Sunday, June 30, 2013

DIY Service Station for Entertaining

I LOVE the 4th of July! I love fireworks in the sky...or in a jar, sine we don't have them in the sky anymore! Red, white, and blue...and stars and stripes everywhere. And celebrating with family and friends. Usually we attend a chili cook-off but this year it was cancelled, so I am preparing to host a small gathering at my house...and I have to get my act together...QUICK!


DIY service station for entertaining



Don't you find space is at a premium when you entertain?
Well, I do! With a few boards, some screws, and paint (or wood stain) you can create a small but effective station to hold your essentials: plates, cutlery, napkins! And while I did originally make this for the 4th...Look at how versatile it is....isn't that a fun FOOTBALL set up!?


The 4th is right around the corner...but this project is seriously, ridiculously EASY and QUICK. I made it in less than an hour (not including paint)...and that was at midnight...

and I had never used a hole saw or cut a circle with a jigsaw before! Imagine how quickly you could move if you made it during normal daylight hours! (Psst....It also separates for easy storage.)


Supplies:
  • 22 - 1.5" wood screws
  • 1 - 1 x 8 pine board
  • 1 - 1 x 6 pine board
  • 2 - 1 x 3 pine board (you need about 66" of board)
  • 3- 4" terra cotta pots ( or mason jars -  I used the Blue Mason Jars)
  • Wood stain (I used a combination of paints and stains from DecoArt to get the color I wanted)
  • Acrylic paint (for the terra cotta pots). I used red, white and blue.
  • Sandpaper (I used my Dremel)

Tools:
  • Saw (or ask them to cut it for you at The Home Depot)
  • Drill (or screw driver) 
  • Hole Saw or jigsaw
  • Paint brush
  • Rags/paper towels

Cut List:
1 x 8 =  20" (cut 1)
1 x 6 = 10" ( cut 2)
1 x 6 = 20" (cut 2)
1 x 3 = 21.5" (cut 2)
1 x 3 = 11" (cut 2)

**Sand the ends of the cut boards if necessary.

Make the Stand: 

Click here to view a simple drawing of the Stand


504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station


  • Mark the center (length and width) of the 1 x 8 x 20 board.
  • Draw a 3.25" circle using the center of the board (10" in from the side) as the center of the circle.
  • On EACH side of the center circle, measure over 5.25 inches on the center line. This is the CENTER for the other two circles (there will be 2" between the cut edges  of each circle). Mark your circles for cutting.
  • Cut the circles. NOTE: I have never used a hole saw...I purchased one....but (at midnight, realized I forgot to buy the pilot bit) so instead...
    • I used a drill with a large bit.
    • I drilled a hole on the outside line of my circle.
    • Then I used a jig saw to cut the circle. Truth - I need to practice cutting circles...but it worked!
  • Cut all three circles, and sand the edges.
  • This top is designed to have about a 2" overhang (just for style).
    • Match up the edges of the top shelf with the 2 - 1 x 6 x 10 pieces.
    • One side will be flush and one side will extend by 2".
    • Insert screw into the back, about 3/4"-1" from the edge.
    • Then screw in the other screw about 2.25" from the front edge.
    • Repeat this on both sides.
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

Base Crate:
Click HERE to see a simple drawing of the base.
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

  • Lay out the 2 - 1 x 6 x 20 boards
  • Grab the 2 - 1 x 3 x 11 boards and place them on the short sides  of the base
  • Screw the 11" boards to the base (20" boards) with 2 screws on each boards. I placed the screws over XXX and XXX from the edges.
  • Take the 2 - 1 x 6 x 21.5 boards on the long sides of the base (it should all fit well).
  • Screw the sides together on each end, 2 screws each.
  • Along the bottom, place a screw in the center and then another centered between the center and end on each side.
  • All done!
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

  • Now...sand everything. I like to sand all of my edges to round them out and remove sharp edges and corners, as well as the ends of the boards.
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

Paint or Stain or Decorate
  • I chose to stain the boards, but you can just as easily paint the service station a solid color.
  • I played a lot with my colors...
    • I started white washing the boards...too light.
    • I added some antique mum color mixed with staining medium...still too light.
    • FINALLY, I mixed some Light Cinnamon acrylic paint with water and washed the whole piece...still not quite right.
    • FINALLY X 2, I used BURNT UMBER mixed with staining and glazing medium and water and brushed it on all over and wiped it off with a damp rag.
  • Let dry!
You can decorate the piece with paint or vinyl...
or make a teeny pennant like I did -
this way the stand is very versatile for hosting even more parties!
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

Terra cotta pots look great as  the cutlery holders too!
Paint as you desire and let dry! 
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

 

NOTE: You can attach the stand to the base, but I find it easier to keep the pieces separate - the stand flips down for easier storage! You can use mighty putty to keep the stand.
504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

504 Main Holiday Buffet Service Station

 Now...just wait I have another idea for this same tutorial..
come back next week...

Signature

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

I was provided with a giftcard to shop at The Home Depot and create a project. The project was designed by me and my ideas and chitter chatter are my own creation.

This giveaway is sponsored by Coupons.com

34 comments:

  1. I would use the "Save 40% Off One Regular Priced Item" one. Code: AE831

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would use the "Save 15% Off Select Small Appliances" one. I need a food processor :)
    The code is: SAVE15

    ReplyDelete
  3. such a great idea! i could have used something like this last weekend!I best make one up before the next shin-dig. thanks for sharing this great project

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would use the 40% off one item for joann's.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would use the 50% off the red white and blue sale for home depot.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10:17 AM

    I was hoping I would be able to get to the big city where Joann's is before the 4th as I really wanted to make a fun patriotic wreath- I would use the j40% off code AE831 as it would be useable for a wreath- flowers- and ribbon that I would need.
    Joann's is an hours drive away - I wish it was just around the corner but that isn't probably a good idea as I would be spending all kinds of time and money there!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:21 AM

    Love the little entertainment center- I am having a bee luncheon for our bee keepers meeting later in July and this would be a great thing to make!

    I would use the Dyson code DYSONHD20 as my 30 year old (yes that's right!) is needing to be replaced and I have heard the Dyson's are good vacuums.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would use Save Up to 50% Off Select Items with the Red White & Blue Sale

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would use Save Up to 40% Off Scrapbooking Products from Joann coupons.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would use the 40% off coupon

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would use the free shipping code for Home Depot.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous7:02 PM

    I would use Save Up to 50% Off Select Items with the Red White & Blue Sale!

    Name on rafflecopter: Amanda Sakovitz

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous7:02 PM

    id use Save 15% Off Select Small Appliances


    Name on rafflecopter: Amanda Sakovitz

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would use the Save 40% Off One Regular Priced Item at Jo-Ann.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would use the Save Up to 50% Off Select Items with the Red White & Blue Sale code as home depot.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Joann's I would use the 40% off coupon

    ReplyDelete
  17. @HD I would use the Save Up to 50% Off Select Items with the Red White & Blue Sale code

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would use the 40% off regular priced item!

    underthebigoaktree at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would use the 15% off small appliances coupon code!

    underthebigoaktree at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. that is a great idea... might have to do that , especially now that we have a house and will be entertaining guests :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would use the 40% off one item coupon to buy some fabric to make cute bunting like you've made!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would use the Tool Combo kits- Your choice only $199. I've got to stock up on power tools!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love this project!!
    40% off sounds like a great deal to me!

    ReplyDelete
  24. 15% off a small appliance sounds like something I'd use :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would use the Save 40% Off One Regular Priced Item coupon at Jo-Ann's.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would use the Save 15% Off Select Small Appliances at Home Depot.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fantastic idea and you could use it for all your entertaining!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would definitely use the Save 40% Off One Regular Priced Item coupon to get a ton of festive fabric to make a photo booth backdrop at my 4th of july party!

    ReplyDelete
  29. At home depot I would definitely use the Save $5 Off 1-Gal Paint Cans & $20 Off 5-Gal Buckets because I have a TON of painting projects: Outdoor furniture, front door, headboard, hallway, vintage desk, nightstand... I need some paint!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would use 40% off from JoAnns to get some fabric for a bulliten board.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would use Free Shipping on most orders $45+ to get some paint from Home DepoT!

    ReplyDelete
  32. How adorable! I love this!

    Allison @ www.allisonskinnyjeans.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. AE831 for %40 off regular priced item

    ReplyDelete
  34. SAVE15 for small appliance

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!