Mid-Century Modern Hairpin Table / DIY

Whether you like Mid-Century modern design or not, here is a great little table to make that you can use most anywhere.  This is probably one of the easiest DIY projects to date.

Here's the things you will need:

• Wood Top / Mine is a plate charger I purchased here; you can also find similar ones here.
• Hair Pin Legs / Mine are vintage, but you can get similar ones here.
• Tape Measure
• Drill/Drill bit
• Screwdriver
• Pan Head Wood Screws

Position the legs upside down on the charger.  Measure and mark holes so the legs will be equal distances apart

 

Pre-drill the holes.

Attach the legs with the wood screws.

See what I mean?  An easy and inexpensive table with tons of charm.  

I hope your weekend is filled with good things!  

A Console Table / DIY

Today I'm posting about a console table I fashioned from a piece of salvaged wood.  I couldn't believe when I discovered, of all things, a remnant piece of boxcar flooring.  I found it months ago for $10 at an architectural salvage yard and thought someday I would figure out what to do with it.  After taking up valuable real estate in my shed, I finally tackled this simple DIY.  I know the family is thankful not to be tripping over it any longer ~ let's just say it was a topic of discussion more than once. :)

When I needed a furniture piece to hold the flat panel in my studio, I searched for something unusual but wasn't very excited about buying retail.  My choices were too pricey and then I remembered the boxcar flooring.  I know the likelihood of finding something random as this is slim, but I think the idea is worthy of sharing and is something you could adapt with other pieces of lumber you might locate or purchase.

Making the console was pretty simple.  After cleaning and sanding the piece of wood, I gave it a coat of water-based polyurethane.   

 

For the legs, I bought plumber's pipe at Home Depot and had them cut to the desired lengths.  Then I had the ends threaded so they could easily be screwed to the flanges.

Don't let this step frighten you away, the salespeople at Home Depot are always happy to help out.

I spaced out and measured where I wanted to position each flange.  I marked and pre-drilled the holes for the screws, then attached the flanges with the wood screws.  

 

Finally, I screwed the legs to the flanges on the bottom of the wood piece.  I also added additional flanges to the bottom of the poles to serve as feet.  

I love the texture of the boxcar flooring combined with the shiny metal legs.  I think the console would look awesome in any number of places ~ as an entry or hall table, or even a bench (if the legs were shortened).    

I also love it in my studio.  I may in time add cross supports between the legs, just because I think it would add some more interesting detail.  What do you think?  I would be happy to know your opinion.  I hope your Tuesday is wonderful!

P.S.  Follow Tattered Style here on Instagram!

DIY ~ Dr. Pepper Crate Table

Beautiful weather in Texas and I've been feeling the urge to tackle another DIYer.  This time using some old Dr. Pepper crates I had laying around.  I've used them before as low shelving in my son's room when he was younger ~ but he kind of outgrew that idea.  Still a lover of Dr. Pepper ~ they needed to be put to some sort of use.  

This project required five crates ~ I found these a number years ago at a flea market ~ 5 For $20.

First, I stacked them on top of each other.  The top two were a wee bit smaller than the bottom ones ~  but no worries ~ this project is very forgiving.  

Secondly, I racked my brain to come up with a way to connect them all together.  I perused the aisles of the local hardware store until I found ~ duct hanger strap ~ it's used for hanging ductwork in attics.  It's very inexpensive ~ plus ~ it reminded me of the original metal on the crates that was used for reinforcement.   I measured the height of the crates, when they were stacked atop each other, to determine how long to cut the hanger strapping.  I cut four strips (two for each end) with tin snips. 

Next, I held the strapping in place and marked a couple of spots on each crate with a Sharpie.  I then pre-drilled the holes to prevent the wood from splitting.  Following, I screwed the strapping into place with small wood screws (shown above).  By attaching the crates together with the strap and screws (10 per strap), the crate base is quite stable.

Creating the table top was my next step for this DIY.  I used some scrap lumber I've been saving for a project like this.

  

I measured and cut the boards so that there would be a 1" overhang on all four sides.  *Ya think it's a little weird that I love the smell of freshly cut wood?

I sanded the boards with a sanding sponge, to prevent splinters, and then ran a thin bead of wood glue between each board. 

 

I clamped the boards together and allowed them to dry overnight.  Finally, I attached the top to the base by predrilling a hole in each of the four corners and screwed the two together using wood screws.

I think the salvaged wood top compliments the weathered Dr. Pepper crates perfectly!  What do you think?  I sealed the wood, using a matte finish sealer and to complete the project ~ I screwed four rubber bumpers on the bottom of the crate at each corner to protect the flooring.

 

And here's the finished project!  I snipped a few branches from a bush in the backyard ~ luckily the foliage matches the crates to a tee.  I'm loving this crate table and think it turned out pretty spectacular!

That's all for this DIY project ~ I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Also, thanks to my carpentry tutor ~ Frani ~ for all of  your helpful tips!

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.