I love when things work out...almost to the point of being emotional over it. Let me tell you the story of this demi-lune koi pond table turned whimsical wonderland side table...and just how perfectly it worked out!
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The Koi Pond Table Backstory
I painted this demi-lune koi pond table just for kicks...hoping someone with a river house or lake house would find it amusing and the perfect pop of color and whimsy for their entry.
I posted it on my website as available, I shared it on all my social channels and I even placed it in my booth for a year!!!
No bites....pun completely intended! LOL!
When it came time to close my booth, I offered this table to a few people I knew and found a taker in my daughter-in-law's mother.
She's been using it on her covered back deck as a decorative pop of color.
This Demi-Lune Table Finds a New Home
Fast forward many months later.....and that same daughter-in-law, Tiffany, mentioned to me that she's looking for a "half round" (aka demi-lune) table for the hallway just outside her Wonderland classroom door.
I reminded her that I had given a table shaped like that to her own mother! I wish you could have seen her eyes! She couldn't get in her car fast enough to drive over to her mom's and load that table into her car and bring it my way for a face lift!
The feeling I get when I am reminded that even something as simple as the process of furniture painting is also filled with God's wink. I have no doubt...when I found that table at a local garage sale...and painted it as a Koi pond...and tried to find a buyer....left it in my booth for a year.....brought it home.....and finally GAVE it away.....to the mother of the person that it was most likely intended for.....was no accident.
Supplies Used
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Wonderland Side Table Comes to Life
The process of this face lift was simple!
I simply scuff sanded over the original koi fish transfers. They are so thin that it isn't necessary to fully remove them.
I painted two coats of Caviar Black to cover them fully.
Wonderland Stencil
Using a box of stencils that I purchased at the craft store, I taped up the word WONDERLAND and sprayed a quick dusting of white spray paint over them.
I didn't even mind the light overspray that I could see....it really plays into that wonky wonderland feel.
I have also always loved the rawness of a spray painted stencil look!
Whimsical Design Transfers
I then chose two new transfers that I had in stock.
The Roses are Red.... and the Pink Pampas & Dried Wilds were the perfect pairing to add a whimsical garden feel.
I loved mixing the vibrant blooming red roses with the withered and dried wildflowers.
I even popped the white rabbits pocket watch into the mix!
Top coated the transfers with a coat of satin and viola!
Swap of Color...and Done!
The only other thing I did was to change the bright orange rectangles to a vibrant and bold pink.
I completed this makeover in under an hour!
The Finished Look: Whimsical Wonderland Side Table
THIS is what this table was meant to be!
THIS is what it was supposed to look like all along!
I just didn't know it yet! Sometimes it takes awhile for the message to fully come through for me but when it does, I hear it loud and clear!
And it ALWAYS feels right and good! And THAT is when I get emotional!
Welcome to Mrs. Johnson's Wonderland!
This is Tiffanys first year of teaching. She accepted a third grade teaching position at a school where her classroom offers some of the children the only inviting space they know.
She's worked hard to provide them a safe place to feel loved, inspired and creative! She calls it their Wonderland. Check out some of our other wonderland classroom decor projects.
Wonderland Classroom Door - welcoming hand-painted classroom door
Whimsical Thrifted Lamps - gaudy to gorgeously whimsical
Blog Lectern ***coming soon***
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
More Inspiration: Wonderland Inspired Furniture
It's no secret that I LOVE all things Wonderland! Here are more of my unique styles for your inspiration:
Wonderland Forest Armoire - a stunning hand-painted woodland scene
Wonderland Inspired Buffet - see this Alice buffet come to life
Alice in Wonderland Dressers - a dreamy scene on bedroom furniture
Whimsical Color Blended Dresser - black, white, and purple whimsical fun
And of course, don't forget to get a glimpse of the Koi Pond Side Table that was this table before.
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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