Wednesday, August 13, 2008

"Make Do" Tables

A while back, I was getting really tired of my "matchy" end tables and coffee table. Actually, I never realled loved the color of the wood...they were a little too dark for my taste. They were also oval shaped and I've discovered that I am definitely a "straight-simple-line" type of girl when it comes to decorating. So...on a whim, I just took them all out of my living room and decided that I'd rather not have ANY as to use them. So, I put them in the upstairs bedroom, ran an ad in the paper, and sold them the next week (and bought more prim stuff with the money)!

In the meantime, I started searching my house for anything to use as a table and this is what I came up with...and I'm actually much more pleased with these "make do" tables than with the nice, classy, custom-made matching set that I had before!

This is my cedar hope chest that was in my closet and has been for quite some time. I've had this since before I was married (remember we just hit 26 years), so it's been around awhile! I called my dad over one evening (while Jason was working out in the garage) and asked for his help bringing it out into the living room. I figured Jason would think that I had lost my mind bringing something like THIS into our living room. But just as I suspected, once he came in and saw it there, he loved it!



This one is my very favorite. This is a collection of crates that I found at a yard sale last year. They are actually World War II ammunition crates. I brought them home and put them on the porch. They had been on my front porch being decorated for the various seasons....summer, autumn, then winter. It was early this spring when I brought them in. (I also did this when Jason was at work!):) I love how much I can display on it! And of course, once he saw this in place, all decorated, he liked it too!



And this one, I had to REALLY scrounge the house to find another table! This is a couple of large picnic baskets stacked. Having a table here was an absolute necessity as it sits between our his and hers recliners. We needed a place to sit our snacks and drinks.



And last of all, this one used to be my mom's, I believe. Then it was in Colt's room. So, while he was gone to work one day, I "stole" it from his room (but I replaced it with something else that he was fine with). This one mainly just needed to hold my pump lamp. However, I thought it looked too plain at the bottom, so I added the Americana basket and then just recently after our weekend anniversary trip, I added the bobbins that I brought back.



So there you have it....my scrounged up "make do" tables. If you get tired of the "matchy-matchy" look of your tables....take a look around your house, outside, garage, or shed, and you might be surprised with what you can find....you just might like having make do tables! But don't tell your husband I said so! :)

26 comments:

Jo-Anne said...

I love what you came up with, Tammy!! It all looks great!
It's fun to "shop" in our own houses, isn't it?!

When I ask Craig to help me with things like this I just tell him he can't ask me what it's for, where I am going to put it, or why I want to do it. Sometimes he can't help asking, but he still lets me do whatever I want! He's a keeper! :)

Rosemary said...

Great job Tammy!
I love all of your Make Do Tables!

I think my fav tho is the cedar chest!

Thanks for all of the ideas!
Rosemary

Julie said...

Love them all. I use a ceder chest and old crates for tables, too. I love your pump lamp--that is unique. You are so creative. Have a great day. Julie

Gettysburg Homestead said...

Great ideas Tammy. I especially like the crates. I could never get them to look right. Now I know what to do.

I too move things around when hubby isn't home. Isn't that funny!!!

I am so glad you are feeling better is it getting easier yet???

Mary

Raggedy Angel said...

They look wonderful...don't you love it when you can create a new look without spending a dime!
Primdelicous!!!!
Beth

Black Sheep Lisa said...

I never have been a matchy type of girl when it comes to decorating.
Just kinda used whatever i had and it always works out! I love what you came up with, Makin do is fun, especially when it saves $$$$$.

Katy said...

I LOVE your make do tables!!! I too do things like that! I LOVE how it looks! I have a chest in my living room beside the couch and I put an old crate vertical on it to make shelves....I love the shelves you made!!!

Tiffany said...

I need to get out of that "matchy" rut! I just love your ideas...thanks for sharing!!!

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

They all look great and fit in perfect with your prim look!!! Great job!! Have a great day!~Wendy

Dawn said...

Tammy, great ideas on the tables. I love your crate display. I have a ggod one. I bought an antique wire laundry basket on wheels. I plan on putting a large glass top on it and it sits next the recliner. Ill have to post it. A friend of mine has one and she places her sewing projects in hers in her craft room. Thanks for the playlist help Im going to try that today! Dawn

Farmhouse Blessings said...

They are look just great, Tammy, but I am especially fond of those ammo boxes. They look great! Now I'm going to be scrounging through the attic this evening.

Your comments about Jason really made me smile. My Jeffrey often doesn't "catch" my vision until I have the project completed either. And like you, sometimes I try to get it done BEFORE he gets home so he doesn't give me "those" eyes. (You know what I'm talking about!) LOL

Smiles,
Lea

Dawn said...

Tammy, you came through again! I got my playlist going and yes I guessed that the element had changed to gadget. Thanks so much for the help and the nice comments. Dawn

Leslie said...

Your tables and coffee table look great :) I once dreamed of the day that I had all matching furniture and then I realized I didn't like it! LOL I decided to use what I had and replace the stuff I hated. I like thinking out of the box for furniture :)

Have a great day!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Great minds think alike. I just redid tables too... I like your creative solutions a lot!!

Angie said...

Tammy,

You are so creative! It is so much fun 'shopping' the house..I know I don't always realize just how much good stuff I have until I start looking around. Your house is just so cozy. I love your cookstove...reminds me of the stove Pa bought Ma for Christmas on Little House! Haha! I love that show!

~Angie

the said...

WOW! Maybe you could come to my house and help me re-arrange my stuff ! LOL
I like what I have but it needs to be moved around and then dusted !!

I love your home, it makes me feel so cozy :)
Stephanie

Shay said...

Wonderful job Tammy!! I just love your tables! Your whole house is just beautiful! I just love your ideas! Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Smiles~
Shay

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

What a great solution. I love your shelf, and how you placed things. The water pump lamp is an awesome thing to have. I love that.
Boy those crates will be good for the holidays, I bet you will have fun adding things!
Blessings, Debbie

Shay said...

Hi Tammy!!
Thanks for stopping by, we would be so happy and honored to have you and your husband a part of Mallory's auction! You would have till September the 5th to donate and the item stays with you until the auction is finished. By the 5th I would just need a picture and the description of the item. I have more info if you email me at: miraclesformallory@yahoo.com
Then I'll get the email out to you with all the details and you can let me know what you guys think! Thanks sooo much Tammy!
Smiles & Hugs,
Shay

Deb said...

Hi Tammy, everything looks great, I am one that does a lot of that too. It's funny how we wait until the husband is out of the house. It's because they don't always see things the way we do at first, so we just have to make it happen *for* them. Deb

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I have an old military trunk for a coffee table. It has his name on it and everything. I don't know the story. I bought it at an antique store but we love it just the same. Your cedar chest is so special because of its background.
I know what you mean about not being so 'in love' with the new stuff. The older I get, the more I love the old things--and I really appreciate them. Thanks for sharing your pictures and story.
My hubby gets those eyes, too. It is so much easier to just do and let them see things how we imagined them!! LOL

Cottage Rose said...

Wow what a fantastic looking home you have, I love your make do tables you did a wonderful job. I think I should be shopping around my house. lol. Have a great day.

Hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

Hey Tammy~~
Thanks for the comment on the Granddaughter!! LOVE HER!! I have such a GREAT time with my little "peanut"!! Hug the Stuffin' right out of the little one I do!! LOL!!!
Many Blessings and I'll check back often!!!
Keep the Faith......
Lori Hull

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

I LOVE them all, Tammy! What are you going to show us next, I wonder?

Have a great evening!

Paisleyand Polka Dot Patterns said...

everything look sgreat! love the ideas! thanks for sharing! I've really enjoyed your blog! Be Blessed!

JenW!~ said...

Wonderful job on the tables.
I just found your blog and I'm glad I did. Now ya wanna come help decorate my house LOL.