When Asher (who is almost 7) was still a baby, I purchased this Ikea Svala table and chairs. Needless to say, I was a bit of an over-eager new mom. So although it would be over two years before Asher showed any interest in placing his little bum in one of those chairs, you better believe I had those babies put together and ready for when that moment arrived! There they sat…unfinished wood…in the nursery…then in the playroom…collecting dust.
The years went on, Asher finally learned to sit in a small chair (wahoo), and I finally made the table and chairs part of my decor. They received a coat of red spray paint and were moved down to the main level for full-use.
The years continued, and now Asher and Zephan were old enough to sit in small chairs together! To celebrate, the table & chairs received a fresh coat of paint and bonus checkerboard functionality. I loved this table and even made some cute seat cushions to match. However, the boys soon boycotted the cushions as “girly” and showed no interest in playing checkers (or in eating cherries).
And as the years went on, all red vanished from the main level so it was time to say goodbye to the checkerboard and cherries and hello to something we all could live with. Enter…the beachy table.
Today I sanded the chairs and table down with my palm sander just enough to rough up the poly and then I painted the chairs with my free can of Glidden paint in Wood Smoke.
For the table, I painted it mostly with Wood Smoke and then dry brushed on some Folk Art acrylic paint in Sky Blue while the Wood Smoke was still wet. Once dry, I distressed it a bit so that some of the black underneath would shine through. I love the way it turned out!
The message board on the wall is a Marshall’s find that I had originally picked up for my craft room. I think it looks fantastic down here and is the perfect place to display the kids’ artwork. The bucket on the table was purchased at Gabriel Brothers and hides crayons, markers, glue, and pencils.
The best part about this redo is that the boys are loving the changes and are still small enough to sit here! And yes, I’ll admit it. I might shed a few tears on the day they no longer care to sit here.
Sniff. Sniff. They grow up so fast. Now go hug your babies, or grandbabies, or stranger’s babies (okay…maybe not a stranger’s babies) before they’re too big to sit at the kids’ table!
Linking up with Sarah!
Jeanette says
Love the black and red table but I can see why the boys didn’t. I miss having small children around they grow why to fast. Enjoy them!
Kathleen says
Beautiful table and beautiful story! They do grow too fast don’t they?
Blessings,
Kathleen
Lusi says
These look great! We have the same set ahem gathering dust outside! You’ve inspired me to fix them up! Thank you 🙂
Paulette says
We have that table too! Mother in law and my eldest used a honey coloured stain on it 🙂
Oh and we have my table & chairs from when was teeny weeny! Keep them for your grandbabies 🙂
christi @burlap and basil says
this color is perfect for the set!
remember to enter the july giftaway!
Heather @ DIYduJour says
I love the beachy makeover–maybe after they outgrow it, you can use it for a sidetable somewhere, so you don’t have to cry just yet! 🙂
Crystal says
I adore that little table. My girls have the little tikes (not so cute) desks in their rooms and we have been wanting to replace them with a small table. I have been on the lookout for a small table and chairs in flea markets and yard sales, with no luck. This set would be perfect! I wonder how old they could be in order to sit there comfortably? I have a 6 year old and a tall 8 year old. Hmmm…… 🙂 Your paint job is phenomenal. Love the color!! And the basket. 🙂
Linda Slattery says
It is so fun to see how you have transformed the little chairs and table over the years as your boys have grown. I’m a little surprised you didn’t have a green dinosaur phase in there somewhere!! Enjoy them while you can.
Diane says
Many fun transformations over the years – the ever changing table -just like our kids – changing and transforming and getting older sometimes in what seems like overnight. Mine are grown and living far away now. I can only kiss the photos of them that I have when they were little 🙂
Your little guy is a cutie, quite a natural – he looks like he is not afraid of the camera at all- so photogenic.
My best- Diane
Fairfield House says
Beth,
Love how the plain vanilla Ikea table has changed with your decor. The last makeover looks fantastic. So funny – the cherry cushions were “too girly!” The little man seated at the table is a cutie patootie.
Your Friend,
Deborah
gina says
Wow! That color is gorgeous! I had a table very similar many years ago and reading this post brought back so many memories. My kids are grown now and I just put my baby girl (20) on a plane to Sydney yesterday. I just may be hugging stranger’s kids over the next 6 months!
Mary Bloomgren says
This is just the treatment I was looking for to redo the tabletop in my craft room. I think I will leave the legs natural and just paint the top! Thanks for the great idea. And BTW, I am still using the table from my childhood as an end table!
gertie @ The Old Block House says
I love this incarnation of the table the most. Light, beachy, fresh is so much better than the blah beiges and dark colors that were so in at one time.
My boys are far too big for little tables now, but they once had a child size picnic table that got tons of use and eventually wore out.
ali says
Ooo I am all the way over the other side of the world and I have the exact same table and chair set for my boys… in red!
Jen says
Funny! I love them all! I have the exact same table and chairs that I painted black after we bought them. It’s a great table, perfect size for a little space. I’m sure mine will be transformed many times too!
Jen
Susan bush says
Wow, I think all the looks were just great….love your sunflower picture would like to find one like that…..really like the checker table look….and what can I say I regally like the beach look ….enjoying your page ,getting great idea’s ,not that I don’t have enough of my own…
Natalie says
Wow, it’s amazing to see how much the set has changed over the years to suit each function. The last transformation is my favorite yet! 🙂
Jenny says
It’s so cute! It looks great with the board and batten!
kelly says
it looks really cute and i think could always be a part of your decor even as they get older. and amazingly they become centimental later about what was theirs when they were a kid!
Vanilla Bean Crafts says
well, I honestly like them all! But it does look great with what you did today!
Christina @ Christina's Adventures says
ooooh so perfect! It’s so fun to see the changing styles of the same table too! I LOVE the color and the distressing…so beautiful! 🙂
Christina says
I love that! Great job!
Leanne says
I love the table. The color is beautiful!