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Trash To Tabletop Treasure For Fall

September 06, 2016

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A small thrift store table turned treasure for a fall tablescape.


So a few weeks ago I was complaining about the selection and prices at my local thrift store.

Turns out it was a pretty ironic rant, since two of my most recent DIY projects were made with items I found at said thrift shop.

The first one was my stenciled rooster plate.

The other is this trash to treasure table I found the on the same day as that glass plate. 

Green Thrift Store Table

It was only three dollars, but it was kind of beat up. 

And green. 

Hmmm. 

It was so cute and the words "three dollars, three dollars" kept swirling around in my head, but I had no idea what to do with it. It was too tiny to be an end table and too tall to be a stool.

Most importantly, I didn't need it. 

In the end cute and "three dollars" won out and it came home with me. 

I painted it red immediately. 

Ok, that's a lie. My husband painted it red. He used some old spray paint we had left in the garage. Two quick coats and I was in business...

Spray Painted Table

 ...for what I had no idea, because I was still at a loss as to what to do with my new little friend.

I dragged it around the house for awhile, trying it out in a bunch of corners, but in the end, I was unimpressed. I tucked it behind a chair in the living room and hoped inspiration would hit.

Well, today, it did! 

I ran into a girlfriend and she suggested we get together soon. I started to think about entertaining friends, holiday parties and table settings and I ran straight for my little table. 

Table Top Table Display

Now, I may not be a great cook ~ hence the lemons and Ritz crackers ~ but I love a great display.

My trash to treasure thrift store find added charm, height and interest to my fall table arrangement...and extra space for more goodies.

The goodies I will buy the night of the party. I'm thinking pumpkin cheesecake, cannolis, grapes, red and green, brie, bread and sparkling cider. 

Small Table Serving Tray

Fabulous food, fabulous display. 

Unique and a little bit rustic.

Best three dollars I've spent in a long time.

Maybe I should go back and amend that post, huh? 

If you want to see more thrift store finds, you can watch my "unboxing video" and let me know if you think I paid too much for my haul. 

And...if you want to see where this little charmer resides when it's not serving, you can check out my fall living room

Looking for more fall fun?

Puzzle Piece Place Cards 

Rooster Pillows ~ Easy DIY
Kim Signature


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  1. Scored . . . perfect idea. . . .

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    1. Thank you, Lynne! I am really happy with my new treasure. :)

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  2. Glad you found this little table. What a bargain!

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    1. Thanks Sarah! Turned out to be a great little pick...

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  3. How cute and glad that your thrift store redeemed itself. I am wondering if that piece was handmade. If so, it is great that you rescued it and gave it a new home and new purpose. It will give wonderful height to your displays. It looks great red. Well done Kim.

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    1. Thank you, Lorri! I don't think it's handmade. I'm not even convinced that it's real wood. It feels like some kind of particle board...very heavy.

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  4. Kim that is a great repurpose. It looks so pretty up on the table like that. A bit unique and unexpected but that is the fun of it. And of course, the color is just perfect. No more complaints about the thrift store!

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    1. Nope! As a matter of fact, I am going with a new perspective this weekend! :)

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  5. Really neat idea to use that little table for! Love it.

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    1. Thanks Linda!! It's my new little favorite.

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  6. I absolutely love it. Red is my favorite color because it's perfect for so many holidays (Valentine's Day, Patriotic Holidays, Autumn, Christmas, etc....) .....Alabama football parties ;P

    Your table is so cute!

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    1. Thank you, Ricki! Red is my favorite too, for all the reasons you mentioned. Including football parties!! ;)

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  7. Love it Kim. That table is adorable and makes a great riser for your treats. It will be great for entertaining.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. I was thinking about you while my husband was painting, Kris. I actually stopped him and said, "WAIT! Maybe it should be white! The look on his face was priceless and I just let him keep on painting! Ha!! Maybe next time!! :)

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  8. Hi Kim, Love it and what a great find for 3 dollars. Your table display is awesome with the table and great for entertaining. Love the red!!

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    1. Thank you, it was a great little find, Celestina Marie, wasn't it? I guess I need to check my biased bad attitude at the thrift store door next time!! ;)

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  9. it's so glad you rescued it!
    look how proud it is.
    it's suddenly the star of the table.
    and i just KNOW it wanted to be that glorious red instead of
    icky green! LOLOL! xo♥

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    1. Thanks Tammy!! I kind of veered away from my simplicity rule with this one...but it was too cute to leave orphaned at the shop! ;)

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  10. That's a great idea and it's good that you just relaxed and waited until the inspiration came :)

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    1. Like meditation, Deb. Let the mind relax and it tells you what you need!! Well, sort of!! ;)

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  11. Very cute and perfect where you have it. No need to amend. I complain a lot about my thrifts (to myself :-)) and it's because they are so hit or miss and the prices are getting higher. Recently I found a cute table, very similar to yours, at my local Goodwill that was a door on top. All vintage and distressed with no where to go in my house. Up for sale in my booth now!

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    1. Maybe I need a booth, AnnMarie! ;) And yes, hit or miss is the perfect way to describe it. I guess I am always hoping for a little more hit with a lot lower prices! I’ll let you know if I find it. Are all of your booth items online, too, or only in your shop? Off to poke around…

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  12. Nice rescue, Kim! That 'three dollars' chant would have sucked me in, too.

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  13. That is so cute Kim!! I love little things like this that can be used to raise a vignette to different levels.

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    1. Thanks Stacey, I see myself using this one a lot in the coming seasons. :)

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  14. Hey, Kim. You had me at Ritz and lemons! No fast talk needed here. So cute and what a great idea. I would have just walked away if I couldn't see a purpose right away. You have a very clever mind my friend..Have fun ......Judy

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    1. Haha!! I am so not a cook, Judy!! Glad you got my joke and liked my little idea! :)

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  15. You had me at Trash. Seriously, I didn't even finish reading the rest of theorize before clicking on it. Lol. Great find on a fun little table. Always fun to decorate with unique finds. Enjoy your party. The menu sounds delicious!

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    1. It's not nearly as creative as your game tables...trust me, I am on the lookout for one that will be appropriate, but it was a cute find! :)

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  16. That is the cutest little bench! Great idea. I also love the domed glass lid in the background. That is really pretty. Of course the red is a winner!

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    1. Thanks!! That plate was a gift from the hubby for my birthday. I love it, too!!

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  17. So cute and I love the way that you used it.

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    1. Thanks Kristi. I like this one a lot, too!! :)

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  18. This was a brilliant idea, Kim! Perfect to add more space to your table. And I just love the red color. :) Great find.

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    1. Thanks Maria. I had to sit on it for a bit, but I am glad I took it home with me. :)

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  19. Hey Kim, once it was red, it was perfect, no matter what you decided to do with it. lol

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  20. That was a fabulous find! I like how you used it too. I'm all about making room for more desserts on the table. ;) Oh, and now I want a cannoli. Lol!

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    1. Thanks Lisa...and if I could send you a cannoli, I would!! :)

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  21. ...and this is why I'm HOOKED on thrifting! Love your bargain, and how you made it yours (or hubby did,) with the red paint. I'm always on the look out for pieces like this that will add height or that extra something to a vignette--looks great!

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    1. I am armed with a better eye (and better attitude!!) now Cecilia! I’ll let you know how my next trip goes…and thanks!! :)

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  22. Hi Kim, your table looks great with the new color and displayed on you table!! Shopping in thrift store can be fun and what a great price it's practically free! :)
    Enjoy the rest of the week and weekend.
    Julie xo

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    1. Thank you, Julie!! Haha…yes! I love buying furniture with singles! ;)

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  23. I buy things like that too. Then they have to sit and gather dust until an idea "dings" in my head.
    Brenda

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    1. I find that I am more patient as I get older and it turns out that it's a design virtue as well!! Who knew? ;)

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  24. Love the new tablescape and using the table to make different elevations. See you can find some great items thrifting. Thrifting is a hit or miss, but when its a hit its so much fun.

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    1. Definitely Cathy!! I am hoping that my “miss” streak is behind me!! :)

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  25. Red.....what more do you have to say??!!
    It is too cute and will come in handy for lots of different things.....I can see it as a plant stand too!!!
    Blessings,
    J

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    1. Red is my weakness, J, no doubt!! It's funny, I originally had it in my mind as a plant stand and it just might end up there while waiting for a table occasion. Double duty table for three bucks, not a bad day at the thrift store after all, huh? ;)

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  26. Such a great buy and a very cleaver way to put it to good use!

    Happy Weekend!
    Carol

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    1. Thank you, Carol. I can’t believe it was only $3. Totally made my day…like your comment!! :)

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  27. A great idea!!! Looking forward to seeing how this little table looks for all the seasons! Including that Christmas season. :-)
    Carla

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    1. I know, Carla...it is ALMOST making me yearn for fall and the holiday season! Almost...hahaha!! And thanks!! :)

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  28. Did someone say cannolis?! I'm on my way!

    So how did you do this weekend? Any more cool finds?

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    1. Come on over, Doreen!! And sadly no, nothing good this time around...but that's ok...I remain optimistic!

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  29. I'm glad you found a place for this little table - how perfect to use it for a serving piece! Your display is so pretty.

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    1. Thanks Melanie. It’s become a favorite in very short order! :)

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  30. I laughed when I read this. It is so true of thrift stores - sometimes you find great things, sometimes you don't and most of the time you don't find what you were looking for. Your little red table is so cute!

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    1. Yes!! Most of the time you don’t find what you were looking for… ;)

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  31. I havent been to the thrift store in a while, and I feel now, I must! Love the color update, you can use that for so many other things!

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    1. I say go shopping, Vel! You are usually pretty lucky! :)

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  32. What a great buy! Prices are really going up at thrift stores, so I love it when I find a great buy. I would of jumped all over the little table as well.
    Interesting way to use the little table. I wouldn't of thought of that, but that works and it looks great!

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    1. Thanks Linda! I like using items in unusual ways! :)

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