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 Columbus - Hilliard
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchair
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Tiffany & Co. "Man in the Moon" Sterling Silver Baby Rattle, 2008-2023
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mesh Bib Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 1.00 CTW Diamond Band
“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
Still Life Oil Painting of Iced Tea in Mason Jar With Lemon Slice
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mid Century Modern Style Walnut Sculpted Front Nightstand Commode
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Garncarek Aleksander Pond Landscape Oil Painting "Staw," 2024
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hudson River School Oil Painting of a Hunter on a Lake, Late 19th Century
“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
Wooded Landscape Oil Painting of Pond
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Rejina Pyo x Projekt Produkt RP-11 C03 Sunglasses
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Rookwood Pottery Floral Basket Art Tile, Early to Mid 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
English Georgian Style Pine Two-Drawer Table with Carved Skirt, 19th 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
Eastlake Style Birdseye Maple and Single Drawer Desk, Late 19th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Alfio Grasso Oil Painting of Seated Nude "Sunset," 1970
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Ballard Designs "Garden District" Mirrors in Weathered Finish
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
18K Cyma Quartz Wristwatch
“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 Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Halftone Print After Tadashi Asoma's "Lily Pond in Summer"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
José M. Lima Floral Still Life Oil Painting, 2023
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Oster Bread Maker and The Juiceman Kitchen Appliances
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Victorian Walnut and Poplar Bed Frame, Late 19th Century
“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.”