• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 21, 2013

Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table

Outdoor-coffee-table-with-chalkboard-top www.atthepicketfence.com

Do you remember that movie “The Money Pit” with Shelley Long and Tom Hanks?

I saw it for the first time in my late teens and laughed my head off. I think I might have laughed so hard that I cried. All of the problems this poor couple ran into as they were attempting to turn the “pit” into their dream home were just so crazy and far-fetched and hysterical!

Then we became home-owners. And watched the movie again.

But this time, I didn’t laugh quite as hysterically. I still cracked up over their mishaps and wackiness but something had changed. Suddenly I felt a kinship with this unfortunate couple. Oh sure, I’ve never had a bathtub fall through the ceiling (Dear Lord, please don’t let that ever happen!), but sometimes being a home-owner feels like you are truly just throwing money into a “pit”.

thrift store tv stand

This has been a particularly “pit” filled year for us…and it’s only June! New flooring, having to replace two major appliances, cracked stucco which must be patched to prevent water damage, painting the entire house to cover up the patched stucco, tree removals to keep roots from going into the foundation and the list goes on…and on…and on.

So, when I found myself wishing for a little coffee table for the sitting area on our deck I knew it would have to fit only one criteria. CHEAP!

A $10 TV stand from the thrift store definitely met the criteria.

The base got a couple coats of spray paint and the top? Well…the top needed something a little more fun.

chalkboard topped outdoor coffee table www.atthepicketfence.com

So I turned it into a chalkboard.
And wrote out a line from one of my favorite Summer-y songs.
I loved it right away.
It “made me feel fine…blowing through the jasmine in my mind.”

chalkboard outdoor coffee table www.atthepicketfence.com

Room to store my beverage tub was an added bonus.

outdoor coffee table with storage www.atthepicketfence.com

aged terra cotta pots www.atthepicketfence.com

After the paint dried and I wrote out the line from my favorite Summer-y song, I sat on the bench and realized that the summer breeze wasn’t just blowing through the jasmine in my mind.

It was actually blowing through the jasmine growing up onto the lattice behind me.

Which is so much better, of course!

deck-sitting-area www.atthepicketfence.com

And sitting there with my little $10 chalkboard outdoor coffee table in front of me, I remembered just how thankful I was for this “pit”!

It might not be perfect…but it’s our pit after all.

Today is the official first day of Summer!

And I’m so excited to be Stop Number 10 at the Fun in the Sun Blog Hop!

Fun in the sun summer blog hop resized

Have you seen all of the AMAZING projects shared so far?

Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia showed how to make Pom Pom Lanterns

paper lantern

Kim from Sand and Sisal showed off this Simple Summer Centerpiece

Simple-Summer-Centerpiece-3-1024x756

Shannon from Fox Hollow Cottage made a fun Aloha Summer Pool Noodle Wreath

AlohaSummerFlipFlopPoolNoodleDIYWreathCraft_zpsb2b507ae

Becca from Adventures in Decorating shared her gorgeous Summer Porch

porchsummerlamp

Heather from Setting for Four shared her lovely Summer Mantel

beachmantel

Debbie from Debbiedoos shared 5 Quick Summer Craft Ideas

recycled-cans-022

Courtney from French Country Cottage shared a lovely Summer Table Setting

mason jar table setting

Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline made this gorgeous Beach Inspired Dessert

Beach-Inspired-Desserts-one

And Maryann from Domestically Speaking made the Ultimate All American Sundae

ultimate-all-american-sundae-pin

AND we can’t wait for YOU to share your Fun in the Sun projects with us at the Giant Linky Party on June 27th! 
PLUS you can also enter to win a KINDLE FIRE! 

Fun in the sun summer blog hop

Be sure to head over to visit Kristin from Yellow Bliss Road on Monday to see her beautiful Summer Mantel.

Here’s a little sneak peek!

yellow bliss road summer mantel

So glad you joined me for some Fun in the Sun today!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

Sharing this here:

Treasure Hunt Thursday

THAT DIY Party

38 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Good Ideas, Outdoors Tagged With: Chalkboard Paint, outdoor coffee table, outdoor table, summer

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « For Love of a Slipcover and Toddler Bed Guardrails
Next Post: At a Snail’s Pace »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tami says

    June 21, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    What a great idea! Love the chalkboard top!

    Reply
  2. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    June 21, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    What a great outdoor table! I love the chalkboard top and the paint color is great! Enjoy it and have a great weekend.
    Leslie

    Reply
  3. Ashley says

    June 21, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    I absolutely LOVE that movie! Even though it’s not “realistic”… it’s definitely how you feel as a homeowner when things go wrong! lol. Love your table too! Super cute. It’s amazing what some paint will do 🙂

    Reply
  4. Tanya says

    June 21, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    This is so cute! You could also make a kid version of this for them to color on 🙂

    Reply
  5. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says

    June 21, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    This came out so CUTE!! Your Beverage Tub, SO SO Adorable. This Party list just keeps getting better and better.
    Happy Summer!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  6. Angela says

    June 21, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Adorable! Love the chalkboard top and the color!! What fun!~~Angela

    Reply
  7. Judy Clark says

    June 21, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    Love your redo! Especially the chalkboard top. Great thinking.

    Judy

    Reply
  8. Becca says

    June 21, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    That’s one of *my* favorite “Summer-y” songs, too, Vanessa. I love how you repurposed your TV stand … awesome paint color and genius to add the chalkboard paint on top! I’m sure you’ll be adding lots of different summer quotes and lyrics to it over the next couple of months! (Great beverage container housed below, too!)

    Reply
  9. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 21, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    Vanessa, So funny! I know what you mean. We are making over a bunch of room and put in an electric dog fence, and replaced 2 garage doors, and had our falling down stone steps replaces… we have to paint the porch and floor this season too! Misery loves company!!!!
    Your outdoor coffee table is better than one from PB or Restor. Hardward! I love the chalkboard. When I saw the before picture I did not think there was much you could do with it. You worked magic… really! I think this little table is a winner!

    Reply
  10. karen says

    June 21, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    I love that movie! I still crack up when I think of the scene where Tom Hanks fell through the rug in the hole and he was stuck, arms and all! Homeownership does sometimes feel like a pit, but good things grow out of that pit!

    Love your outdoor table, and it is blowing like the Jasmine in my miiinnnddddd!

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    June 22, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    This is so copy cat-able. I love the idea. As for the movie, we saw it back when we were living in The Money Pit. We still laughed, but OY… My niece has just put in an offer (and it has been accepted) on an old house to fix up. You have reminded me that I need to direct her to this movie. She’ll be OK with me doing so since from the beginning, I was the ONLY one in the family rooting for her to do this.

    Reply
  12. Debbie @ Deliciously Inspired says

    June 22, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    What a clever idea – it looks great. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Marty Walden says

    June 22, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    This is amazing! And I think of all the microwave stands we’ve given away or left on the street. I’m loving chalkboard everything these days! Might have to scrounge one up for our back yard. Great idea, Vanessa!

    Reply
  14. Megin says

    June 23, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    What a fun idea! You’ve really given that table a new life. I love the color and the chalk board on top is just fun. It’s great for outdoors with the wheels.
    I’m visiting today from DIY Showoff. I hope you get a chance to visit my blog, too. I’m co-hosting the DIY Sunday Showcase and would love for you to come by and link up!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Open Now! DIY Showcase ~ Come Link Up!

    Reply
  15. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    June 23, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    I feel your money pit pain! Roof, whole-home heating unit, exterior paint, appliances… Ouch. Sure sucks the money out of your decorating budget 😉 You found the perfect fit though. That couldn’t look any cuter or be more perfect! Love how you can pop your little bev tub underneath. We always need that extra storage.

    Reply
  16. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    June 23, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    What a super cute THRIFTY table you have here…luv the chalkboard idea!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  17. Trish @ Uncommon says

    June 24, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    What a fantastic project! I know that you guys must be enjoying this SO much! Hugs!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  18. Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says

    June 24, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    LOVE this idea – might need to make one myself 🙂

    Reply
  19. Ellen says

    June 25, 2013 at 8:10 AM

    I think we are in the same “pit” this year. I just want to do little things on the cheap to update but it keeps leading to new flooring, appliances giving up, etc. Love the table – really great find & the chalkboard top is a cute idea.

    Reply
  20. Heather says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Love it! A perfect little table to sit by in the sun!! It’s a great place to display your herb pots and so convenient to snip a few fresh leaves of mint for your mojito too! Wink!

    Reply
  21. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    June 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    What a wonderful and fun idea!

    Reply
  22. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

    June 27, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    What a great way to upcycle an unused tv table! Great idea!

    Reply
  23. jamala says

    June 27, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Love, love , love it.. and you picked the perfect song to share.. thank you for the summer experience..

    Reply
  24. Nick says

    June 28, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    Love the use of the chalkboard. We just did a corner cabinet and created a door with a chalkboard front! Kids and adults loved it!!!

    Check it out at ttps://www.facebook.com/New4You2

    Reply
  25. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    June 28, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    Oh! My daughter would go crazy with this table!! Thanks for the fun idea!!

    Reply
  26. Modern Dining Furniture says

    July 10, 2013 at 5:35 AM

    Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon.

    Thanks

    Reply
  27. ฮวงจุ้ย, ดวงจีน, ฤกษ์ยาม says

    October 18, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Thanks for some other educational website. The place altogether different could I am that kind of knowledge developed in a very ideal signifies? I own a job that I am right now working on, and that i are on the look out and about pertaining to similarly info.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover Wall Art says:
    June 24, 2013 at 6:38 PM

    […] has been a “Money Pit” year for us, which means everything needs to be done for pennies…PENNIES I tell […]

    Reply
  2. Kindle Fire Giveaway - Summer Blog Hop & Link Party! - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    June 26, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    […] At the Picket Fence – DIY chalkboard top outdoor coffee table […]

    Reply
  3. Kindle Fire Giveaway & Fun in the Sun Linky Party! says:
    June 27, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] Vanessa showed how to turn an old TV cabinet into a Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table […]

    Reply
  4. Fun in the Sun Linky Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway - Domestically Speaking says:
    June 27, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] Vanessa from At the Picket Fence will be sharing how she transformed an old TV stand into an outdoor table […]

    Reply
  5. Kindle Fire Giveaway + Linky Party says:
    June 27, 2013 at 5:38 AM

    […] Vanessa from At the Picket Fence will be sharing how she transformed an old TV stand into an outdoor table […]

    Reply
  6. Kindle Fire Giveaway and Fun in the Sun Linky Party | Cupcakes & Crinoline - Part 1 says:
    June 27, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    […] Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table by Vanessa from At the Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  7. Fun in the Sun Linky party and giveaway - Debbiedoo's says:
    June 27, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    […] At the Picket Fence – DIY chalkboard top outdoor coffee table […]

    Reply
  8. Kindle Fire Winner and Fun in the Sun Roundup! says:
    July 8, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    […] Vanessa’s contribution to the blog hop was her Outdoor Coffee Table with Chalkboard Top! […]

    Reply
  9. 5 + Summer recycle/upcycle ideas you can do right now! Fun in the sun recap and a winner - Debbiedoo's says:
    July 8, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    […] At the Picket Fence – DIY chalkboard outdoor coffee table […]

    Reply
  10. Six Super Summer Wreaths {Fun In The Sun Party Highlights and Kindle Fire HD Winner} - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    July 8, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    […] At the Picket Fence – DIY chalkboard outdoor coffee table […]

    Reply
  11. Fun in the Sun Winner says:
    July 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    […] At the Picket Fence – DIY chalkboard outdoor coffee table […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022
  • Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
What if you could do something at the beginning of What if you could do something at the beginning of your day that would be a gift to yourself later on? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s Tip Tuesday! #tiptuesday
The sun decided to make another appearance today! The sun decided to make another appearance today! It’s been such a lovely Sunday. Chocolate croissants for breakfast followed by church then naps/football/reading/etc and soon we’ll be heading out to dinner with friends. These are my favorite kind of weekends. Hope yours has been lovely too! 🌿
Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshi Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshine is breaking through the fog and my house just seems happier. We definitely needed to see that light streaming in through the windows and it’s a gift I don’t take for granted.

And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here i Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here in the Willamette Valley has me feeling less frustrated about my migraine forcing me to just snuggle up indoors and these flowers in my kitchen are lifting my spirits. What are you up to on this holiday weekend?
It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offe It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offering a gentle reminder from my own parenting experience after feeling my heart pricked with conviction about what was waiting for my daughter every day after school. I hope it will encourage you! 🌿#tiptuesday
The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favor Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favorite for sure. Everything is still festive and decorated but there’s none of the stress of the cooking and wrapping and making preparations. It’s the week where we get to take everything slowly and simply enjoy being together while the house still has twinkling lights and we can just be cozy.

What about you? How will you be spending this week? ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence