A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (or rather in a house that happens to be the one in which I live) I built a table. I built it in the scary serial killer room in my basement.
I even stained and finished this table, and it was beautiful. Then it continued to sit in my scary basement for a number of weeks. All because I don’t own a hole saw.
But then one day, I whined enough that Stan went and got the table, and drilled a big ol hole in the back of it with his half-inch drill bit. Then he cut the hole bigger with a hand saw. Then he filed the edges until they were somewhat smooth. The hole didn’t look terribly pretty, but it served its purpose of being an opening for cords to run through.
Then we put the table in the living room and put the TV and DVD player on it! (And the bunny ears, because I’m awesome like that.)
And it looked like this:
I actually like the way it looks better like this:
but a) then I wouldn’t have anywhere to put my feet and set my drink, and b) we can’t block that heat grate. So the top option is how it will stay, but maybe with a classier DVD storage system. Yes, that is all the DVDs I own. Actually, a bunch of those are borrowed, so that’s more DVDs than I own. Hooray Netflix!
Here’s a shot of the whole room. I chose that particular console table because of its slim design (thank you Ana White), which really does make a difference in a room this tiny.
Here’s the old coffee table I was using before for comparison:
Oh and I got a new mirror. It was cheap and round and I liked it.
And just for fun, here’s a shot from pre-new floors and rug, pre- new flat screen TV, and pre- DSLR photography:
The table has some flaws (I need some more practice with stainable, or should I say “stainable” wood filler) and yes it was like the easiest plan I found, but I am still very proud of it. I built that!!! That’s what I plan on yelling to everyone who comes to my house from now on while pointing at it and jumping up and down.
March 24, 2011 at 8:39 am
I love the mirror and the table! You’ve really made a lot of progress… where’s the day one shot?
March 24, 2011 at 8:46 am
Wow! That looks great and fits the room perfectly!! Awesome job!
P.S. We use bunny ears, too. Yay for free digital high-def tv! 😉
~Chelsea
March 24, 2011 at 8:59 am
I’ve never built anything in my whole entire life. I want to but it kinda freaks me out. Power tools and all that. You did an awesome job. Maybe I’ll start with a birdhouse.
March 24, 2011 at 9:09 am
It looks great! I like that it’s taller and skinner than your old one, it fits better. You’re a pro builder now!
March 24, 2011 at 11:00 am
I love it.. You inspire me
March 24, 2011 at 12:01 pm
It looks great! The round mirror makes a big difference too, I really like it. The taller/thinner console is perfect for that TV.
March 24, 2011 at 12:03 pm
You should be so proud of yourself! That room is looking so good. I’m trying to talk Matt into “helping” me build a farmhouse table from Ana’s site. Helping = pretty much doing it while showing me how. I’ve got big plans for that farmhouse bed too:)
March 24, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Great job! I love the taller, slimmer table (and the new mirror). Also, we have bunny ears, too!
March 24, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Look at the space you got back too! It looks great!! Way to go!
March 24, 2011 at 6:56 pm
This looks really nice! I like the height, too. And the stain color. Your living room is so cozy.
March 24, 2011 at 8:44 pm
I really like the table. Where would I find it on Ana White’s website?
salonjuleen(at)gmail(dot)com
March 25, 2011 at 1:18 am
What? No picture of the hole Stuncan gouged in the back of that thing? We should have put that thing on a lathe and carved it out that way – then it’d be nice and round and pretty. Or we could have used a hole saw. I’ve got one. We might-could still clean it up but since you never see it, why, it doesn’t really matter.
March 25, 2011 at 1:41 am
I feel like I love this room more and more EVERYDAY!!
March 25, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Very nice!
March 28, 2011 at 3:48 pm
I think it’s flippin’ awesome that you built that console table, no matter how “easy” it looks! And I love that it’s nice and slim. The room looks fabulous! So many improvements.
April 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm
It looks great! I love the new mirror too!
February 11, 2013 at 3:28 am
How much time did it require u to create “Finished project: TV
table Hip House Girl”? It boasts a great deal of high-quality advice.
With thanks -Reuben