Coffee Tables For One

I am a huge fan of a great cup of coffee and having a cool Coffee Table to rest that dark brew down on is equally important from a design perspective. Like my cup of coffee, I want my Coffee Table to look good and make me feel even better. Here are a few Coffee Tables that are a little smaller in size. 

Based on my past posts, you probably noticed I am a big fan of D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) via reclaiming, re-purposing and recreating using natural materials as much as possible. Anything to contribute to green thinking is something I am into and generally live by. 

Why waste when there is so much cool stuff to rebuild or reuse.

1. The Industrial SPOOL as Coffee Table!

These are great! The surface space is already determined and is not too large. The legs could be metal (re-purposed metal & iron is awesome) as seen on these three pieces, however reclaimed wood or table legs could also work.

Industrial Spools are often found through builders, suppliers or construction sites.  Originally these would have be the top or bottom of a large spool of industrial wires or cables.

 

 

2. The Pallet as Coffee Table!

Pallets are great! I adore the versatility of the Pallet. Not the most attractive piece in it's raw form. However, when you dress up the Pallet it can be a definite conversation piece.

Originally Pallets are found in settings where storage or moving large amounts of product is necessary. 

 

3. The UNIQUE as Coffee Table!

These are cool! 

A

Doors can be cut to size so both legs and surface area are made.

B

An old Bass Drum can be used with a bevelled glass top.

C

An antique or vintage trunk or suitcase can be used with a re-purposed or D.I.Y. custom set of legs.

D

Wood or metal basket style crates with re-purposed 

or D.I.Y. custom legs.

(A)

 

 (B)

(C)

 (D)

~ Reclaim ~ Re-purpose ~ Recreate ~

 ~

"DeeBeeCool says let Green Inspiration Rule"

~

"Biking Two Ways"

~ ReCycle ~ UpCycle ~ BiCycle ~

"This Green World is an Awesome, Creative, Inspiring place to be an Artist and Designer"

 The Green World is truly Your Oyster, Your Playground! 

Once you start looking around through the "green" lens at all those discarded items that are forsaken, gathering dust, rusting and rendered useless by many, you quickly realize the hidden gems, the wonderful materials, the abundant resources you truly have at your fingertips.

  

I don't think I have stopped at a yard sale in recent years that didn't have a second hand bike for sale. In most instances a bicycle is something that can function in its original state for a very long time. Bikes can be re-used, fixed, used again and customized. The bicycle offers purposeful functionality for both pleasure and business. Bike couriers would be lost without their ride!

Having a couple of bikes is the norm for many of my friends. Racers, Cruisers, City Bikes, Electric, Stationary (okay, I jest with the stationary). If I told  a few of my die hard cycling buddies that I was going transform a bike into something other than a bike they may scoff at the idea. They might be first in line for a little BiCycle Paraphernalia though!

Check out some of these cool projects fellow Artisans and Designers have come up with.

"Biking Two Ways"

~ Ride It! or Hide It! ~

~ ReCycle ~ UpCycle ~ BiCycle ~

1. TICK-TOCK~ Rim & Pedal Casing

 

  
2. INDUSTRIAL CHANDELIER ~ Bike Chains & Rims

 

3. TABLES ~ Rims & Spokes

4. CYCLE ART ~ Chains & Frames

5.  ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE ~ Bike Vanity

 ~ ReCycle ~ UpCycle ~ BiCycle ~

"Heads Up"

When designing a bedroom the "Headboard" 

can be a significant focal point. 

There are some beautiful bed frames out there. Styles can be Contemporary, Vintage or Antique. Materials can range from brass to solid wood 

to man-made materials.  

I'm in the process of styling a bedroom 

with a green focus 

~ and I don't mean colour ~ 

I mean mindset!

Part of my design style is working from the notion of ~ reclaiming, re-purposing and reCREATing ~

  

With this recent project I have not quite decided what the final result will look like; however, when I present a vision board to my client my creative direction needs to be established.  It's important to let the client into your creative world; let them get a feel of what you are thinking ~ after all it is their space! Here are a few ideas that other artisans have created. "Heads Up"...

 1. "The Door as Headboard"

2. "Tin Ceiling Tiles as Headboard"

3. "The Pallet as Headboard"

4. "Novelty as Headboard"

I'll keep you posted on what happens next!

To be continued...

D.I.Y. starring the "Pallet"

~ pal·let ~

"A Portable platform for storing or moving goods that are stacked on it"

Most of you probably remember the pallet as that 

"crude-structured-wood-crate-looking-thing" 

that would have a whole bunch of stuff piled up on it.

Forklifts would carefully haul and stack these pallets in  

garden nurseries, supermarkets, warehouses and various stores. 

Growing up, I even found the odd few in my basement or garage. 

My handy dandy father had used them to keep his many wares 

organized or off the cold damp cement floors.

Back then we would reinvent them into go carts or forts...

Well the pallet has come a long way!

There is a resurgence of green thinking that promotes 

reclaiming, re-purposing and reCREATing.

Here are a few of my favourite pal·let DIY projects...

Courtesy of various artisans, crafters and designers.

These coat and hat hook systems are creatively awesome 

and something that can incorporate found objects, 

re-purposed hooks & knobs, various finishes and styles. 

This is a DIY project that every "do-it-yourselfer" 

should try at least once.

~

 

Framing and wall art systems using the pallet is also an idea 

that can vary depending on your own creative desire and design acumen. 

Once again a cool idea!

~

Shelving for the walls...

~

Or shelving... 

stackable, a-la-carte, freestanding or mounted.

~

These tables in various finishes and styles are all made 

with the pallet as the foundation. By adding glass, inlays, wheels, re-purposed legs and deciding on the finish each table is crafted beautifully 

and has its own personality.

~

These more complex DIY pallet projects are just special...

Serving Table ~ Chest ~ Armoire

All Awesome!

~

Inspired to go pallet hunting and reclaim, re-purpose and reCREAT

D.I.Y. starring the "Pallet"

DIY Design Diary

"Do It Yourself" Design!

~ something we've all done from time to time ~

If you're like me there are times when you just wing it and your concept works. There are times that winging it is not an option since the process involves some complex manoeuvres that a checklist or step by step plan are necessary for a successful outcome. 

I'm an artist and designer who enjoys reclaiming and re-purposing to reCREATE cool artwork, functional furnishings, decor accessories and innovative installations. I am always reading, watching and following what's happening around me in the DIY world, and I have to say it is truly inspiring and amazing what people are doing by thinking creatively green. 

Here are a few cool books that really speak to the "Do It Yourself" spirit of Designing and Creating. If you get a chance check them out. 

Filled with some awesome inspiring ideas here are a few of my favourites:

One

Design Sponge at Home

Two

ReadyMade

Three

Young House Love

Four

Hand Made Modern

 Five

ReMake It!

Six

Made By Hand

Seven

The Handbuilt Home

" The design world is your oyster ~ so start shucking!"

DeeBeeCool