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Collecting Junk Means I Can Make A Table And Other Funky Things

Collecting Junk And Making Furniture

It’s all about collecting junk and then putting the pieces together. That’s what happened with this table. The iron base was a $5 purchase from my favorite junk shop. I just bought it a few weeks ago. The green tounge and groove boards we used to make the table top are from the Nashville Flea Market and I’ve had them for years.

reclaimed tounge and groove wood for a table top

The JTS helped me put the table together (okay, he did most of the work) a couple of weeks ago. I decided since I took photos of the table amidst my pumpkins I needed to go ahead and write up the project.

Make A Table And Other Funky Things

After all, it is Halloween today. Are you guys handing out candy? I bought a big bag but I bet we don’t have many trick or treaters. No worries, I bought candy I like.

reclaimed iron table base

The iron table base was $5. As you can see it’s a mess. I like it.

painted green tong and groove wood

The JTS carefully measure the boards for the top. We used 3 of the boards and I think I had 4 or maybe 5. They were just little short boards.

cutting the wood

He cut them using the table saw.

drilling holes for screws

Then he attached the boards to the iron base with screws, first drilling holes through the wood and iron.

painting the screw heads

I painted the tops of the screw heads so they would not be all bright and shiny.

sanding wood

Next order of business was to clean and sand the wood and the iron.

caromal colours toner to add color to the raw wood

I applied Caromal Colours Toner to the raw edges of the cut wood to age the wood. I also used the toner over the green paint to darken it just a bit.

waxing the table

I applied two coats of Howard’s Wax in Walnut to the rusty, chippy iron base.

iron table base recycled with a wood top

And that was it. You guys know I love rust and chippy paint. The wax will keep the rust from rubbing off on our hands plus protect the iron. The table is meant to be used outdoors and it’s perfect for that.

Collecting Junk Means I Can Make A Table And Other Funky Things

I wish all of you had a handy guy like my hubby (aka, JTS). I could have put the table together by myself but it would have taken me a lot longer. I don’t like using a table saw. Maybe you do have a handy guy (or gal) at your house. Do you?

Did you see my “Eclipse Pumpkins”? (here)

Hey, tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. CST I’m doing a Facebook Live on the barnwood finish. I will be working on an unfinished wood caddy/tote similar to this one…Barnwood Caddy. I would love for you to join me. It will be on my Facebook page. See you later. Have a great day!

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com

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8 Comments

  1. Yep, hold on to Mr. JTS. My husband once did that type thing for me, but unable now. So, I just look and wish.
    However, it is fun to see what projects the two of you do. That is a neat table and I do like the rustic look.

  2. Love it!!!! I too have a hubby at home that does a lot of the woodwork cutting for me. Lucky us!!

  3. A perfect combination of materials! You are indeed fortunate to have a hubby who is skilled at DIY. I love the pumpkins—especially the pink and green one. Together they make a beautiful Autumn display.

  4. I am so excited. I have the perfect wood in my garage for something like this. Now I’m going to look for a vase. Thanks for the idea.

  5. I have a similar base but it already had a mosaic top on it that someone did….very badly I might add. But because it was going to be outside, it didn’t matter. It was going to have a plant on top anyway. We haven’t had trick/treaters in decades so I don’t worry about buying candy. Except the day after…half price….for us!