So… I had this brilliant idea to make a side table for the nursery. It was based off of this rustic DIY bookcase.
{via HGTV}
I was going to make it smaller. Picture the base and the next shelf up as being the top of the table. I was just going to use a thinner piece of wood for the base and top, because I’m fresh out of gorgeous reclaimed barn wood 😉 Where in the world do people find that stuff anyways?!
Anywho, I’m thinking this will be an awesome little table I can whip up on the cheap.
Couple of problems with that:
1) Not so awesome
2) Definitely not cheap
I went ahead and purchased the materials (even though I had a mild heart attack when I saw how much a key item was) hoping that when I saw it roughly thrown together at the house I would feel really good about it and go through with the project.
Here’s the failure. Keep in mind I didn’t do anything with the wood pieces or legs. It’s literally just tossed together so I could get an idea.
After I saw it tossed together I knew it wasn’t going to be worth going through the process of distressing and staining the wood, and spraying the floor flanges black.
It was going to be ugly no matter what!
And do you what to know how much ugly was going to cost me?
Pipes ($6.32 x 4) = $25.28
Flanges ($8.24 x 8) = $65.92 (that’s what made me pass out in the store)
Wood = $6.45
GRAND TOTAL $97.65
For an ugly table. That I was going to have to MAKE.
So, I returned everything and got this for $75.00.
{via Urban Outfitters}
All is good again in the world 😉
ha! DIY fail for sure! Although major win that you could return all the pieces. And I LOVE the new table!
This made me laugh so hard! Been there myself! Enjoy your new table. And thanks! 🙂
That is a funny story that hits close to home. We've all been there where DIY goes wrong! I have a console table just like this pinned and I'm glad to read about your experience (and the cost of the flanges – holy moly!) before attempting. Your little table is super cute!
when i come across a great diy that is not as cheap as i thought it would be, that puts the nail in that project's coffin!!! sorry it didn't work out! we all have those moments. and your table is adorable!
The good thing is the table you bought will have more staying power – it's a timeless piece that you could use anywhere! Anytime a diy is going to be more expensive I always walk away from the project – it's just not worth the time and energy at that point.
baaahahaha! Good call
Haha, good idea! I love how you tracked us through that. We all have things that seem like good idea, but then it doesn't pan out. Glad I'm not the only one! I have to tell you I was just so totally disoriented. I usually type in wes and it brings up your blog. This time I typed crazywon and it brought up a blog. I was like what?! She dyed her hair? Is that her? And, she can knit sweaters?! Ahhh!
Buwahahahaha! I love it! Sounds like me and my buyer's remorse. I bought those once to make a table for outside. I don't remember them being so dang expensive! Insane. I love the new table though – nice work "saving" money. hahaha
It happens to the best of us. I love that side table from UO!!
xx. Patience
whitelacquer.blogspot.com
Hilarious! I can't wait to see the nursery all put together!
Sometimes you just gotta know when to "DON'T Do It Yourself!"
Hah! Love the new table!
Hilariously written–thanks for this! The replacement piece you found is pretty fantastic, so I think in the end, you still won 🙂
While I have no doubt that you could have made that beautiful, I do love that Urban table. It's on my "need" list.
Thanks for sharing this. Makes me feel better about some of mine as well. 🙂
Haha, it happens, doesn't it? I do love the one you got instead though!!
No matter how inept you may think you are at these things, I am worse. Come here & see my latest DIY failure: http://daisybrain.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/how-not-to-build-a-treadmill-desk-3rd-attempt/
You definitely made the right choice! Sometimes a really cool project that you see online just doesn't work because you just don't have a pile of crap sitting in your garage that you could use – I just hate when that happens.