Ethan Allen Console Table Makeover | i should be mopping the floor
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Ethan Allen Console Table Makeover

This Ethan Allen Console Makeover post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, I gave my mother's 1980's Ethan Allen Console Table a little makeover. I remember going to the showroom to select this table with her when I was a little kid. It brings me a lot of joy to have it back out and being used again. See how I made it over, as well as restyled it, below.

Oh, and it's Thrifty Style Team Day! This Ethan Allen Console makeover is just one of several fun and thrifty ideas listed out below.

Ethan Allen Console
While my mom would probably think my hot pink direction for this table is a bit questionable, at best, I do think she'd love the fact that we're using it again. Honestly, in the end, she always did enjoy my "wild ideas", even if they were a bit out of her comfort zone. See how this table started out, below.


Ethan Allen Console Table Makeover

Anybody else an Ethan Allen junkie? I love their furniture...its style is timeless, and it lasts for ages. In fact, the cream colored wingback chairs in this room (pictured below) were also 1980's throwbacks from Ethan Allen, as well. They were also from my parents' home (I do plan to have them recovered in the future, but for now, they work fine). This console table that I'm sharing today was always in the TV room (or, "den", as they called it) of my parents' home. It was always behind the couch and always filled with framed family photos. 
Ethan Allen Sofa Table
I'm definitely trying to duplicate how my mom always used this piece. The shape of it really stands out, now that it's pink. It just screams "chinoiserie" to me...which is what I love. Slowly, this room has definitely become a throwback of sorts to the home I grew up in...lots of that 1980's classic furniture here and there. Now that both of my parents have passed away, I seem to crave their style that they always had. I think it brings me comfort.

1950's Console
To give a bit of background, we had the above 1950's console here previously. I did love this piece. It came from an antique store on Hildebrand in San Antonio (a great street to antique on). However, the actual record player part never worked properly. And, the nearest place for repair was over an hour away. Also, I couldn't take a paint brush to it...it felt criminal. But, I also didn't love the color. So, I gave it to our neighbors who love anything mid-century modern. 

A 1980's Console Table Gets a New Life

Sadly, I don't have any photos (that I can currently find) of the table when it was in my childhood home. However, I did have a couple of older photos of the table in the entryway of our previous home:
Entryway Table
I had actually painted it black myself (which I regretted later...it was a "slap on the paint" kind of job). It never looked great, especially the part where the caning is, under the glass top. So, I would stick scrapbook paper or fabric under the glass to hide the paint job.

1980's Sofa Table
We honestly didn't have a good spot for it in our new home when we moved in, so it went to the storage shed. Fast forward a few years and I pulled it back out and dusted it off...ready to bring her back inside!

Krylon Mambo Pink

My mother had several pieces of furniture that have caning. I have painted a few of them (like this Ethan Allen Console), and learned a few tricks along the way.


Tips for Painting Furniture with Caning

  • Use a quality quick-drying spray paint. I really loved the Cover Maxx from Krylon in Mambo Pink for my table. 
  • Clean and prep your surfaces thoroughly. When using spray paint, you usually don't need to sand, but test an inconspicuous place on your piece to make sure your paint adheres properly. If it doesn't, do a light sanding with a fine-grade sand paper and then wipe down with a tack cloth before painting.
  • Begin using light, consistent, "strokes" of spray paint. Be super patient. This will take several coats. Don't get carried away and try to get the job done too fast...paint will drip through the caning and dry that way (with actual dried drips hanging down from the underside of the caning, often).

Spray Painting Caning
Pictured above is two coats of the paint. It took a total of four coats, in all.
  • Allow each coat of paint to thoroughly dry before doing the next. Spray paint dries fairly quickly, so this usually isn't too big of a deal. 
  • While I didn't, you can always seal your spray paint with a clear coat for extra protection. Since I used a really nice brand of spray paint this time around, I opted to skip that step.
  • Allow your paint to dry for 24 hours before using your furniture. I paint outside, but after a couple of hours, bring my piece inside to finish curing completely. I've had leaf prints in pieces that I've left out overnight, so lesson learned there. 


Chinoiserie Living Room
After my piece was dry, we brought her into the living room the next day.

Ethan Allan Couch Table
I'm really happy with how she turned out. And I love how the piece coordinates perfectly with my hot pink drapes. Incidentally, I love these drapes. They're heavy black-out drapes that are beautifully lined. I grabbed them here on Amazon.

The larger photo on the console is me and my parents from about 25 years ago. And that very photo (in that very frame) sat on this table in their house for a number of years. I still miss them both so much. The smaller photo is my husband and me on our wedding day. It was my mom's copy of that photo and she had it in that bow frame, also on this table.

Ginger Jar
On the other end of the table is my favorite ginger jar of all time. I actually got it at a Goodwill, y'all! It is in mint condition and I just love it. When I posted here on Instagram about this jar, I laughed at the comment, "That must be one boujee Goodwill to have a ginger jar!" Yep, I guess so. I've been back to the same store over the years, but it hasn't ever happened again. 

Blue and White Ginger Jar
I mean, honestly, can one ever have enough blue and white?

Chinoiserie Bird Lamp
The Chinoiserie Plumed Bird Lamp was from a different Goodwill, a couple of years back. The colors are perfect in this space. And that back photo (of my parents and me) has definitely graced this table before...probably for 20 years or so!

Blue Velvet Sectional
This is the same room from the other side. If you saw my post on Use What You Have Decor, you may remember that I "borrowed" a few items from this room for that newly made-over TV room. I have since replaced the coffee table in here with this simple glass-topped one. I ordered it from Amazon and it was easy to put together. You can grab the same one here. It's a really great piece for how inexpensive it is.

The sectional is originally from Ikea. See how we "made it blue" in this Blue Ikea Sectional post. I also shared a tutorial on how I made the pillows with the orange pom pom trim (they're actually envelope pillows and I wash the covers regularly). I purchased all of the aqua and white pillows from Minted here. They have a fantastic selection.

Brass Floor Lamp
My original brass floor lamp in here also went to our "new" TV room. But, I love this new one even more because of how it "hangs" over the little Rose Medallion garden stool. You can grab it here on Amazon (that's where I bought mine).

Incidentally, that Chinoiserie Rose Medallion piece was from a local thrift store, too. It's truly become more of a plant stand than a side table, though. I have an abundance of Peace Lilies since my father's funeral...I'm a plant person, so I love them all. I actually still have plants from my mom's funeral, too, scattered throughout the house. They're all sweet reminders.

Staffordshire Dog Printable
My "staff party" of Staffordshire Dogs is happening on the mantel. You can grab this free Staffordshire Dog printable, if you're into these pups, too.

Classic Chinoiserie Living Room Decor
I think this Ethan Allen Console of my mom's really rounded out the space. So happy to have it in use again. 

Thrifty Style Team Projects

Listed out below, you can find links to all of my friends' fantastic and budget-friendly projects, as well. Thrifty Style Team day is definitely one of my favorite days of the month...there is so much inspiration to be had.
Thrift Store Project Ideas





18 comments:

  1. Kristi, I love this so much! You had me at Pink! :) And I just love how you use things that are so special to you. That is how I love to decorate in my home. I don't want just things taking up space. I want them to mean something. It makes decor so much more special! And I just love the story behind so many of your pieces. <3

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    1. Awww...thank you so much, my friend. You always say the kindest things. And yes, isn't it fun to look around at pieces that have a lot of meaning? That's the part I enjoy the most. Hoping you have a lovely Mother's Day weekend! xoxo

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  2. Kristi - we love the console makeover. You have refreshed it and given it new life with this pop of color!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jenn and Vicki! Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

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  3. What a fantastic room! I really admire the colour choice confidence! I've started spray painting my yard stuff bright fun colours, inspired by your posts. Tomato cages: boring green no more. Now they're purple and turquoise!

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    1. Awww, Jenny! You just made my day. Thank you so much for those kind words. And those sound like my kind of tomato cages. xoxo

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  4. That table adds some serious VAVAVAVOOM to that room! Love it!

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    1. Awww...thank you so much, Beth! Who doesn't like a lil' vavavavoom, right? xoxo

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  5. It is wonderful that you are able to use so many furniture pieces that belonged to your parents. The pink of this table looks fabulous with your blue sofa and pink drapes. You've created a lovely room to enjoy. Oh! I love that you are using two pictures that you mom used on her table.

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    1. Thank you so much for that, Paula. Yes, it feels nice to see her photos on display again. Have a great weekend! xoxo

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  6. Your mom would be so happy seeing what a fresh, beautiful piece you have made for your lovely home.The pops of pink are just stunning in your home. Along with the plants and photos of your precious parents.
    Thanks for sharing and inspiring, Kristi.

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    1. Thank you so much, my friend. I really appreciate that. It feels so good to have her furniture here and there and think of her whenever I see the pieces. xoxo

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  7. The table is such a beautiful piece and the color you chose is absolutely glorious!

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    1. Thank you, Mary Beth! Gotta love a bright pink, right? xoxo

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  8. I love all the color in this room! Your table is the perfect color contrast to your sofa and they set each other off perfectly! Well done! So happy to be part of this super-fun hop with you!

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    1. Thank you so much for those kind words, Michelle. I appreciate that very much. And yes, I love being a part of the fun with you, as well. It's always such an inspiration to see everyone's projects.

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  9. Oh my gosh I love your table but I am even more in love with the fact that you found that ginger jar at Goodwiil! Say what?! You lucky lady. I love your colorful style!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kelly! Right? What a fun day THAT was. Can't wait to get to thrift stores again one day! xoxo

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