DIY Patio Table ( A Second Repurposed Placemat Project)
Who knew those old cork backed placemats could be repurposed in so many different and creative ways?
I picked up three of them last year at a thrift store for just $1 each, then stowed them in my thrifted collection until I decided what to do with them. A couple of creative members of the blog's Facebook group gave me some suggestions and I've used them to make 3 fun projects.
So this is what I started with - a basic, faded, ho-hum cork backed placemat in serious need of some DIY love.
For this project, one of the members suggested I use it as the top for a patio or deck table. I thought that was a great idea!
I had a few ideas for a base - an existing table I could upcycle, a set of tall matching candle holders I could repurpose as legs, or a lamp needing a new purpose. A visit to my favorite thrift store yielded...NOTHING!
So I came back home and decided to look through my stash of thrifted treasures (which I should have just done in the first place). Again, nothing was clicking.
Then I remembered a tall candle stand I had found at the thrift store a couple months ago. I had planned to paint it, add a candle, and let it just continue on as a candle stand.
But the idea of using it as a patio table was getting pretty cozy in my mind and I decided to abandon my original plan and repurpose it instead.
I gave it a shot of fresh paint and set it aside to dry.
I decided to use a fabric cover for the top and had a perfect piece left over from another project.
After giving the surface of the placemat a light sanding and damp cleaning, I spread a layer of Mod-Podge on and smoothed it over the top and edges.
I gave it a second coat of Mod-Podge to seal both the fabric and the cork backing.
Back to the base...
I loved the idea of a pedestal base, but I wanted a bit more stability. I found a strip of wood in my husband's shop and cut it into a couple of strips.
After giving the strips a coat of matching paint, I glued them to the base.
Finally, I glued the top to the supports and after a 24-hour dry, I had a cute little patio table from made from a $1 cork backed placemat!
Although it's sealed with a top coat, I do plan to keep it in a covered area so it isn't exposed to direct rainfall. Summer thunderstorms can be brutal where we live.
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Michele Morgan on Mar 25, 2019
This is absolutely gorgeous!! TYSM!
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To Work With My Hands on Mar 27, 2019
You’re so welcome, Michele.
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To Work With My Hands on Jun 17, 2020
Thank you!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Probably not but she mentioned an old lamp - too tall for a table - about 5' - I think I should repurpose it but what could I use it for? Any ideas?
Hi you glued the two pieces of wood to the top of the candle holder which has a dip in it where did you put the glue and what glue did you use please
The wood strips were enough to support the placemat as a tabletop?