Tuesday, March 11, 2014

How to make a rolling basket and "new" coffee table

Long story short,
we got a free coffee table, and the first thing I notice is this note.

Taped at the bottom of the coffee table.
I think it's so cool how Betty Jane wrote the "story" of the coffee table...that apparently used to be an old library table, 
bought used in 1922.
Now...

here is the basket I put under there.
Since we have more toys and stuff than we really need,
this basket really comes handy to gather the "toys of the day" left behind.
I love rolling things, as they slide easily without scratching the wood floors.
Basically I just looked for places in the weave to gently add the wheels.
See?
Very simple and handy.
Now, what to do with the coffee table?
My first thought was to paint it, but then I saw the note...
What would you do?

Stay Frugal,
Daniela

19 comments:

Kelly said...

Well, I kind of like the way it looks as it is. If you wanted to, you could just paint the legs and leave the top natural. That's what I did with mine since the wood on top was the "old" part. I like the basket with the wheels you added under it.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

What a fun story! I do things like that. I bought a picture and learned more about it so I made up a note and taped it to the back! I know it would be pricy but a top made of marble would look great on it! I think that since it's not the original library table it was and has been modified you can do what you want with it. Just keep the note underneath- perhaps it could be laminated to the underneath with mod podge? I like the basket and how you added wheels to it. Smart cookie!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

First I would buy a product that would renew the wood and see how it turned out and if you liked it that way! The basket is great especially with the wheels attached!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

What a sweet story. I thought it was pretty, but you have to like it in your new space. I couldn't tell from the photo if it harmonized with the floor or other furnishings.

Revi said...

COOL table! I think it should be a rule that all people do that with their furniture. :)

What if you took a good photo of the note, and transferred it onto the top, using a dark stain?

Or what if you did something that took it back to its roots - like a library card (like pasted inside the back cover by the library) design on the top? I think the wood could work well with your style, maybe just adding to it with darker wood stain markers or thinned black oil paints...

Revi

Cranberry Morning said...

Great table! Love it that it came with a note. I wouldn't paint it. I would make sure the note stayed affixed to it, though, so it can be passed on to the next generation and they'd know something about it. Great idea about the wheels!

Lena said...

Definitely keep the note! How cute :) You could stain it darker, probably, or just keep it the way it is if it matches your furniture.

Anonymous said...

OH that is so cool, Daniela! I kind of like it how it is...maybe a darker stain. Have I mentioned lately how inspiring you are??

Our Hopeful Home said...

I'd leave the table as is! What a great story! Love the rolling basket, too. I have a stash of wheels I've been saving to add to a number of baskets around the house. Now I'm just waiting till we move.....it's crazy how much places like PB charge for rolling baskets. xoKathleen

Carla from The River said...

I like it how it is. I would leave the note for the next generation.
I love it...this is just so cool.
:-)

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Love that there was a note under the table telling the story of the topper. I think it's so cool that it came from a library. I'd leave it...but I am sure whatever you do with it, it'll look great. Love the rolling basket, too.

Sew a Fine Seam said...

If you love the look of it like it is leave it. If you don't love the look paint it!

Tania Pelletier said...

That's so cool how that note is still there! I like the idea someone had of painting the legs and leaving the top!

Tania

Linda said...

How SPECIAL!!!! I love it! Lucky YOU!!!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
Lovely story and your rolling basket is TOP already. But without the total picture of your room it is hard to come up with any advice. Do you want to match the color with other pieces in there or what?
So I just wait and see...
Hugs,
Mariette

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

What a great find! I'd probably paint it and then decoupage the note back on to the underside. Love the basket on wheels idea and I may just steal it for myself...since I have a basket of wheels in my craft supplies. I cannot pass up casters at a garage sale.

Debbiedoos said...

What a great story that is. I love the note. I think it is a great piece just as is. Great basket too.

andi filante said...

I'm loving dark stain these days...I think I'd refinish it in a darker color. :)

-andi

Pippi21 said...

frame the note from Betty Jane and display it over the table location if there is room on a wall nearby.