Project Rehab: Satellite Dish Now a Mosaic-Topped Breakfast Table
The signal was clear for this satellite dish: It was time for a change
Upcycling furniture and decor (or in this case a satellite) is a great way to save money and the environment. These one-of-a-kind pieces add character, charm and style to many homes. We asked Houzz readers to share their own rehabbed projects. As part of our new Project Rehab series, we highlight this former satellite dish, which was transformed into a mosaic-and-glass-topped breakfast table for a home in India. Do you have a furniture makeover of your own? Please share it in the Comments section.
The hunt: “We had this satellite dish on top of our old house. When we moved to our new house, it was no longer needed,” Jayati Mehrotra says.
But rather than just throw the satellite dish into the garbage, he devised a plan to turn it into a breakfast table for his new kitchen.
But rather than just throw the satellite dish into the garbage, he devised a plan to turn it into a breakfast table for his new kitchen.
The process: Mehrotra dismantled the satellite dish, which he says was quite easy since it didn’t have many parts. Then he attached three table legs to the concave side of the satellite dish. Next he searched the internet for mosaic patterns. He then roughly sketched a floral pattern on top of the satellite dish (now the tabletop).
To create the mosaic, he used colored gravel for the flowers, and shards of white tile to fill in the background. Both materials were attached with an epoxy glue, and the gaps were filled in with grout. To complete the project, Mehrotra topped the table with a round piece of glass and finished the legs in a dark mahogany stain.
To create the mosaic, he used colored gravel for the flowers, and shards of white tile to fill in the background. Both materials were attached with an epoxy glue, and the gaps were filled in with grout. To complete the project, Mehrotra topped the table with a round piece of glass and finished the legs in a dark mahogany stain.
Cost breakdown
Tile: Mehrotra used remnants from a past project.
Gravel: $8
Epoxy glue: $4
Grout: $3
Table legs: $15
Stain: $6
Glass top: $12
The do-over: “If I could do it over again, I would take proper measurements for where the legs should be attached. Since I didn’t do it, I had a tough time making the table stable,” Mehrotra says.
Tile: Mehrotra used remnants from a past project.
Gravel: $8
Epoxy glue: $4
Grout: $3
Table legs: $15
Stain: $6
Glass top: $12
The do-over: “If I could do it over again, I would take proper measurements for where the legs should be attached. Since I didn’t do it, I had a tough time making the table stable,” Mehrotra says.
The challenge: “I read somewhere that you can do the mosaic first on a piece of paper using a mixture of white glue and some water, and then transfer it to the actual surface. I tried it for a small part, and it was a total mess. After that, I decided to do it directly on the surface, which was much easier,” Mehrotra says.
The inspiration: “I thought it would be nice to call it a ‘dish table,’ because it’s a table made from a satellite dish where you can enjoy your favorite dish,” Mehrotra says.
The breakfast table is in his kitchen near a sliding glass door that leads to a balcony. “Due to the concave shape of the table and because it’s topped with glass, it feels like you’re seeing the colored gravel under water,” he says.
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The breakfast table is in his kitchen near a sliding glass door that leads to a balcony. “Due to the concave shape of the table and because it’s topped with glass, it feels like you’re seeing the colored gravel under water,” he says.
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Project: Breakfast table
Who did it: Jayati Mehrotra
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Dimensions: 23 inches wide and 26 inches high
Cost: $48
Time: About 35 hours