How to Make a Lamp From a Broken Table

A couple weeks ago my in-laws were cleaning out there garage and they asked me if I wanted this broken and warped table.  Of course I said yes, I love stuff that's broken and free.  

It had been put in the attic above the garage and the heat was too much for it apparently.   The top had warped and de-laminated.  At first I thought I could just glue the base back together and find a new top but then I realized the legs hadn't just split apart they were warped as well. 

My Mother in Law was bummed about the table being ruined because it had belonged to her Grandmother.  I brought it into my workshop and as I was taking it apart & assessing the damage I had a light bulb moment.  I could re-purpose the table base into a lamp and give it back to her for Mothers day. 

I started by removing the top and only leg that was still attached and then I cut the dowels from the piece with a handsaw.   I filled the imperfections with wood putty and sanded smooth.  

Then I removed the top piece by unscrewing and attached it to the bottom to form the base.

For the wiring I had my husband drill through the entire piece with a really long 3/8" drill bit he had.  He has all the random cool stuff that I don't.  He put the base in a vise to hold it.  Those long drill bits don't have the drill part all the way up so make sure to pull the drill bit out several times when you drill something this deep so the sawdust can come out and lesson the chance of splitting it. 

I picked up a wiring kit that you can get at any hardware store.  They are around $10.  To secure the wiring part to the new lamp base I used some JB Weld I had on hand.  Once you pull the wire through attach to the screws on lamp part.  There is one on each side.  Then slide cover over everything and it clicks into the base. I had my hubs wire this one since it's for his parents ;)but I've done it myself several times before, it's actually pretty easy.

I painted the base with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  First a coat of Old White then a coat of French Linen. I distressed with a wet rag then sealed with wax.  The shade is from Target's Threshold line. 

I love the little stitch detail on the shade.

I think it turned out very cute and now my Mother in law has her table back.  Sort of.  She loved it!  I hope all you Moms had a great day!  

Linking up to the following parties

Elizabeth and Co - Be Inspired
Farm House Porch - The Scoop

A Stroll Thru Life - Inspire Me Tuesday
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time Interiors - Knick of Time Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style - Wow us Wednesdays 

Primp - Primp Your Stuff WednesdayBeyond the Picket Fence- Under $100 Linky Party
My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday
My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday
Funky Junk Interiors - SNS
Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday
Common Ground - Be Inspired Friday

Have you Heard of HomeTalk? Oh and I Need Your Help

I think I am setting a record here by posting three times in less than a week.  I even have another post all ready to go for Sunday.  So unusual for me.  It's not my new normal it's just today's post is special because I'm excited about something.  That something is Hometalk.  If you haven't heard of it before let me be the one to tell you.  Hometalk is a website for home (& garden) fanatics like us.  (I guess home enthusiast is the proper word) I have been loving the site and posting there for quite awhile.  I've even been sporting their button on my sidebar.  

One of the cool things about hometalk is besides the fact that there are tons of fabulous bloggers who post on there site there are people who don't have blogs or websites posting there too.  So you see stuff there you won't find anywhere else.  You could post your projects there if you don't have a blog and connect with other people who love what you do.  It's a great site if you are looking for inspiration or have a question.  You can post your question and have professionals and home enthusiasts answer it.  You can also clip posts for later or share them with others.

I love how in your feed you get a few pictures and a short description of each post.  If you want more you can click on the title.

SO HERE'S WHY I NEED YOUR HELP.....
I entered a drawing with hometalk to win a trip to Lucketts Market in Virginia.  I don't know if you know this but I'm a blogger.  (hehe) In my little blog world I have heard a lot about Luckett's Market.  It's known for being fabulous and it's totally famous to me.  While there I would get to meet a few of my favorite bloggers.  

Before I can qualify to enter I need to get ten new followers on Hometalk.  So if you would like to help me here's what to do: 

-First click this link to the hometalk homepage once there click on the red "Join Now" button. If you are already on hometalk you can move to next step. 

-Then click on this link to my profile and click "follow".  

I will love you forever if you could help me with this and I know you'll love Hometalk.  Please and Thank you!
  

Recent Finds

Well hello there.  How's it going?  Me I'm trying to get back in the groove after the show I just did.  I didn't know I was doing it until two weeks before so I scrambled to get things ready.    I posted about the show here if you missed it.  Here's a few things I picked up.  There was so much great stuff it's amazing I got out of there with just these.   

First up some fabulously rusty barn door hardware.  I have the perfect over sized weathered door that I am going to use these on.  It will be for display in my booth space.  The door is pretty cool on its own but these will make it super duper cool.        

I have several possible ideas for this piece.  I paid more than I normally would but it inspired me.  What would you do with it?

Last up this cool rusty scale.  It's a keeper.   I am going to display it in my cabinet in the kitchen.  I love the sunny yellow color. So have you found any treasures lately?