Good Questions: Driftwood Table DIY Tips?

Hello AT,

At the risk of sounding like a cheeseball, I've fallen for this kind of coffee table.

The problem is, they're all really pricey ($700-$1000). Does anyone know where I can find one that's closer to $200-$250 and /or know where some quality driftwood can be found near NYC?...

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

I was thinking Fire Island, but there aren't all that many trees. And if you do happen to know of a driftwood goldmine, if you also happen to know the best place to find the glass that'd be helpful too.

Thanks,
Valerie

Comments (13)

The majority of the cost of the table will probably be in the thick tempered glass, even if you find driftwood for free. F.Y.I.

check "From the Source" in Chelsea and DUMBO for the drift pieces.... huge discount in chelsea store now.... 30% off everything. Then, get the glass and you should be set.

-kellen

I've lived all my life on Fire Island, and can tell you that you will not find any good natural driftwood there. They're all planks and ugly chunks of treated wood. Driftwood like the piece above mostly comes (in this country) from the Pacific Northwest - the beaches are littered with the stuff.

The current issue of Readymade Mag. has a how-to, with plexiglass, that you can cut to any shape.

The magazine doesn't include the plexiglass, the article suggests it. Polycarbonate, would also be a nearly indestructible solution. If you use polycarbonate, be sure to get the scratch-resistant coating.

Upstate, in the Hudson River. I swear. I've collected it before. You do not have to go to the Pacific Northwest. However, you could also hit Ebay.

How about modernizing the idea - fill a lucite or some sort of glass square box with driftwood, or better yet, with one big piece as a sculpture in it. Take a look at Sasha Sykes' Farm 21 pieces to get an idea of what I am talking about. Anyway, you could use a pair of them as a coffee table.

Saw a ton of this type of driftwood at Cannon Beach, about an hour away from Portland Oregon.

Becky

I'm right there with ya on enjoying that table! On the left coast, I was lusting for one of the redwood burl types. I just kept on searching Craigslist until I found the perfect one for $60.

Here's a link to a photo:
http://www.russianriverchalet.com/2006/07/burl_wood_table.html

If you ask me, you should be able to get a coffee table size one for under $300. Keep on looking!

I used to have two aquariums with fairly large pieces of driftwood in each, though not as large as used for that table. You may be able to find several large pieces at an aquarium shop and arrange them together, attached somehow to a base.

.

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions!

another place to check would be any large lake ... usually one that has some logging around it happening. or no logging if your willing to cut the tree off the trunk. I live on the west coast but i know a few lakes that are a fairly good size that are driftwood gold mines and have alot of that type of stump driftwood all because of the logging happening nearby. but it needs to be a large lake or the driftwood won't really have the chance to get the sanded down look of the beach variety.

hey im looking at building one how are the pieces of drift wood stuck together. If u know please email me at chrisbayens69@hotmail.com

I have a large supply of driftwood for tablebases and other uses as well as burl tabletop slabs. I sell the tables complete or in pieces. But I will tell you that a large part of the expense is the glass for tops. I can sell you a bass reasonably priced. thejinx13@netzero.com