Good Questions: Metal Coffee Table Base?

I have a piece of Carrera marble that I had custom-cut up in the Bronx a few years ago. It's been sitting on top an old (and generic-looking) wooden coffee table base ever since, but now I'd like to replace it with a simple metal base exactly like the one depicted in the August, 2008, Martha Stewart Living magazine. Do you know of any metal fabricators in the NYC area who could make me something like this at a reasonable price? I haven't had much luck calling metal fabricators randomly from the yellow pages. I've thought of having Room and Board custom-make one for me, but they only make bases in their own styles. Many thanks, Karen H.

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

Image from Martha Stewart Living.

Comments (12)

http://www.barnettiron.com/

i've worked with this company for metalwork. anything custom will be costly, but this company is helpful.

morgik metal in hudson street. they are the best!

i meant ON hudson street...

That looks an awful lot like the Urban coffee table from CB2.
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=114&f=4220
But unless that's exactly the size you want, I suppose it's not much help.

I like the shape of that CB2 table a bit more than the similar Slim tables from Room & Board, but the finish isn't as nice. The R&B table is natural steel and the CB2 table is a dark grey powdercoat.

My mom made one almost exactly like that (many years ago) out of metal piping that you can buy at any hardware store. Very inexpensive and hers has survived over 20 years.

There's one in Woodside that I've driven past, maybe you can google that. Will try and get the number off the building next time I go by.

There's also an incredible blacksmith up in Red Hook (upstate not Brooklyn).

I have the opposite problem and would love advice on where I can get the top to my dining table replaced. Very nice base but have a few issues with the wooden top and would prefer replacing with concrete, metal, glass, marble or concrete. Any one know who could take off the current top and replace with a custom made solution?

Might it be less expensive and time consuming to go with a factory manufactured table and have another tabletop piece cut? It just seems that there are more places readily available to custom cut marble or corian tops than manufacture metal tables.

Shelter Furniture in Los Angeles makes some very nice simple steel tables similar to the one pictured with a hand applied powder coat finish. The finish gives each table a subtle natural color variation and satin finish without looking plain and flat (like the CB2 and machine applied coatings) or raw. The work is really beautiful. Shelter has their own factory and does custom work as a matter of daily business so I am sure they can help you realize the piece and incorporate the table top you already have, if that is the way you decide to go.

Shelter has no website (something I have complained to them about numerous times) which is odd because it is considered one of the nicer contemporary stores in Los Angeles. If I had to venture a guess on cost: $800-$1200 for a standard size coffee table. But that is just a guess. Give them a call and ask them to give you a quote and send you a sample and pictures of pieces with the hand applied powder coat finish. (323) 937-3222

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/81509/

jheightsgirl - I would try calling a company that does countertops in your area if you want to go with something like marble or corian. Even the Home Depot or Lowes kitchen department might be able to help or refer you. You can also find large scrap pieces of marble and corian on eBay.

I hate to be the random guy not from NYC but...I myself do a little metal fabricating. Down here in Texas you could get any welder to make a table like that for less than $600. I think even less really. I am sure it only has about $120 dollars max in materials (since you have the top and the steel is bare) that is a retail price. If you are buying from a good shop that buys materials in bulk it would be much less for materials. So the price of the steel should be pretty consistent for NYC and Texas. Now if you factor about $50 dollars a hour for labor or construction you are still good. Very expenisve welders in Texas are $75. I am not sure what the rate is for a good welder in NYC. A table like that would take max 6 hrs. If you are thinking of paying upwards of of $800 or $1200 dollars that is crazy talk. Also if you are looking to spend $800 to $1200 dollars just let me know and I will make a custom table and ship it to you. A table like that really is simple to construct. If you are not having much luck and most prices are super crazy you might call up a local technical school. Ask around or see if you can post an ad I am sure some student or instructor could create something very similar and custom pretty quick.

Hey Biscuit172 -- I'm in Houston, and I'd love a table like that. Can we talk? Hit me at kbhagen AT swbell DOT net