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    Sew Woodsy » Project

    Published: Aug 29, 2012 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Restored Wood Outdoor Table

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    restored wood outdoor table

    A few weeks ago we shared our Restored Wood Outdoor Table with Gail from My {re}Purposed Life, and today I’m excited to share it with our readers! We snagged this table off the curb over a year ago, while walking our yorkie on our evening walk. We spotted a child’s wood table, umbrella, and chairs from a distance on the curb. We non-chalantly walked over to the curbside find, examined it, and after a few minutes of debating back and forth we decided that we would take the table with us. As you might already know, I also have a food blog: Katie’s Cucina. As of last summer I photographed most of our food on a picnic table in our backyard. This too, was pulled from a curb (and never refinished). The only problem was that it was rotting a way, and was unsafe for anyone to sit on it let alone put a few plates of food on it. I agreed to let Mr. Woodsy cut down our picnic table and dispose of it in exchange for this tiny little childrens table which I was dubbing my food photography table. It sat on our covered patio for the past year now. I’ve used it for countless food photo shoots; however, I never really thought about restoring it until we transformed our back patio with an outdoor living room this past spring. That’s when the idea officially entered my mind. It could be dual purpose–used as a coffee table and when needed as a food prop table.

    Supplies:

    • Old table found on the curb
    • Drill
    • Pliers
    • Scrap wood
    • Old rag for cleaning
    • Kilz Spray Paint Primer
    • Rust-Oleum Spray Paint, Colonial Red
    • Rust-Oleum Comfort Grip
    • Orbital Sander
    • Table Saw
    • Miter Saw
    • Hearing Protection/Eye Protection/Respirator
    • Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
    • Minwax® Gel Stain, Mahogany

    old wood outdoor table

    This is what the table started as… old, dingy, and not really appealing to the eye! Restored side table

    Restored Wood Side Table

    First thing is first, the table was missing one of its end pieces. Mr. Woodsy took off the existing end piece and made a replica using a piece of scrap wood.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Once he created the piece of wood he used pliers and began to loosen the bolts holding the table in place.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Once he was able to remove the wood table top from the legs he then began removing the screws (using his drill) to separate all the wood slats.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Restored Wood Side Table

    This is what it looked like once Mr. Woodsy had all the wood slats taken apart.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I began cleaning the metal stand in preparation for spray painting.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    While Mr. Woodsy took on the tedious task of removing each of the screws from the wood braces.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I got the drop cloth out so I could begin painting the metal frame.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I noticed sections of the metal frame that were discolored so I decided to give it a light coating of primer to ensure that the red paint would stick.

    Restored Wood Side TableOnce I had an even coat of primer on the metal frame I let it sit for 30 minutes before painting it again.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I chose Rust-Oleum’s Colonial Red spray paint.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I began spraying the metal frame with a light coat of spray paint.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I let it sit for an hour this time around, followed by a second coat of spray paint.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    While I was spray painting the frame Mr. Woodsy was hard at work sanding the wood table top.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I decided to be a nice wife and give Mr. Woodsy a break while I finished up sanding the table top.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    He took a small break, then began working on the “upgrade” part of the table. I wanted to add a bottom shelf to the table!

    Restored Wood Side Table

    He began cutting a piece of “scrap wood” we found at Home Depot for $2 in the clearance wood area.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Once he had the three pieces of wood cut he brought it over to the metal stand to see how much more he needed to cut off the wood to make the bottom shelf fit.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Then he brought the wood over to the table saw and cut it to the exact size he needed.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    He found scrap pieces of wood in our garage that he used as place holders to fill the gaps. He wanted to make the bottom shelf match the top shelf with the small gaps in between the wood.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    He then double checked the size again to ensure it would fit underneath the table top.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I gave the bottom shelf pieces a light sanding.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    While Mr. Woodsy made braces and drilled holes to secure it.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Once all the wood was sanded I wiped it down with a damp cloth to ensure all the saw dust was off it before staining.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Mr. Woodsy applied Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to each of the pieces of wood.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Then he began applying a thin coat of Minwax® Gel Stain in mahogany to the wood.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    He rested the wood on two pieces of scrap wood to dry.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Restored Wood Side Table

    The next day, once the wood was dry, Mr. Woodsy began reassembling the table top.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Halfway done with all inserting all the screws!

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Here is what it looked like once it was put back together.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    The top is ready to be placed on the metal frame.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Restored Wood Side Table

    You’ll notice that we kept the umbrella hole in the table. I was afraid to remove and/or fill in the hole since I didn’t want to loose the integrity of the original wood finish. Since this table is used mainly for food photography and of course acts as a coffee table in our outdoor living room I was ok with keeping the hole. Plus, we always have something sitting in the middle of the table!

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Secure the support brackets to the metal frame.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Using a drill, secure the three pieces of wood to the support bracket.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    before-and-after restored wood table

    So, what do you think? I love our new repurposed wood outdoor table! It matches are furniture and best of all looks like we spent a pretty penny on the peice of furniture! Yet, I think in total we spent $10 since we had just about all the supplies on hand!

    Restored Wood Side Table

    The new end piece of wood blends in well; however, it’s not the same type of wood, so if you look at it form an angle you can tell its not the original piece.

    Restored Wood Side Table

    Our pup, Lola, is checking out the new table!

    Restored Wood Side Table

    I love the bottom storage area!

    Sharing over at The 36th Avenue

    « Repainting a Wire Basket Plant Stand
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy* says

      August 29, 2012 at 7:57 am

      Well this turned out fantastic! I love the bold red…it really makes the table pop yet is cohesive with the neutral tones and bursts of red in the area rug and pillows. Adding the plant stand added an equal amount of functionality and charm. Awesome Awesome up-cycle!
      Amy*

      Reply
      • Mrs. Woodsy aka Katie says

        August 29, 2012 at 11:15 am

        Thanks Amy for the kind comments! I’m in love with our “new” old table!

        Reply
    2. James Tanner says

      September 13, 2012 at 9:03 pm

      Nice teamwork you two! Restoring woodwork not only restores the furniture but it creates a bond on those that worked on it. Great job on the table and more years to your teamwork.

      Reply
    3. Mary says

      July 10, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Love it!!! Mary

      Reply

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