Well, I survived. The first day is over, and as my assistant principal pointed out, we now only have 173 more days left in the school year. I called him a bad name and walked away. Thank you for all the well wishes on my first day! It is my opinion that there are two worlds for us–that of a stay at home mom, and that of a working mom. Being a teacher lets me feel like I get to experience both, but going back into “working mom” mode is veeeeerrry difficult.
Enough with all this personal stuff! How ’bout some decorating eye candy?!! I have been on the hunt for a round end table for about 3 years, 47 days, 13 hours, and 21 minutes with no success. Okay…maybe not that long, but I was starting to lose it. I tried Craigslist, consignment shops, garage sales, you name it. I absolutely refused to spend over $50.00 on a tiny little table that I wouldn’t even be able to decorate. Well, my mom and I hopped into Marshall’s the other day and it hit me. I found a round rattan planter by Smith and Hawken and realized I had found my table. I RAN to Hobby Lobby (my mom followed behind me in the car), I picked up some round glass, and it was done.
I also found this lamp for $20.00 at Big Lots. I refuse to pay more than that on a table lamp. There’s just no need. However, I thought the shade was hideous. Nothing a little houndstooth can’t fix!
Here it is all together. Please be very aware that I bought the wrong size glass to go over it. I will be exchanging it for the next size up this weekend. Also, WHY didn’t I tuck my cords away? Amateur.
You’re probably gonna ask, “How much was it?”. Well, truth be told I spent more than I wanted to. The table (aka planter) was $39.99, and the glass (at 40% off) was $10.00. So I did end up spending more that $50.00, but I didn’t have to re-finish it, paint it, fix it, etc. It was larger than I had hoped for, and it was move-in ready! To me? THAT’S worth it!
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It looks great! Good idea. Don’t worry about spending more than you wanted because baskets are always reusable if you find something else down the road. Love the lampshade. Did you make it yourself?
I love that idea with a basket and glass…that is truly amazing! I love Smith and Hawkin… I bet they would not believe that their basket is NOW a table…so cute!
-Sandy toes
It IS worth it! Sometimes I get reallllly sick of taking the cheapest route. :o) Great table. And so is the lamp! Love that shade!!
Looks good, really good! You decorate like I think.
Good luck with back to school. I teach too and we’ve been back for 3weeks in Kentucky. It sure is hard to get back in the swing of things!
I LOVE that houndstooth shade! It really makes a huge difference! Keep up the good work.
Great idea! I agree with you on not wanting to pay much for a lamp. Love the houndstooth shade.
love the textures!!!
Hey…What a GREAT table! genius!!
That end table was totally worth it. Did you buy or make that lamp shade? I like the whole vignette…plant, candle & lamp.
Brandee 🙂
The whole vignette looks awesome! Love that green and white houndstooth shade!
Oh I think that looks great! Love that you used a planter. And love that lamp and shade, I think that houndstooth is growing on my. I love the way it all turned out.
So clever you are.
Wow I have been watching way too much Star Wars with my son… That was very Yoda of me, ANYWAY….
As per the Teacher gift that I did on my blog. Yes I did order the vinyl, I linked her in my post. I think it's green and say's 'Etsy store'. It was $5.00 per vinyl and $2.00 to ship.
I spent way to much after buying 10million pencils from the dang tree store & the glass containers, but I think it's worth it. My kids all have such awesome teachers this year so they only deserve the best! Well, the best that I can give at any rate. Hope that it helps
:)Rachel
I found your blog and read the whole thing in one sitting. You combine my two favs- decorating and humor!!! Thanks for the good reading!! I have added you to my blogroll and will be back for more inspiration and chuckles!!
Great table Chris – and next time take care of those cords. Sheesh. I really expected more from you.
Hi Chris,
It looks wonderful. I haven’t been shopping in Big Lots in awhile…I may have to check it out.
If you have time, check out my picture frame post and see if you can offer any advice.
thanks,
Diane
Hi ladies! I did, in fact, cover the lampshade myself. I spent @ $4.00 on the fabric. Houndstooth is one of my favorite all-time prints, so I’m glad I was able to incorporate it. Thanks for the kind words!
Looks great and love the lamp shade!
You have such a great eye for decorating. I love your blog keep up the good work.
That is perfect!! I love me some Big Lots.
Sorry about school starting. Ugh. Happens every year… : ) I believe teacher's deserve WAY more recognition, WAY larger salaries and just way more love any way you look at it! I appreciate your investment in the future of America! …..Just wish it did not have to interfere with your blogging because you are adorable & so fun to read!
Oh do they sell table top glass like that at Hobby Lobby? I had no idea! I have a wicker-type round table that needs glass on top! I might have to check it out.
thanks!
Chris, I love the whole setup. Big Lots has some neat stuff lately & I have a piece of that glass from HL too. Great deal when it's 40% off. You did good!
Rhoda
I’m glad you had a good first day of school.
The table and lamp are perfect together. The houndstooth is great.
So happy to hear your first day of school went well and it looks like it hasn’t slowed you down a bit. I love the idea of taking planters and making them little tables. Love it!
Super cute! Looks great, as always!
Oh, how funny…your mom drove the car. I love what you did and it’s better than store bought…it’s one of a kind. How clever you are. I love that lamp shade too.
Your lamp looks great. I am glad you had a good first day back and just think Christmas break will be here before you know it.
Looks great! Where did the shade come from? I love it! I am a product of the 80's (well a product of the 60's actually, but you know what I mean…) and I was all about black and white houndstooth in the late 80's/early 90's, I just love that stuff!
If you have little ones, you might want to keep that smaller glass, it might be more 'bump-proof' if it is smaller and hugging your table. Does that make sense? I am so intune with the whole childproofing thing, a little over-bearing probably. That's because we have a quad style house with all kinds of dangerous things I would never want a small child exposed to…but then 6 months after moving in, I got pregnant with ds #2…so, it's been a challenge in this house, that's for sure!
I love everything…and I had to laugh about the cords, I am writing a blog on cords right now 🙂
Bella:)
PS: I didn't even know Michael's carried S & H. I know Target does because every time I see something by that line that I like, it is never on sale..full price, ugh!!!
Looks so fresh and inviting. Like you could just sit there sipping an iced tea and reading a good book. Great job! P.S. Hope those menu planning ideas helped!!
Love the lamp! Must run to Big Lots myself now. 🙂
Wow. #30. Now whose not a good BF? 🙂
Okay, I HAVE to know where that houndstooth shade came from. Is it really green and white? You MUST tell me where you got it!
I also want to copy your table idea now too. I just have to figure out where I’d put one.
Hmmmmm……..
Thanks for sharing these pics. I am totally inspired by them!
Layla
The Lettered Cottage
Hi Chris…what an awesome idea…the lampshade looks great with the lamp too! You’re so crafty!
I cracked up when you said a bad word to the principal…lmao!!!
Hugz,
Michele
you make me feel soooo inadequate! i will be coming back for more self torture on a regular basis though!
Oh, that is lovely. I could never do that. NO decorating abilty. Sniff.
That is awesome! I just don’t have that creative eye to see something like that and envision it as a table. It looks awesome!
I love what you did with it! Such great texture in the base of the “table” and I like the idea of glass on the top. Beautiful!
Carrie
You may be too busy,but if you have time I tagged you!:)
Hi there!
I don’t think that’s a bad price at all for what you got, especially since you love what you bought AND you don’t have to fix or paint it! That is a HUGE plus! 🙂
I hope the rest of your week teaching goes wonderfully! I know it is a very hard and often demanding job that you do, and think that although it could be very rewarding, it is probably really emotionally exhausting! 🙂
Ok, just found your blog, blew my whole morning reading it and I’m hooked. You’ve got such great ideas that I could actually do. (I probably won’t but I COULD!)
Plus I’m in school (oldest sophomore in the universe) to be a high school teacher someday and I love your stories about school.
See ya around blogmanity!
I just love it when I find a new teacher friend that so creative, crafty, and money conscious! Great ideas…girl! I bet your classroom rocks too! I’d love to see some photos of it too.
I love it all! Your lampshade transformation is awesome!
Oh, it’s awesome…how fun! And now, you are famous. Do we get to say we knew you when? 😉
Looks juicy! Don’t worry about the cords, I’ve done that.
Hi there! I just ran across your blog today, I love it! Have a great TGIF!
Karen~
I’m hunting down a small table right now too…I feel your pain!! Your solution looks great and I like your lamp makeover too!
~ Sarah
WOW…that turned out GREAT!! Love the planter basket turned table and the lamp with the houndstooth make-over…just PERFECT!!!
Very cool!
It is so much fun finding things to use that have multi-purpose.
Hope your week went well! I am just getting back in to the swing of things here after being gone for 2 weeks. Hence no blogging.
I’ve got to clean my house before I can post pictures!
Jody
Cute!! That is so much fun. Love it!
Can I come shop with you? I need your eyes to see a bargain! I would’ve passed right over that one!! What a great job you’ve done – are you sure you are meant to be a teacher – maybe you need to be an interior decorator LOL!
It loosk great! what an awesome idea for the planter! now I want to run out and get one!!!
Love the shade! Hope your year is off to a great start. I can’t believe you JUST started! We are sending out midterms next week! Ack!!
WOW!!!This purchase was so worth the cost. I knew I loved it in the store but seeing the end results with that great lamp is more than I expected. It looks great!!!perfect height to the couch too. the lamp turned out great. I agree with ? you could be an interior decorator. Decorating is your calling for sure. I can’t get over how perfect it looks. Good job. Hope your not too tired from running behind the car. You are too funny….. MOM
I just ran across your blog & I LOVE it! Gosh, I need to get back into decorating. 🙂 I will check back often.
This would work so perfect in my living room! I love it and I’m so copying you. You have given me so many ideas. Thanks!