My Pressing Station Makeover

I said I wanted to add color and pattern to my sewing studio and I knew the pressing station was going to be one way to do it. I absolutely love how this project turned out! Originally I wanted an antique English Prep table. I have seen them all over Pinterest for years but never actually in real life. 🙂 After many months of searching for the right table (24″ x 50″ by 36″) I found one CLOSE at 29″ x 49″ x 36″.

This table is one of those good ‘ol before and afters. When I brought this home-my younger two boys said what an ugly table and they couldn’t believe I was gong to use it since they know how particular I am about decorating. I told them that I had a plan-not to worry!

This table is CRAZY heavy! It was a training table at a local college and was built with 2×6 construction. There was no way we were getting this down the stairs even if I weren’t pregnant. I told my husband we should take it around back down the hill through the lower level door and he came up with the idea to use the dolly cart and guide it down along with my 12 year old son.

We opened both glass doors and we were able to bring it inside so I could paint it (with no VOC paint -with a window open and this lower level is quite large-also Okayed with my OB).

I painted the white with a coat of Studio Blue Green by Sherwin Williams. For the top, I did not want to leave the pine raw because I have no other pine in this level (or our house for that matter). We have lots of Douglas Fir, (since that is what our home is constructed of-post and beam construction) my cutting table is stained dark walnut along with my desk and my husband’s desk. I also wanted it to blend with the room a bit more since its surrounded by wood trim and beige walls. I went with Softer Tan for the top part.

I used a brass curtain rod and cup pulls to hold it up. I added a curtain since it was another opportunity to add pattern and color. I LOVE the old English cabinets with curtains or the sinks with curtains. Someday I want to add slats so they make a shelf and then I can store bolts of fabric or Cuddle backing. At that time I may decide to remove the curtain but for now it was another layer of cozy.

This fabric was pulled from my stash and it just so happened to match the colors in the rug and the color I had selected at Sherwin Williams for the drawers. I guess it shows you like what you like because I was drawn to these tones many times in different instances.

I love that it is just paint too. I can always change it in with 10 mins of work if I decide-the drawers are too much or I want them neutral like the top. I have used Softer tan by Sherwin Williams in the color of the island and kitchen shelves upstairs. It is the perfect warm neutral and I knew it would look great with this blue (and eventual grey wool pressing mat).

The bar in front was an antique rod I found at my favorite antique store. I found this a few months ago and had no idea what I would use it for. I thought I would mount the curtain there but someone suggested using it to hang blocks when pressing. I LOVED that idea and I also loved that it added an additional architectural element.

The pressing table just blends in with the room now and adds a pop of color. I really love each thing I have to the sewing studio in order to make it cozy and feel more cottage like. With the paint, the pressing station also feels more proportional to the room. The pine and chippy white look really stood out as this massive rectangle.