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
Samsung Stainless Steel 27.8 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Refrigerator with Food Showcase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Anchor Hocking Depression Glass Biscuit Jars, Relish Tray, and More Tableware

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Lalique "Tulips" Frosted Crystal Flower Vase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Cast Iron Basket Planters/Table Bases

“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 Columbus - Hilliard
Chinese Blue and White Ginger Jars and Bowls with Other Tableware

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Cranes and Cherry Blossoms, Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Cast Iron Table Bases or Planters

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Preisner Sterling Silver 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.”


EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Lalique "Bagatelle" Frosted and Clear Crystal Vase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Metal Banded Pine Barrel Planter

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Jaye Reiser for Sunnyside Pottery Flower Form Earthenware Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Noritake "Colby" Gilt Porcelain Dinner and Serveware

“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
Stephen Rich Nelson Art Glass Vase, 1991

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Roseville Pottery "Moss Peach" Amphora Vase, 1936

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Copper Round and Oval Jardinieres with Ceramic Handles, Mid to Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Robert Eickholt "Tide Pool" Iridescent Art Glass Vase
“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
Blenko Style Amber Art Glass Owl Vase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Fenton and Other Mid Century Hob Nail and Milk Glass

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Chinese Export Tobacco Leaf Pattern Ceramic Planter and Undertray

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Royal Worcester Reticulated Porcelain Lidded Vessel, Late 19th/Early 20th C.

“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
Japanese Bronze Meiji Mixed Metal Inlay Foliage Vase

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Chinese Floral Motif Porcelain Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
La Dolce Vita Pitcher, Hall Ceramic and Isaac Mizrahi Enamel Cookware

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Dragon Vases with Carved Wood Bases
“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 Columbus - Hilliard
Fenton Cranberry Coin Dot Ruffled Opalescent Glass Vase, Mid-Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda "Rainbow Series" Art Glass Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Lalique "Epis" Frosted Crystal Flower Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Bohemian Style Yellow Etched to Clear Bottles, 20th Century

“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
Nippon Porcelain Vases with Raised Enamel Accents, Early 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Cobalt Blue Art Glass Ruffled Edge Pedestal Vase, Contemporary

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Iznik Style Ceramic Pitcher, Antique

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Wedgwood & Barlaston of Etruria "D'Ye Ken John Peel" Ceramic Pitcher
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 Columbus - Hilliard
Belleek "Neptune", and Other Ivory Porcelain Tableware, Mid to Late 20th Century

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Graphite and Charcoal Linear Abstract Drawing on Whitewashed Vase

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Large-Scale Glazed Earthenware Graduated Outdoor Planter, Contemporary

EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Japanese Goldstone Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Dragon and Phoenix Motifs

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Edwardian Style Basin Stand with Pitcher and Bowl

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Krosno "York" Blown Glass Martini Pitcher with Free Engraving

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Morimura Bros. Nippon Hand-Painted Porcelain Vase, Early 20th C.

EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash