The Showcase Table
Make a useful and lovely coffee table from the most unexpected items!
I acquired this lovely old piece (does it even qualify as vintage) back when I was in college along with a stereo system and giant speakers (and an earache) – but we are not here to talk about those now. As we were saying I had a giant collection of cassettes, being the music fan I am and this was the perfect storage for the time.
Now since we do not use cassettes anymore, it was basically taking up space in my house. Aside from lots of dust, it was in good shape and the wood was beautiful. I did not want to get rid of it, since I love to repurpose anything old, but I did not know what the perfect solution would be till my husband came up with the idea of a table. Of course, I would need the right base.
As I may have mentioned, I have a basement that is chock full of old decrepit stuff. This chair had been my father-in-law’s many years ago and had seen better days. I don’t know if you can tell from the picture, but the back rest was broken and it was not an easy fix. Aside from the obvious sentimental value, the wood was in good condition and it was worth salvaging.
I knew it had a sturdy bottom and I decided to focus on that, instead of trying to repair a chair that was on its last legs. And that’s about all that it had left – legs.
With my husband’s help I cut off the top part which was splintered.Then I set about removing the fabric, and all the nails that held it in place. There were quite a few that had been nailed in over the years.
I sanded it down and then applied my homemade furniture wax. You can see how much richer it looks. This would be perfect for my table base.
Next, I had to take care of the cassette holder. I cleaned it with some oil and vinegar and then the next day I varnished it with 2 coats. I should point out that I have removed some slats so that I can place my collection of sea shells inside and use it as a display. But I still had to find a way to screw the top to the base. After much trial and error, and of course with the help of hubby, we were able to screw the top onto the base.
Finally, I topped it off with a piece of beveled glass. The cost for this project was minimal, just the price of the glass, since I already had the varnish. Here we have my collection without the glass.
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This is a unique piece, one that I was very happy to have completed. By combining the chair and the cassette storage unit, I was able to create something more than the sum of its parts. I wanted to preserve this piece, because it reminds me of the earaches I had gotten from listening to my loud music. But mostly because it has special meaning for my husband who fondly remembers his dad sitting in that chair.
I cannot tell you how much I love this table! I want it. I’m coveting it. I wish that I had a cassette shelf like this, it is soooooooooooo cool. I love it. But even more I love what you’ve done with it. And using a chair bottom with special meaning too, this is a one of a kind piece that your kids will fight over later!
Thanks Nikki. Now you’ve got me worried, I don’t want them fighting. Maybe I can make one for each of them instead. Thank you for all your sweet and meaningful comments.
LOL! They’ll have to share it! BTW, I am not getting notifications that you replied, wanted to let you know! If I check the box below the post I get everyone’s comments to my email. Not just yours. That’s a lot of comments and emails. So I don’t check that one anymore, I’ve learned the hard way!
So great…….
many greetings
Uwe
Thank you Uwe.
I really love the table and the seashells!
Why thank you I hope I was able to inspire you. Thanks for hopping on over.
You’ve done an amazing job! What a good idea to use cassette storage to display beautiful shells and then use it as a table 🙂
Thanks so much Anna. I had been staring at that thing for years before finally doing something with it. Thanks for visiting.
Mary, this piece is incredible! So unique and it holds not only seashells but many memories. I absolutely love it! Thanks for linking up with Thursday Favorite Things!
Jas, yes this one is really special to me and of course to the hubs. Hopefully we will be able to keep it for another 30 years.
This is such a crafty masterpiece. Absolutely genius. Thanks so much for sharing it at Merry Monday.
Megan, you’re making me blush! Thank you for such a great compliment.
I love the table it is gorgeous – Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
Thank you for pinning Amber Jane. And for dropping by.
Wow, Mary! I really love this clever transformation! Thank you so much for sharing it at Vintage Charm! Blessings, Cecilia
Thanks Cecilia, this one was a labor of love for me and the hubs. Thank you for stopping by.
What a terrific make over. So ingenious and unique. Thank you so much for linking up to the very first Vintage Charm party. Hope to see you here every Thursday at 8:00 AM EST!
Thank you Sharon for your sweet comment. Of course, I would love to visit your party next week.
You are so clever! I love the sentimental meaning, too. What a treasure!
Thanks so much Kim. My husband had a big hand in this too. I could even go so far as to say it was more his doing than mine.
Wow! I love it!!! Great idea to put these pieces together!!! Thanks again for linking up to the Welcome Home Wednesdays!
Tracy thanks so much for your sweet comment. I am so glad this project is finally finished. It was years in the making.
Wow… I think that is really special! So many memories! Plus it looks awesome, as always. I wish you had a picture of it from the college days, filled with cassettes! That would be a fun before/after. 🙂
Sarah Eliza, don’t even get me thinking about it. I stopped listening to them years ago when my cassette player broke down. All those tapes, and now we don’t need any of that.. Less is more!!
What an amazing project! I love that you took 2 pieces people would have trashed and made them into something spectacular! Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design!
Yes Holly this one is real special to us.
Great idea! I have always loved these display tables. Pottery Barn had some a few years ago. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
I didn’t know that Sherry. Humm, and I thought it was an original. Oh well, at least the pieces are very personal. Thanks for visiting.
Wow, Mary! Ingenious (and beautiful) transformation! My husband and I used to have a ton of cassettes, too! lol He won’t let me get rid of them!:) What a great idea to use the chair legs as a base! I never would have thought of that (but will keep it in mind for future projects). Thanks for joining in the party and visiting me on FB. I’m your newest blog follower! xoKathleen
Thanks so much Kathleen. I am so happy to have inspired. I love your new party, you will definitely see me there every week.
That is a really pretty idea! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Nicole.
Mary! What an inspirational project… I’m in love! Showcasing you at Friday’s Furniture Fix tonight at 9PM EST. Thank you for participating!.. Carrie, Thirty Eighth Street
Carrie, you know I love those furniture showcases. Thanks so much!!
Reading this made me a little sad – I recently got rid of a broken chair similar to this one – and I did not see it’s potential. This is absolutely a gorgeous piece of furniture!
Thanks Susan.. that’s why you need me around, just kidding. I’ll tell you a little secret. I’ve found that since I started blogging, because I am exposed to so much amazing talent, that my imagination has skyrocketed. I walk around and see potential in everything. My husband is afraid to come home because he does not know what he’ll find. So before you throw anything out, think of the pieces not the whole. Thanks so much for visiting.
Mary, this is an inspired piece! Oh my gosh. I love it, and would never have thought to pair those things. Just stunning. Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou-Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx
Mimi, I hope all is well with you. Thank you so much for your sweet words. Sometimes it’s fun to marry different pieces together. Have a great weekend. xoxo
What a great piece! I chose it as my feature this week on You’re Gonna Love it! Thanks so much for sharing!
It is my great pleasure Kim (the one who has me laughing my head off whenever I’m on facebook). Thanks so much for choosing this piece, it really is very spcial to me and the hubs. I’ll be there tomorrow.