It all began many months ago when my mother and sister got into tablescaping. This is the art of setting your table to look beautiful with different plates and centre pieces. It looks amazing! My mom and sister have been wanting me to get into it too. But I told them, I can barely get the dirty dishes off the table to wash them, let alone setting it with beautiful items daily. I blame this on my wonderful daughters who keep me so busy I can barely shower and put on makeup let alone set my table. However, my sister and mom convinced me that I could use my artistic abilities to set up a coffee bar. That was manageable because it would be tucked out of the way and the girls would not be able to touch it.
I had a little piece of furniture that sits between my fireplace and dining table. I have used it to store napkins, extra wine glasses, carafes and other odds and ends. The problem was, I never used these items. My sister had been bugging me to set up a coffee bar just like hers at home. So finally I decided to do it. Here it is:
I got the brackets from Home Hardware and used pieces of pine for the shelves. I painted the shelves with black Chalk Paint and distressed them. I then waxed them to protect them. I used homemade chalk paint. I used a recipe as adapted from several blogs found on pinterest:
1 Part Plaster of Paris
3 Parts Latex Paint (I use Flat)
Just enough boiling water to dissolve the Plaster of Paris
Some recipes I found online suggested using 1 part water along with 1 part Plaster of Paris and 3 parts paint. I found that the paint was a little thin when using this much water. Therefore, I add just enough water to the Plaster of Paris to dissolve it. Then I add that mixture to the paint. My very first project I did not dissolve the Plaster of Paris in Water and it created lumps. So this step is very important.
The reason I use chalk paint is because it requires no priming, covers fabulously and distresses very easily. Chalk paint can be very expensive, and since I am thrifty, I choose to make my own.
I also used chalk paint to paint the antique jar on the shelf. It sticks very well to all surfaces. I did not prime the jar or seal it with anything. It just stuck. The painted jar hides the messy look of my tea bags inside the jar. I then distressed it with some fine grit sandpaper. This is how it turned out:
My mom contributed many pieces to my shelves. Since she is into tablescaping, she had a lot of odds and ends around. I even convinced her to give me the plaque that houses my teacups. She did not want to part with it. But she did becuase she is the best mom ever! She also found me the square porcelain box that houses a variety of tea from Goodwill for $1. And the little jug that holds the flowers was also $1 a Goodwill. I chose to keep my theme simple with lots of white and cream. there is a hint of silver throughout and some glass items.
The best part of this is that my tea kettle is no longer on the counter and all of my tea and coffee are out of the cupboards. I store all my extra mugs underneath in the small dresser.
I now have a little retreat in my living room that I use several times a day. I look forward to the day when the girls are just a little bit older and I will be able to drink a cup of tea while it is still hot. Every time I use it I smile. I hope this inspires you to take time out of your busy day to create a special place for you to make a cup of tea or coffee and count your blessings.
Thank your for your comment and interest. I really enjoy sharing my various projects. I have so much fun doing it, that I have to remind myself to stop and blog.
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