My New Polka Dot Art Table (video)

I like a lot of different styles when it comes to interior decorating, and I always admire those that has all-white rooms in their houses. But as an artist, I could never pull that style of, no matter how much I try. At least I don’t think so…

Hello to my new polka dot table covered in a cute blue oil cloth (photo copyright Hanna Andersson)

Maybe if I had a living room that was rarely used? But then again, each time I would enter with my polka dot socks and striped sweater it would be ruined (or complement?) and the pristine whitness of the room lost… Then I would sit down on the couch and spread out my journal, my watercolor set and my embroidery… So why bother with trying something I can never be? I will have to keep admiring (and pinning) the white, clean home images and be who I am, which is colorful and messy.

With that messiness came an idea to cover up the white IKEA table so preserve it better, since I do a lot of mixed media and art at my table. An oilcloth is a fabric that is protected by a plastic coating so that you can wipe away most paints if you’re quick, so that’s what I like to use.

I staple my oil cloth to the work table (Art Table) to make it stay in place, but also to just make it into a polka dot patterned table instead of one with just a simple table cloth on top of it. I also love the eclectic boho look, and polka dots makes me happy.

Hello to my new polka dot table covered in a cute blue oil cloth (photo copyright Hanna Andersson)

Unfortunately the pink oilcloth I stapled to my table a few years ago is now starting to look outdated (I guess I’m not that quick when it comes to wiping up the paint I spill) so it was time to change things up. I did something totally crazy (!) and picked more polka dots, but this time on baby blue oil cloth.

I think it turned out pretty nice this time too, and it goes well with the cart and the other table (everything goes well together in a small one room apartment, because it has too).

How to attach a polka dot oilcloth to your art table

Video tutorial time! I filmed myself removing the old oil cloth and stapling (oh gawd my hands!) the new one to the table, to show you how easy it is to remake a table like this. Let me know what you think.

Here’s the video:

How to cover a table with a polka dot oil cloth – video tutorial – click if you can’t see the embedded video.

Thanks for watching my dears!

Oilcloth polka dot art table video tutorial  (photo copyright Hanna Andersson)

PS: Wanna see the happy mail I’m getting this week? I’m posting all the DIY Postcards to my Facebook page Studio iHanna, press the follow button there so I can share my happy mail with you too.

PS: I embrace my messiness, so this oilcloth will not last for ever. But you know what, I look forward to picking out a new color in a few years. :-)



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8 Responses

  1. Dear Hanna, i usually read your blog posts through my e-mail newletter. But i wanted to leave a comment and say i am still happily sticking around here. Your table looks fresh with the baby blue polka dots. But i loved it with the pink polka dots, too. This redo is just the right spring project don’t you think? Happy creating on your brand new table. Have a great weekend.

  2. Loved your video! So glad you like the new tablecloth! It’s very cute and happy! One of the things I love about you is you are colorful and messy – thank you for being who you are! Sometimes all those pristinely white craft rooms tempt me too, but I like better your style of surrounding yourself in things and patterns that make you smile every time you see them! Thanks for sharing with us!

  3. Hi Hanna! This is such a neat and simple solution, and I think I am going to try it on my dining/art table. It has curves instead of corners, but the fabric should stretch over them okay, don’t you think? Hooray for you for giving your table new life and a new color! (I am partial to blue.)

    • Hi Marcia,
      yes, I think that you could cover rounded corners if you go slow and fold it like you would sewing down fabric in a rounded way, by folding it a few times and stapling a few extra times under the table. Good luck.

  4. Oh, I just love polkadots and have pink and white dots on oilcloth on my studiotable and just 2 weeks ago one of my bedroomwalls is covered in black big dots. So I wo’nt have to tell you I love the table

    • Thanks Anny, you’re a girl with good taste I can tell. :-) I can’t read your blog, but I adore your bedroom walls! When I get a house, I’ll find a wallpaper like that for sure!

    • I love it too, polka dots goes on everything – don’t you agree? I bought it a store here in Sweden a while back, but I’m sure you can find something similar where you are if you keep a look out… :-)