Carrie obviously has better yard sale luck than most of us, as she was able to pick up this darling vintage typewriter table at a local sale for only $4 — an astonishing deal by any standard. When she bought it, Carrie already knew this table was getting a cartographic makeover.
Carrie's first step was priming the table, before covering it with white spray paint. After selecting three different maps, she modge-podged them to the three sections of the table top. To eliminate the wrinkles and give this table a truly durable finish, Carrie then used Envirotex pour-on resin to seal the maps to the table top. The end result is a fun and functional update to a vintage piece, one that certainly has new life as a laptop table.
See more: Lovely Etc: Off the Map- A Typewriter Table
(Images: Carrie/Lovely Etc.)
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This is great. Love that you went with a simple white, then got your color-fix from the maps. I always seem to head straight for the can of Hott Coral when DIY-ing and end up regretting it later.
about a minute later.
I have one with the green color that I love... classic color. I love the table but for the life of me I can't figure out how anyone typed using these tables they are so small! Its a little bit of history that I find fascinating.
Like both before AND after...
Unfortunately, back in the 80's I had a white tray table that had a map of the US on the top of it, so all I can see here is pure 80's-ness.
Adorable.
I absolutely adore this! I have a typewriter table, but with a wood top and brown metal body. My mother brought it home from work back when she was a teacher 25 years ago, as they were throwing it out (also got a cast iron table base and antique dictionary stand). I've had it ever since. The top is water stained and a bit of a mess, but I'm thinking a good sanding, some new stain and a beautiful new color for the base, might be exactly what it needs. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love what you did with this table! How in the world did you think of such an original idea? It looks amazing!
I passed up one of these for $5 and it haunts me. Especially after I see you paint it white! Great job!!
I have this exact typewriter desk - except in a weird bandaid color. I'm planning to repaint mine, as well. Disappointed to see that this one was painted without masking or removal of parts. It would look much nicer with the unpainted steel accents and unpainted wheels.
When I saw the before I was prepared to yell "Noooo! Don't touch that!"
But the after is pretty darn cool. I love it.
I always like the 'before / after" article.
Always curious how the " after" picture looks and I love this one!
@Norahl... Bit of history? Gosh, I feel old now. I remember typing at those tables! Ergonomics wasn't a concern then.
Great job! At first I thougt "NOOOOO, keep it this way, the table is beautiful", but you kept all the good things and added just enough art and craft!
Norahl..hold on ..don't cover the original color...it's as historical as the table itself.. was painted purposely insitutional green as so many other things ,for a calm and cool work atmospher. Give it a good old soap and water cleaning..dry it and enjoy.Since the top is small.you could easily make a pull over elastic cover. There are so many patterns to select from.
Tiffany,I agree, the wheels and steele trim would have been better unpainted. Your top is wood..sounds like it's a veneer (layers of wood) may want to reserch how to repair it.,then
clean and polish. I have a Singer's sewing cabinet I left out on the patio.too long so moisture.has split the layers! Now, I have a major repair...might have to cop out ..take it to
a furniture repairman. $$$$ This has been a sad lesson also.. would have been a lot
easier if I had stored it properly.
Carrie ,havn't forgotten you..look how much interest you have generated :):).
You have a table that will garner more love and usage as time goes on. We could have a contest on how many ways it is used now. I was not a secretary; retired from the medical field, but I recollect,she would have everything properly placed on those side tables with a paper stand to hold the notes vertically. RAA
Nice.
Rae gosh I wouldn't change a thing on my little typing table... I love the green color. The top on mine is solid wood. Right now it holds a small tv in my office. It is a versatile little table that I am sure will serve many purposes over the years. Rural and Rueful... I hear you! I left for college with my trusty little non-electric Smith Corona typewriter. Gosh I wonder where it is that would look great on my little typing table!
I love the green, but what a fun and beautiful twist to use maps...
OMG, this will be shared with my tweenaged daughter tonight.
We picked up an identical table a few years ago when it was cast-off by my town. It has been kicking around our basement ever since, and would make a great desk for my daughter.
So cute.