Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Dumpster Dive to PB!

I pulled in the parking lot after work one day and was walking up to the apartment I spotted this beauty, err.. mess hanging out right next to the dumpster. I stopped and thought about it, then continued on. As soon as I got into the house I thought, Wait! What am I thinking.. and quickly ran out to the dumpster (..as if someone else was going to take it..) and picked up my new table.

Isn't she a beauty? Hmm.. let's rephrase. Doesn't she have so much potential?


So I promptly set her in our entryway. And there she sat. Until the Mr. got annoyed enough that he moved her to the front porch. And there she sat. Until I got embarrassed enough that the bright red, falling apart table I stole from the dumpster was on our front porch for all our neighbors to see, including the one who once threw this away, so I brought her inside.

Then I covered her in paint thinner and scraped off some paint, three times. But she still had tons of residue. Then I gave her a good sanding, too many times time count. At the time, I was pretty certain those round legs were going to be the death of me. But don't fret, I survived.

After the paint thinner:


After the sanding:


The wood wasn't in good shape, so I knew I'd have to paint her. But I've always been a fan of dark, natural wood so having to paint her intimidated me.

At first I thought I'd make a bar cart out of her. Then I wanted to make her into a table top sign, like Donna's at Funky Junk Interiors. Then she was going to be a side table in the living room. However, I wasn't crazy about any of those ideas in the apartment.

Then one weekend the Mr. and I were walking around downtown and stopped in Pottery Barn. Like always, they have so. many. trays. And I always want every. single. one.

A girl can dream can't she?




Darn price tags.

I digress, in PB that day was when I realized exactly what my little red table could become. A tray! So home I went ready to roll.

Of course, I forgot to take some pictures in the process (I'm still learning!).

I picked up 2 pieces of metal from Lowe's. They were originally the standard silver color, but some Krylon Metallic ORB (oil rubbed bronze) spray paint fixed that.

I tore off the top of the table, and to my surprise underneath actually had a logo from the company that made the table. The wood was a lot better on that side too. So with a little more sanding and some Dark Oak stain, they were good to go. The wood was still definitely worn, but that gave it a perfect Vintage look.

I nailed the metal pieces around the tray. Don't be fooled. It sounds easy. But nailing the metal to the tray was somehow the hardest part of the project. Something about have to position, force the bend and nail at the same time didn't work so well. But so worth it, either way!



And that was it! I still want to give the tray handles and think sisal rope would be perfect, and happened to have some left over from the Sisal Basket I made. I just need to make a trip to the store to pick up a new drill. My current drill decided it no longer wanted to drill.


What do you think? In total, the metal was about $4 a pop. So I spent a whopping $8 on this project, as I had all the other supplies. Take that PB!



Link Parties - Made byYou Monday's

 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/Tip Junkie handmade projects
Get Your Craft On TuesdayHOG

19 comments:

  1. Wow! You would never guess it was that red table by the dumpster. Good work!

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  2. I love it! I love PB but like you can't afford it. You did a terrific job here. Your tray is soooo PB and who would've ever thought it was a table from the trash. That's real trash to treasure. Thanks for showing us your stuff.

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  3. How absolutely cute is this tray? Great find and save.

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  4. Nice rescue! I love the British Oak stamp.

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  5. Oh my, I am totally in awe. Your tray is stunning. Love the metal rim you put around it, and the natural wood is beautiful. Very creative. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Stunning piece. Hugs, Marty

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  6. love, love, love it.... very unique and you had a great eye for seeing what that table could be...

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  7. Wow, that's an amazing transformation, great job!

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  8. I love the tray, but bending the metal must have been really hard work. Now I have to check out your other projects. By the way, I just love hydrangeas and have 2 of them at my home. I grew them from bare root and it took years for them to blossom but now they are old faithfuls. :)

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  9. Your tray turned out so beautiful! I had to laugh when you ran back to get your find afraid someone else was going to snatch it, because trust me I've done the same darn thing!!! Seriously it turned out great!!

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  10. Wow! I would have never thought about the metal - or at least the metal would have completely overwhelmed me.....I can see how it would be the hardest part but it really does make the piece.....and that cool logo! Glad you liked my clock post :-)

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  11. I love the table and would have picked it up, too (feeling like a dork the whole time for loving it so)! How amazingly creative of you to think of getting that metal stuff to make sides for a tray! I love it (and love your blog name, too!)

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  12. Gorgeous! (Found your blog from Better After.) I would love to know more about the metal - what kind is it? Where did you get it? How *did* you successfully bend & nail it???

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  13. Wowsers that is one gorgeous tray!! What an eye you have for a diamond in the rough!

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  14. Tessa - I picked up the metal at Lowe's. I can't for the life of me remember what type of metal it was. I went in to Lowe's and told the guy I was looking for a long, skinny strip of metal and he pointed me to a box that had a whole assortment of lengths and widths of strips of metal.

    It wasn't stiff, so it bent easily. As far as nailing it, well that was the fun part. Holding the tray up and the metal strip in place and holding the nail steady and hammering... all while the hubs was out.. well that took yoga of sorts! Although with 2 people it would be a lot easier!

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  15. This is SO beautiful, and to think of it's beginnings!! Kudos, Megan!!

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