Table transformation: turning a cheap table into a cool accent piece

Years ago I needed a table to set beside the chair and ottoman in my living room. It needed to be small, just big enough to hold a drink or a magazine. Nothing special. This $24.99 TJMaxx special filled the bill:

Not a bad little table, really, but over time the purplish-brown color got to me. And the speckled finish. See the speckles?

I grew weary of the speckles. Still, the table was just the right size, and I liked its graceful lines. And I didn't want to spend any money to buy another table.

Meanwhile, on my 25th anniversary trip to Paris last year, I found this pretty little cushion cover.

It's a lovely little tapestry that I found at one of my favorite places in all of Paris: Sainte Chapelle. I like the pop of the French blue, and I like having an item I use everyday remind me of that special trip. So I decided to take a cue from my pillow and turn my little table into something that looked as if it had come from Grandmere's attic. If I had a Grandmere.

First the table got a coat of blue spray paint. A little garish--okay, a LOT garish--but headed in the right direction.

Then I sanded the edges for a distressed look. . . and stencilled a fleur de lis pattern on the top. . .then sanded some more. . . and finally added a coating of Valspar Mocha glaze to tone down the color and to add a bit more patina.

And now my humble little table has gone from this:

to this:

And here it is in its place in my living room. Now that I've seen this photo, I think I need to do a bit more glazing on the legs. That'll be easy, though.

Up close and personal so you can see it with its inspiration pillow:

What do you think? Would you want to curl up beside my fire and set your drink on my little blue table?

This transformation was especially fun because I spent $0 on it. I had a can of blue spray paint, the fleur de lis stencil, gold craft paint, and the glaze all in my stash. So I spent a little time but no money.

I'm joining some fun parties with my table. Check these out for more inspiration!

• Show and Share Day at Just a Girl
• Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
• Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
• Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
• Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick