Tag Archives: Amanda Happe

DIY Stump Table via Seakettle

As promised, here is the very cool tree stump table I mentioned I’d be sharing last week in my post on Amanda Happé‘s tree-filled home. I think this would make an amazing bedside table.

This DIY table comes to you via Seakettle and uses the IKEA Marius Stool ($5.99) painted a matte black.  The tree stump was acquired from the parents’ log pile. A five-inch cross-section was cut, sanded, and sealed then screwed onto the legs of the Marius stool resulting in a rustic table that is clean and modern.

Tools / supplies used for this project:

  1. Tree section 12-15 inches diameter
  2. Chain saw
  3. Belt sander
  4. Wood glue to secure loose bark
  5. Tack cloth to wipe off dust (Seakettle used an air compressor)
  6. 3 coats polyacrylic for table surface
  7. Lacquer spray for bark sides
  8. Matte black spray paint
  9. A drill and long wood screws to secure stump to legs

It is obvious that the folks at Seakettle have access to more carpentry tools than the average home, I think that you surely could manage to sand the surface by hand (wear gloves) if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease. Making a level cut when you hack the log will save a great deal of time sanding later.

View the post with step-by-step instructions here.

Tree Stumps Bring the Forest In

I love trees. Trees to climb, trees to nap under, trees in the home. Yes, in the home. My husband has been routinely embarrassed by my carrying home logs and large twigs found on city walks in our neighborhood. Happily for me, trees in the house seem to be a current, if quirky trend. I’ve been enjoying seeing them pop up all over the place in the blogosphere and in stores like West Elm (I would never spend $199 on a stump!). Though I wouldn’t generally say that I’m a trend follower in fashion and decor, I’m genuinely pleased when our paths converge on a good idea. Back in November, I delighted in seeing this home tour on Design Sponge‘s Sneak Peek home tours:

Amanda Happé is a talented artist and senior designer at Bruce Mau Design living in Brockton Village, Toronto. Her spare space is full of stumps from important trees in her life that were eventually cut down, imbuing her home with the importance of her roots and honoring the idea of place in the heart and memory.

See the full tour here.

I’ll be sharing a fantastic DIY stump table soon, be sure to check back for instructions to make one of your own!