Monday, June 24, 2013

79 June Monthly Challenge: Outdoor Entertaining Cart!

We are grilling fanatics.  It is one of the reasons I count down the seconds to spring, summer and fall.  If we can grill it, we will!

Whenever the hubs whips up dinner, I hear, "Honey, can you bring me a plate?" or "Can you grab me a tray?".  Then I watch him hold these things while trying to check the kabobs or flip a piece of chicken.  It is all silly and the obvious solution was to add some sort of grilling table or cart nearby so he had a place to set all of the necessities.  Things such as plates, tongs, BBQ sauce, temp checkers, etc....  My first thought was to just add a folding table/tray of some sort.

Then I saw this inspiration pic which I shared when I chatted about our initial back yard spruce up plans.

{via}

What I loved was that they had a small table located in the back corner, which was great for entertaining and setting up food for serving.  It got my brain wheels spinning.  Could I create something that doubled as grilling surface and also offers up entertaining options?  Here was my inspiration piece:

{via}

At over $400 beans, there was NO way that was going to happen, but I did love the removable tray on top, the wheels so it could be portable and the storage below.  I was about to hit up some thrift stores when I remembered I had already purchased something oh-so-similar a long while back.  Remember my craft cart?  When I first started working on our studio we snagged this $25 cart from IKEA to hold some of my craft supplies and magazines.  But since, we have built in tremendous functional storage and added a more substantial craft cart, this one has just been holding boxes in our storage closet.


Say what?!  This awesomeness is such a close replica of the bajillion dollar inspiration piece!  I love shopping your own home and coming up with a winning solution.  Happy dancing commenced.

However, you know me.  I can't leave things alone.  The cart was looking low end and sterile.

I have been playing with all sorts of gold accents lately, and for the most part that has meant working with different paints and sprays and even gold leaf.  For this project, I thought I would try my hand at Rub n' Buff.  I have heard great things around the land of blogs.  I went with the Gold Leaf finish.


I have never used the stuff before so I Googled a tutorial and read the instructions on the back of the tube.  Seemed pretty straight forward.  However, I instantly noticed it didn't absorb as I thought it was, as the glossy silver finish is extremely slick and non-porous.  It didn't take long until I found that a small dab on a cloth and just lightly smoothing it over the cart gave me the look I was after.


Since before I started I removed the white metal shelves, I only went over the areas that would be visible and was really excited about the outcome!

The next step was to let it dry and cure, I waited about 24 hours.  Then, I went over it with a couple of coats of Rustoleum Clear Coat Spray Paint, just to protect it a bit in case it should get rained on.

The thing I have found about working on these outdoor projects, is that there is this new sense of "How will it hold up and last against the elements?" that runs through me every project I tackle.  We get rain, heat, snow, sleet... when working outdoors, it is important to consider all of those factors.  For the most part, our updates have included spray paint, since it states it is OK for outdoor use, and I know I can re-coat down the line.  For this project, I have never used the Rub n' Buff before, so I did the clear coat coverage after.  Nervous that even that would impact the design {luckily it didn't}, it really got me thinking those "what if" thoughts.  I knew that worst case scenario, if the Rub n' Buff didn't work, I could always spray paint the cart again down the line, so for me, it was worth the risk.

And I luuuuurve it!!!


It is so darling and functional at the same time!

The existing metal shelves were left alone since they are already glossy and simple to clean.  I added color through all of the outdoor accessories.


Now, when we grill, we can use the handle to hook the utensils and hang a towel for any messes or wiping of the hands.


The hooks are simple "S" hooks from {similar to these}, and the towel {actually a napkin} is our inspiration pattern/fabric from World Market.


When the utensils are not in use, there is a small plastic drawer so they can be tucked away.



The tray on the top of the cart is a melamine, weather proof version from Target.  I love that the hubs can load it up with food and just carry it inside or to the nearby outdoor dining table.


The second shelf is great for holding extra serving supplies, such as a cuttlery caddy, glasses and even our little butter boy.


On the lowest shelf, I took an old bucket which was starting to show it's age {similar to these from IKEA}.


And gave it a few coats of spray paint, along with a vinyl label.


And now it is perfect for holding our charcoal for the grill!



And the rest is just happy goodness on an entertaining cart.






Overall, I am giddy excited with what my $4 investment in some Rub n' Buff and some already owned spray paint accomplished!


Are you a grilling addict as well?  Or a fan of outdoor entertaining carts?  Anyone else find something in their home recently, which was given new life and a new task?

79 comments:

  1. Ingenious!!! You are so awesome!! This has got to be one of my favorites so far!!

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  2. haha..brain wheels!! :)
    This turned out great! What a good idea!! I love Rub n Buff too!

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  3. Adorable! I love your little pops of colour. Good idea about the clear spray paint. I'm in the middle of refinishing some patio furniture (gotta keep up with the project of the month of course) and that's a great tip to keep in mind.
    {lamourcheznous.wordpress.com}

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  4. Love! We have the same cart sitting in our basement and really haven't been utilizing it. Now I can't wait to move it outdoors.

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  5. Such a smart idea! I think I need a cute BBQ cart of my own. :)

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  6. Awesome idea and beautiful implementation. It is both decorative and extremely useful. I don't understand how the 2 wheels work..do you unload it to move it or is it stationary?

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    1. The wheels are just like the two wheels on a grill. You lift up on the handle to raise the back to legs to roll it. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  7. What a great addition, especially for when you are hosting. Beautiful display!

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  8. This is such an adorable, clever makeover!

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  9. Absolutely gorgeous. It looks so inviting... I'd want to have a BBQ every day now. :) Very cute.

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    1. It is definitely a happy addition to the patio! Makes grilling just that much more fun!

      xo,
      Jen

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  10. Such a fun project and the outcome was fabulous :) I have a little question. I have noticed that you (and many other bloggers) often have S.Pellegrino water on display in your photos. Is this a personal preference (because they do look fab in photos!) or are you sponsored by them?? This is just a pure curiosity question because I keep noticing it in photos around the interweb :)

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    1. Nope, not at all sponsored by them. I actually quite like S. Pellegrino water, especially with some lemon or water flavoring. The bottles are also very beautiful and photograph well.

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. That's what I thought :) And I totally agree, it does taste goooood. Hope you enjoy your outdoor space this summer!

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  11. The solution is too simple. What's the catch? There's always a catch. Seriously, you're a genius. I love it and want it. Thank you for sharing this. My hubbie has the same problem, and now I know just what to do. Thank you. Thank you. :)

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    1. Haha, no catch! :) And I totally love it too!

      xo,
      Jen

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  12. Amazing! Where did you get the cutlery caddy?

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    1. I found it at the Container Store a few years back. It was part of their "Brocade" collection, but I don't see it online any longer.

      xo!
      Jen

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  13. I adore this! I like it even better than the $400! The drawer is a great bonus and for that price if it doesn't weather well it wasn't a huge investment. I have a question about the Rub n Buff...if you had to do it over again would you use the same method to achieve the gold finish or try to spray paint? Only curious because I want to attempt the same project. Thanks!

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    1. Great question! And a hard one to answer. What I loved about the Rub n' Buff is the look it offers. It is a soft, aged gold look, it looks really beautiful. However, it was a challenge to apply nicely, and I kept finding places to touch up since it smeared a bit as the surface was so slick. I think spray paint could achieve a similar effect, and it would take much much less effort and time. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. I was so inspired by your post, I went out and bought that cart from Ikea for $25 (on sale right now). I used gold spray paint, first lightly sanding. It turned out great!
      Meredith

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  14. Get out of town! This is amazing. AMAZING. I totally need this for our front porch. We gather every Friday with our neighbors for dinner outside and I need a spot for all of these things. I wish I could hug you. $25 and spray paint. Done. Can you come and style it for me??

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  15. I love your outdoor cart, Jen! It's perfect for summertime bbqs. I like how you placed the charcoal in the bin, then added the vinyl sticker- all in the details. I recently purchased a cart on Craigslist and gave it a makeover. We use it for entertaining to store our drinks. Your welcome to take a look here if you like. I'd love to know what you think.

    http://bet1975.blogspot.com/2013/06/bar-cart-makeover-and-reveal.html

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  16. I love me some rub 'n buff! This cart looks so great!!

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  17. OKAY!!! You are a freak'in genious!!! I've said this many a time, but I can't believe how everything you touch turns into something A-MAZ-ING! I only wish I had your creativity! You inspire me! Thanks girl!!! xo Amber

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    1. Now you have me all blushy... Thanks sweet Amber!!

      xo,
      Jen

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  18. Seriously...how do you come up with this stuff day after day. I love this!!! It is fantastic and sooooo functional. Ok, dumb question, but do you always bring this in? I assume, to avoid unpredictable weather...

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    1. Oh goodness, you are too sweet!

      Not a dumb question. I bring in the accessories {the cutlery caddy and the dishes}, I just photographed them to show how we can use the cart for serving and dining. But the tray, cart and grilling tools all will stay outside.

      xo,
      Jen

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  19. What a creative idea with the cart! And I love all of the different colors. Recently I designed an outdoor table, that my awesome dad built, that sits next to the BBQ and goes from being a buffet table to a potting bench to a bar with seating. It's a 3 in 1 table lol.

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  20. I can't believe you've never used rub n buff before! I thought you had tried it all!!!! I am seriously blown away by this project! Ah-maaaazing transformation! one of your best!

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  21. Beautiful! You always amaze me with how well you can put things together and have a Wowza of an after project! :)

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  22. We grill outside almost every night. I was thinking of what I could buy for my husband also. I hear him asking for the same things. Seems like as soon as I give him the stuff he needs and sit down, he needs something else. The cart is so cute!

    I had a question about the water. I have noticed a lot of blogs have S. pellerino water bottles on their kitchen counters. Do you drink it or is it just for decor. I don't like carb water. I don't know if you know this but that water has uranium in it. Not really good for the body.

    You can read about it here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pellegrino I love the bottles though. But I don't drink it! :)

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  23. Jen, this is soo great! I love it!! :)

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  24. Could you please encourage people not to buy disposable cutlery made of plastic? Thanks!

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  25. Wow, I love it! It made SUCH a difference! I feel like there's something so important that gets conveyed when your house or yard looks like it's just waiting for guests to arrive to enjoy the space. An entertainment cart does just that!
    I'm a long-time reader and I'd just love it if you could come check out my blog that I just started to track our home decorating journey in the house we're about to close on! Thanks, Jen!
    practicaldecor.blogspot.com

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  26. You have such a great eye for matching colors and patterns! Bravo on another great, inexpensive piece! :)

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  27. I commented once before but it didn't seem to show up! I just used this exact cart for the same thing on our small patio (no painting for anything, the silver works well with the new patio chairs we got). We just got a small grill (which my boyfriend loves) and I've actually started to make the space some place we want to hang out (when the crazy Florida weather allows.) I love your blog and I like that I actually thought of something a half a second early on my own that is "I Heart Organizing" worthy!

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    1. You have me giggling! Love that you and I are on the same page! Virtual high fives Danielle!

      xo,
      Jen

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  28. Adorable! It turned out great and you styled it beautifully! xo Kristin

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  29. I kind of feel pathetic for how much I LOVE your cart! That is perfect.

    Do you store it outside all the time? Or does it have a place to go? If not you could always sew an outdoor cover?

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    1. Hi Mandy!

      I bring in the accessories {the cutlery caddy and the dishes}, I just photographed them to show how we can use the cart for serving and dining. But the tray, cart and grilling tools all will stay outside.

      xo,
      Jen

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  30. That cart is so cute I can hardly stand it!!! And your styling is amazing....every post is straight out of BH&G!!

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  31. Wow, that is absolutely genius! I totally love how you transformed that cart! It makes me think that I need to get to the IKEA Summer Sale this weekend!

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  32. That's great! What an excellent use of the cart. Small, but super functional.

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  33. Awesome job! It looks absolutely beautiful. I love the napkin/fabric inspiration. Also, I'm kind of in love with those salt and pepper shakers. I assume I'm out of luck on timing, but where did you get those?!?

    Thanks! :)

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    1. Hi Stephanie!

      I found them at Target sometime last year. I think you are right, no longer available since they were part of a previous collection.

      xo,
      Jen

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  34. Did you paint the gluggle? I haven't seen it in that green color. Everything looks beautiful!

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    1. Hi Kristen!

      Nope, purchased it that way. Found it at a small local cooking shop.

      xo,
      Jen

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  35. I love the cart. This would have been so helpful for my dad when he used to grill outside almost every night. He even grilled once when we had 18 inches of snow on the ground. I think this is my first post on your blog. I have it set as one of my homepages so I am always aware of your new posts. I love, love, love your blog. I'm an organized person deep inside, I just need it to also show on the outside. I've been taking lots of notes on getting my life organized and this blog is the best spot I've found to do that.

    I'm sure this was an oversight and you were probably just too excited to show everyone how great the cart turned out but there is a misspelled word in your post. I know, I know, I probably shouldn't point it out, but I'm practically a professional proofreader - I can't help it, my mom was a high school English teacher. We didn't get away with speaking with poor grammar or writing with it. I'm not pointing it to be mean, just helpful.

    Anyway, here it is:

    The tray on the top of the cart is a melamine, whether proof version from Target.

    whether should be spelled weather

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    1. Thanks so much for the super sweet comments and taking a moment to comment. Absolutely had my speedy fingers going, thanks for catching the typo!

      xo,
      Jen

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  36. This is amazing! Everything you do blows my mind.
    Kerri at HollyMuffin

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  37. I definitely need a cart like this in my back yard. We are always grilling and I find my self rushing to bring out trays and tongs all the time. Great post!
    Yasmine xx

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  38. that cart is awesome, even if a little too feminine for my tastes! now if i only had a backyard......ha

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  39. Wow!! I bet these IKEA carts will be flying off the shelves after such a fantastic tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

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  40. I read your blog this morning & I just saw the $400. cart that you posted as your inspiration for $599. Makes me wary of buying anything from Restoration Hardware. Here's the link: http://www.rshcatalog.com/product/Turquoise_Rolling_Cart/Kitchen_and_Dining
    also we grill a lot & I am always looking for new "grilling" gifts for my husband. I just ordered an inexpensive outdoor sink installed w/ just a garden hose from Home Depot. Hope it works out. Then all the mess from grilling can stay outside instead of in the kitchen.

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    1. Oooh! The outdoor sink sounds amazing! <3 Love that idea, such a sweet wife you are! :D

      xo,
      Jen

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  41. I love the mason jar drink containers. Did you make those or did you buy them? Can you lead me to a tutorial or shop?
    Thanks!
    Shannon

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    1. Hi Shannon!

      I purchased them pre-punched. You can find them on Amazon: http://amzn.to/10Tnevk

      xo,
      Jen

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  42. That is awesome!! Thanks so much for the inspiration! xoxo

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  43. I love the dishes (plates and bowls)! Can you tell me where they are from? Love the cart too!

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    1. Thank you! The plates were a West Elm clearance find: http://bit.ly/16yrZc4

      And the bowls are World Market: http://bit.ly/137KCXo

      xo,
      Jen

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  44. Such a cute cart! This would be great for all the summer grilling we do, Thanks for sharing!

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  45. What a wonderful idea! This is so functional and stylish! I love your color combinations!

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  46. Hi Jenn,

    I love it! Where did you find the vinyl label with the image of the barbecue grill?

    Thanks!

    Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie!

      I cut it with my Silhouette die cutting machine.

      xo!
      Jen

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  47. What a stunning upcycle! I never knew a white cart could be so bright and colorful. I'm so loving the gold trend lately, too...excellent choice! Thanks for sharing your genius once again, Miss Jen! :)

    ~Abby =)

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  48. Gorgeous! Totally forwarding this to my mother in law who recently picked up a fab cart

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  49. Jen, I usually love your style but I really hope you lose the gold passion soonn x

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    1. I totally get that gold is not for everyone. Heck, I wasn't even a fan of it a few years ago because I hadn't seen it done right {all I could think of was 80's brass}. But now I am really enjoying sprinkling it in all of our spaces. Mixing and matching our finishes has really given our home a little boost of sophistication, so I am not sure it will stop anytime soon. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  50. Last Summer for my husband's birthday we got a huge grill from my Dad, Step-mom, and Step-sister. It's just gorgeous! We can grill all year long but we generally don't grill in the "Winter". It gets cold but rarely freezing (and that would be in the middle of the night). Lately we've been cutting back on bad carbs and focusing on meat, vegis, fruit and nuts. The grill comes in handy when we want our meat to be extra tasty. Here is a link to my husband's birthday. Please check it out:

    http://katspurrfectboutique.blogspot.com/2012/08/getting-ready-for-kurts-party.html

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  51. i have been wanting a small bar car that i can move easily and this will be perfect.

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  52. Where did you get the vinyl grill label? It's adorable! I love this idea

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    1. Hi Sharla!

      I cut it with my Silhouette die cutting machine.

      xo!
      Jen

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  53. I absolutely love this cart! It is absolutely adorable. I'm not a super diy-ers but I can't wait to find something like this for our teeny-tiny patio. It would be a great help to the hubby, while he grills.

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  54. I already have this cart and I've been trying to figure out how to update it to make it slightly more classy. I kept thinking that spray painting it or doing the rub n buff would make it better and now I have confirmation! Now to decide... teal spray paint or try the rub n buff! Thank you for the inspiration!

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