DIY Network

Penelope's Desk From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-106

Designer David Beaupre made use of an old screen to create a small work area in the homeowner's newly designed dining room.

advertisement

Using leftover screen from another project, David designs a small desk from which Penelope can work and stay organized.

Materials:

Tri-fold screen part
Found table base
1" x 5" clear pine
Stain
Cut piece of glass
Table saw
Router
Sander

Note: For this project, a set of tri-fold screens and a found table were used.

Door/Desktop Surface:

1. Cut the feet off the door. Our door had feet at the bottom that had to be removed for aesthetic reasons.

2. Use a router on the detail of the cut edge. Our cuts left us with a square edge that didn't match an existing detail on the door, so we matched it with a 3/8" beading bit on the router.

3. Stain the cut edges to match the door.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Table Base:

1. Disassemble the table and base.

   
   

2. Sand all of the parts to prepare them for stain.

   
   

3. Using the door itself as a template, arrange the legs and stretchers to fit structurally and aesthetically (figure A). Take into consideration the bracing of the door so it can support a computer.

   
   

4. Customize the pieces to fit the new design.

   
   

5. Construct a new apron out of 1" x 5" clear pine (figure B). The function of the apron is to cover the joint between the desktop and the table base.

   
   Note: In this project, we had to extend the height of the legs so the apron served the function of covering the spacers made out of 2" x 4" stock.

   
   

6. Assemble the base using glue and screws. Countersink the screw heads so that the holes can be filled with plugs. The plugs will be cut and sanded flush to perform the dual function of covering the screws and also adding a visual design element to the project.

   
   Tip: Use a plug cutter to cut the plugs out of scrap wood that match the wood in the desktop and table base.

   
   

7. Attach the desktop to the base (figure C) with the same method as used for the desktop.

Finish:

1. Stain all of the pieces.

   
   

2. Apply two or three coats of protective finish.

   
   

3. Place a custom cut piece of glass on the desktop. Use rubber feet with adhesive backs between the glass and wooden surface to keep the glass from moving.