Tile Coffee Table

HGTV Design on a Dime

Materials:

existing wrought iron coffee table – square or rectangular
travertine tiles
ceramic accent tiles
3/4-inch plywood
knotty pine boards
biscuit joiner
biscuit joints
thin set 
stone sealer
stain
wood glue
tile cutter
table or circular saw
chop saw

Steps:

For the bottom shelf:

1. Cut pieces of knotty pine strips to the exact measurement of the bottom shelf of the table.

2. Using biscuit joiner, attach strips together using biscuits and wood glue. Allow pieces to dry.

Figure A - Three boards are joined together then stained for the bottom shelf of the table.

3. Stain the wood and let dry.

4. Insert piece onto the coffee table's existing framework.

For the top shelf:

4. Cut 3/4-inch plywood to exact measurement of existing frame.

Figure B - Carefully layout and mark your pattern before applying adhesive to your tile.

5. Determine the layout of your tile and measure each piece. Use a pencil to mark the layout on the plywood.

6. Using a tile cutter, cut travertine tiles to appropriate size and design.

7. Attach all tiles to the top of plywood using thinset.

8. Allow time for the tiles to dry. Apply sealer.

Old-World Style Console Table

HGTV Design on a Dime

Materials and Tools:

narrow reclaimed door

reclaimed 2x3 wood

sanding discs

clean rags

wood glue 

wood screws

scrap wood

stain (ours was Minwax brand, oil-based stain, Provencial 211)

water-based polyurethane

spray paint (ours was Rust-oleum brand, Laquer Specialty, High Lustre coating in black)

painter’s tape

screwdriver

table saw

miter saw

sander

screw gun

paint roller with a small foam pad

grinder

Steps:

1. With a screwdriver, remove any hardware from the reclaimed door. Then cut the door to size with a table saw.

2. Cut reclaimed 2x3s to size with the table saw. Then cut the corners at a 45-degree angle with the miter saw.

3. Sand the door and all 2x3s to remove any old finish or paint then wipe clean with a damp rag.

Figure A

4. Flip the door over so that it rests face down. Attach the 2x3 framing wood using glue and a screw gun. This will allow the top of the console to be flush since the door and 2x3s will most likely be differing thicknesses (figure A).

5. Flip the framed-out door back over and sand the top again to smooth away any unevenness.

Figure B

6. Attach legs with glue and screws to the scrap pieces of wood and then attach leg enhancements to the underside of the console at the four corners. The addition of wooden blocks to the legs will make attaching legs easier because screws can go straight into blocks rather than into the legs at an angle (figure B).

7. Apply stain to the entire piece with a clean dry rag wiping away any excess. When dry, apply a coat of polyurethane.

Figure C

8. While the protective coat dries, cut iron pieces to size with a grinder (figure C). Then spray paint the pieces and allow them to dry completely.

9. Line up the iron onto the front legs of the table and mark where holes should be drilled. Predrill holes by placing a wooden block under the iron to prevent slippage. You may also want to place a small piece of painter’s tape onto the iron where hole will be drilled, so the tip of the drill will catch better.

10. Once holes have been drilled, attach decorative iron onto the front legs of the piece for a finished look.