Do-it-Yourself Projects


"One of the best ways to create interest in a room is to accent with tables.  Whether they are functional or decorative,  tables can create a decorative opportunity  for any room.  Today, furnishing your living space can be more spectacular when creating a look that has a sense of  artistic expression. A table can serve as a palette for color and style. Using a painted, tiled, stenciled or crackled finish technique, you can create a designer look for less  and own custom made furnishings... custom  made by you."


Mosaic Table Restoration Project

Karen Silton & Barry Balin, from Mosaic Morphosis,

 were commissioned to restore this three section mosaic work of art originally created 40 years ago. Though it was in extremely deteriorated condition, the the overall design and technical skill that had originally gone into piece was unique, artistic, and worth   preserving.  Involving tile restoration, new grout and a little dash of magic, the piece went through a major transformation. Mosaic Morphosis does commissions  for all types of mosaic tables and restoration projects as well as providing instruction for individuals wanting to create their own mosaic tables. Visit their website for more information @www.MosaicMorphosis.com.


Half Round Entry Table
The entry table is a 24 birch round cut in half, you may need to use a rig or template to get a straight cut.  Two coats of paint were applied to the wood then stenciled with a pattern around the front edge of the table.  The top was sprayed with a clear satin varnish for protection.  The wrought iron legs were simply coated with a bronzing paint made for metal surfaces.  Then the legs were fastened into position using 3/4" screws.  The half round stands alson on three Classico Style 29 inch iron legs or can be L-brackedted to the wall for added stability.
  
Stenciled Console Table
This console table has four 29 inch Traditional Style wrought iron legs supporting a 16 x 48 inch birch top.  The wood top was first painted with a coat of off-white colored paint, then lightly sanded just enough to let some of the wood show through along the edges and at the corners to create a distressed look.  A stencil pattern was then applied using a stencil brush and a water base paint.  When dipping your stencil brush always dab on newspaper first before applying to remove excess paint.  When the stencil coat dried, a light coat of stain was applied by wiping with a partically saturated rag then quickly removed with a clean rag to accomplish an antique look.  A finish coat was applied and the legs were fastened with 3/4" screws.
  
Copper Top Table
The copper top was made by wrapping a thin sheet of copper around an 1 1/2" wood piece and copper welded at the corners.  The 29 inch Toro Style Legs were the screwed into position to create this beautiful entry table.
 
 
Stenciled Ivy Table
This 20 inch birch round was first stained with a white pastel stain.  An ivy stencil was the appied in a circular pattern.  A little fudging may be necessary with the stencil to get the patter to appear round (an extra leaf here and there to lose any visible corners).  Three 24 inch Tradtional Style Legs were used in stock primer coat finish and attached with 3/4" screws.  Be sure to measure equal sistances between legs before attachment.
 
Slate and Tile Coffee Table
This coffee table was created with four 17.5 inch Traditional Style wrought iron legs, natural slate and a ceramic tile center piece.  We used 3/4" plywood with a reinforced underside wood frame for addtional support.  We then applied a crown molding to the sides with mitered corners to hold in and surround the tile.  We applied our thick layer of mastics and set our tile in place.  Stlate is a natural product and can be extremely uneven which is part of its' charm.  In some areas we had to build up a thicker coat of mastics and sometimes would spacers were used to lift up a corner of the tile.  This table can be very heavy depending on the materials used and the siz of the finished table, be sure that your choice of leg and fastening equipment will support the weight.

Pretty in Pink Child's Table
This table top was first spray painted with the legs with a can of pink spray paint.  Decals were applied to the table top.  The top was then sprayed with a semi-gloss clear coat to protect surface.  Four 17.5inch Traditional Style wrought iron legs were fastened into position for the perfet table height for a child to sit and play.
 
 
 Computer Desk
For this project we hired a carpenter to build us a box with 2 side drawers and a center door that flips down for a keyboard shelf to stlide out.  The box size end to end dimensions were 44" wide x 5" high x 20" deep.  Then we simply screwed our 24" Euro Style (discontinued) legs into position.  The wood was finished with a golden maple stain and sealer.
 
Decorative Kitchen Counter Support
A wonderful application for our legs are counter extentions in the kitchen.  This project was installed by a cabinet maker.  The two 29" Toro Style iron legs were sprayed with a silver metal paint and fastened into the plywood on the underside of the bullnosed grantie top.
 
 
 
 
Dressing Stool
This dressing stool uses a 20" plywood round as a seat base and a 21" piece of firm foam.  The foam is then upholstered with your choice of fabric by stapling to the underneath side of the wood.  A down filled pillow was then stuffed into a round pillow shell.  Two buttons were sewn in the center on each side to create a tuck.  Three 17.5" Classico Style legs were painted with a bronzing paint prior to assembly with 3/4" screws.
 
Foot Stool
This little foot stool is a great addition to any room.  We took a piece of scrap 3/4" plywood and cut it into a 10 x 14 inch piece.  Then we placed a piece of 11 x 15 foam over the wood.  You can use a spray glue for fabric and foam to keep it in place while working with it.  Then take a muslin faric and wrap the foam tight to make the shape round and firm and staple to the underside.  For extr puffiness, lay a piece of polyfill over the muslin(enough to come down the sides but not wrap under).  Take your cover fabric and position the pattern, if there is a pattern.  Gently flip over an staple fabric to sunderside.  Be careful not to bunch much fabric in the corners or the legs will not go on properly.  Screw the 7 5/8" Traidition Style wrought iron legs into the plywood with 3/4" screws.
 
Custom Kitchen Table
This 36" birch round table top was painted, stenciled and crackled for a custom made designer look.  The 29" Traditional Style wrought iron legs were painted in a copper finish and fastened to the underside with 3/4" screws.