The following project is one that I completed the summer of 2011. This project required the use of any found material. I love to see people create amazing products out of once used products so this project was perfect for me. The material that I decided to use were wood pallets. Lucky for me the pallets that I stumbled upon were as good as new but I still had to break the pieces apart...
After breaking apart the pallet I then had to measure out the pieces needed to form the legs of the ottoman/side table. Two pieces would be combined to form one leg, this would accommodate the 20 degree angle that I designed for the legs to have.
This is the shape of the legs after combining the two pieces. For this connection I used wood glue, a wooden dowel, and a nail gun.
A shelf would not only serve as storage but is used to connect the legs and support the structure. I simply cut down two planks and sanded them so that they would be uniformed. After I position them side by side so that they connect and then reinforce the shape with a border around the perimeters of the rectangle shape.
All pieces are then connected to form the bottom half of the ottoman. This is what will support the tray/cushion.
To create the tray/cushion I first start out by cutting the top piece that will be upholstered on one side and stay flat on the other. I then cut pieces to be attached around the tray to form a border. This piece is important because it is what allows for the tray to be flipped from one side to the other.
Time for staining...You want to allow a day for the stain to dry on the wood. For quick drying, wipe off immediately after applying the stain.
To create cushions for the opposite side of the trays, I found some old fabric that I had been having then purchased a cheap pillow.
The pillow had to much stuffing therefore I cut the pillow open and began to remove material until the thickness was what I desired for it to be.
After removing stuffing from the pillow I simply stapled the pillow down to the wood, leaving a border for the trim to be attached without any lifting.
Following the attachment of the pillow, I then do the same for the fabric of my choice.
After the pillow and fabric is attached, then I install the trim for a clean finish.
This is truly why I am a designer, to be able to take wood pallets and transform them into ottomans is simply "Divine" as Candace Olsen would say.
Until next time...
