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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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End Table Update {Triangle Pattern Insert}

October 9, 2013 by Bethany Sy

Ok so here’s the thing.

Nick’s been known to be a little annoyed with all the various things I ask him to help me with (understandably so). There are basic homeowner/maintenance–type things that I wouldn’t even think about that totally need done in addition to all my measly requests.

That’s why I love it when I find a project that I know I can pull off unassisted. This keeps me occupied while Nick is installing gutters… and prevents him from strangling losing his cool with my neediness.

So you can imagine my delight when I found this giant end table at a garage sale for TWO BUCKS!

End Table 'before' Picture {Sawdust and Embryos}

This post contains affiliate links.

I knew I could slap some paint on this baby, and maybe do some glazing and feel all fulfilled and stuff. No need for him to build anything, or reinforce anything. Score!

But let’s talk about the corners on the top surface.

Damaged corner on furniture {And how to fix it!} SAWDUST AND EMBRYOS

Ok yeah… there’s some gaping issues. Nothing a little wood-putty can’t fix, right? WRONG! Nick insisted that it needed a brand new top surface (OF COURSE HE DID!). Picture me weeping and pulling out handfuls of hair. Nevermind please don’t.

Removing old surface on end table {Sawdust and Embryos}

He built a frame as a border for the top, using 1/4’s. After measuring and cutting each board at a 45 degree angle, he routed a little lip on the underside, and glued/clamped using a picture frame clamp.

Building a Frame {Sawdust and Embryos}

We bounced ideas off each other on what to do with the inner part of the ‘framed’ surface. It seemed too predictable to just put a sheet of plywood in and call it a day. Plus that would be way too simple. WAY.

We had a leftover 1/4 board, and decided to cut it into triangles. Stay with me!

Pile of triangles that will be used for the top surface of an end table! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Then I routed all the edges so they would be rounded and smooth, and began laying them out in a pattern!

Creating a pattern for the surface of an end table transformation {Sawdust and Embryos}Triange shapes to create pattern for furniture transformation {Sawdust and Embryos}

Then, using random paint colors from our stash, I painted groupings of triangles to create this pattern: The color choices were TRULY random. And I decided to do a row of simply stained wood too.

Painting a native american pattern onto an end table surface {Sawdust and Embryos}

Using the same technique as our DIY Barnboard Tutorial, I sanded and stained each triangle. to make them appear tattered and full of character. I love how the woodgrain pops!

Sand and Stain {End Table Transformation by Sawdust and Embryos}

Then I just started gluing away, and piecing my puzzle together! We slapped on the frame clamp again just to make sure things were good and secure.

triangle end table4

Before securing this bad boy to the ‘frame’, we decided to pour epoxy on top so it would have a thick/smooth glassy surface. We taped around the edges and the entire bottom (because there WILL be dripping!) and poured on the epoxy! (we use Envirotex epoxy, but you can use any brand… just be sure to follow the instructions TO THE LETTER!)

Tape around edges before applying epoxy {Sawdust and Embryos}

Applying Epoxy {Sawdust and Embryos}

I sanded, primed, and painted the base gold (this stuff), including the newly built ‘frame’ for the top surface. I liked it so much I decided against glazing. Plus I wanted the top surface to truly be the star of this piece. And right now, that original hardware is a close second!

Gold End Table {Sawdust and Embryos}

Nick secured the triangle insert to the frame with screws, and then screwed down the entire top surface to the end table from the inside… and then we stepped back to marvel.

End Table Transformation {by Sawdust and Embryos}

I know there were a lot of elements that went into this piece, but I wanted to show you our process to spark your creativity. Maybe you’ll have an idea that stems from this project that turns out to be even more awesome!

End Table Transformation {Sawdust and Embryos}

Sorry for getting a little long-winded on ya today… I just wanted to make sure I didn’t leave anything out!

Now back to laundry… wah wah wah.Sawdust and Embryos

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Tutu’s and a bonus video!
Family pics by Molly Long »

Comments

  1. 28

    fabulous fab says

    September 16, 2016 at 3:56 am

    Great job oh my God that top is amaizing!

    Reply
  2. 29

    Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says

    January 6, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I’ve never epoxy’d, but I’d love to do it on a barn door to make a table top. You have to blow torch it?

    Reply
    • 30

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 7, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Yes the blow torch removes all the tiny bubbles in the epoxy. It’s fun actually!

      Reply
  3. 31

    Molly says

    October 15, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Goodness sake — I’ve been working all evening in my garage on what is probably the OTHER pair to this end table. I’m making mine into a dog bed but that top was killing me — *what* to do with it other than just paint it something else, or glaze it . . . don’t know that I can do what you’ve done here but I love yours! Nice work! What a beauty! (as your work almost always is . . . ) 🙂

    Reply
  4. 32

    Dana Schoppe says

    October 11, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!! IT’S SOOOOO COOL!!!!
    I think I need to find a thesaurus to come up with more words to say how AWESOME this is!!!

    Reply
  5. 33

    Kathy s says

    October 10, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Like the idea, but not a fan of the colors you chose. Better luck next time!

    Reply
  6. 34

    JudeB says

    October 10, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    OMG! This is absolutely STUNNING and the idea of using triangles was inspired! Love it!

    Judi in the UK

    Reply
  7. 35

    Charles says

    October 10, 2013 at 11:59 am

    Awesome design! I have to know though…what’s with the blowtorch?

    Reply
    • 36

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 10, 2013 at 10:13 pm

      Good question! Whenever dealing with epoxy, there are always TONS of tiny bubbles. The best way to get rid of them is with a blow torch. The heat causes the bubbles to expand and pop immediately. It’s super fun! 🙂

      Reply
      • 37

        Charles says

        October 11, 2013 at 10:02 am

        Good to know! Thanks.

        One more question if you don’t mind…what’s the difference in using epoxy versus using poly to seal the top? Is it just for durability, or was it b/c all the nooks & crannies the routed triangles made in the top would have meant a long and tedious process to get the same result with poly, or was it something else completely?

        Reply
  8. 38

    Katy (in a Corner) Morgan says

    October 9, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    Please come live with me. And fix all my crap that I can’t fix on my own. I’ll pay you in gratitude. And Starbucks. Thanks.

    Reply
    • 39

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 9, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      If you lived closer we’d have a deal! You’d have to throw in free child care tho. 🙂

      Reply
    • 40

      Dad says

      October 12, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      I’m with Katy. Just come live with me and fix all my crap. I hate doing that stuff. Better bring Nick along. He’s pretty handy with all that woodworking stuff. Oh, and while you’re at it, bring my grandkids! 🙂

      Reply
  9. 41

    Renee says

    October 9, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Oh WOW! I have never seen anything like this! It is really beautiful but edgy. In the beginning, I had no idea where you were going with the triangles but you really pulled it together! Truly a one of a kind piece.

    Reply
  10. 42

    Sabrina says

    October 9, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    Ack! Love it! So fun! I’m totally inspired now… and I haven’t been for quite some time so THANK YOU! Can’t wait to see what you do next! Love the new site too… 🙂

    Reply
    • 43

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 9, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Thanks Sabrina! You’re so sweet!

      Reply
  11. 44

    Rayne says

    October 9, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Wowie! That’s awesome!

    Reply
  12. 45

    Diane says

    October 9, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Love the colors! And the technique! Also I got this update on Bloglovin’! Things seem to be working again! Yay

    Reply
    • 46

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 10, 2013 at 10:39 am

      Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!

      Reply
  13. 47

    Delton Taylor says

    October 9, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Beautiful job 🙂

    Reply
  14. 48

    Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says

    October 9, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    OOOOOH! How sexy is that?! I dig anything that involves a blow torch. It’s rustic and tribal all at the same time. Your sense of design is so inspiring. I always know that whatever I see here I won’t see anywhere else!

    Reply
    • 49

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 10, 2013 at 10:40 am

      TRIBAL! I was trying to think of that word the whole time I wrote this excessively long post. 🙂 Some writer I am. Thx for jogging my memory!

      Reply
  15. 50

    Marina says

    October 9, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    Guys, I love your blog and the furniture you create. It’s awesome to the point my 4-years old demands to see “more furniture pictures” and makes me go (again and again!) through the gallery on you blog.
    And I LOVE this particular piece.

    That being said, it feels you are not doing justice to the pieces in the photographs. The angles are a little off and it’s hard to see the furniture in all it’s glory.

    I found a few links when I was trying to sell my mid-century stuff on craigslist and eBay. Maybe you already know about them, but just in case.

    http://www.ehow.com/how_6392235_photograph-furniture.html

    http://ana-white.com/2011/03/how-take-photos-furniture

    Hope I’m not overstepping, but I really write it because I love what you do and believe your gorgeous work deserves the best presentation.

    Reply
    • 51

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 10, 2013 at 8:32 am

      Hi Marina! Thanks for the tips! The biggest problem for us is that we don’t have a good room to shoot pics. The dining room is our best bet because of all the natural light. And we struggle not to get our other furniture in the background and such. Are you mostly speaking of the ‘after’ pics? Or the process shots too? We acknowledge that our photo-taking skills were horrendous in the early days of the blog, and I cringe when I go back and look through some of those first furniture pieces.

      Reply
  16. 52

    Lorena says

    October 9, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Love this!!! Are you selling this?

    Reply
    • 53

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      October 9, 2013 at 3:27 pm

      Yes we are! Email us for dimensions and price! Sawdustandembryos@gmail.com

      Reply
  17. 54

    Nicole says

    October 9, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    I love the gold

    Reply
  18. 55

    Stephanie, Sandpaper and Glue says

    October 9, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    oh I LOVE it! the triangles are perfect.

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
Please feel free to share or pin my posts! You're welcome to use ONE of my images (no collages or pinnables) with a link back to the corresponding post. Please do not edit or crop that single image in any way. Improper use of my photos, ideas or words is a violation of copyright. Thank you!

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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