Tips of the Trade: P.S. I Made This: 1 Table, 3 Ways
“Let’s be honest, we all get tired of our spaces after a while,” says Erica Domesek, founder of DIY lifestyle brand P.S. – I Made This, “But it doesn’t mean that you have to discard a piece of furniture. I often apply the same rules to design that I do to the world of DIY: reuse, reinvent, and repurpose. Having a great sense of design has to do with a willingness to mix and match, experiment, layer colors and texture, so I encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones,” she says. With this in mind, we asked Domesek to take one piece – a wicker console she scored on EBTH – and style it three ways. See how she transformed the table from a hallway accent to a Bloody Mary bar to a chic potting station.
“Console tables are amazing! Perhaps the most versatile pieces of furniture that exist. Whether behind a sofa, under a window, a dining room buffet, a patio garden, or a hallway moment, a console is a constant reminder that design is malleable. There’s a little bit of fashion and function going on in this entryway table. While it looks pretty with all of the layered textures and elements, it actually has some real functionality, with the lamps and throw blankets in the rattan tray, which I found on EBTH.”
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Stained Glass Window Panel With Floral Motif
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Offset Lithograph After Claude Monet "Le Bassin des Nympheas"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Luc LeBon Abstract Expressionistic Style Acrylic Painting "Boundary Waters #1"
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Coach Mini Crosby Crossbody Carryall In Silver/Blue Black Badlands Flora
“I love a hunt, I love discovering things. I often find myself getting lost on EBTH or the app for long periods of time. It’s the most magical black hole where antiques and storytelling come together. I can’t stay away! This blue and white vase by Baum Brothers was practically saying ‘bid on me!.’ All of the elements here work together. Navy and white are neutrals in my book.”
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Derek Jeter Signed Rawlings Official Major League Baseball with Display
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hickory Mfg. Co. French Provincial Style Oak Two-Drawer Bombé Low Chest
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Vintage and Antique Glass Beaded Sautoir Flapper Necklaces
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Tricia Bass Oil Painting of Dog "Bella's Daisies"
“When you walk into a house, having fresh flowers makes you feel happy: plain and simple. I usually pick up a classic white orchid at Whole Foods for $20, but they come in cheap containers, so putting it in this blue and white china planter that I found on EBTH steps it up big time. The photograph of my fiancé and me is my all-time favorite picture of us. For me, it’s the most important thing on the console. All of the other items that helped to build the tablescape are things that make me happy: my favorite candle, a gorgeous collection of vases (lots of blue in our home), and a fun pop of color with red and white bone boxes, filled with playing cards and matches.”
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Replica Antique Style Telephones
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Scott Addis Large-Scale Abstract Landscape Oil Painting
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Veronica Beard Single-Button Blazer
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Landscape Oil Painting of Countryside Estate, Late 20th Century
“Having a casual wicker table as my foundation allowed me to play with more elevated pieces for this Bloody Mary bar, such as blue and white china, and even little crystal goblets. To offset the beachy vibe, I used the china vases for traditional pops of color. I love paying attention to the details when I entertain, and having a variety of charming vessels to hold food and beverages makes all the difference. Here, I displayed the celery in the vase, which is unexpected and a tad quirky, which I adore!”
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Kathleen Quinn Oil Painting After Carol Rowan of a Still Life with Tulips, 2003
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Men's Filson Quilted Jacket, L.L. Bean Fishing Vest, Orvis Rain Jacket, and More
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After Guy Coheleach "Snowy Egret"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Irma Pfannmoeller Portrait Oil Painting of Happy Chandler
“Speaking of quirky, using these tiny vintage silver boats (originally a cream and sugar set that I discovered on EBTH) for pickles and olives adds a touch of whimsy that guests are sure to love.”
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Marc Chagall Color Lithograph Front Cover From "Verve," 1956
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After John Butler "Ring True I"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Slatted Teak Garden Bench
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 45 Duffel Bag in Damier Cobalt Camouflage
“There’s something about cut crystal that just screams chic, so I fell in love with this Tiffany & Co. decanter that I saw on the site. Decantering alcohol into a classy vintage piece is something that makes you and your guests feel like you’re celebrating, even if it’s just a regular Sunday afternoon. Who says you need to wait for something big to break out the good china and crystal? I believe you should use beautiful things as much as possible. You only live once!”
“I fell in love with these planters as soon as I found them on EBTH. They remind me of some plush estate on the East Coast, or maybe even in Europe. Either way, I knew they had to be mine. The hue of the glaze is so striking I didn’t want to have a contrasting color, so I decided to fill them with fresh rosemary plants and put them under a potting station. Going all green is regal and feels right.”
“I like to think that plant lady is the new cat lady! The foundation for your plants and gardening supplies doesn’t have to be a dumping station; let it be a real focal point for fresh garden moments. The size of the table can range from small to large, but it’s more about how you’re utilizing it. From herbs to plants and flowers, they all add extra life into a space.”
I recommend trying to keep a potting station clean and somewhat staged, with working elements to one side You don’t need a green thumb to have one of these, just invest in really gorgeous planters, and find plants that don’t require too much attention.”