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Teacup to Table

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery — 3 Comments

Teacups to Tables STEP TWO

STEP TWO involved, first sanding the table. I have to admit I should have worn a mask, although I was outdoors and did not deliberately breathe the stain that was most likely over 50 years old.  It smelled  of my grandma’s attic.

Then I water cleaned, wiped down and dried off the table.  I then spray painted the table white. I was glad I had my roller handy as it really helped with the areas that wanted to drip.

  Once the paint was dry I added blue trim.  Now the teacup had a purple accent, so faint that if you blurred your eyes it looked blue. I wanted to highlight the blue so I trimmed it out with a dark and lighter blue.  Make no mistake, there are few clean lines. I know when I am done I will get out my fine paint brush and touch up all the areas that I over painted in white.  Here is the table now painted and trimmed.  Ready for the next step?

Painted white and trimmed in blue.  I like to paint on my ironing board.  It is a good height and there are lots of hang overs for this table, so I can walk around the project, reach under and over without having to move the table.  I even have the teacup under that stand to remind me of what first got me thinking of this table.

Teacups to Tables STEP THREE

STEP THREE is what I call layering.
I think any beginner would think this to be a difficult project.  Do not look at the project as a whole. Look at this project in layers. Starting with the lightest color I find the pattern on the cup of just yellow. Which is the lightest color. Always start with the lightest colors.
 The little shelf on the bottom of this table will be modeled like the inside of the cup.  It narrows down the pattern for me to easily see the yellow colors first.
 For some, this may be a tedious job of spacing and measuring. I eyeball the distance and do not hold myself to perfection.  I use to be a perfectionist and a project like this would have taken weeks, I would lose my enthusiasm, and the project  would be junked in my garage.  Believe me this is way more fun and becomes your own.

I also made sure to transfer my first layer of color on the lower shelf too.  Starting with the lightest colors always help “fix” mistakes along the way.  Also keep your “inspiration” piece safe.  I know that if that ironing board gets knocked over I can clean up paints but would be sad to break this teacup. So I kept it on the floor close to the project, or a shelf very close by.

I layered next with orange. It was sherbet orange which certainly punches out the yellow.  Once the yellow and orange were layered on I started to add the blue.  Are you ready to see all the colors applied and the finished table?
STEP FOUR FINAL is having me try to find the best pictures.
Layering is a miracle way of painting.  Remember I said do not look at the pattern as a whole, but layer the pattern  with the lightest colors first.  OH JOY!!!  Get excited with me. I am so pleased how this turned out.
 My teacup and my table now completed.  I am very happy with how this turned out. I took a close up to show how very imperfect this is. Go ahead look very very close at this.  Layering of each color transfers the pattern without even really trying.  I took each color and moved it around the table in about the approximate place it should be.
 Table top, lower shelf, tea-cup and paint. Yes I spread my paints out on a white plate.  Makes it easier for me to tone down, mix the right colors and keep my palate close.
 This is that lower shelf. I am so glad I trimmed in blue and decided to take the time to paint the lower shelf.  It did not take any extra time in that the layering of color was just dabbling.
 Right back where I started.  From a teacup to a table.  I love this!
 Looking down at the table notice my almost perfect blue trim around the table. Really?  Who paints perfection like that? Not me. When my table was complete and I was happy with my pattern, I took a fine white paintbrush.  I then went over the oopsies on the table itself. You know like getting your hand in the way and then getting paint where you did not see it.  I painted  white over all those little imperfections.
What is your next project?  This table took me about three hours to complete from start to finish.  I did not complete it one sitting. I let the white paint drive over night. Even though the bottle said it would take only 30 minutes to dry, there is the risk of a tacky feel, and then every little thumb print is recorded.  Sunday I took the earlier afternoon and stuck to the painting of the pattern.
Next time I am going to do a step by step covering of mirror with some really colorful and fun fabric.  Happy Teacup and Table
About

Interior Designer, Consultant, Artist. Which is it they ask? All of the above. God has blessed me in ways that words cannot describe. Doing what I love and making a career out of it all. Starting with a beautiful designer showroom. Decorating homes and specializing in kid's spaces. Magazine covers and spreads, then show homes. Adding in business consulting. Working alongside my clients to develop a strategic plan to design and market their product or service in the correct markets. Then one day, after years of painting for my clients, a few gallies, my hobby business I decided in the second half of my life to bring Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery to life. I took my paintings to the streets and flipped my website into my "Art You Love" business. Do what you love and love what you do. Adding Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery and creating artful pieces for your home, office, business. An empty wall invites art you love by Elizabeth Harris Art Gallery. Your Dreams & Passions, My Experience & Help. Let's work together and build something beautiful in your home business, or on your walls.

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3 comments on “Teacup to Table”
  1. Ladainian says:
    November 25, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Normally I’m against killing but this aritlce slaughtered my ignorance.

    Reply
  2. Florence says:
    November 25, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    This was so helpful and easy! Do you have any artclies on rehab?

    Reply

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