Black Painted Bamboo Table

Last Spring, when a friend gave me a natural bamboo coffee table that she no longer wanted, I thought I might paint it and sell it. I loved the look, but didn’t think I really needed a coffee table; however, after I painted it, I was sure I did (hoarder’s logic and the reason why I’m currently reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up-otherwise known as Throw It ALL Out). Did I mention our living room had gone about 12 years sans coffee table?

When I first assessed the space trying to decide what color would look best, I observed the small black table that holds a Ballard Designs Lady Head bust/planter, a creamy white painted armoire, large Williams-Sonoma sofa, and 2 French armchairs. I liked the look of the natural bamboo color of the table, but thought a black bamboo painted table would define this space much better.

Design Tip: If you have a space that seems to be lacking in depth or interest, adding a black piece always does the trick! Black adds that element that just sort of finalizes a space. 

A before pic with my big bodyguard, Blue, protecting the table. He’s such a good boy 🙂

And after I painted it with black satin spray paint. Wicker has too many nooks and crannies to be brush painted, in my opinion, so spray paint or a paint sprayer works better for me.

I added faux bois hardware pulls from Hobby Lobby that I lightly Rub ‘n Buffed Antique Gold, then decided to paint the inside of the drawers Watermelon Pink by Behr Paint.

 I chose this color because the room has coral accents and thought this design detail would add a surprise element not only to the table, but also to the living room. Painting the inside of a drawer or cabinet is a great way to bring in some extra color or pattern, but the nice thing is the drawer or door can be closed if you choose to go with a more neutral look. I usually open the drawers in warmer months when my decor is a little more colorful, then close it in the colder months when I want to use more neutral or darker colors.

If you look at the leg here, it appears some bored animal has been chewing on it, and I left that as is because it adds to the rustic charm of the piece. As much as I love perfectly sanded pieces, we are pretty casual people living with dogs and teenage boys and that’s just life around here ( and probably why we didn’t notice the absence of a coffee table for all those years… )

Here’s a few different looks I styled throughout the year:

Fall

Christmas

Winter

And another Summer shot…

Styling Tip: The gold crab is actually just a large plastic toy crab from the beach spray painted gold. I also painted some smaller ones and used in vignettes around the house, on the porch, and in casual dinner table settings for Summer meals.

I really like the living room space with the black bamboo table and the pinky coral drawers add an unexpected punch of color and interest to the space. In addition, I love the faux bois hardware pulls that really add such a pretty finishing touch. Hobby Lobby has really upped their hardware game lately… have you seen their recent selection? Lots of great new items! 

Have you ever painted or wallpapered a drawer or the inside of a piece of vintage or thrift shop furniture? If so, I’d love to hear and if you haven’t yet, maybe you’ll be inspired to in the future? Outdoor painting weather is almost here! ( Be on the lookout for friends cleaning out their basements and garages…wink, wink. ) 

Thanks for reading and stopping by today! Hope you have a great week,

XOXO