The Parsons Table, One More Way

Last week we took a look at the classic Parsons table in ten different contexts, styles, and colors, and Sarah Coffey wrote about using a rug as a tablecloth. Well here's an idea that brings those two posts together: reader Evan sent us a photo of his Parsons table, wrapped head to toe in a Kilim rug...

Amazingly, Evan's rug-wrapped table came with his rental (and was one of the main reasons he fell in love with the house!). It was the owner's Goodwill find, but a close inspection reveals that it was originally an orange Parsons table; there are a few small holes in the rug that reveal the color underneath. The rug has been cut to fit the table and affixed with tacks and glue. A piece of glass over the top provides a smooth eating surface.

We've seen tables wrapped in linen, leather, and other fabrics, but never a rug. It's an interesting DIY idea! The Parsons table seems well-suited to the project, given its simple design. So many affordable versions are available, too—like this one from Ikea, or this one from West Elm—that the experiment wouldn't necessarily break the bank, especially if you use a rug that's a flea market or Craigslist find.

What do you think? Has anyone tried a project like this?

(Image: Apartment Therapy reader Evan)

Comments (16)

sorry, but that is hideous

posted by montreal modern on September 29th 2009 at 9:33am
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Gotta admit, I'm kinda liking this...

posted by clampers on September 29th 2009 at 9:41am
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Ugh....lee!

posted by suzy8track on September 29th 2009 at 10:27am
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Wouldn't look too bad as a table cloth, but not wrapped round the legs; but heh, whatever makes your world go round

posted by Wheathills on September 29th 2009 at 10:29am
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Its rather chic...

posted by bepsf on September 29th 2009 at 10:59am
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My cats would love it. Me, not so much.

posted by asinner on September 29th 2009 at 11:31am
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Nice concept but the execution isn't working around the legs.

posted by LBhirise on September 29th 2009 at 11:32am
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I wasn't on board with the rug on the table thing, but the glass top almost makes it work.

posted by MrsCatbird on September 29th 2009 at 11:51am
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Vile.

posted by JoJenks on September 29th 2009 at 12:53pm
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No, no, a thousand times no.

posted by mirandabee on September 29th 2009 at 1:33pm
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Fab!

posted by paintitbright on September 29th 2009 at 4:07pm
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that's just effed up.

posted by erica on September 29th 2009 at 6:36pm
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I suppose it is indeed a love-it or hate-it sort of thing. It was in the house when I moved in and I fell in love with it, in part because of the muddy colors. The rug was attached to it a long time ago, and so it needs some fixing where it has started to loosen a bit. But it has a lot of character. It would be totally unusable without the glass top and would be awful if you have cats.

I'll post some more pictures on flickr sometime soon.

Evan

posted by ERT on September 29th 2009 at 7:13pm
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EW.

posted by heatherdazy on September 29th 2009 at 7:34pm
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wow- ruined a kilim AND a dining table. efficient

posted by formosagirl on September 30th 2009 at 1:11am
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I like the ingenuity, but I don't like the aesthetics.

posted by asdf3001 on October 25th 2009 at 12:40pm
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