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Unique Accents Learn how to fill an empty apartment with one-of-a-kind accents. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-211

(Continued from page 4)

Bar

The bar was created out of pieces from a kidney-shaped coffee table, doors from a found cabinet, legs from a found coffee table, and a custom built core section with lighting.

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Legs

1. Clean and polish the legs to dull the silver color using 220-grit sandpaper.

2. Apply one coat of polyurethane.

3. Attach to the bottom of the bar using 1/4 inch shims to create an angled base for the legs to affix to. This allows the legs to sit on the floor at an angle, instead of perfectly vertical.

Floating Panel Door

1. Remove the doors from the cabinet.

2. Cut the doors in half using a table saw.

3. Use auto filler to fill the gaps left after cutting.

4. Sand the filler until smooth.

5. Prime and paint the doors.

6. Cut the mirrored plastic to fit the recessed section of the doors.

7. Attach the plastic using construction adhesive.

8. Drill holes for the hardware.

9. Install the original hardware in its previous location.

10. Assemble and affix the hardware for "floating".

Figure J

Note: The hardware was made from 1/4 inch double threaded rod (wood thread on one end, machine thread on the other), 1/4 inch coupling with thread lock, 1/4 inch threaded rod with thread lock , wing nut and 1/2 inch electrical conduit cut to 1-1/2 inch long used as a cover.

11. Bolt the floating panels to the core section of the bar (figure J).

Bar Top and Foot Rest

1. Cut off the top and bottom sections of the kidney-shaped coffee table.

2. Mark a line three inches from the top and bottom.

Figure K

3. Cut the line using a jig saw (figure K).

4. Use a sander to smooth out the rough edges.

5. Add framing for solid attachment to the bar core and to the metal legs.

6. Lightly sand all of the surfaces prior to painting.

7. Paint all of the underside surfaces with matte black paint.

8. Prime, and then mask off the top sections.

9. Paint the edging with silver paint and satin polyurethane.

10. Mask off the edges.

11. Paint the tops with three to five coats of gloss black paint.

12. Apply two to three coats of gloss polyurethane.

Figure L

13. Attach to the bar core using bolts on the bottom section, and then use glue and screws for the top section.

14. Attach the legs to the underside of the bottom section (figure L) with shims and screws.

Core Section

1. Make a template on craft paper.

2. Draw a large kidney-shape onto the paper.

3. Determine the shape of the core section.

4. Trace out and draft all dimensions and angles to full scale.

5. Use the template to help set the angles on the table saw, and then use a chop saw to cut the actual piece.

6. Cut the pieces to match the template out of 3/4 inch oak plywood.

7. Attach the pieces with glue and screws. Pre-drill the holes, keeping the holes near the edges and seams to allow them to be covered with trim later in the process.

8. Add the shelf.

9. Use a template to determine the size and shape of the shelf.

10. Cut the shelf from plywood, and then attach with glue and screws.

11. Add oak trim to the edges and seams.

12. To make the trim, cut 1" x 2" oak strips in half on a table saw.

13. Use a power planer to smooth the rough edges.

14. Fit, mark and cut the trim using a chop saw.

15. Attach the trim with glue and nails.

16. Fill in all nail holes with wood putty, and then sand smooth.

17. Stain all wood to match the color of the mirrored bar back.

18. Apply three coats of polyurethane to seal and add shine.

19. Mount the lights, and then run the wiring.

20. Attach the floating panels (figure M).

21. Add the top and bottom sections (figure N).

22. Plug in the lights.

Figure M

Figure N

Project Cost:

Coffee table: $75
Cabinet doors, legs: Free
Plywood: $40
Materials: $35

Total: $150

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RESOURCES :

Sherwin Williams
Website: Sherwin-Williams.com

The Brown Elephant
Website: www.howardbrown.org/hb_brownelephant.asp