The New Bar

The new patio bar took its place on the deck this weekend. Have to say, I'm quite pleased. It started out as a gazebo frame we really didn't like - tacky flowers anyone? - and took down five years ago. I cut the frame apart with a jigsaw, and a test-fit the pieces on the deck to come up with the perfect proportions. (Which is one of the absolute best things about building custom - you get to build stuff to fit just where you want it to with no compromises.) Redwood top and shelves, with vintage enamel basins (eBay finds) inset into the prep shelf. Priced similar outdoor bars in a few catalogs, and $2,000 is a reasonable price. This cost less than $300 - redwood was the biggest expense so far. Tequila costs have yet to be calculated...

This Thing Old is New Again

Here's our TV stand, old and new. It's the same piece of furniture - just cut apart and rebuilt sideways.

Needed to add new stain-grade oak trim and buy new hardware and a pocket-screw jig to build it, but that was under a $90 investment for a pretty big piece of living room furniture. I'm please with the outcome - what do you think?