The Polka Dot Oilcloth Desk
Because I am messy I use a big oilcloth to cover the desk where I make my art. I’ve had this beautiful rose patterned one for several years, but it’s beyond saving at this point, full of acrylic paint splatters. Plus, since I bought a new table last year it is about 10 centimeters to short and doesn’t cover the entire table. Bleah!
So, out and about I bought two meters of new baby pink oilcloth patterned with big white polka dots! But instead of just using it as a table cloth, I took out my handy stapler and went to work to transform my desk!
I cut the polka dot oilcloth just a little bigger than the table top. Then, starting at one long side, I stapled the edge to the underside of the table top. First one side, then the opposite by tugging the fabric a bit to make it fit without bubbles or wrinkles. Then each short side…
…and lastly the corners. Folding them in like you do when wrapping a gift!
I put in a lot of staples! After two days my hand muscles still hurt, but it was worth it!
I’m glad I picked a simple, pale pattern that doesn’t disturb the eye. And I totally love how smooth and pretty this new work surface is. Makes me wonder why I didn’t do this years ago! It’s a quick fix that makes me happy, makes me table pretty and calms the entire (rather cluttered) room down. Lots of good from one move! Easy to wipe clean, easy to work on top of.
And once it was in place, I noticed so many polka dots all around me! For example doesn’t it look nice with the polka dot boxes my brother gave me last year and the black and white polka dot deco tape…
I have two pieces oilcloth in the size of table maths left. I’m using one to protect the table surface where I mostly work. It makes me more comfortable when gluing or painting, but when I have a big paint day I’ll probably cover a bigger surface with brown paper, because it tends to be messy. :-)
I cleaned out the scrappy inbox and gave it a new look to by wrapping it in polka dot wrapping paper. It’s still my favorite source for finding collage materials and now it matches the table. Perfect!
A great revamping project to start of the year! What are you doing to prettify your space?
Wow Hanna, it looks so pretty and fresh! I love that you are surrounded by polka dots too (my favourites as well).
I can’t wait till it gets a bit warmer and drier so I can start painting and prettifying my studio space. I’m desperate to get back out there.
I love it! So fresh and cheerful. I couldn’t find an oilcloth pattern I liked (I was in a hurry) so I laid down fabric (that I cut from a painter’s dropcloth) and then covered it with clear vinyl. Love the easy clean-up and smooth work surface.
So very cool and practical! The color and pattern really looks cheerful and inviting. Stapling it in place is genius! My craft mat is always “walking” away on me ;-)
Gorgeous! I’m still looking for oilcloth that has color and pattern for my studio table. I love dots too, and pink is my favorite color. One day while thrift shopping, I found a really upscale sturdy desk chair, and it was 1/2 price… $7! Love it when that happens. :)
Yours in Dottiness,
Sheila in Oregon
I haven’t done much in my studio, but I did paint a bench in my entry way a beautiful shade of turquoise last weekend. I found a cute rug with turquoise, grey, cream and yellow to go with it. Just a little spruce up that felt good, especially in the cold, dreary winter time !
Enjoy you polka dot world !
Hi Hanna…my space needs work…ha! Maybe someday I’ll get it like I want it. I love the oil cloth idea…one thing about it, the cloth won’t be sliding all around. Love the polka dots!!! Enjoy your space!!!