Cottage Side Tables

YOU CAN VOTE @ SO YOU THINK YOU'RE CRAFTY HERE

I have planned this project for months now, and wasn't able to make these until I had access to a table saw!  I love the end result, and the fact these side tables are a junk makeover from a set of nesting tables that were too short for our use.  I love when I can save junk from the dump and use it to make something new, functional, and awesome!

 BEFORE:

My sister Lynette gave me this little set of nesting tables.

We used them for almost a year, but the kids broke off most of the legs, and the set was just a few inches too short to use as side tables so I planned to give them height and more function with drawers, doors and shelves.

I was inspired by Pottery Barn.

The long legged Charlotte two drawer side table was cute and simple for the largest nesting table.

These chubbier looking Amelia tables with doors were my plan for the middle sized nesting table, which got an extra addition of fun raw wood texture when I saw this awesome herringbone coffee table via Pinterest.

There were lots of new techniques/ cuts I needed to make in order to construct these, and it was probably the most challenging building I've done thus far, as far as the decorative cuts and details.

Basically each table had an additional storage box built, then the table top and legs were reattached.

 The blue table had to be painted as I went due to using the reclaimed fence boards.

I used left over paint from prior projects, and so these fit the decor of my house.  

GREEN
 The large green table has one large drawer, with a partial cut to look like two separate drawers.  You just barely raise the blade on the table saw and cut through half the thickness.  I added "X" details on the ends which I made with a "linking log" type joint.  The main box is made with purchased MDF and pine.

This table was planned for our master bedroom, and the finish with the distressing and mahogany stain was used to make it a companion piece to a dresser I refinished 2 years ago.

 

This box goes in the little corner of our master bedroom for a small sitting nook.

BLUE:

This next table used the robin's egg blue paint I originally used for the entry bench.

The storage space uses a door with hinges and a butler's pantry latch.

I used a rotting piece of lathe to create the herringbone detail within the door front.

The base of the door is 1/2" MDF and the lathe pieces were cut and just glued to the surface.

The back and sides of the box are reclaimed fence posts for a rustic look.

There is a little mahogany distressing on this table as well.

 Currently we use this side table in our living room next to the armed seat we call "the reading chair".

YELLOW

The yellow table was too small for a drawer or hinged door, so I left it an open style using the same "X" detailing around the three sides and having an open shelf for storage.

This little guy goes in our basement and currently holds a lamp in a cramped little corner.

Each table ended up in a different room in my house and it's been great to have an extra storage table and to have saved the original nesting tables and fence boards from the dump!