Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Friday, February 19, 2010

Bell Jar with Before-and-After Table

"Good things come to those who wait." My honey and I celebrated Valentine's Day the Friday before.
Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Check.
Dean and DeLuca's. Check.
Window shop at nearby Pottery Barn. Check.
13-inch  diameter, hand-blown bell jar I've wanted for years. Check. What?  It was my surprise gift! I've wanted one since I saw Martha Stewart put them in her garden years ago. This photo is the smaller one from Pottery Barn's catalog. Mine's below. 
Bringing it home, I set it on the table I repainted earlier that day - not dreaming it would have the bell jar on it later. The table was bought at a flea market 15 or 20 years ago and was not being used. It was kept dark because of the leather top, but with eventually going "all white," (Please don't cringe)  I  painted it - leather and all!  My Q: what are some suggestions to put under the bell jar? Before - old, beat-up not used; After - painted Waverly's "Bay Oyster" white.
 

36 comments:

It's me said...

Nice bell jar..........and wauuwww!! your table so beautiful done !!

Have a nice day

Greetz Ria

Em said...

I must say the table looks stunning in white, amazing what a bit of paint can do. Emma x

Ange said...

Wow Janean, you must be so pleased with the way the table has come up. Doesn't it look great. And that bell jar is gorgeous. I recently saw one with a twiggy branch painted white that looked simple but very effective. I'm sure it'll look great whatever you decide to use.
Angex

Vanessa said...

It's really beautiful, you've done an excellent job. You could put just about anything under there. I think whatever you put there would make it feel more special and grand!
Love
Vanessa

Formerly known as Frau said...

Love the table white and happy you got your bell jar...maybe a little bit of spring birds nest with egg or flowers? Anything will look nice especially on that table.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hey Girl, I am right behind you on painting that leather top! Your table turned out tres chic!
I have a collection of bell jars, or cloches and I think you can put just about anything underneath and they will look great.
Check out some of the Cloche Party posts for some good ideas.

I'll know you'll have it looking beautiful.

hugs
Sissie

Dianna said...

That's quite a transformation (even if you did paint the leather lol)! Quite stunning...but then all of your decorating ideas are. I always enjoy coming to your blog. As for what to put under the bell jar...hmmm...what did Martha have under hers? Maybe something with a little color, like waxed fruit?

Andrea said...

Beautiful. Love the transformation.
Thank you for your love, encouragement, prayers, and sweet comments on arise 2 write.
andrea

Maria said...

That was brave to paint the leather top table... but ohhhhhhh what beautiful results!
I also peeked at your other recent posts... I love the commentary about the Estee Lauder compacts... I fell in love with them when I saw the Americana compact. My oldest daughter was an EMT at the time, serving our local community every Friday night. I found the crystal one on ebay for her ...then got a beautiful one for myself. I also have an empty one for a aspirin and Advil.
So nice to visit here~ Have a great weekend! ~Maria

kimsound studios said...

Fantastic! Beautiful! Wow ~ what a transformation!

Julie Harward said...

Love it...wish I had one...love what you did to the table, I have 2 of those old tables, I wouldn't dare...Come say hi :D

Twice as Nice said...

The table looks great. Can't wait to see it with the bell jar. I have one but never know quite what to put under it other than cheese like the first picture.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Perhaps a small, vintage garden book, opened if possible, with a birds nest holding 3 speckled eggs? No matter, whatever you choose, it will be lovely set on your revived table!

queenbuffness said...

Perfect! You done did good, girl! And of course the perfect thing to put under the bell jar?? Chocolate. duhhh.

Becky Garrison said...

Beautiful table, love the cloche you didn't show us a picture of! (lol!)

Things to put under it, hmmm. Right now I have a Royal Albert teacup with moss growing in it for Valentines decor. I guess I need to change it out. I have a very pretty birds nest with 'faux' bluebird eggs inside, so I guess I'll put that under there with some dyed moss and maybe a vintage hankie and some other litle things like a rusted old key and vintage lace or seam binding twining through.

I bought my cloche (bell jar) last spring at a yard sale. Still in the box - never opened. The lady showed me the catalog she had ordered it from - $80 - GASP! I paid her $10 for it, threw it in the car and left in a hurry, afraid she would realize what she had done! I love it, it's hand blown and has a greenish cast (not green, just a tinge) and bubbles in the glass. So pretty!

Donna said...

You did a great job on the table! And where is the picture of your new bell jar???

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

Thanks for stopping by. Love your blog! I am following & look forward to coming back!
Wylie

Unknown said...

I love those bell jars, and don't have a single place to set one.
Your table looks great. I will be watching to see what you put under the jar, because I don't have a suggestion.

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Janean,

The bell jar is so wonderful, what a sweet Valentine's cadeau. Your whitewash of the table - leather and all turned out great! I would been chicken to touch the leather but now you've given me the courage to try anything.

You have such a fabulous blog, the way you write your post makes me feel I'm right there.

Have a fabulous day!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh, your night out sounds perfect! I love the Cheesecake factory...and everything! The bell is wonderful! I know you'll find something perfect ...you know me...I would be seashells under it! heehee! ♥

Unknown said...

I love the bell jar, but like you don't always know what to put under it. I liked the suggestion to put a birds nest with two little birds.
I have a table just like that I use in my bedroom as a side table. You may have seen it while visiting my blog. By the way, thanks for stopping by. I love what you have done to yours.
Thanks for sharing.
Brooke

Janean said...

chickies! yep, i plum forgot to take a photo of my very empty bell jar! LOL. i'll wait now until i actually put something under it.
i'm off painting MORE stuff white.

Julie said...

Oh, it is so lovely. Beautiful transformation. It looks like it would be calling for something vintage...something that also defines a special part of you... something sentimental or soft...
nests are popular - eggs - feathers- they go with the whole "Feathering my nest" expression. Also old photos, sepia papers, tea-stained lace or ribbons... yellowed sheet music. old family mementos, stopwatches from Grandpa, pearls from Great-Aunt, Lovey old photo of newlyweds!... All of these things are speaking to your visitors without you even having to say a word. That's what I like about personalized cloches... Can't WAIT to see what you come up with as you ponder the ideas rising up...
julie

Pondside said...

I love that bell jar - I'll have to look for one the next time we dip down below the border as I've always wanted one but didn't know where to look - have never seen one up here.
I'd feature something simple and seasonal - a speckled egg on some moss, a beautiful shell, a twig of berries, etc etc
Love the table!

SueWis said...

Hey, nice table!

Is your bell jar big enough to serve as a mini-greenhouse? You could put a ceramic planter under there and grow some beautiful things.

Rebecca Lewis said...

Oh how wonderful....love my bell jar too. Gorgeous job on the table too! Have a super weekend ~ Rebecca

Nancy said...

We loved the Cheesecake Factory in Chicago. It looked like Alice's underground and lots of mushrooms everwhere. Great food.

I like the table white. It's an imporvement. You could put a little gilt edged bood under the bell jar or a plant with a key. Or a fancy clock.

GwendolynKay said...

Your table looks fab painted white. Much better I think. You mentioned cheesecake and now I am craving some ...
Blessings!
Gwen

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

Love your white painted. I am not a purest and anything that can be painted white around my house better not stand still for long.
You can display anything you want under your bell jar or "cloche". Anything makes a statement when showcased under glass. Today, I joined a "Cloche Party" at www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com. Her collection is beautiful and there are many other link of those who joined too. Great ideas, great fun.
Your Valentine's Day sounded heavenly.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The bell jar is nice. I have never owned one. I love the table. I am into white. (don't have any in my house but hope to someday)

Lisa said...

Really like it! Well Done! You will enjoy it!
Hugs, Lisa

Janean said...

Beverly@ Sew Sweet, thank you for the link to the cloche party. i've seen several great inspirations!

Blue Creek Home said...

I think the table looks great painted white..and I didn't even think about cringing!!

I love your surprise bell jar. What a wonderful gift!

Rhonda

Technodoll said...

I dunno, I kinda liked the old leather rustic look... but that's just me, I can't keep anything white looking clean! LOL!

Bell jar to cover pretty lemon squares? fudge? truffles?

Carrie said...

I love the banded detail on the original table...might you be abble to antique an band around the all-white table...accenting that design detail might work.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

wow! that table looks great! painted leather and all!
no suggestions about the bell jar. I build, I don't decorate. ;)
gail