Entry Table Decor Ideas: Ginger Jars (Ballard Design Inspired)

Have you ever fallen in love with a designer look, only to be discouraged by the price tag? You’re not alone! But what if I told you that you could achieve a similar aesthetic for a fraction of the cost? In today’s blog post, I’m sharing how I update my entry table decor by transforming ordinary thrift store finds into stunning Ballard Design-inspired decor. It’s amazing what you can do with a bit of spray paint and decorative paper napkins. Get ready to be amazed at what you can create with a little creativity and some budget-friendly finds!

I’ve been crushing on Ballard Designs’ blue and white color schemes and their use of ginger jar decor. Even Pottery Barn’s latest catalog is filled with lots of blue and white. So, I’ve been collecting thrift store ginger jars and vases similar in shape to those I’ve seen in the catalogs. Yesterday, I shared how I transformed a thrift store find into a stunning Ginger Jar lamp, the first step in my entry table update. Wait until you see the other transformations.

Budget entry table with updated thrift store finds and ginger jars.

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How To Get An Entry Table Decor Style For Less?

First, you need a plan to get a high-end designer look with thrift store decor.

Step 1 – Begin by taking screenshots of the style you’d like to duplicate. Here, I have two images of Ballard Design that I like. Their aesthetic isn’t exactly my style, but I love the color combinations and want to create a similar vibe on my entry table.

Step 2 – Study the decor in the photos. Jot down or remember the shapes of the vases, jars, lamps, and other decor.

Step 3 – Visit thrift stores and consignment shops in search of similarly shaped decor. Don’t worry if it’s not the right color or in perfect condition. As long as the price is reasonable, we can make it work.

Below are my inspiration photos and what I found at thrift stores over the previous few months. Don’t expect to find everything immediately. Thrifting takes time, but the payoff is worth it if you have patience.

Inspiration board with Ballard Designs Inspiration and thrift store finds.

How To Update Thrift Store Ginger Jars & Vases

Once you have found your thrifted treasures, it’s time to make them look like boutique-worthy decor.

Ginger Jar Lamp Makeover

The first items I updated were the ginger jar lamp and lampshade. The lamp cost me $3.00, and I spent $15.00 on the fabric I used for the lampshade. I also purchased the chalky spray paint for $12.00, and it was enough to cover the lamp and all the ginger jars I updated. A similar lamp and shade would have been approximately $300 at Ballard Designs. My version is less than $30.00.

Napkin Decoupage Ginger Jars

The first step in updating the thrift store ginger jars is to find the napkins you plan to use. I used three styles of napkins to create the look I desired. I’ll share the links under resources at the end of the tutorial.

How To Add Napkin Decoupage To thrift Store Finds

Step 1 – Clean the jars and vases with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue of oils or stickers.

Step 2 – Spray paint with a light color to conceal any dark colors or patterns. I used the chalky finish in Classic white like I used on the ginger jar lamp. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 3 – Separate the layers of the napkins and cut the napkins to fit on your jars.

Step 4 – Use a brush to apply Mod Podge to small sections of the ginger jars and vases. Apply the napkins over the Mod Podge and then brush over the napkin with more glue to smooth. Be gentle when applying more Mod Podge over the top, as the napkins are fragile.

Continue until the surface is completely covered. Elevate the items until the napkin decoupage has dried. I use bottles, candleholders, and other times to keep the napkin from sticking to the table. You can read more detailed instructions for applying napkin decoupage at How To Make A Napkin Decoupage Lamp.

How To Update Ginger Jars With Paint

I left one of the thrifted ginger jars white instead of adding a napkin decoupage. The only difference is you will want to apply several coats of paint to ensure that you cover all of the previous color and design. Otherwise, it’s the same process.

blue and white napkin decoupage vase with greenery and thrift store ginger jar in white paint.

Insider Tip

If you plan to napkin decoupage your thrift store finds, minor imprefections can be concealed. A minor chip or small crack will not be visible once the napkin is applied. The chalky spray paint will conceal minor decorative details that you want to conceal. However any raised design should be avoided unless you are adding texture with napkins, spackling, or plaster of paris.

How To Style Your Entry Table Decor Like a Pro

I use my inspiration photos as a base for how I want to style my entry table. However, my style is slightly more relaxed, so some adjustments will be made. My entry table is an old dresser I’ve refinished several times over the years. To begin, clear the table and the wall so that you are working with a clean slate. Begin to add items back one at a time.

How To Style Wall Decor

If you are styling the wall behind your table, you should begin there and work your way down.

Step 1 – Always begin with your largest items. I had no luck finding a new mirror for the space, but then I realized I had the perfect size mirror all along. It is a thrifted find that has been displayed in another area of the house for the past few years.

antique mirror with scroll top in wood finish

Step 2 – Next, I added decorative plates around the mirror. I used plate metal plate hangers and clear command strip hooks to ensure the plates would be safe on the wall.

Cabbage Plates on wall beside antique mirror.

How To Style Entry Table With Updated Thrift Store Finds

Once you have your entry wall styled, begin to add the table decor.

Step 1 – Begin with your anchor pieces, which will be your larger decor items. I began with my ginger jar lamp at one end of the table.

entry table with updated ginger jar lamp and cabbage plates on wall

Step 2 – You’ll want to balance the weight at the other end. I added faux greenery to a vase to help conceal a large row of light switches. This added much-needed height to the smaller vase, but it still looked small compared to the lamp. Finally, I added it to a stack of books, and that did the trick.

napkin decoupage blue and white vase with ivy greenery on stack of bookx

Step 3 – Next, fill in the remaining decor items. In the center of the entry table, I used a previously updated ginger jar, a preserved boxwood in a blue and white container, and two more updated ginger jars.

DIY Napkin Decoupage Ginger Jars on entry table.

Step 4 – Finally, stand back and make adjustments to balance your vignette. I immediately felt the number of ginger jars was overkill. Therefore, I removed one of the jars and will use it elsewhere in the living room. I replaced it with a couple of small decorative plates with a moss-covered ball.

White ginger jar lamp with blue and white ginger jar and preserved boxwood container.

Inspired Entry Table with Unique Personal Style

Although you will find many elements from the Ballard Designs inspiration photo, you’ll notice that the entry table update reflects my own personal style instead of a carbon copy. I drew from the images to create a curated version with similar shapes and colors. The best news is the entire project cost me less than $145.00. I did a quick total with Ballard Designs and came up with a total of $1,160, and this was a conservative figure based on the average cost of mirrors and lamps.

Entry Table Decor includes thrift store makeovers in ginger jars and more

How do you like the new style? I’m loving the fresh new look! I look forward to sharing all the updates to the living room, kitchen, and dining area that are coming soon. So stay tuned.

thrifted ginger jars and lamps updated with napkin decoupage and spray paint.

Resources

Click the link below to see the makeover supplies’ resources and shop the look.

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4 Comments

  1. Rachel,
    Your entryway dupe looks so great.I love the mixture of ,blue and green So springlike and we could all use that this month. I did read we might have temps tommorow morning above freezing in Greensboro. Yeah! Enjoy the coming January thaw.

    1. Kathy,
      I’m so over this cold weather. Yay! For above freezing temps. I’m so glad you like todays update. Have a wonderful weekend and stay cozy.

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