Ottoman Topper

A few years ago I built a tray for the top of my ottoman so I could use it as a coffee table.  The tray had a glass insert which I broke the other day while cleaning it.  Therefore, I decided to build something different to top the ottoman.  This is what I came up with...

I used materials I already had so it was a cheap project to build.  I used six pieces of 2 x 4 that had already been cut to 24 inches in length.  They were left over from a work bench that my husband had built. 

I joined the 2 x 4's together using wood glue and three pieces of fir strapping glued and screwed to the bottom of the 2 x 4's.

To finish the unfinished ends I cut 2 more pieces of fir strapping to "cap" each end.  I secured it in place with wood glue and clamped it in place until completely dry.  I gave the entire piece a good sanding using a belt sander, then a palm sander using 100 grit then 220 grit sandpaper.  

I stained the joins and edges using ebony stain by Minwax removing the excess with a soft cloth.

Then I stained the entire piece with dark walnut stain my Minwax, again removing the excess stain.  Once completely dry, I sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper.  

I wanted to add a bit of an industrial look to the topper so I decided to add metal corner brackets.

I spray painted the brackets and screws with Rustoleum's dark walnut spray paint with primer.  I attached one bracket to each corner and then sanded the brackets to expose some of the metal. 

To finish the topper I applied Minwax Paste Wax to the surface.  

Simple and inexpensive.

Thank you for stopping by...

Lesa