A Beachy Vignette & Furniture Makeovers

Okay, so let's start with a game--what is wrong with this picture?

Did you find it? The vintage shell sketch propped on the table is upside down. I would like to say it was intentional, something artsy I was trying, but sadly it was not. I didn't notice it until I had taken apart this staged vignette and uploaded my photos. Oh well, it hopefully won't bother you as much as it does me.

Let's start with the BEFORE pictures of the garage sale table,

and the garage sale, vintage, Drexel chair.

For the table, I sanded the black spray paint off to reveal lovely wood, perhaps mahogany?? The table is old and is heavy and well made. I didn't have sanding and stripping the curvy legs in me, so I chose to paint them a lovely, light, sage green.

The chair is not completely finished in these photos, I had a little more sanding to do on it. I stripped most of the finish off. I will use a protective clear coat on it that will keep the light, bleached wood look (I think this is white maple). I recovered the seat with a thrift store rug. It was a challenge to cut and staple so that there weren't any bulky spots, but I love the heavy fabric texture and the ocean blues in it.

I decided to show off these furniture upcycles with recent thrifted and garage sale finds in a simple, beachy vignette and sitting area. So besides the upside art, let's talk about what works with this display.

A wool rug that has beachy blues and greens and sunset peaches and oranges is a fantastic, temporary way to add some color and texture to the wall. Note how I didn't center the table against the rug. Hanging it off-center from the table adds interest and is a fresh way to display a wall hanging. Asymmetry is a good thing in vignettes. A bamboo handled picnic basket, perfect for a day at the beach, and works to hold items that you may want to hide in space. The bamboo handle and rattan basket add organic textures to the space.

A vintage, signed and number, etched plate print of a beach shack hangs on the wall. A bamboo and rattan tray repeat the textures found in the picnic basket and add height to the vignette. A couple pieces of driftwood add more height on the right side of the print.

The shell sketch sits atop the table, propped against the tray. Next to the tray behind the propped art is a candlesticks holding a decanter full of sea glass and shells.

On the table sits a shell-filled, thrifted planter in a lovely, ocean blue color. Three, larger, fancy shells sit on the table.  

Color, texture, repeated elements, varying heights, pieces with storage and purpose all make this beach inspired sitting spot ideal for a bedroom or family room.