Porch Coffee Table with Built-in Cooler

My buddy, Dip and I made this coffee table with inspiration from Ana White's full sized version. The story behind the table started at Home Depot.  My husband, Dip, his wife Amber and I were looking at outdoor furniture.  We found a set we liked but I didn't like the coffee table.  I convinced my husband that Dip and I could make a way cooler coffee table.  Despite the eye roll, my husband agreed to let us make the table.

We got a lot of use out of my new miter saw on this project.  However, we had the hardware store cut the large boards used for the table top.  The length is 48" because we took an 8' long 8"x1" board and had it cut in half.

The beginning of the table top

This is the planter box we use in the cut out middle section. I have a couple of these planter boxes so I can switch between plants and a drink cooler. 

We used a bunch of steel tie plates to keep the table top together. They were cheap at $.58 a piece. I am not sure if I will use them again because the table top was flimsy until we secured the legs and skirt boards.

We crafted our own style of brace for the planter.  The construction of the brace was more my buddy Dip's creation. I just followed along. I couldn't tell you what cuts to make and where... his mind is a complicated beast.

We decided to add a skirt made out of two levels of 1"x 3"  to cover the planter brace and to provide better over all stability.

Time to add some table 2x2" legs!

This is Dip. He was working on the cover for the center cut out.  We added a drawer handle for easy removal.

All put together. Still needed a coat of paint to protect the table from the elements. 

I used BEHR premium plus ultra exterior paint in the color Spring Stream.  I have a green / turquoise color theme going on in the screened-in-porch.  I pushed the screws in further around the table legs and skirt.  Then I filled the screw head indents with spackle because I knew the paint would cover the white spackle.

Option 1: Closed top for the most surface area

Option 2: Planter Centerpiece

 Option 3: The drink cooler

My husbands personal favorite

To avoid a lot of excess water and moisture due to ice, I purchased these reusable ice cubes to use in the drink cooler.  I must give Amber (Dip's Wife) credit for this genius idea.

And a special shout out to my Grandma and Sister for helping make all the pretty pillows you see on the chairs. Thanks G & Ash!

Vintage Metal Chair Makeover

I've been on the look out for seating options that I could use in our new screened-in-porch.  I mentioned the Habitat for Humanity Restore before.  I may have a small obsession because I peruse through the Restore on a nearly weekly basis at this point.  You never know what you will find and when the price is right, one can find some great deals.

For example, I picked up a pair of vintage metal fold-able chairs for $15.  These late 1950's vintage gold tone metal folding chairs are sturdy and still have plenty of life left in them.

1950's Vintage Chair

One advantage to older constructed chairs is their simplicity.  The vintage chairs are really simple to take apart.  I gave them a good scrub including the vinyl seat material, which are still in decent condition.

Because I planned to use these chairs outdoors, I coated them with UV-Resistant, non-yellowing Rustoleum.

I gave the frames two coats of Rustoleum and also coated that chain linked table you see in the background.  I found that little chain table on sale at Home Goods.

I switched out the seat cushion batting with a polyester batting which is mildew resistant.  I found the polyester outdoor fabric on sale at Joann's online. 

I decided to keep the original vinyl material as an extra layer of water resistance.  I added the outdoor fabric over top.

Here is the final product.  The pair of chairs is a small but good start to my future seating and dining areas on our new porch.

Pair of 1950's Vintage Chairs

Daphne likes the chairs too

Old Wooden Window turned Towel Rack

Old wooden, paint cracked windows are popular these days.  I picked up two of them from a thrift/antique type store in North Carolina several months ago.  I have been peculating on an idea to create a purposeful decor piece out of one window.  I've had a few ideas on what to use them for but creating a towel rack for our master bathroom stuck in my mind.  Our bathroom had no towel racks at all and has a boring builder grade feel.

I spent extra timing searching for a window with the glass intact

Aged window lock and perfectly imperfect cracked paint

I picked up some supplies including a basic towel rack,  two stainless steel pipe clamps and a french cleat.  I ended up going back to the store and getting a 30in rod because that fit the length of the window better.

I pre-drilled holes through the clamps so I could easily screw them into the exact locations I wanted on the window frame.  I'm not exactly sure which drill bit works best for getting through metal but definitely use a scrap piece of wood underneath.

After wiping down the window, adding a couple mason jars to the metal camps, securing the towel rod and the french cleat, this is what I had.  For me the devil is in the details and visibly seeing the french cleat annoyed me.  Back to the store to find a backing option.

I picked up 1 yard of neutral chevron material.  Believe it or not, but I used a stapler to attach the material to the back frame of the window.  The old wood was soft enough for the staples to penetrate.  In the future, it will be easy to remove the staples and change out the material background.

The material backing did the trick!  The french cleat is hidden perfectly.  I added a small preserved boxwood wreath which I love and I am really happy with how this project turned out.  The window adds a lot of interest to an otherwise dull bathroom as well as much needed towel rack space.

Happy DIY'ing!