You probably never realized just how lucky you'd be if you came across a tree stump, did you? Currently in vogue, stumps can be used for many different things in the home, particularly side tables.
Group three or four together to create a cluster of stumps in the living room or just one for a side table next to the sofa. Place a modern, bright colored lamp on it to keep things interesting.
Add a little padding to the top of several small tree stumps and you have easily created seating for family and friends. Attach caster wheels to a low rise stump and you have an option that can be moved to work wherever it is needed easily Sometimes it's the simplest things that look the most beautiful.
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In my first apartment I acquired a tree stump from a friend. I bought a small piece of (untempered) glass, put that on top and called it a coffee table. It worked great until I set a hot pan on it and the glass shattered.
I just spotted some lovely stumps from a tree my neighbnor cut down. Think I'l swing by and grab some. How do you dry them? Does the bark come off on its own once the stump is dry? I like the smooth look.
Simple and organic. I don't mind that these are the new put a bird on it or the Keep Calm. I've always loved organic, clean fresh outdoors brought inside. This style works with everything.
@penguin dreams
You didn't want to just get a new (tempered) glass top? What happened to it?
We are currently working on one! While we were on our honeymoon, half of a pine tree had the courtesy of landing in our front yard. Here's the first stage of the project---drying out.
http://thenestinggame.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/stumpy/
We just took the bark off last weekend and now need to give it a good sanding. I think we are decidedly anti-leg, but still debating on painting the table top.
I have three LARGE stumps drying. I have heard it is best to let them dry for a year (they dry, any bugs go away, any sap or other liquids will stop seeping). Peel the bark off, and use an old leather belt tightened as much as you can to prevent it from splitting too much. They can be painted or sealed after that. (careful too as some stumps have HUGE VERY sharp spikes under the bark - one I have drying now has these, they will need to be ground down)
We keep a cuttin' stump one for doing away with appendages that get in the way. My pinkie toes were merely decorative.
@lepidoptery, I couldn't afford to get a new top, tempered or not. I used just the stump for a while until I finally moved and I gave it to some other young and just-starting-out apartment dweller.