My latest furniture project has been a re-imagining of a piece that I built years ago. I like to take pieces of old furniture and put them together in new ways, and this particular table started off as a base and then a piece of glass that was being thrown away. I had to build a frame top to put the glass in, and then I decided to upholster it in a faux snake-skin vinyl. Quite a strange, bold choice, I’ll grant you. But it was fun.
Eventually, though, the vinyl started to peel and I got tired of the style. I decided that a wood frame around the glass would look more classic, and would hold up better to the wear and tear that coffee tables go through.
I had an old podium or cabinet that I picked up at a salvage store several years ago and had yet to find a use for. It was made of solid oak. I decided to take it apart and run it through the table saw to get the pieces I needed to build the new wood frame. I used a pocket hole jig and screws to hold everything together.
I attached the wood frame to the legs and stained it in provincial. Then I went over the base with ebony stain and oiled it to protect the finish.
So, it was a stopping point. The table was fine as it was. But I felt like something was missing. I had the idea that it would be so cool if the glass insert was actually stained glass.
I have created real stained glass projects before with the copper and wire and soldering, and I love that art form. However, for this table I decided to go a simpler route. I used acrylic paints to create a stained glass look, and then sealed it with polyurethane.
Now, there are two options. If you really want a bold splash of color, you can place the glass paint-side-up. Or, if you’d like a subtler hint of color, the glass can be placed paint-side-down, and the dark glass mutes the intensity of the color.
I also think it would be cool to somehow install lights on the bottom side of the glass so that the table glows, but I haven’t figured that part out yet.
I love when projects take on a life of their own and take me along for the journey.
design + surrender 