Sunday, May 29, 2011

tablecloth trick


Photo sent to me from Hilary at The Upcycle Furniture Company blog

First, a big and heartfelt thank you to everyone for sharing in the excitement of my home being featured in Fresh Cottage magazine. It's been beyond wonderful to receive comments (and photos from bookstores sent via phone!) so full of cheer and support. How fun is that!? Thank you, thank you!


How I install oilcloth

It's been just over a year since I "installed" two yards of oilcloth to the dining room table and I have been very pleased with the results. I no longer fret over scratches and marks made to the surface of this table where everything from meals to homework to tinkering takes place. Of course I also like the playfulness the patterned oilcloth adds to the room. HOWEVER, after one year of said daily activities, I thought it was about time to refresh and so when I ordered 2 new yards, I decided to try the reverse pattern of red with white polka dots.

Abra-ca-dabra!



Now you see it ...



Now you don't ...



Ta-da!

Completed in :15 or less.

What do you think? Team white with red or red with white? We're still not quite sure around here but regardless it's a simple, inexpensive, non-committal and fun change.

xo
elyse

38 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

You know I love red and white polka dots, Elyse!
Brenda

Two Shades of Pink said...

Just lovely. I am cheering for both the red and white teams. :)

Mermaids of the Lake said...

Love it... both ways, but especially team red with white!

lilybets said...

...white with red,it's more delicate,red an white is too dominant in my opinion.

Jill said...

Oh wow, tough decision! I love them both, really. Red w/white is so cute for 4th of July, Christmas, and Valentine's... actually, I guess that's pretty much all year round!

Hugs,
Jill

PS: I received my order-- I love it all! Thanks so much for the sweet surprises too! xox

danemi1 said...

definitely red and white every single time - yknow someone somewhre must be going to bring out red and white polka dot wallpaper sometime soon - hopefully - I would be forever down the store getting free samples and making bits and pieces - love your blog hun

Maaike said...

interesting and inspiring how that change gives the kitchen a totally different appearance! Both lovely. I would go for the white with red dots, to leave more room for colorful people around the table.

Have a lovely week ahead!
Love, Maaike

GerryART said...

I just saw a PINK table cloth at Hobby Lobby
I really wanted it but didn't know what to do with it.
That is before your post
Tomorrow morning - if they are open on Memorial Day - if not
first thing Tuesday morning I'm buying it and doing great things with it
thanks
hugs
Gerry

Jen Kershner said...

I LOVE the new one! It pops and makes you really notice the other red bits in the room. Good choice!

I can't wait to track down YOUR magazine. I think I am going to spend the first week of summer catching up on magazines!

LindaSonia said...

Well, well, what a clever girl you are!!! I absolutely love this idea and will definitely be borrowing it! ;-) I personally love the red with white dots but I also just plain lovelovelove polka dots!!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Theresa said...

I can't decide, I like them both:) Have a blessed evening and thanks for the tip!

HUGS!

Cathy said...

I may sound stupid, but what is oil cloth? Does it feel oily? And where do you buy it?

Hearts Turned said...

What fun, Elyse! I really love them both--what a fun, easy change!

Hope you and your sweet family are having a wonderful weekend!

Julie

SLR said...

oh i love the switch-a-roo! did you paint your chairs too? they look blue to me in the last pic.
if you did, i love 'em too! if not, well then, i guess i am losing my mind!!!

koralee said...

LOVE IT ...red and white dots perfect! I like how you do things...that would be soooo me. Hugs for a great week.xoxxo

debi said...

I LOVE it! It reminds me of this:
http://tinkeredtreasures.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-sign-of-fall.html

It's so cheerful, so Cath, so YOU!

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

i love the red with white... a bright surprise! fun fun fun! : )

Emergency spill kit said...

You have brilliantly explained work very quickly. It's very easy to understand and I have learned a lot from it. Thanks for sharing such a helpful material.

Anonymous said...

So, so cute!!!

Patti -Truly Tattered said...

Elyse, I love them both! I think it is great to have the red with white for fall/winter and the white with red for Spring/summer......Very fun. I have turquoise with white on my round table and have red chairs right now but change is always good....Kim

Pink Piccadilly Pastries said...

What a great idea! I love polka dots...so fun! I think I'm leaning toward the red with white dots!

NanaDiana said...

I love them both...LOVE the red and white polka dots. Your place is just so YOU- fun and sweet and makes me want to sit and drink a cuppa coffee with you~ Happy Memorial Day sweetie pie- xxoo Diana

Bring Pretty Back said...

Elyse, That is SO cool to see the magazine in photo's that people are sending you! I like the white with red ... but love the red with white too. This is what is funny to me- I love your home and love the colors of your home - and would not have thought of red at all ... and it looks awesome!
Have a pretty day!
I need to order some oil cloth!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Birds and Blossoms said...

That is adorable!!!! Love the colors!

Kelly McCants said...

I like the new one, it's brighter and bolder!!! I am all about the color!

Cottage 1945 said...

That is such a cute idea! I may just have to 'borrow' that for my sewing table. I love the red one-it really pops.

Anonymous said...

I like them both! Maybe the mainly red could be for the winter holidays and then change to mainly white in the spring!

So, do pencil pressure marks show up from the home work? ♥

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

LOVE it Elyse! Great job! I am just about to order some oilcloth from the same Etsy seller for my little table & chairs for outside! Soooo many designs to choose from! You always brighten my day! Can you see the smile on my face?

Love you baby doll!
Maryjane
xox

KatCollects said...

I need to try that idea on my table. I am voting for white with red dots but they both look good in your cute dining area. I loved the magazine!!!
Hugs,
Kathy

Ana said...

Hi Elyse,
I have always been a big fan of polk-a-dots, especially red ones on a white background...I think it's because when I was a little girl my most favorite dress was white with red polk-a-dots:-) But the red with white polk-a-dots is beautiful too. It gives your dinning room a very differnt look even if it was only the table cloth that was changed. Congratulations on being featured on Fresh Cottage magazine. Have a wonderful day.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

I totally remember when you put the oilcloth on the first time. How inspired to the the reverse this time. Both are charming!!!

Bring Pretty Back said...

Guess what I went to the store to buy today.... That's right... Fresh Cottage!
Kristin

Creative Grammie said...

Wow Elyse, what a great and fun idea! I love polka dots and I think for summer I would go with the white with red polka dots. TFS and warm hugs.

Anonymous said...

Clever, clever girl! :) Love your easy-peasy ideas, Elyse!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Scrap for Joy said...

Hi Elyse~
I like both versions but I do lean toward the red with white dots. I thought you would like the table cover pictured on my blog today...I thought of you as I was buying it.
Have a sunny, fun day!
xoxo
Joyce

Sky said...

Love the red with white polkies ;)

Sunny Simple Life said...

Yay that is you? I just bought that magazine and loved that table top idea. Must do it here.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, too cute. Love both. I'd use the red with white dots during the cooler months and the white with red dots for the hotter. Then again, I change my mind about these things continuously so go with whatever makes you happy on this day. :)