Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Old Grate Industrial Table

I definitely believe in the saying, "One man's trash, is another man's treasure" and I am sure the former owners of our 1931 schoolhouse thought these old grates (I found three tucked in a corner of the basement) were junk.

grate from an old schoolhouse used to make a table


I, of course, saw "grate" potential (pun intended) and used one of them to make a rustic industrial side table.
rustic industrial side table made from reclaimed wood and old grate
I made a base out of pallet 2"x 4" boards for the apron and pallet 4" x 4"s for the legs. 
reclaimed pallet and barn wood for a table base
A barn wood shelf was added to the bottom.
a shelf is added to a side table for extra storage

 I painted the grate with Fusion Mineral Paint, using the color Little Speckled Frog first. I let it dry for just a few minutes and then painted Azure over the top.  

faux rust technique using cinnamon and fusion mineral paint
When it was still wet, I sprayed it with vinegar and clear coat.  I am not sure why I do this, except I think it helps to pull some of the paint up in a more natural looking way. I sprinkled some cinnamon on it in a few spots and dabbed the cinnamon spots with a t-shirt rag. A final clear coat finished this faux rusting technique.
faux paint technique creates an authentic aged appearance
I stained the base with a walnut stain and attached the metal grate to the top, using the holes that were in the corners of the grate.  
a side table made with reclaimed wood and an old grate
This is a nice and heavy table, and the bottom shelf provides lots of extra storage. 
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16 comments:

  1. Five Star RanchApril 12, 2017 at 6:51 PM

    this is gorgeous,, fantastic recycle!!

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  2. UnknownApril 12, 2017 at 8:16 PM

    I love this! The grate really makes a perfect table top!

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  3. Rose LApril 12, 2017 at 11:30 PM

    Some people thik way way outside the box, like you! Very uniquely creative!

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    1. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceApril 13, 2017 at 9:47 AM

      Ha-ha, yes sometimes my out of the box thinking can get a little crazy, bu I have fun!

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  4. Julia @ Vintage with LacesApril 13, 2017 at 12:18 AM

    I love it, Becky! It looks great!

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  5. BeckyApril 13, 2017 at 10:09 AM

    I think this looks great. I also could see making an outdoor table like this. Rain would never collect on the table top and it would be much sturdier than those mesh topped tables you get at the garden center. Love it!

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  6. ClearissaApril 13, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    This is a perfect upcycle. I envy you ladies who know your way around the power tools. I have the ideas but someone else has to execute them. Sort of takes the fun out of it. I would rather do it myself. Your table is the perfect example of that and it is gorgeous.

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    1. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceApril 17, 2017 at 9:59 AM

      Thanks! I learned out of necessity. Hubby would do building for me, but then I got tired waiting for him so I made him teach me. I started out so small. My comfort zone was a hand-held jigsaw for a long time.

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  7. Christine @ Rustic-RefinedApril 13, 2017 at 3:03 PM

    Love it, you did a great job! It looks wonderful.

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  8. Susie @ The Chelsea Project BlogApril 13, 2017 at 7:22 PM

    This is totally awesome. The texture of the grate is amazing and then with the added rust.....perfection! Great job! I've already added Little Speckled Frog and Azure to my next order list. Thanks for sharing! Susie from The Chelsea Project

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    Replies
    1. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceApril 17, 2017 at 10:03 AM

      Thank you so much, I love using the cinnamon to "rust" things.

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!

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