Magical Garden Doors for Fairies, Hobbits, Gnomes and More

Jasmin
by Jasmin
9 Materials
Save those tables from going to the dump. Create magical doors for your garden. Fairies, gnomes, hobbits... whatever your creative mind desires! This repurpose is a fun one to do with the family.
As always, I am trying to find creative ways to use things heading to the dump. Help save the earth through artistic creation.
This door was created from half of a dining table that had been left outside in a pile of rubbish. The veneer was peeling, the table was cracking.
Now, some may say ... this is too big for fairies. It's a Hobbit door! Well, whatever your imagination lets you use it for I say! Let the kids decide! It's a magical door that sits in your garden or woods and makes a GREAT trellice for climbing flowering vines! Keep adding to it, let the kids find treasures and place them around it. It can become a very interactive adventure!
Now for the nitty gritty.
The table was in a state of ill repair. However, to protect it for a while longer, I used some clear silicone and exterior clear coat.
I stained it, engraved some lines on it and painted on some fun accents.
I used an old drawer pull for a handle and added a mirror for a window.
I used an exterior contractors adhesive to secure the mirror and used some clear silicone to close up the edges so water couldn't get in behind the mirror and rot it. It appears white in the photo but dries clear.
I used some floral wire and drilled a few holes in the edge of the table to secure some grape vine to the outer edge. This is what will allow future vines to grow around it. I can't wait to see how it looks in the summer. I'm thinking maybe some morning glories!
I also added some clear silicone to the drill holes after the wires were secured. Again - closing up anywhere that rain water may get in and rot it.
I have included a door that my kindred spirited sister, Linda Choate, created with her family from salvaged wood. Another awesome idea!!!!
Over all,fun creations for the family to do together. I look forward to seeing your DIY's too!
Stop by my Facebook page and upload your creation when you are done!
https://www.facebook.com/gypsybarn
Visit Lindas other creations at Tattered Edge Studio in Illinois
https://www.facebook.com/linda.choate.9?fref=ts
Linda Choate from Tattered Edge Studio in Illinois created this one from salvaged wood scraps
The table. Past the point of saving. Nothing a little elbow grease and imagination can't fix!
I removed any veneer that was already coming off and then clear coated it with an exterior protective coat. Well, I did three coats just to be safe
I sealed the cracks up with some clear silicone and caulk and clear coat.
Engraving some lines. It helps to rub some black paint into them to make them pop
seal up the edges so rain doesn't get in behind and rot it out
add some decorative edge
floral wire to secure the vines. seal the holes up with some silicone or caulk (clear) after so rain water can't get in and rot it
Now, add whatever you want. Morning glories or scarlet runners would be cute growing up the grape vine. I added some mosses later and dried floral clippings from last years garden. Your only limit is your imagination!
Suggested materials:
  • Dining room Table   (pile of rubbish heading for the dump)
  • Paint
  • Clear silicone
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 6 questions
  • Jml13788896 Jml13788896 on Jan 22, 2017
    Depending on the width of the table. You can recreate a headboard for a twin bed. Just a thought.
  • Reem Khan Reem Khan on Jan 22, 2017
    How did you remove the veneer?
  • Sue56038285 Sue56038285 on Jul 24, 2022

    Exactly what I have been looking for. Want to make wreath/door hanging. This gave me a few ideas. Thank you!

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  • Dixie Dixie on Jan 30, 2023

    I absolutely love this! We have a vacation cabin in a National Forest. We have lots of very young great nieces and nephews that visit with their families. I’m going to start looking for my table to create this magic in a couple of different areas! They’ll be enchanting!

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