Monday, February 14, 2011

Fun, Funky, Functional Tables

Okay, so tables may seem like a less than exciting topic, yet this utilitarian piece of furniture cohabits with us all. However, on occasion it can be a challenge to find just the right table for a particular need. Every now and then I run across something unique that in one way or another grabs my attention. Eventually, these unrefined items have ended up as tables in my home. Please know, none of these projects are expensive or difficult. I will be providing step-by-step "How To's" to these and other projects on future blog posts.

Fun


Printer's Tray ~ I ran across this printer's tray at an antique store. It made for a fun table that we needed in our sitting room. All that was required to make over this table was a glass top and some legs made from plumbers pipe and floor flanges.



Printer's trays like these are also readily available at flea markets and on Ebay. The handcrafted basket was a purchase from Bajalia Trading Company.


A variety of miniatures fill different compartments of the tray. The tiny bust of "David" is from a trip to Florence. We bought the ivory elephants on a mission trip to China when Nat and I were first married.

Funky


Stop Sign ~ What teenager wouldn't like this funky table in his room? It has always been a favorite of the boys. It currently lives in Gavin's room.


I constructed it from a stop sign (purchased not stolen :) and some old bowling pins that I found at the Round Top Antiques Fair.

Functional


Grate ~ This table fashioned from a vintage floor grate functions so well as a side table for this small slipper chair and was super easy to make.



I love the already existing patina on the grate and left it untouched...it is perfect to me.



Laundry Basket ~ This table began it's life as a collapsible laundry basket. I found it on an excursion to the Round Top Antiques Fair. All it needed was an inexpensive piece of glass on top to transform it into a functional bedside table.

Fabulous


Vintage Stool ~ I ran across this vintage stool at Canton. It has such a lovely patina on it. The crackled paint is fabulous in it's natural state. I wouldn't think of doing anything to change this piece. It makes an ideal resting spot for books (a collection from Nat's childhood) or a cup of coffee, conveniently located next to an easy chair in our living room.


Projects like these are easy and affordable. Almost anything with a flat surface can be transformed into a table. The next time you are in need of one, perhaps a little creative "out of the box thinking" can produce fun, funky, functional tables for your space as well.

9 comments :

  1. Cool ideas! I have an onyx table base from a dining table I'm not using. I want to find an old floor grate, like yours, to go on top! It's currently next to my bed waiting to be a night stand when it grows up. Thank for the ideas!

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  2. It sounds beautiful ~ I would love to see a photo of it. I ran across an old piece of ironwork the other day. I think it would have been a perfect choice for a project like this as well. There are so many wonderful old grates and iron pieces out there ~ I can't wait to see what you do with this!

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  3. I've never been to Canton, but everyone always talks about it so much. Next time I'm in Dallas for an extended period of time, I've gotta go there.

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  4. Dana,

    I love seeing these creative hopeful ideas for us to try. It's great to have a site with how-to's for restoring (redeeming?) old junk.

    Next time I'm in Dallas I want to see your house!
    Great to meet you last weekend,
    Jonalyn Fincher
    soulation.org

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  5. Thanks Jonalyn ~ it was great meeting you as well. I wish we could have spent more time together. I would love for you to come over the next time you are in Dallas. :)

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  6. I cut out a piece of plywood to fit the underside of the stop sign (about two inches smaller than the sign0. I then screwed the bowling pins onto the plywood. I attached the stop sign to the plywood using screws. Hope this helps. :)

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  7. The above was a response to cclhan question "How did you attach the bowling pins to the sign?" I'm sorry your comment was inadvertently deleted. Hope the above response helps. :) Dana

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