Dream Book Design

DIY Kitchen Table Makeover: Part Two

J was inspired by this type of table at Anthropologie and then another table he saw at Paris Envy. So instead of keeping our initial white table top, he went to work. If you’re as passionate about DIY projects as he is, you might want to think about starting some projects of your own. It may be a good idea to have a look at some ideas on somewhere like joinery plans first so that you have more of an idea of what you want to craft.
This is from Paris Envy
We went to a welding shop here in Phoenix. He had them make this table top from rolled steel. Unfortunately, we’re not welders ourselves so that bit had to be supplied by someone. In the future, we might look into it though as I love DIY and being able to work with metal would be great, and we’d be able to create so many projects. We’ll definietly refer to the Welding Insider’s article on how to choose welder generator. For now though, we would stick with the welding shop.The table top has rounded edges that overlap on the bottom making a [ shape. The only way to have the ends of the table wrap underneath was to make the opening a bit larger than the actual wood table top. I will explain how he made this work after I explain how he distressed the metal. One of our friends has made his own metal table using a mild steel sheet from aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk, it looks fantastic and definitely inspired our own DIY project.
He did some research, and found that there are some chemicals that when they come in contact with steel there is a chemical reaction and it turns the metal darker and makes it look worn. The chemicals we used are made by Metal Finish Supply, Inc, we used 2 different ones: Antique Pewter and Antique Black. Initially the metal had a bluish purplish tint in some areas. J used a wire brush drill bit and shined up the metal. We then cleaned it with Acetone. We then applied the chemicals. This was kind of a cluster to be honest. You are suppossed to pour/spray the chemical on the metal and watch it react and then pour water on it after like 5 seconds. Needless to say it wasnt that easy at first. J would apply, then apply more, and very little happened. So he would try to scrape the spots off that did react and start over….lets just say there were some not so nice words coming from the garage. Overall it took a while to get the hang of it. But after J got the hang of how the chemicals reacted, {He called the company and asked for help……so manly of him} he was able to apply the Antique Pewter color to the entire top and then with a spray bottle add spots of black. He then used multiple thick coats of Wipe on poly to seal the metal table. Probably 4 to 5 thick coats with some light sanding in between.
This shows the ‘bluish’ tint, during the chemical process
This is when it was almost finished
Since the inside cut out of the table was larger than the actual wood table top, we could just not put the table top on and call it a day. J cut some wood and placed it in the inside of the table top in the [ section. He then put the table on the inside of the table and the wood pieces. Then drilled a hole through the metal {with a metal drill bit} and the wood pieces into the table. He then took a nail and dipped the end into the Antique Black chemical, then in water, and then in Poly. Let them dry, and then hammered the nails through the hole in the metal into the wood pieces and into the table.
We then sealed the entire thing one more time and did a final sand. Heres the outcome:
Whats that? You love the chairs? They’re from Modern Manor.
What do y’all think? Good looking table that will work with kids? We shall see in, oh you know, 3 years or so;)

<3,
Adri

P.S.- I linked this up with my favorite parties

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