DIY Bar Cart! From Mid-Century Modern table to Mad Men-tastic bar cart

I love the look of those two tier mid-century side tables, however they are too low to function with modern furniture. So, I choose to remake one into a bar cart because I love the idea of the two levels, one for storage of bar items and one for glasses and mixing. And since you know how much I was in love with the Russian Figure ladies skater's costume as evident of my post on inspiring images in that color palette, I choose to use dark grey and bronze.


The key to the table is getting the right height and scale. The mixing surface was moved up to 26 inch high and the storage is about 34 inches high. This cart is styled for mixing alcoholic drinks, but would be super cute as a coffee bar, tea cart, or even as a small desk! I plan to use it for coffee.


This is a simple project of cutting off the legs, adding a little lumber, and a nice paint job. The nice paint job includes using a pattern. I have included the pattern at the bottom. You can enlarge it to the size you need! The instructions can be printed with the title of the project at the top.










SUPPLIES:
For this project you will need the following supplies to complete a table similar this one.

BASICS:
A table to alter- if using a table like this pick your cutting zone carefully and with consideration to the size of your lumber! I chose a spot that was not tapered to make adding the legs back easier.
lumber- I used 2"x 2" which is nominal measurement of 1.5" x 1.5". This scale worked for my project.
8 dowel screws
wood putty
paint
liquid sanding/ deglosser- I clean the table with this type product for better paint adhesion
Hack saw
drill and drill bits
locking pliers- plain pliers might work, but locking pliers make the work easier
pencil
ruler
straight-edge

EXTRAS:
tracing paper
gold paint
circular saw
painters tape

Leaf pattern for the top of the table.

before and after- the subtle houndstooth chair

The chair, detail.

I have always loved houndstooth, it is the overt preppy in me. However, living in Alabama... houndstooth takes on a different reference than preppy. I choose not to follow football, but living in Alabama, one cannot help but be influenced by the sport.  Sadly, I do not wear houndstooth much, especially in the fall, because people assume I have a football allegiance. And, no football fan wants to hear that you actively try to ignore their passion. However, sometimes houndstooth is subtle, perhaps un-noticeable to football fans... maybe.

The chair, after.

So when I found this fantastic houndstooth fabric in shades of french grey. I have to have it on as the upholstery on this chair. It is my latest furniture flip.

The chair, before.

Before and After- the linen chair furniture flip

Lovely linen chair with contemporary carved cabriolet legs, Queen Anne foot, and pretty nailhead detail. Detail image.

Nothing says comfort to me like linen- love it in clothing and furnishings. Nothing says dated like bargello Herculon- the king of industrial strength acrylic fabric... enjoyed by those who like the 1970's, itching, and fabrics that basically wipe clean. Ovbiously, I'm not a fan of the ol' Herculon.

Before with a kind of bargello- diamond herculon upholstery. Detail image.

Before chair

However, I found this Herculon-tastic chair with great lines, good wood, and it was sturdy.


So, after purchasing it and thinking about it for a few months, I decide to leave the wood natural and add a simple neutral linen upholstery fabric.



Then I found this fantastic Union Jack linen pillow and my decision was made. Off to the upholsterer we went!




She's a beauty!

After chair, now available at Interiors and Antiques in Vestavia.