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 (18)

Gotta admit, I'm kinda liking this...

Wouldn't look too bad as a table cloth, but not wrapped round the legs; but heh, whatever makes your world go round

My cats would love it. Me, not so much.

Nice concept but the execution isn't working around the legs.

I wasn't on board with the rug on the table thing, but the glass top almost makes it work.

No, no, a thousand times no.

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

wow- ruined a kilim AND a dining table. efficient

I like the ingenuity, but I don't like the aesthetics.

Our Parsons table is covered in Il Papiro marbled paper. It served as a huge desk in my uncle's law practice and for several years now as dining room table. It's gorgeous.

p.s. I'd be begging my landlord to let me restore that table to its original orange glory.