May 19, 2012

{$20 Patio Table Redo}

 I am on a really tight budget right now, but I desperately wanted a patio table for my backyard. My solution, of course, was to go garage selling! I found this beauty for a whopping $5. Can you say score? I will admit, at first I didn't see the potential. But desperate times call for thinking outside the box, right? Here's what I did...
 After getting rid of the hideous, I mean dated, glass tabletop, I made a trip to Lowes and picked up some fencing. I got the board for under $2 each. I then placed the table base on top of the base to get it centered and added the bracing boards from scrap wood in my garage (I added two braces in the center as well, but they aren't shown here). This gave the tabletop stability and nestle it on the table base so it wouldn't shift.
 See the tops of the fencing? I chopped them off one the tabletop was assembled. I wasn't lovin' the red hue of the wood, so I sanded it down and gave the tabletop a wash.
 I mixed some black and white craft paint until I got a medium grey color. Then I watered it down 50-70% so that it was really watery. This part was all trial and error until I got the consistency I wanted.
 You can see here how the wash got rid of any remaining "too new" looking wood, but the finish looked a little bit flat. Sooo...
 I got some white craft paint, and using a really dry brush with just a touch of paint on it, I gave the table a quick once over.
 Close up again, you can see how the white paint added some depth to the boards. Next I did some hand painting using the same process I used on my sign. I got the graphic from The Graphic Fairy. Love her stuff! I finished it off with a couple coats of polyurethane to give some protection from the elements.
 
Here's the after.
LOVE IT!
 Here is the close up of the graphics. I was going for a old french crate feel.
Pay no attention to the old peeling deck, its on the list.

Who'd a thunk... a $5 garage sale patio table...

16 comments:

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

This is brilliant! I've been looking at used patio tables and they are so ugly. This is a great option. Your table looks beautiful now!

Comeca Jones said...

Ok this project rocks!!!!

Tatum @ Tatum's Take said...

What a great before and after! Your table look so good!!

Unknown said...

This looks great! What a neat idea! I’d love for you to share this project on Tuesday’s Tidbits @ Naptime Delights: http://naptimedelights.blogspot.ca/2012/06/tuesdays-tidbits-3.html

Thanks so much!
Sarah
{http://naptimedelights.blogspot.com}

Ashli Herself said...

What a great idea! Definitely pining this for later!
Ashli
thegrayhouseontheleft.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love this! How did you attach the wood top to the metal base?

April said...

Thanks JanaLee! It doesn't show in the picture, but I put two additional braces on the underside of the table to rest between the metal base. it anchors the table and doesn't allow it to shift. It works well because I'm able to easily remove the top for storage during the snowy winter months.

screendoorgirl3 said...

Nice job! Good pin to use later. Thanks...

Anonymous said...

I have a patio set that includes a large round table. The glass shattered from the table and I would love to try this. I still do not understand how you secured the frame to the wood. Cam you explain? Thanks.

April said...

Hi Patty, great question. I added two parallel cross braces, using the same wood, to the center of the table. I cut them short so they nestle in between the table base. This keeps the table top from shifting, while still allowing for easy removal for winter storage.

April said...

Hi Patty, great question. I added two parallel cross braces, using the same wood, to the center of the table. I cut them short so they nestle in between the table base. This keeps the table top from shifting, while still allowing for easy removal for winter storage.

April said...

Hi Patty, great question. I added two parallel cross braces, using the same wood, to the center of the table. I cut them short so they nestle in between the table base. This keeps the table top from shifting, while still allowing for easy removal for winter storage.

Wanita said...

where did you get the stencil ?

Amy Donley said...

How did you connect the table to the wood?

Redson said...

I love this too but just cant get a visual in my mind about the center braces. Is it possible to see a picture? Thanks for the great idea!

Dove2361Waterbury said...

You killed it. Sooooooo Amazing!!! Great job!!!