skip to main content

Vendor for a non-ugly metal table base?

13 years ago

We are getting a local shop to make us a 24 x 36" table top for our small breakfast nook window seat area. Since people need to scoot around the table and into the window seat, and the table is small, we want a pedestal base rather than having legs.

We now need to find a table base (the shop said for that size it would have to be metal), and I'm hoping there are some suggestions out there for vendors who might have some? I don't want something that looks really restaurant industrial if possible! Would perhaps a bistro or cafe table base work? Or would that look weird?

The top will be made from reclaimed douglas fir, with a medium amount of distress for some character. For reference, the rest of the kitchen has natural red birch cabinets, and most of the fixtures are brushed stainless, but the cabinet hardware is in weathered bronze.

Would love to hear your ideas! Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

dianalo
13 years ago
Try an architectural salvage place. You can often find really cool elements like a table base and they will have more character than one off the shelf. You may even find something that was not originally intended to be a base but would work nicely.
jterrilynn
13 years ago
skoo, dianalo's idea is a good one. My nook is really just an after thought area and will not hold a regular table. I made mine out of two old restaurant pedestal's. For very little money you can change the pole to brass or anything you want with a faux paint and sealer. You can also do endless things with the bottom base. Flat sided glass can be found at any crafts store in the flower arrangement section as well as WalMart or the dollar store, it's everywhere. You glue it down with liquid nails, let it set and grout. I used an old comercial small refrigerator door for my top, it may sound wierd but I have had many people suggest I start selling them. Go to used restaurant supply houses or salvage yards and keep an open mind. It may turn out to be a piece of art that draws attention.
Related Discussions
looking for a CORDLESS table lamp that isn't ugly
Q
Comments (11)
Beautiful and truly cordless table lamps! by Modern Lantern. We are a premiere online retailer for cordless, rechargeable lamps. Our patent pending lamps operate off a lithium ion battery and a warm led bulb and fully charged they last approximately 15 hours. We have six different styles to choose from to coordinate with a variety of lifestyles for the home, and the best part is they can be positioned anywhere! Please check them out and let us know your thoughts and help spread the word, we are brand new to the marketplace and could use some exposure. Thanks! Here is a link that might be useful: Modern Lantern - Cordless Table Lamps
...See More
Is this lamp as huge/ ugly as I think it is?
Q
Comments (30)
OK . . .so the general feeling is that it's the table that is wrong, not the lamp. Darn, darn (can I say that here?) because I love the table, and I am not as in love with the lamp. But, I can see how the table isn't really substantial enough near the sofa, even w/o taking the lamp into account. So, what is "the rule" for a side table? How tall should it be relative to the sofa? My mom's rule is that it should be LOWER (much lower) than the sofa and she was with me when I bought this table, so this is new to me! marthaelena: WOW-- you are just learning PS? You look like a pro! Those mock-ups are so very helpful! I do like the lamp more seeing all of the possibilities, but I think that the last shade goes best with what I'm trying to go for-- a casual cottage style that is homey yet elegant, yet not Shabby Chic. lukkiirish: The yellow is too bold in general! I don't know if you saw in my OP, but I mentioned that I'll be painting that room in the future . . .the gold is a thorn in my side! Thank you, thank you, everyone!!!!
...See More
Ugly or pretty?
Q
Comments (54)
Wow! So many replies to this, I scrolled down w/o reading them all - so apologies if I'm being redundant.. I say 'it depends'. I can visualize it w/ sparkling crystal, white china & linen & shiny metallic flatware looking very elegant, but I can also picture it looking just messy/busy w/ too much color. It is rustic looking, which can be a good contrast to something quite elegant &/or minimalist.
...See More
need help for ugly fence
Q
Comments (12)
Very, very unlikely that you have any dangerous snakes in your yard. In fact, it was probably a garter snake, sometimes called a "garden snake" and they just eat mostly big bugs from your garden and are very scared of you and will slither away if given the slightest opportunity. The stones and bricks probably attract just as many snakes as any plants. You don't need to have a yard devoid of landscaping or plants to avoid snakes. Your cheapest and easiest option for a small patio are large (12 inch and sometimes you can even find bigger ones) cement pavers. They cost a couple of bucks each, and you don't need that many. There are many ways to put in a patio like that, but the best way is to dig down, put a layer of special rough gravel, tamp it down, fill with pavers and then sweep sand over it between the cracks. You could do it in one weekend. Directions can be found in any good landscaping book at the library or just google "cement paver patio." You can edge it with wood if you like. Then put out some cheap colorful plastic planters with colorful flowers, like your grandkids drew. And if it were me, I'd scour the second hand and garage sale and garden stores for fun metal or wood things to hang on the fence. I found a metal sun sculpture with bells on it in the trash one time, for example. Mulch the rest with good cedar mulch and call it a day, that way you won't have to mow. Or do grass for the rest, and use a weed whacker like I did in my tiny urban "lawn."
...See More
skoo
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion - that sounds like a fantastic idea.

jterrilynn, if you have pictures of your table, I would love to see it. It sounds so interesting!
palimpsest
13 years ago
Master Metal Works.

Here is a link that might be useful: MMW Table bases
jterrilynn
13 years ago
Hi skoo, here is mine but there really are endless things you can do with these old rusty pedestals. The size on mine is 39 1/2" tall and top is 41 1/2 x 21 1/2". It really only seats two comfortably for a meal but it's great for parties and acts as a high top bar table. When I took a picture of underneath I discovered a piece of gum, who knows how long that's been there. I have had this table for ten years when kids were young and it's still going strong.

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=nooktable002.jpg"; target="_blank">

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=nooktable001.jpg"; target="_blank">

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=nooktable008.jpg"; target="_blank">

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=nooktable009.jpg"; target="_blank">
jterrilynn
13 years ago
Oops, sorry about the BIG picture. I sized and flipped it three times and I was hoping it would show right when posted.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 5 Places to Love Corrugated Metal in Your House

By Karen Egly-Thompson

It’s budget friendly, versatile and even colorful. Is it any wonder this popular exterior material is making inroads indoors?

METAL How to Rock a Mixed-Metal Decor Palette

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Looking to make your decor shine? Follow this guide to expertly combine gold, brass and silver accents

DECORATING GUIDES The Mightiest Little Table You'll Ever Have

By Apartment 46 for the Home

It slips suavely into a corner, assists a coffee table with ease and makes a strong style statement. Meet the superuseful drink table

DIY PROJECTS Light Up Your Night With an Easy Outdoor Table Lamp

By Shelly Miller Leer

Hit up Goodwill and the hardware store to make this lamp for a deck or poolside patio in minutes

ENTERTAINING A Place for Everything: Beautiful Ways to Style Your Table

Polish your silver and pull out your china as we look at how tables were laid out traditionally and how they shine now

FURNITURE How to Pick Out a Coffee Table

By Liz Miller Interiors

Get a great fit for your room and your lifestyle by considering a coffee table’s size, features and aesthetics

ENTERTAINING Houzz Guide: How to Set a Table

By Stacy Briscoe

Here’s everything you need to know to prep your table for a get-together

FURNITURE The Coffee Table Grows Up

By Tiffany Carboni

These statement pieces reinvent the coffee table and can transform the living room

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Coffee Tables That Wow

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Set down one of these seriously statement-making pieces in a living room or den and watch the focus shift

DECORATING GUIDES Bean There, Done That: Coffee Table Alternatives

By Grace Chamia

Get creative with these ideas for salvaged and DIY pieces that will get people talking

Sponsored

More Discussions

contractor chooses kitchen

32

Arabescato Extra Quartz Counters

3

Faucet help! Rohl Pirellone spray

0

Shiloh vs. Showplace Cabinets....which do you recommend?

5

Silestone vs Dekton

2