After we finished the playroom last year, we knew we would continue adding accessories and functional pieces over time. We desperately needed a table for school work, and for Ava’s serious addiction to coloring.
Instead of buying one, we decided we would build our own.
It was so much fun to be working in the garage with Matt again, and we loved building something for our children to enjoy. Gray was ecstatic for days after we brought the beast inside.
We started with a buncha boards. While Matt was trying to get started, I was busy sanding and testing out treatments on the unfinished wood. We got these plans from ana-white.com, and altered them a bit to suit our needs. We made the table a little shorter for kids (but still big enough for some growing room), made the tabletop wider and longer for more surface space, and added a shelf underneath. We’ll post a detailed step-by-step post soon, but head on over to see Ana’s original plans here.
You can watch a quick video of our switcheroos here.
Painting a piece for the kids was so rewarding…I didn’t feel like I could mess it up at all.
And my current self would like to say to my painting the table self, “Good call, because in a couple of months your pirate-hat wearing daughter will color lots of yellow streaks all over the top of this thing.”
The yellow crayon came out. But I was left a little scarred.
I painted the base color (Olympic’s Misty Surf) and the top coat in Benjamin Moore’s White Diamond. I added wax in between coats to make sure the white paint came off easily to reveal the blue underneath.
Now, we’ve got ourselves a farmhouse inspired bit o’ sunshine in the playroom.
They have room for their books and toys…and the magneatos finally have a spot inside that basket.
Mama is pretty happy with that development.
And they are pretty happy to have a creative space of their own.
We’re trying to raise dreamers around here, ya know.
The playroom has come together quite nicely. Even if it did take a year to mostly complete. I’m okay with that, though.
We’ve made lots of yellow crayon memories up there, and I plan to make lots, lots more.
Great job on the table and the playroom looks great! I still want to see it in person! We’ll have to have a playdate soon. Addie asks about Grayson everytime we ride past your neighborhood.
Aw, thanks Jennifer!! And we do have to get those two together!
xoxo
shaunna
Can you elaborate on the wax between paint coats? What kind of wax and how is it applied? Great room to nurture the imagination!
Yes! There’s a whole section of the ebook talking about this specific treatment, but I am going to do a “resist technique” tutorial on the blog soon. I used a big votive candle to wax in places. This wax assures the top coat won’t stick to easily, making distressing a breeze…and creating a flaked-off, time worn finish.
Hope that helps!
shaunna
Oh my gosh… I LOVE it!!!!! What a great and creative space for the kiddo’s! It’s definitely been made with love.
THanks, Melissa! It really was…we finished it last year, but have gradually added more things…art, pillows, storage buckets, the table, etc. Thanks for your comment.
shaunna
Once again … so inspiring! I’m in love with this great space for your kiddos. This awesome table is the icing on the cake … I can see lots of “creating” going on here. I need to update my son’s playroom … so, thanks for the inspiration! *Becca*
Thanks, Becca!
shaunna
I love the room and I know that it was done in LOVE!
You’re so sweet, Tiki….yes, it was. And with lots of time and sweat.
xoxo
shaunna
I love the table! My kids would go crazy in a room like that!
Meg
THanks Meg!!
shaunna
I know this post is about the table and I love it but where did you get the adorable rug that is under your too cool table? I love it.
Sharon
Decorating is bliss
Hey Sharon! Perfectly fine to ask about the rug.
It came from Target. They had it for a while, but not sure if it’s still there. It was actually the first purchase for the room and what the whole design was built around. 
shaunna
Love the table and playroom! The colors are so soothing and the shelf under the table was a great addition.
I know we aren’t supposed to covet, but covet I do!! What a fantastic playroom! Beautiful to the eye, calming to the mind…my kids would love to create in there
. Well done, mom!
That is so perfect!!! Great job on the “how to”….I know you love it, bet the kiddo’s do too!!!
what a beautiful playroom. i absolutely love it and am so jealous!
wow! love it all! what an awesome place for your kids to play and create. Isn’t it fun when an image in your head comes to fruition? You did a great job! Love the table (and the pillows!) tfs!
Christy
I simply adore this table…the whole playroom is so light and beautiful!
I’m sure that this space will inspire many dreams.
Andrea
WOW – your table turned out so great!!!! What a beautiful, functional piece. I bet the kids love it!
I shared it on my TT&J facebook page
xoxo
Jen
Thank you, Jen! That’s SO kind of you…it was sure a fun project.
xoxo
shaunna
LOVE IT
thanks for sharing 
came from TT&J, I think? this playroom is totally dreamy
This playroom is gorgeous! When my boys were little, they had a child’s size picnic table and the neighbor kids loved to gather around it.
Following.
I love love love this playroom! We have a smaller one in a similar color that we’re working on. It is so fresh and inspiring. Did you make the 3 shelves too or purchase them? Great job organizing everything and making it so personable. Any child would flourish in a space like this!
Wow!!! I love everything about this playroom!! The table is the best!!!!!
I am your newest follower! I hope you will drop by to visit my blog sometime!
Looking forward to getting to know you!!
~~~rhonda~~~
Okay, just read your post on building the playroom. I am in awe. You guys did an amazing job! Now if your husband isn’t busy, I could use a storage system like that too
Wow! what a beautiful room! Its very soothing yet bright and happy and inviting, you did a great job on the table! Also where did you get those shelves with the drawers underneath? They would be great for my office!
Love this…great space and table to go with it!
This playroom is wonderful! LOVE it! I think you will indeed have some dreamers on your hands-I know I’m inspired!
wow! What an amazing play room!
I love how the one chair next to the table is on a box… like a board game box. So stinkin’ cute! Wish I had space for a room for my little one like this. It really is very beautiful!
Love the play room. Ours is in process shall we say! A year is pretty quick with little ones and the ever changing array of toys!
What color did you use on the walls? The table is super cute. My husband usually does all the wood working and building on his own at our house. How fun that you guys build things together!
That turned out lovely!!
We really need a table for our kids and I was thinking about buying one from Ikea but this sound slike fun!
Thanks, Cindy! You should do it!
shaunna
The table is adorable, love the color!
Your playroom is magazine Perfect!
Warm Wishes,
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! What a sweet thing to say!
Warm wishes to you!
shaunna
love it! beautimous!
Wow!! What an amazing table and AMAZING playroom! I love everything that you did! We are going to be starting on our playroom very soon here and I have been busy looking for inspirations…and yours is my new favorite!
What color did you paint the walls? Also, I read the post about the playroom reveal, is there a post on how to make the shelving unit?
Thanks again for the great inspiration!
Shaunna I LOVE it! What a fun, beautiful space. I want to be one of your kiddos please.
Thanks, Sarah! It was a lot of fun to pull together. You can be my kid anytime.
xoxo
shaunna
Just wanted to let you know I showed off this adorable playroom and awesome table on my blog yesterday.
Thank you, Crystal!! How kind of you!
shaunna
Love your table …. Great for the kids and the whole family to gather around. Am in the process of planning a crafts table for my kids and was wondering what height your table is?
Thanks. Veronica
hmmm, I can’t remember Veronica. I’ll measure and get back to you!
shaunna
PLEASE tell me the name of the blue wall color – I love it!