Brent 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)
ugh, more kitsch.
view visual's profile
How are birch logs kitschy? Not being snarky; I'm honestly curious.
view JV's profile
I really, really like this! Must find tree to cut down ; )
view catspajamas's profile
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.
view slowdown's profile
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.
view Laucus116's profile
How heavy is it?
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
Doesn't it need to be sealed? Will creepy crawlies live/die inside it?
view Lares's profile
They just did this on some redo show on HGTV! Yes, I just outed myself as an HGTV addict.
view alisong's profile
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.
view RedBirdCabin's profile
well said slowdown. Sorry, but I too think it looks like it was made in a survival course.
view visual's profile
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
view parade's profile