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…
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 witness of the room gone… 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 by my table. An oilcloth is a fabric that is protected by a plastic surface 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.
Unfortunately the pink oilcloth I stapled to my table a few years ago is now starting to look outdated (I guess I’m not that quick when it comes to wiping up the paint I spill) so it was time to change things up.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:
Thanks for watching my dears!
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. :-)
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.
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!
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.
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!
Where did you get the blue polka dot oilcloth? I love it!
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… :-)