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How To... Build a Birch Log Table
PointClickHome

061809 log table.jpgBrent Comber's alder tables are highly covetable, but at around $2000 a pop, not exactly affordable. PointClickHome editor Anne E. Collins decided to take matters into her own hands and create a side table inspired by Comber's piece, but at a fraction of the cost...

 
 

The birch logs along with nails and screws clocked in at under $90 for the whole project. Of course it's pretty hard to beat Comber's creations for their beauty and the skill involved in making them, but for an affordable, loosely-inspired alternative, we think this is a great idea. Check out the full how-to from Collins at PointClickHome.

(Images: Anne E. Collins for PointClickHome)

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How To..., tables, DIY projects, Brent Combers

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Comments (11)

ugh, more kitsch.

posted by visual on June 18th 2009 at 8:06pm
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How are birch logs kitschy? Not being snarky; I'm honestly curious.

posted by JV on June 18th 2009 at 8:19pm
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I really, really like this! Must find tree to cut down ; )

posted by catspajamas on June 18th 2009 at 9:45pm
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It does not look good and it is not well-made, JV, that's why it's kitsch. It looks like something my father would make out of branches he's cut while pruning the trees in the backyard: "No need to buy a side table. I just made one!"

And yet I think birch bark cups are quite beautiful. I wonder how I'll be able to defend this distinction.

posted by slowdown on June 18th 2009 at 11:02pm
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I love the look of birch and I think this is a functional and decorative piece. Many designers sell things that look like they could easily be DIY projects.

posted by Laucus116 on June 18th 2009 at 11:44pm
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How heavy is it?

posted by hrhprincessfiona on June 19th 2009 at 7:28am
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Doesn't it need to be sealed? Will creepy crawlies live/die inside it?

posted by Lares on June 19th 2009 at 7:33am
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They just did this on some redo show on HGTV! Yes, I just outed myself as an HGTV addict.

posted by alisong on June 19th 2009 at 9:23am
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It is a very cool design... but some practical part of me me wants to add a simple glass circle table-top. Would that be so wrong? I fear that my pens & earrings & little things would fall into the cracks between the logs.

posted by RedBirdCabin on June 19th 2009 at 1:17pm
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well said slowdown. Sorry, but I too think it looks like it was made in a survival course.

posted by visual on June 21st 2009 at 6:55pm
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slowdown: something being "Kitsch" has nothing to do with "looking good or being well made". Kitsch is a derogatory term used to describe works created specifically to pander to public demand, which I think Anne is far from doing here.

That being said, I do agree with you that is has a very rugged look, especially when being compared to something as refined as a Comber table. And quite honestly i do not think that is a bad thing, especially when paired with some more traditional styles. I love it Anne. keep it up!

opinions make the world of design go round,
lauren

posted by parade on June 22nd 2009 at 11:37am
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