A Nautical Inspired DIY Accent Table

This DIY nautical side table is easier to make than it looks!

I was halfway between Toronto and home - a 1600km journey - when I agreed to participate in the #LoveYourWood contest, sponsored by Rust-Oleum and Varathane.  Sure, I was super exhausted.  And yes, we had a stalled bathroom reno to complete.  But the folks at Rust-Oleum have been so good to me: helping me give our bathrooms a facelift and tackle a million other projects, so of course I was on board!  I didn't even realize when I said yes that this was a contest with prize money on the line... I just like making things.

Here's the challenge: myself and 7 other bloggers were each mailed a mystery box of Varathane products, some truly random bits and bobs, and a small budget to makeover or build something cool:

Almost immediately I chose the wire, rope, and sack of marbles, simply because I like a challenge (marbles?!?).  In fact, I went out and bought 100 more feet of rope so I could create a bold, nautical side table.  Go big or go home right?  I also stepped outside my comfort zone and refrained from adding my signature aqua, but I had no trouble dreaming up a surplus of ideas - which is always my problem. 

Supplies for Making a Square Wood Table:

• Three 1.5" x 1.5" pine lumber pieces (8 foot lengths) 
• Two 3/4" x 1.5" pine lumber pieces (6 foot lengths) 
• One 3/4" x 3/4" pine lumber piece (6 foot length)
• Scrap piece of pine 3/8" plywood
• Piece of wallpaper (click for similar)
• 50-75 feet of rope
• Wire
• Handful of round blue marbles
• Epoxy to secure marbles
• Wood glue
• Air nailer and 3/4" air nails (14 gauge)
• Circular saw and mitre saw
• Brushes, rags, gloves etc. for stain application
• Varathane Ultimate Wood Stain - Chocolate
• Varathane Professional Clear Finish - Satin
• Varathane Bar and Table Finish

Why use pine??  I didn't particularly want pine, but I didn't want to have to rip larger boards.  I wanted to purchases the exact dimensions and just cut the lengths.  The sizes I wanted were available in a few different kinds of wood, but if I wanted them all the same, pine was my only option.  Because everything was pine, it took the stain more evenly than if I had mixed woods. 

How to Make a Square Wood Table:
 
After some pondering and scheming, we started with one of our wonky little sketches:

Once we had a sketch of the design and figured out our desired measurements, we cut all of the pieces to length using a mitre saw.  The frame for the top and bottom were cut with mitred corners, while the vertical pieces that make up the legs were just butt jointed.  We also cut the smaller square "frame" for the top, to create a channel for the marbles.  Finally, to make the table surface, we cut a scrap of plywood to size (leftover from the Ikea credenza hack!) using our circular saw with a straight edge - which we use as a table saw stand-in.

With the cutting done, we formed the square base and top by butt gluing the ends together with wood glue, securing them while they dried.  We also glued together the small inner frame.  Once those pieces were dry, we glued the plywood into the frame, securing it on the bottom as well.  Finally, we glued the four legs onto the top and bottom, completing the cube shape. 

Here's a peek at the table before stain (the inner frame hasn't been attached yet):

Pretty, right?  It took so little time that now I have this weird compulsion to make a bunch of these cube cuties.  Anyone need a table?

To drill the holes for the rope, first we plotted out the spacing - enter another wonky drawing:

Then we worked our way around the table, laying the table on its side, with a piece of scrap wood underneath.  All of the holes are drilled in equal distance, except for the first and last (for the rope to double back and be tied).  We used a 1/2" drill bit for our rope.

Next we figured out where the marbles would be placed.  Inspired by the rivets on this nautical mirror available on 1st dibs, I spaced the marbles around the perimeter of the table top, holding them down with tape while I fiddled with the arrangement until I was happy.

To create dents for the marbles to sit in, we measured, marked, and simply drilled a partial hole with a 1/4" drill bit (you could also use a counter sink bit, which we don't have).

With the table assembled and the holes drilled, we lightly sanded the entire piece with 220 grit sandpaper - paying attention to where the holes had been drilled on the legs.  We sand after construction because sharper cuts make for cleaner construction.  Once it's assembled, we sand rough areas smooth and also round corners a tiny bit, which makes it look good but also makes it less susceptible to chips and dings - sharper edges are more vulnerable.

Once it was sanded smooth, we wiped it with a tack cloth to remove any dust and debris, and then it was time for stain!  In my mystery package, I received Varathane Ultimate Wood Stain in Chocolate and Varathane Professional Clear Finish:

The stain went on very easily and smoothly and, as promised, only took one coat!  It did, however, take longer to dry than indicated, which could be attributed to humidity in the air.  I ran out of daylight and ended up letting it dry overnight before applying the clear coat with a brush.  The nice thing about an oil-based stain as opposed to the water-based stains I've used before is that this didn't raise the grain - which makes for much less work!

Next I cut a piece of wallpaper I've been swooning over - the Whitby pattern by Mini Moderns, available from Wallpaper Direct. 

I really wanted the aqua but ordered the washed denim blue because I knew it would look better with the blue marbles (it was so weird to be running around town with a sack of marbles, trying to find complementary elements for my table!).  You can't even imagine how long I agonized over this decision and how much it pained me to order the denim blue.  As lovely as it is, turning down aqua took a lot of willpower.

I think I earned a vote just for that ;)

We used double sided tape to affix the paper to the plywood top (not the best idea - I'll tell you why), and then installed the inner frame on top of it, using wood glue and air nailing it from the bottom.

We used our go-to fixative to affix the marbles, adding a dab of epoxy to each marble and pressing it down gently.  The marbles held tight and definitely could have been left, as-is. 



Then it was time for the scary bit: resin!!  I've been itching to try using resin on furniture (after pinning a bunch of cool projects) and thought this contest would be a great reason to experiment.  With cash on the line, why not try using a product you've never used?  Better still, try it at 10pm, the night before the project is due...

I would have fared well on Trading Spaces - I clearly live dangerously and can pull a DIY all-nighter without breaking a sweat.

Using the Varathane Bar and Table Varnish:

We followed the instructions - mostly - and although there are warning signs on every page of the instruction pamphlet, it was actually easy to use!  We applied it to the channel we created for the marbles and also over the wallpaper.  Now, the instructions suggest laminating papers to be embedded, but it was too late for that so I went ahead!  I only got the product a couple of days before, and if I hadn't been on a deadline I would have done that extra step - or, as per my genius last minute revelation: done a glass top for the surface and then epoxy for just the marble channel!  The wallpaper was changed a bit from the moisture of the epoxy and lost some crispness.  But, even though we deviated from the instructions and poured it on very thickly, it cured and dried in time.  I just love how glossy it is and how it reflects light.  So, playing fast and lose with instructions, you win some and you lose some.

Finally, we created a bowline knot and threaded the rope back and forth through the holes we drilled, securing the bitter end (I'm studying for my boater's exam) with the wire.  And, that's it!!

My nautical table using rope, marbles, and wire - plus chocolate stain, a satin clean coat, and epoxy:

I love how this DIY nautical table turned out!

Thanks to Rust-Oleum and Varathane for sponsoring such a fun challenge.  And special thanks to Wallpaper Direct for providing the wallpaper.  I have more plans for my leftover paper - which is so dreamy (and I keep thinking about wallpapering my powder room in the aqua. The AQUA!)

New Blue Tweed Dining Room Chairs Update the Dining Room

You know how when you lose something, you inevitably find it when you stop looking?  I'm starting the think that the same thing happens when you're questing for "the perfect thing".  I yammered on for years about wanting to replace our brown vinyl dining room chairs and as soon as I stopped looking, I found a set I liked!  I actually stumbled across them at HomeSense, and hauled them home from Toronto (I love having a truck).

Although they were but humble chairs from Jysk, our brown chairs were seriously comfy, so every chair I contemplated paled in comparison.  I'd recently decided to just spring for new upholstery, but the cost of that seemed daunting - as did attempting to tackle the job ourselves.  And, if I'm being honest, I was leery about spending hundreds to reupholster cheap, made in China chairs - even if they were comfy, and we hadn't had a single problem with them in nearly a decade of use.  (We picked them up for $69.97 each, 50% off their original sticker price because they were discontinued and on clearance).

After eight years of looking at brown vinyl, I'm so excited to see these beauties every morning!

What a difference!

The new chairs are supremely comfortable and the blue tweed upholstery is gorgeous.  It's eerily similar to the fabric I had chosen for re-upholstery - and a perfect match to my stolen Lotte lamps.  Actually, this shade of blue pops up in the living room artwork, the dining room painting - even in the kitchen, courtesy of one of the little enamel pieces above the stove and my cathrineholm bowl. 

They're solidly built and made in the USA, which I love.  They have a slightly curvier, more interesting shape which is nice, plus the silver upholstery tacks are a fun touch!  I like that they look modern because although I love mid-century, I don't want my house to look like a time capsule.  I would have preferred walnut(ish) legs instead of espresso, but I could easily paint or re-stain them later.  I recently added furniture with a really dark stain somewhere else in the house, so the finish doesn't look too out of place here.  They were $149 a chair, which isn't bad for something manufactured in North America.  I'm always willing to pay a bit more for stuff that isn't made in China!

I just love the blue with the teak! 

The first day that I made the switch, I couldn't get over how much brighter and airier the dining room felt.  I hadn't realized that the darker chairs made the room feel heavy and really grabbed my attention.  Now my eyes travel over the dining room table to the lake view beyond.  Next to go is the dark brown ottoman in the living room.  It's falling apart, so we plan to build a custom one - with storage - this fall, and we'll probably still stick with the blue tweed I was ogling.

For anyone who is on a similar hunt for comfy dining chairs, these are made by Sole Designs.  I scooped mine up at HomeSense (like HomeGoods, for my American friends).  But the company sells their chairs on Amazon too, and I found the same shape in an insanely adorable orange and aqua, Mondrian-inspired print.  They make a mid-century inspired ottoman with the same pattern and I want it.  Sole Designs also sells this style chair in a sweet pink Greek key pattern and busier blue and pale purple fabric.  I'll keep you posted on how these wear.  I already gave them two coats of ScotchGuard (which I've never, ever used) in the hopes of protecting the upholstery from stains.  I've grown very accustomed to wipe-able, dirt hiding brown vinyl! 

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Walnut + White Metal Plant Stand Revamp

I recently inherited a lot of plants, which has been stressing me out because I am a notorious plant-killer and these leafy new friends of mine are deeply sentimental.  They help me feel connected to the loved one who passed, so I want to keep them thriving.  I think about her whenever I tend to them, so it will just crush me if they don't make it.  Among the ten or so new plants that now call Lake Superior home, there are five (!) orchids.  Many other orchids were re-homed, so I really only got part of what was an outstanding collection.

I wanted a nice spot to grow them, so I scooped the perfect plant stand from my grandfather, the welder.  The simple welded plant stand he made fits the spot to the right of our wall unit perfectly, but it needed a little TLC.  The glass shelves had broken long ago and the white paint job was a bit dingy and rusted.  In a pinch, I grabbed a leftover piece of old melamine shelving and placed it precariously on top.

Such a good look, right?

I didn't want to pay to have new glass shelves cut, so I used some walnut-veneered plywood left over from my DIY modern walnut storage boxes.  Despite my constant nagging to buy one, Hubs and I don't have a table saw.  Both of our Dads have one though, and this time my Dad got the pleasure of helping me (and feeding me - I timed my visit for pizza night).  He cut two pieces to fit perfectly into the plant stand and then we did a little work reflection.  I thought I might need two pieces per shelf, laminated together with wood glue and edge-banded, but one shelf does the trick and because it's inset, you don't see the edges at all.  So we agreed that less work is always better and called it a day!

I just love it when a DIY project is easier than anticipated, because that's such an anomaly.  Normally it's just a lot of hair pulling and I end up covered in paint or glue.  I hurried home with my new shelves and, after a couple of applications of Danish Oil, the walnut was a beautiful, rich hue (on the right):

The plant stand got a light sand and a few coats of Rustoleum Universal Pure White Gloss (I love a primer + paint in one).  This spray paint is good for metal and plastic (in addition to wood, glass, concrete, wicker, etc.), so I even sprayed the plastic feet.  I like them better white than black.

The plant stand just looks fresher now that it's about ten shades whiter and I loooove the walnut shelves (thanks Dad!)

The living room definitely has more life with some beautiful plants and I'm enjoying the leafy new additions - which is good, because there are many more (not pictured) that have been spoiled with fancy new pots and refurbished plant stands.

Having plants is a lot of work!

You might have noticed my funny little orchid pots?

When I brought them home, the orchids were in an assortment of plastic and terracotta pots, one of which Szuka had already knocked over and cracked.  I wanted to replace the hodgepodge with five identical plants and I did a lot of research about the kind of pots orchids like.  I learned that a pot which offers a lot of ventilation and good drainage is ideal.  This orchitop carousel pot seemed really innovative and I liked the modern look - plus the 5.25" size fit the planter shelves perfectly - so I ordered five in the pearl finish (it comes in aqua too!)  They are available on Amazon, but I ordered mine right from Repotme.  They are pricey (especially when you need five), but they seem to function really well.  Plus they're so pretty!

The bottom tray clicks off easily, so I water them in the laundry room without the trays and let them drain a bit in the laundry sink before putting on the trays again.  So far, no water on the walnut shelves and the orchids seem to be doing okay.  Plus, if Szuka decides to do her best Bull in a China Shop routine, hopefully the plastic will withstand the fall...

Although I'm still a little apprehensive about the responsibility of caring for these orchids, I'm also excited for the remaining orchids to flower - apparently one of them has an amazing scent.

Wish me luck!

Disclosure: thanks to an ongoing friendship with the folks at Rust-Oleum, I've received cases of spray paint and other Rust-Oleum products to use and review on the blog.  I continue to be completely satisfied with the quality and coverage of Rust-Oleum paint, but I was not prompted or paid to provide a positive review.  I just have a spray painting addiction, and Rust-Oleum is my enabler ;)

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Homemade Dog Treats - Easy Recipe Ideas

Because Szuka is such a large pup (weighing in at 95 pounds these days), people always ask us about our food bills.  Everyone assumes we're going broke buying dog food and treats for such a sizable pup.  The thing is, she's pretty low energy so she doesn't eat as much as we expected.  Her cute, mod bowl always has kibble in it and she'll graze throughout the day, but she never eats more than four or five cups a day - often only three.  She's a really picky eater and isn't very food motivated.  Even when I finally find a snack or treat she favors, she will still turn it down if she's not in the mood/distracted/angry with me/guarding the house/too tired/lazy. 

Cheese is her only weakness.  She also really likes freeze dried liver (we buy Pure Bites), but only if we dole it out sparingly.  Too much, too often, and it looses its appeal.

That girl has willpower to spare!  I, on the other hand, recently swerved the truck and hit a gravel shoulder so hard I created a dust cloud that engulfed us, and five cars behind us, in pursuit of roadside pie.

Because she is so picky, I often bake Szuka dog treats and these homemade treats gets ranked pretty high up there - just below cheese.  I call them "kitchen sink cookies" because I don't use a recipe.  They end up being somewhat budget-friendly too, because I usually use leftovers from our own cooking/baking.

Excellent DIY Dog Biscuit Ingredients:

• Shredded carrots
• Unsweetened pumpkin puree
• Bits of bacon
• Bacon grease (secret ingredient she salivates for)
• Chicken broth
• Bouillon cubes
• Unsweetened peanut butter (she finds peanut butter very agreeable)
• Shredded cheese (her weakness!)
• Oats
• Dried Blueberries
• Mushed banana
• Apple pieces

For ideas, I look at the ingredients on the wholesome doggy biscuits I've bought her (ones she didn't turn her nose up at).  Of course, I don't add any ingredients that are harmful or poisonous.  I'll pick a few ingredients from the list above, then add an egg or two, some flour (whole wheat, preferably), a little chicken broth or bacon grease, and mix until the dough is firm enough to roll out onto a floured cutting board.  I use a cute, dog-approved set of cookie cutters and bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned (usually about 10-15 minutes).  Easy! 

I like experimenting with different ingredients.  The batch pictured has pumpkin puree, oats, peanut butter, flour, eggs, and a bit of water.

She must recognize her cookie cutters because when I'm baking for her she seems to know it, and she'll watch the oven the whole time.  Because she's so blasé about her food, it makes me happy to bake her something she actually likes!  We don't feed her table scraps, so maybe it's the thrill of getting to eat something made in the human's kitchen that makes these cookies such a win for her.
 


If you've got a picky pup, I encourage you to try your own "kitchen sink cookies".  It won't take long before you land on a magic ingredient that appeals to your own pup.  But if you're not a fan of winging it, I found a some great-looking recipes to help get you started: 

• A good, basic dog biscuit recipe that you could easily build on.
• Peanut butter and milk biscuits that look easy to make! 
• A grain-free recipe for pups with a wheat allergy or intolerance (black beans are the secret ingredient!).
• Bacon biscuits - I've made a similar version with little bacon bits (leftover from our own BLTs) and they were a HUGE hit. 
• If you don't have a bone cookie cutter, these paw print cookies are an adorable option. 
• Can't go wrong with cheddar + bacon biscuits! 
• These carrot and banana cookies would be a good way to use up bananas that are getting a bit too soft and are banana-bread bound.
• Squash, Parmesan, and yoghurt cookies sound delicious! 
• A low fat option for pups who have packed on the pounds...

If you've got a recipe of your own (or a secret ingredient), I'd love to hear it!

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How to Sew Your Own DIY Catnip Stuffed Cat Toy

When Handy Hubby was in high school, a teeny, scraggly stray kitten found her way to his childhood home.  He and his Dad welcomed her into their lives and, some 15 years later, Wido Piddy continues to melt hearts.

Her small stature leads many to believe that she's still a kitten; an ever-kitten.  She now lives in my father-in-law's woodworking shop, along with another kitty and some canine companions.  In the spring she started excessively grooming and essentially pulling out her beautiful fur in tufts.  In an effort to help soothe her, I decided to make her a catnip stuffed cat toy. 

After an afternoon of our own hair pulling, my Mom and I finally made this adorable, DIY catnip-stuffed felted fish toy:

But first, there was some trial and error (you can skip to Version Three if you just want to know how we made the little fishy).

DIY Cat Toy Version One

Supplies:

• Scrap Fabric
• Fusible interfacing
• Thread
• Catnip (10-20 grams)
• Sewing Machine
• Needle
• Scissors

We originally made a catnip-stuffed toy out of my favorite cowboy fabric ;) 

Steps:

I cut out one of the lone cowboys, leaving enough fabric for a half inch seam allowance.  Then I cut out a corresponding shape from a plain, colour-coordinating cotton (for the back), and two pieces of fusible interfacing to match the shapes.  (My Mom thought that interfacing would help give this toy some strength against sharp kitty claws).  I ironed on the interfacing, as per the instructions, and the two shapes were ready for sewing.

After pinning the right sides facing each other, we sewed along the edge, leaving a half inch seam allowance and a small opening under the horse's belly.  When the edges were sewn, we tied off the thread and snipped the edges to make the curves easier to shape once they're right side out:

Then, as I spent a good twenty minutes struggling to turn this tiny cowboy right side out, I wondered why I didn't just buy a $5 cat toy.  The complicated, small shape, and the stiffness from the interfacing made it a struggle but eventually I got it.  Using a small spoon to help poke and prod everything into place helped.

Triumphantly, I stuffed it with loose catnip, stopping periodically to make sure the catnip was worked into the legs, head, and tail.  Once it was packed full of the good stuff, the bottom was sewn shut by hand.

DIY Cat Toy Version Two

Supplies:

• Scrap Fabric
• Thread
• Catnip (10-20 grams)
• Sewing Machine
• Needle
• Scissors

When we were done with the cowboy, I wanted to experiment with a simpler shape - and no interfacing - in the hopes that it would be easier to make.  I cut out a little "mouse" shape from scrap cotton and we sewed the edges again.  After we snipped the edges, I turned it right side out with more ease.  I stuffed it full of catnip and things were progressing fairly smoothly, although it was still piddly work. 

Then my Mom and I had an argument about whether it was a mouse, rat, or parsnip.  She wanted to sew a bunch of leaves on the top and call it a day, but I fought hard.  We ended up adding a braided string tail, some whiskers and beady eyes.

It's a mouse, dammit. 

DIY Cat Toy Version Three - THE WINNER!

Supplies:

• Felt
• Catnip (10-20 grams)
• Sewing machine
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors

Totally dejected by our weird little cat toys, but figuring Piddy wouldn't care what they looked like because she'd loose her mind for the drug inside, I started fiddling with some felt earmarked for another project.  That's when it dawned on me that felt would be much easier to use for a cat toy too, because we wouldn't need to flip it right side out.  Because it doesn't fray, we could just sew the shape on the right side.

I cut out a simple little fish shape from two pieces of felt.  I cut out pairs of smaller and larger circles for eyes and then cut out little fins.  I hand sewed on the eyes with a few stitches and then we attached the fin at the base with the sewing machine while the fish body was still in two pieces.  We pinned the two fish sides together and sewed around the edges, leaving the tail open.  I tied off the threads and stuffed the fish body with catnip, leaving the tail empty.  Once it was stuffed, we sewed the bum shut and did some decorative stitching on the tail.

SUCCESS!  It turned out to be so stinkin' adorable.

This version was faster (think minutes, not hours) and so, so easy.  Plus, it looks infinitely cuter than the rat/turnip and cowboy.  If you don't have a machine, you could even do a simple blanket stitch around the edges - felt is so forgiving.  If you use felted wool - and not a synthetic felt - you could even needle felt some designs or details onto a simple shape. 

A note on catnip: I found catnip locally, in a shop that sells loose leaf teas.  But you can also track it down on Amazon: this listing seems like a good deal.  I used 50 grams for all three toys, but the amount you need will depend on the size and quantity of toys you make.  You can also mix in some catnip with some batting, if you only want to purchase a small amount of catnip.  I looked at store-bought toys and some boast 100% catnip filling while others have a mix of batting and catnip - you might have to test it out and decide what amount you can give your kitty with her going totally batty.

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