Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Thrifted Before & After: DIY Kitschy Chessboard Table

After revealing my plans to transform my water-damaged dining room table into a kitschy "chessboard table" two friends kindly spend 3.5 hours cutting and pasting squares with me!


This craft is easy to do, the hard part is being patient enough to cut out and put down each square carefully. The best way you can do this is with an x-acto knife and t-square, I couldn't find mine so we used scissors.


After the table was done my friends settled down to play checkers and chess...with bits of food like almonds and bowtie noodles. The next craft we need to make are some hilarious kitsch chess pieces.


The total cost of this project was $2.00! The result is a pretty table that can double as entertainment when my friends are bored. I like it better now than when I found the table brand new!

This post is linked to Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays and Make Share.
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29 comments:

  1. Those are some seriously good friends! I love the end result, very charming.

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  2. That's an incredible transformation--great idea. Very cool.

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  3. totally love it, it really looks nice and comfy

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  4. I LOVE it! Super cool idea + perfect finishing.

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  5. Great idea!! It really fits your decor too!

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  6. Looks great! Your hard work paid off.

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  7. This is so creatively cool, and the $2 price tag has me thoroughly impressed. *slow clap started*:)

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  8. Megan: I'm so lucky to have amazing friends. They are easily bribed with tasty food!

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  9. Awesome job! Love the grainy look of the squares.

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  10. Clear Salt and pepper shakers might make cool pieces. Ready made sides black and white.

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  11. Loe it. I wander if you could also write on it with a dry or wet erase marker?
    hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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  12. This table is awesome!! Thanks for the tute, I totally wnat to make one! :) I'd love for you to link up to my linky party, Tute {Yourself} Tuesday!
    LittleEme.blogspot.com

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  13. Is that the woodgrain contact paper? I love what you've done! I've been thinking of finding a side table to make into a chessboard, and now I'll have the choice of staining or doing this. That should help immensely depending on what I fall in love with for the table. ;)

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  14. What type of paper is that? What did you use to glue it down? Guess what I'm asking is, how exactly did you accomplish this?

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  15. The table came out so sweet you did a great job!!!

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  16. Jacqueline: Sorry for not being descriptive in the post!

    It's woodgrain print contact paper. Your local dollar tree has it, I'm sure their stock is the same nationwide.

    All you do is measure the size squares you want, cut them off, peel the square off the backing, and paste it where you desire. It's so easy; just time consuming!

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  17. Your just a chip off the old block.. nice work the table looks great.

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  18. what a great idea. the two wood tones look great. how is it holding up? and i agree...you have some good friends! that's a project made way more fun with extra hands to help.

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  19. Awesome! I love the look. How fun! Great friends--keepers in my book!

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  20. Inspirational! Just the thing for Himself, who is finding my thrifty chic just slightly too floral for his taste at the moment: I might just borrow this idea to create his very own side-table / chess board from a scrubby old table in the garage - very cool idea, thank you!

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  21. I am in love. I am SOOO doing this! Thanx!

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  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. What a clever idea! It look totally sleek. The best part is it only cost you $2.00. Isn't that amazing? I am so doing this.

    office furniture nyc

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