Does anyone have any ideas on what to do with this piece?

Shelle
by Shelle
Should I chalk paint this or reupholster? Any ideas or pictures of anything that you have done. Thanks so much
  15 answers
  • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Apr 19, 2015
    Wow, what a great piece. Sorry I can't help, just love the piece. Many out there who are skillful.
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Apr 19, 2015
    I think if I had this piece I would do the bottom of it chrome, the desk top black chalk paint and reupholster the seat in a modern damask print in a grey and white. This is an awesome piece! Did you get a deal on it?
    • See 2 previous
    • Shelle Shelle on Apr 20, 2015
      @Mcgypsy9 I am not positive yet, but REALLY like your ideas. I have never reupholstered before so keep your fingers crossed for me! I promise when I decide what I am doing to post a picture. I pick it up on Thursday. Thanks again. Mcgypsy9. :-)
  • Ilona Elliott Ilona Elliott on Apr 20, 2015
    Very cool. I would do a tile mosaic on the table top and recover the seat in a bright color picked from the tiles. You could spray paint the frame any color you want or leave it black. Post photos!
  • JoAnn JoAnn on Apr 20, 2015
    It would depend on what you are planning on using it for when you are done. I could imagine this in a girls room. It looks like a vintage piece. I would go in a shabby chic direction. If you are using it in a boys room, rustic direction. If you are going to sell it I would go in a vintage direction, maybe a 70's look. I don't know if that helped. When I redo things I try to focus on a purpose first and go from there. It is a great piece. Have fun with it and please post pictures when you are done!!
  • Peggy Peggy on Apr 20, 2015
    I have not seen a piece like his before but love it. Can't help with the decorating, but good luck. Love picture after its completed.
  • Annie Larson Annie Larson on Apr 20, 2015
    I'd use vinyl upholstery in a mid-century color to match the chair style and allow for easy cleanup. Not sure I'd blackboard it...when they use it for something else their sleeves will be full of chalk dust.
  • Joy.schottenloher Joy.schottenloher on Apr 20, 2015
    I love that piece. I would keep it as as is but change the plastic seat. Then get me the prettiest flower ever and display it so everyone would see it as soon as they enter my house. Just make them want one of their own. You made me want one and you haven't even done anything to it yet. Lol
  • Linda Fraser Linda Fraser on Apr 20, 2015
    Do you know what it is? It's a phone table. Back when there was party lines. I would keep it for that use. I would update the fabric which would be easy to do. Just pick something to match your decor. The pic shows the legs are in good shape but if you want to change the color take them apart and spray. as for the the table part the table looks like press wood. I just saw on the site Hometalk they're is a site that sells this stuff that you dampen the table then dampen the paper then roll it out on the table and cut and push any air bubbles out. They say it holds up very well. I don't recall what it's called. Just go to the site and look it up. They were doing it on a kitchen counter. Good luck. Please show us the end result
  • Debra Gaunt Debra Gaunt on Apr 20, 2015
    It is a telephone desk from about the early sixtys to the mid 70's. I would reapolster it some brite cheerful color and if you have a patio drill a hole in the desk portion and insert a plant.
  • Ksm9542 Ksm9542 on Apr 20, 2015
    Agree with JoAnn - it depends wher and how it'll be used. I would upholster the chair portion possibly in an indoor/outdoor fabric, paint the desk portion and possibly the frame work. It's really a neat piece ....lucky you. Please post pictures when finished.
  • Juanita Massie Juanita Massie on Apr 20, 2015
    Paint it
  • Katrina Warren Katrina Warren on Apr 20, 2015
    Cool piece I've never seen one like that! If the fabric is good on the chair & you like the colors, it might be fun to give the desktop an ombre paint using coordinating yellow, orange, & red. Really just depends on your taste & what style you like sophisticated, or fun & funky. I'd go fun & funky since it has that vibe! :)
    • See 1 previous
    • Katrina Warren Katrina Warren on Oct 20, 2015
      @Dee Maybe you could reupholster it, or paint over the brown? Such a fun looking piece!
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Aug 14, 2015
    Shelle...just wondering if you finished this project yet and if so would you post a picture? Thanks!! : )
    • See 2 previous
    • Katrina Warren Katrina Warren on Oct 20, 2015
      @Shelle It loosk awesome, I think a stripe or chevron would look great, or even a harlequin check!
  • Hmc1871081 Hmc1871081 on Aug 16, 2015
    I would paint it a fun bold color, turquoise or lime green.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 10, 2018

    So what did you end up doing with this telephone table/gossip bench? It looks like someone painted the legs black, maybe because the chrome was rusted.

    source pic below: https://img.etsystatic.com/il/066228/1572769628/il_340x270.1572769628_g10h.jpg?version=0