Suggestions / Ideas for my new project. Any Ideas?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My husbands hands gripped the steering wheel tight.  The color of his face turned that shade that says he is  not comfortable at all in my request.  :" Yes:, i said.   I really think  this would be a great project for me.  I've redone other furniture and used to have fun making something beautiful for the home.  It has been awhile.  This piece of trash is worth going back. 

Normally, I don't dumpster dive and I NEVER dive with him,  but sometimes.... sometimes there is something out there that should not fill a landfill but should come home with me.  He HATES dumpster diving.  He Hates it.

Here is how I bargained

When I married DH 3 years ago last July he brought with him a touch a bachelorhood—his furniture.   Believe me it was a great trade-off putting up with Early American, 1962 style coffee and end tables to marry him, but honestly I can't take it anymore.    I finally told him I have always hated your furniture but never had the heart to tell you.  Now go back.  By then he was shaking but turned around.

 

Here is my new piece from  the curb.  It matches my office desk and furniture.  Even DH was surprised how nicely it was made.  The wood is oak or something other than pine.   It is 5 1/2 ft.  x 3 ft and nicely crafted.

It needs a new table top.  It appears to have had glass panes. The deal with DH is no glass.   Spud also uses the table every day.  

So with Spud sliding to home base ( yes he still runs across the room and slides along the table.  He was a reincarnate from Babe Ruth)   

 

Requirements:

• No Glass

• Must be able to see and enjoy the top since we can not use the table to put anything on because of Spud.

Ideas so far:

• Ceramic Tile ( large squares)
• Mosaic
• Pictures of good memories with a polyurethane coat

How would you redo this piece? 

and here is Spud. 

Notices the boxes.. he was still a puppy then.  We at least got rid of those boxes and put them in the garage, but this table is what I am putting up with now.    I say throw it to the garage and let him play with it out there... along with these boxes.

 

So how would you make a coffee table top?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

OH that is a great idea Kyoko!  There are 2 sections.

[Linda and Murphy]

I can send you the glass. (I did stain glass in a past life. Everything ended up underwater during Katrina)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh oh oh... Linda.  That would be awesome.   I already was thinking how much fun it would be to break glass ,,,, something out of my Greek Culture.  They break a lot of glass.

Are you serious?

For me that would be sentimental.  Something meaningful.  This glass was underwater in Katrina.   Sounds meant to be.... if possible. 

[Linda and Murphy]

I know I have Spud colored glass... Not sure about Miss Starlit...

I would love to send it to you. I actually was doing a piece for my sister of her field spaniel. I had all the pieces cut out and on the pattern. I have not done any since then..

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've rethought this Linda.  Don't send them.  I'll go to the thrift store for practice. Practice on something that is not so valuable first.

Maybe you should start this up again.  :)   Might be a really good healing tool.  But I really would love to see your work.   You know I love ya!

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

My idea would be to take a piece of thin plywood the size of the entire top, then add a layer of foam (at least 2" to 4" thick) to that, then a layer of quilting batting and top with a fabric (from the remnant bin at the fabric store of course)  that matches your other furniture. Staple the fabric to the underside of the coffee table and finish with a decorative braiding hot glued along the table edge and voila a beautiful coffee table, footstool and doggie rest stop.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Judi's idea would get it done quickly while you practice on the mosaic and formulate a design. Nice rest stop for the doods in the meantime!  I have to admit, I love the doodle mosaic table top idea best. Don't think you can beat that one.

[Maggie Mae (n Mom, Kay)]

A word of caution.  I did a small mosiac table with broken plates and flat tiles.  It was my first attempt and I didn't realize that my plate pieces were not totally flat like the rest of the tiles.  Consequently the top was not smooth all the way across.  I would hate for that to happen to you and would be very uncomfortable for Spud. 

I love the mosiac ideas and my try my hand at another.  May be difficult to do my Maggie since she is totally black!

P.S.  I think your old coffee table would look great with a black (or white) distressed finish....or you could turn it upside down, fill with nice cozy bedding and have a four-poster for Spud!