Old Sewing Table Turned Food & Beverage Station

4 Materials
Medium
July 4th may be over but, I certainly had this holiday in mind when I purchased an old sewing table at my local Goodwill. With Labor Day right around the corner, I think you should be on the lookout for an old sewing table and turn it into a Labor Day inspired party station! Or of course an anytime, day or night, party station.
This table was pretty sad and gross. I started off by cleaning it thoroughly and while it no longer had a sewing machine most of the hardware was still attached.
Once everything was cleaned and removed, I measured the opening. I'd planned on placing something like a tub or bucket within to hold the ice, beverages, and condiments. While out at garage sales one day, I came across a couple of metal food pans. Perfect!
Unfortunately, they didn't fit right out of the gate and due to the pans being tapered, it was hard to get an exact measurement of how much I needed to remove. I got out the jigsaw and cut away little by little until they fit.
Once the pans fit, it was on to removing and cleaning up the hinges. I used my hand sander and then spray painted them along with the screws in a bronze color. The same as I used on my DIY lid and on the potting bench .
For the base, I removed the front decorative handles, filled the holes with wood filler and once dry, spray painted the inside only in a bright blue color.
The rest of the base got a few coats of chalk paint in a slightly darker blue.
The lid of the sewing table would not close if the pans were still in place so, I created a shelf to fit within for storage of the pans and any other tidbits like napkins or cups, when not in use.


We cut a piece of plywood to fit, painted it the same blue as the inside and attached it to the base making sure it was level. Everything got a few coats of sealer for outdoor use but, I personally would not leave it out in the rains.
Once the shelf was in, the lid still wouldn't close because now the hinge was knocking it and getting stuck open. There are openings in the corners although they're very small so we created a little "widget" to help coax the hinge down into the hole. The lids can now close all the way.
We added some extras like a bottle opener, paper towel holder, and a dishcloth holder and now this old sewing table is ready to party. Are you?
To see a more in depth description along with more photos of this transformation, pay me a visit over at my blog! I'd love to see you there ;)
Suggested materials:
  • Folk Art Chalk Paint   (JoAnn Fabric)
  • Plutonium Spray Paint   (JoAnn Fabric)
  • Minwax Spar Urethane   (Lowe's)
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Angie @ Ambient Wares
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  2 questions
  • Betsy Ludwick Betsy Ludwick on Aug 14, 2016
    Do you leave it outdoors all summer?
  • Leslie Leslie on Aug 14, 2016
    Angie beautiful repurpose, but I am puzzled. when you close the lid do you take out the pans so that it closes flush?
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  • Joanie Joanie on Sep 04, 2017

    This would look great on my deck for pool parties and get together's. I like the paper towel holder and beverage opener. Those extra little amenities add to it!! A+ idea!!

    • See 1 previous
    • Joanie Joanie on Oct 31, 2019

      I would love to have one, but I would be being greedy. I have a full fridge in the garage with all beveriges. I love it because it is so pretty and home made. Someone who needs it has a real beauty of help and perfection.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 02, 2018

    Absolutely brilliant! This is one of the best projects I have seen on here. I wish my mother had kept her sewing machine, it would have been perfect for this!

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