Years ago, at the ABC Outlet in the Bronx, I fell in love with this antique onyx-topped side table. But even on sale the table was about $700, so I just took a few photos of it and filed away the idea.
When I was figuring out the floor plan for the library, I knew I would likely have to design my own side tables for the roll-arm sofa, since the bay windows made the space a little awkward for furniture. I needed long and skinny tables that were the right height for the low sofa arms. (Don’t mind my dresses hanging in the window here – I was just trying to figure out what color I liked for curtains.) :)
About the same time, I totally fell in love with the legs of these side tables that were for sale on Chairish. The dimensions weren’t right for my space though and the color of the stone was too similar to my floors, but the design was just about perfect!
I had found a welder who I was also using to make my bathroom sink base. His name is Dave and his business is called Custom Metal Concepts. He’s a really, really nice guy and was careful with all the things I cared the most about (the diameter of the rods and the sturdiness of the bases). He is not all that comfortable with painted finishes as far as I could tell though, so I offered to handle that part myself. I am so thrilled with his work on both of the projects I had him do. I knew the tables would look different from the photos I gave Dave since my dimensions were about half the size of the inspiration tables, but I think he did a wonderful job of maintaining the feel and the proportion of the originals. And they are as sturdy as can be! No wobbles here.
For the table tops, I stopped in to Allpride Marble again to see what their remnant section had to offer. I found this (very dusty) small piece of onyx that was only $30! Fabrication costs were about $50 though, just to have the tops cut to size with polished edges and then to have the surfaces honed. But I guess $80 for the stone wasn’t such a bad deal.
I measured and marked out the cuts before leaving the stone yard so I could maximize what I thought were the prettiest parts of the slab. They dropped off the finished tabletops with the sink a couple weeks ago. I LOVE how the light shines through the stone. It just glows in full sun!
Before I epoxied the onyx to the table bases, I cleaned up some of the rust off the steel legs.
I used my fingers and a rag to add some Gold Leaf Rub’N Buff to the legs in just selective spots. I didn’t want the finish to look uniform at all.
The steel took the Rub’N Buff really well and after it had dried the finish was pretty solid and wasn’t going anywhere. It dried almost like paint.
I really, really love the tables. I love how they look, but I mostly love how unique they are! Lots of people indirectly came together to create these tables – from inspiration to fabrication. It was such a satisfying creative process for me.
It’s hard to say exactly how much each table came out to in the end because the welder gave me a bundled price for the sink base and the two tables, but with the stone fabrication and everything I think these came out to about $200 each. Not exactly thrift store prices, but I know I will love these forever and ever. They are worth every penny and more to me.
These are the MOST beautiful side tables I've ever seen! I just love the simplicity of the steel legs and the onyx top is just stunning. You truly are a designer at heart Jenny. You're such an inspiration to me! xx
They are stunning!
Amazing! I actually like yours better than the $700 ABC ones!
Exquisite! So, so beautiful Jenny! You continue to astound….
Your creativity always amazes me. I have never seen anything like this— love the tables! This type stone is so beautiful and the legs make them really shine. Great inspiration!
Gorgeous tables! You indeed will surely love them forever.
These are so lovely! You inspire me to try new projects everyday! :)
Wow, wow, WOW! Beautifully executed from concept to finish. They are fabulous.
Greatest tables ever! I love that piece of stone you chose..Great welded bottoms and amazing group effort. So glad you held onto your inspiration, they are perfect! xo Nancy
Hi Jenny – Beautiful side tables! I had a question for you. Since you made these yourself you customized the height of the table in relation to the couch, right? Can you talk about how you go about choosing the right height of a side table in relation to what its next to? I always thought you'd want a table to be the same height as the arm of the couch but it looks like you when quite a bit higher.
Thanks!
Hi Julie!
I hope this answer is not annoying, but I think "feel" should always trump "rules" – it felt like for this space the side tables needed to be about where I have them now. The ceilings are very high, the rest of the furniture in the room varies in height and the tables hit at a spot that really helps to create balance.
I think the biggest reason of all was this was the lowest I could get the tables without ruining the effect of the X, while still feeling comfortable with distance between the table top and the sofa arm.I like breaking rules, but it's not for everyone :)
they are exceptional! I noticed those babies when you posted about the drapes.. gorrrgeous!
These might be my favorite project of yours to date. So amazing.
gorgeous side tables – I like your version more than those from abc carpet & home!
these are stunning! And yes worth every penny (and a steal since they are custom and so unique!) Clearly you need to be designing furniture.
Those are incredible! Did you find they had a big selection of onyx? I've never been able to find much, especially in remnants. What you found looks gorgeous!
Hi sara! If you're local, you should for sure check out Allpride. They always have remnants in really interesting stones. And the prices on the remnants are very… flexible. :) they don't hate negotiating. :) I will say their fabrication costs are not the cheapest, but they are so, so good at what they do that I'd have a hard time going elsewhere now.
so creative and beautiful, your designs are accessible~we are lucky you share so much!
So beautiful!!!
You are just amazing. I don't know how you know exactly what will look absolutely perfect when it doesn't even exist yet!! How DO you do it??!
These are bonkers. I love them very very much.
They are stunning!! You're a genius!
They are GORGEOUS! I can't stop ogling at them! :)
Emily
So beautiful – absolutely love that stone!!! I was trying to do a project along these same lines but the remnant stone places I called along with Home Depot & Lowe's all said they wouldn't have pieces small enough for the side table I had envisioned. So glad to see that it is possible!
Instead I had a welder create a couple of benches that I had powder coated in a gilt finish & topped with Mongolian sheepskin and I'm so happy with how those turned out. I would have loved to done a stone topped table though!
Beautiful!! But you're killing me. I keep coming back in hopes to see how your kitchen came out. I have black counter tops and white cabinets but I'm stuck over a floor color. I was thinking dark but you mentioned going lighter. So now I'm wondering what you did!?
Aw, sorry for the long wait! I probably won't be posting about the kitchen for a few more weeks, but it's coming, I promise!!
I ended up painting the floors Ben Moores Galveston Gray. It's still pretty dark, but I love it!!
I LOVE these (and your bathroom sink base). John's dad is a welder and has a fabrication shop and I get so excited that you're giving me ideas of things to have him (or John) build for me :)
That would be soooo dangerous for my marriage if Michael knew how to weld!! :) lucky girl, Toria!!
I haven't commented in a long while but these tables are worth saying…HOT DAMN!
Absolutely stunning!
Using dresses to figure out curtain color definitely makes me want to be your best friend! Hilarious. Also genius are those tables. I don't think I've ever seen a more amazing stone top! And the legs make it sing! My sincere thanks for being a true inspiration.
I think making custom pieces is one of my favorite parts of being an interior designer. Its so rewarding at the end, especially if its SO MUCH CHEAPER than the originals.
Bravo.
Jenny, these are fab, and my only concern is how you will keep rust marks from staining your beautiful rug and flooring. I don't see a little pad under the table legs in your photos. They are beautiful! Best wishes.
Not to worry! The underside of the legs were wire brushed and sealed before coming home with me! Forgot to mention that in the post, so thanks for the reminder!!
Your tables are stunningly elegant. Love them! I've never paid much attention to onyx other than black, but now I will.
Gillianne, to me the key with onyx is the honed finish. That's how you get that soft glow. And I think the colors sing that way. So much more of the pattern comes out. Mother Nature for the win, every time!! :)
They are absolutely beautiful, and I loved hearing about your creative process as always. You've really been inspiring me to locate local artisans who can help bring ideas to life instead of just relying on what's available in stores.
You are inspiring me to look through the old photos I have stored on my phone and see if there any ideas I can create. Fantastic idea and great work in making it all come together Jenny!
So pretty! Ahhhh, I love.
Sarah
thesurznickcommonroom.blogspot.com
These are really such a culmination – how incredible to see all the pieces come together in two pieces :) I would be so proud of these, if I had created them!
I agree with Ariella…much prettier than the ones at ABC outlet!
I love the bottom of these! It is so fun that you got to design your own sidetables
Okay so you're a goddess. NBD.
x Lily
http://whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com/
Not the cheapest side tables, but definitely worth it. Those are so beautiful and I love that they have a story behind them. Such an inspiring post. Thanks Jenny!
Oh..The tables are beautiful. I know how you feel when you get what you want and how exactly you want.
Wow Jenny! I love these! You can design furniture for me any day!
Gorgeous!
Those are truly beautiful. Great job.
Obsessed!
Fabulous!
Your creativity is astounding!! These are absolutely gorgeous!!
These are gorgeous! The stone you chose is beautiful!
The side tables are perfect. I am always amazed at your ability to recreate something to your exact specs. The stone is glorious.
These are just UNREAL! I love them!
Your tables were so much better than ABC's! I respect your work so much
These are absolutely gorgeous! Such a testament to creativity, persistence and out of the box thinking. Love it!