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 Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Petite Tiffany Studios Favrile Iridescent Blue Glass Vase, Early 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Claude Monet Museum Porcelain Vase with Gilt Rim and Base

Maineville, OH
Woven Rattan Storage Baskets with Cherry-Stained Wooden Shirt Hangers

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Rookwood Pottery Yellow Matte Glaze Vase, 1922

“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
Luigi Onesto for Oggetti Teardrop Murano Art Glass Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Homer Laughlin "Fiesta" Pitcher, Decanter and Covered Bowl

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Homer Laughlin "Fiesta" Tableware, Flatware, and Table Accessories

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Waterford Crystal "Balmoral" Footed Flower Vase
“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.”


Maineville, OH
Modern Sky Blue Textured Ceramic Vases

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Lalique "Broceliande" Crystal Leaf Vase

Maineville, OH
Blue and White Geometric Ceramic Vases, Contemporary

Maineville, OH
Heather Grey Woven Storage Boxes with Primitive Style Shoe Molds, Contemporary

“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
Bohemian Blue Etched to Clear Glass Vases, Early to Mid 20th Century

Maineville, OH
Woven Fabric Storage Boxes, Wraps, Woven Hats and Fashion Jewelry

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Mottahedeh "Blue Canton" Porcelain Trumpet Vase

Maineville, OH
Graduated Mercury Glass Hurricane Vases, Contemporary
“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 Columbus - Hilliard
Homer Laughlin "Fiesta" Pitcher, Bowls, Cups and Shakers

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Bohemian Green to Pink Vase with Hand-Painted Gilt and Enameled Accents

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Jacques Zuccaire Still Life Oil Painting, Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Blown and Faceted Blue Art Glass Vase

“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!”

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Homer Laughlin "Looney Toons" Fiestaware and Table Accessories

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Kathleen Dewakuku Hopi Polychrome Slip Glazed Earthenware Seed Pot

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Fenton Peach Crest Ruffled Edge Bowl and Lemonade Set, Early to Mid 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mottled Green Glaze Ceramic Vases, Mid-20th Century
“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.”


EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Art Deco American Brilliant Cut Glass Vase with Etched Floral Design

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Moser Karlsbad Amber Glass Vase with Gilt Amazonian Warrior Frieze, Early 20th C

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Booths "Real Old Willow" Soup Bowls and Other Blue and White Tableware

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Royal Worcester Blue and White Chintz Serving Pieces and Pitcher, Late 19th C.

“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.”

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Steuben Ribbed and Footed Vase, Early 20th Century

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Oversized Open Weave Rattan Floor Basket with Handles

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Toyo of Japan Gilt and Enameled Porcelain Sphere Vase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
North State Pottery Hand-Thrown Earthenware Vase, Early to Mid 20th Century
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.”


EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Woven Wicker Love Seat with Seat Cushions, Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Bud Vase with Sterling Candle Snuffer

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Chinese Canton Style Ceramic Tableware, Late 20th Century

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Italian Millefiori Art Glass Vases and Figurines, Mid to Late 20th C.

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Homer Laughlin "Fiesta" Glassware and Pitcher

Maineville, OH
Offset Lithograph "Birdcages Collage I" and Glazed Blue Clay Vases

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Sheffield Silver Co. Silver Plate Gadroon Edge Water Pitcher

Maineville, OH