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Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Murphy Table for the Tots

August 8, 2014 by Bethany Sy

By now, if you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you know that we’re participating in the GMC/Habitat for Humanity ‘Treasure Hunt Challenge’… which involves traveling along the World’s Longest Yardsale (my personal heaven on earth), snagging some great buys, and fixing up a house for a family in need at the end! Can you think of anything more fun and rewarding? If anything’s gonna snap me out of my pregnancy-induced-coma, it’s going to be a yard sale that’s 700 miles long. #thatsright

But today, since I have some down-time (and because I miss the girls), I’m going to share a little GENIUS project/life-hack with you that includes cute pics of my babes!

Remember this little table I thrifted and fixed up for the girls’ 1st Birthday?

Paisley and Adelyn's Chevron Table {Sawdust and Embryos}

This table has allowed for MANY hours of coloring, snacking, finger-painting and giggles. But it’s a little large for my taste and ends up floating between rooms, because it just doesn’t FIT anywhere.

And that’s when I had THE IDEA.

If a BED (#ofallthings) can fold down out of a wall and be called a ‘Murphy Bed’, why’o’why can’t a table fold down for the little chicklets when it’s time to craft or snack, and be called a ‘Murphy Table’?

Simple instructions for building a small table that folds down from the wall for crafting toddlers, and folds back up out of the way when not in use! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I’m over here in a face-palm for not thinking of this earlier.

This is one of those projects that reminds me that Nick is my soul mate. I think up a concept but am not sure how to execute it. I share my idea with the man-child. He goes out to the garage and comes back 20 mins later with a PERFECT finished-version of my brain-dump.

Let’s go!

Start by rough-cutting a slab of melamine to 22” x 22” using a table saw or circular saw (use caution, as usual people!). Measure 9” from the center and make a mark. Using a string or yardstick, attach one end with a push pin, and trace out your half circle radius. Cut with scroll saw or jigsaw… and be sure to save your scrap piece!

Make a small 'Murphy Table' for toddler crafting! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Clamp the half circle scrap to back side of board to act as a guard for the router. Using a 3/4 rabbit router bit, route out 1/4 circle, 9/16 in deep for support .

How to build a small 'Murphy Table' {Sawdust and Embryos}

For the support piece, use a 1/2” piece of plywood and use a compass to lay out an 8” radius to create a 1/4 circle. Once again, cut with scroll saw or jigsaw. Then just sand/paint this piece white!

IMG_1159

Attach 8″ piano hinge to support and desk. The support will need to stick out 1/8″ from the bottom to compensate for 2″ Murphy table hinges.

Build a small 'Murphy Table' for kids... it's folds up out of the way when not in use! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Because we had an electrical outlet in our way, we had to notch out a little space for it to rest over the outlet plate. You shouldn’t have to worry about this unless you find yourself in the same predicament!

Murphy Table Tutorial {Sawdust and Embryos}

All we have left is affixing this bad boy to the wall! Layout 2″ hinges on desk 1/4″ in from sides, and drill 1/16″ pilot holes for the screws. Then screw them in and mount the other side of the hardware onto the wall! Snag a loved one for this part… it’s tricky to do alone.

DIY Murphy Table {Sawdust and Embryos}

The tricky part of this idea was how to get this thing to stay upright when not in use. But then it downed on me… our Scotch Indoor Fasteners! These are like Velcro on steroids! So after slapping on a 2” strip (one side to the wall and one side to the edge of the table), I just pressed them into place and VOILA!

Keep Murphy Table upright with a strip of 3M Indoor Fasteners (similar to Velcro) by Sawdust & EmbryosWhen we pull it down for the girls to play, the small 1/4” support piece naturally falls into place and it’s ready for crafting!

Murphy Table... folds down from the wall when the littles want to color! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Murphy Craft Table... folds up against the wall when not in use! {Sawdust and Embryos}

The girls LOVE to sit here together and create. And I love that I can fold it up against the wall when they’re done to get it out of the way. THAT my friends, is a WIN WIN! Wouldn’t you say?

Simple instructions for building a small table that folds down from the wall. Perfect for crafting tots! {Sawdust and Embryos}

I suspect this bad boy will be getting lots of use in the coming months. And MAYBE mommy will use that time to be productive? Don’t hold your breath. Heh.

Be sure to follow along this week as we drive along The World’s Longest Yardsale to fix up a house for Habitat for Humanity by following us on Instagram and Facebook (@sawdustandembryos)! It’s proving to be quite the adventure!

Sawdust-Embryos_thumb

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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

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Comments

  1. 9

    Norman says

    October 5, 2024 at 12:44 pm

    Such a great read, I’ll be bookmarking this for later

    Reply
  2. 10

    Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    August 28, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Genius! It is so so cute! I love how it hides away so nicely. You are brilliant.

    Reply
  3. 11

    Danielle says

    August 11, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Awesome! Oh, and I miss you guys already!!!

    Reply
  4. 12

    Sandy says

    August 8, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    I LOVE this idea!!

    Just out of curiosity, where do you guys store the chairs when the table is not in use?

    Reply
  5. 13

    Jess says

    August 8, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Seriously, I love you guys. This is freaking awesome!

    Reply
  6. 14

    Nad says

    August 8, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    How does the table stay flat/get supported when in use?
    The flap/ support piece doesnt touch the ground ?

    Reply
    • 15

      Suzanne says

      August 9, 2014 at 1:10 am

      The little piece underneath is the support that rests against the wall.

      Reply
  7. 16

    Bethany M. says

    August 8, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Freaking GENIUS. I really need a man in my life that can help me create all the cool ideas I come up with! You lucky girl you!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Folding Table - 5 Ways - Bob Vila says:
    November 6, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    […] high-art Murphy folding table from Sawdust & Embryos will make you long for a seat at the kiddie table. The mother and maker behind this craft cove for […]

    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!!
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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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