A Hexagonal Table Skirt for a Client's Foyer

You might remember my Palmetto State client when I worked on giving her living room a new look?? Well, she has asked if I could help her with her entry and family den!  Thank you Kim for the vote of confidence!

My client has a beautiful foyer where she currently has a mahogany pedestal table in the center of it.

I do love a beautiful table in a foyer.  It is the perfect piece to display your treasured collections of photographs, coffee books, topiaries, and blue and white ginger jars.  It's also a wonderful way to make a great first impression when people walk into your home.  Moreover, you can tailor your vignette as the seasons change.  They are also just very functional, it's a place to set your keys and sunglasses as you walk through the door.

When putting together thoughts for her entry, I wanted to keep the table in the foyer, but I wanted to do two things specifically, 1) soften the look of the round mahogany pedestal table and 2) modernize it.

So, to achieve that, we are going to do a table skirt to soften things, but we are going to modernize the skirt so it has a tailored look.  We are going to think past the typical round shape and do a hexagonal shape.   Here is some inspiration.

I love how clean and tailored the look is and you have so many options when it comes to designing the skirt.  So, how do you achieve this shape?  One way is searching for a hexagonal or octagonal table.  They are out there, but you will need to do some digging.  If you do a search on 'card' or 'poker' tables on ebay or craigslist, you can find inexpensive tables in this shape.  See below.

Or, you can try the DIY route.  This is the route my client will most likely take and it's all about having fiberboard or plywood cut into the hexagonal shape and securing it to the top of your table.  This article comes in handy if you are considering this route.  

I will certainly share pictures when it's all said and done!!  It's going to be so pretty!!

Unfinished Furniture

The idea of using unfinished furniture and transforming it to look great is nothing new.  I feel like five years ago there wasn't much selection in this arena, but things have certainly changed.  The other day, I browsed a couple of websites and was pretty amazed by the possibilities!

I love this little girl's room designed by Estee Stanley.  See the nightstand?  I found a very similar look for probably a fraction of the cost ($99).  

No need for a nightstand?  How about the same style as a bookcase?  I could this see using this in a nursery ($109).

I found the below table/desk and was considering using it in the corner of my dining room.  But, I wasn't sure?

And, then the other day I saw a photo of a living room Katie Fine designed and see the black desk/table in the corner?

I was like A-ha!  I really like how it works in this space.  So, perhaps it could work.  Besides, if I tire of it, I could always use it again in my daughter's room for her desk.   I'm particularly fond of the french inspired style.  See below.

So feminine and sweet.  I also love the idea of using it as a night table as well, like Sasha Adler did in her bedroom.  

All you would need to do is paint it black, use a gold leaf pen for the edging and you're suddenly sporting a very chic desk!   

Speaking of bedrooms, I really like this headboard and I think you could really be creative with upholstering the framed box so it would be padded.  

Not really sure?  Here is some inspiration....

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I could go on and on.  I found many pieces that could work in your home from demilune consoles to three drawer chests.  Personally, I would look on craigslist first to see if you can find the perfect piece, but if that fails, going the unfinished furniture route is a great option especially when you have to work within the limitations of a tight budget.  

Perusing Craigslist

I had about 30 mins to kill so what does some (thrifty) obsessed design addict do - peruse craigslist and daydream.  WOW!  Look at these finds.  The bamboo couch with awning B&W striped fabric is gorgeous.  I actually love the fabric and would consider painting the frame yellow or white. 

These patio/kitchen chairs are killer.  The whole set is $85 and I would get them in a heartbeat.  They're very Kate Spadeish.  I just can't justify it right now, but it reminds me of the chairs in Katie Lee Joel's kitchen which was featured in Domino.  

These trellis bamboo chairs are lovely.  I'd paint them a different color and re-upholster them.  I would set each of them next to a console in my (make believe) entryway!  The whole set is $95!