
I LOVE how this one turned out. We were able to salvage a table that wouldn’t have been otherwise usable with a big old saw mark right in the middle of it. The texture is so pretty and the little sparkle from the nails is just enough.
It’s not perfectly perfect, but I think that makes it look unique and handmade.
Oh, and some of you recognized
the old mirror we had hanging in the brownstone over the fireplace. I never loved the old finish and I’ve been itching to try milk paint for years and this seemed like the perfect application.
We picked up a bag of milk paint at a local antique store (Merchant Square) and added water to make the paint. I chose a creamy white color called Linen.
The paint is (not surprisingly) super watery, but it covers really well. The old finish on the mirror made the paint flake up a little, but I actually loved the effect. I didn’t want the mirror to look newly painted anyway.
Sometimes I think it’s easy to get nervous about painting something, but this mirror was not precious to me and I didn’t love it as it was in the wood stain. There wasn’t much to lose, and I feel like the risk totally paid off here. I love it now.
How was your weekend? We had a family reunion and it felt really great to switch gears for a couple of days! Also, it was amazing to catch up on a little sleep. :)
PS Pretty photos above were taken by Michelle Herrick.
Oooh this has given me such a great idea for our old coffee table that's been relegated to the garage store! Thanks for the inspiration!
looks gorgeous! I love the leather great way to salvage!
Designer Stella McCartney has an excellent 3 minute video on leather:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldr0-jMCznM
Looks gorgeous!
The console table looks amazing! I've been thinking about making a Parson's style table with a faux marachite finish. But reading this post makes me want to try one with leather. The milk paint mirror looks lovely above the table.
I love the mirror now!! I have never tried milk paint, but now you've got me considering it. Also, that butterfly shadow box art is really pretty. Did you buy it that way?
Two brilliant projects! Love the leather console especially!
x Lily
http://whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com/
Love this DIY- creates such a stunning one of a kind look!
The console is the perfect compliment for that gorgeous bench you also gave an overhaul to…
Thanks for sharing,
Jenna
http://pizzigatidesigns.tumblr.com/
the creativity never ends! What a smart idea. Love the table and love the mirror painted. It's so true that it can be daunting to paint but it definitely pays off.
Love this! Your DIYs are so inspiring!
http://www.mirroredpieces.com
Love this Jenny! I am in the middle of doing the same thing to a console table that we built!
WOW these shots- I'm literally drooling. Can't wait to see more in the full reveal! Can you give us some info on the artwork behind the butterflies? Looks like tissue paper? Thanks!
Lovely – I love all your DIY's because they seem fun and challenging, yet also fairly manageable!
Once again you've proven why you are the reigning queen of DIY in blogland. I love it.
all of your DIYs are stunning!
how long did it take to paint the mirror and how many coats? i have one very similar that i want to paint now. thx!!
Looks fantastic! I am dying to see your house from top to bottom! Thanks for using milk paint. I have a few projects that I have been wanting to try milk paint on. Did you find that it adhered well? I found a recipe to make your own; I think that I am convinced to give it a try ;) Like you, I have a piece that I won't be heart broken if it doesn't turn out.
You always have the most amazing DIY's. I wish I was that creative and handy :)
Looks wonderful! You did a fantastic work!
Regular Home cleaning Brockley
Can you tell me where you got the butterflies in the frame?
I love this project… I have a round table that needs some help on top, but isn't exactly expensive enough to merit a refinishing. How do you think this technique might work for a round vs rectangle?
I think this is now replacing the bench as my favourite DIY project of your's (or probably anyone's)! I've dreamt of this ,but didn't think a normal person could do it. I definitely need to investigate my local fabric stores for leather remnants and hides.
I guess I'm the only one who preferred the mirror natural, especially with a tropical wood. Oh well, it looks beautiful in any case.
Hi Jenny,
Don't know how many readers of yours that live in Phoenix and Im sure they could look it up on Google but the Fabric depot is not in Cave Creek its on Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. Not sure if that was a typo on your post.
To bad I missed ya, I don't live to far from there. Could have met you for a cool lemonade :).
Damn, I love this!!