Tree Stump Tables

As you may have gathered from my other blog posts, I'm a big fan of furnishings and accessories that can work equally well in traditional and contemporary homes. Tables made from tree stumps fall nicely into this category, in my opinion. In a cottage they're cozy, and in an urban loft they're eclectic. I've spotted enough of these now that I had to blog about them. If you're "stumped" about where to find one, read on.

The tables on the top left are from Pottery Barn and are priced at $199-$299. West Elm (Pottery Barn's cheaper, more contemporary cousin) also offers a natural tree stump side table for $199 (photo top right). Page 38 of the March 2008 Issue of Domino Magazine featured a pricier tree stump stool from ABC Carpet and Home ($1,695, pictured bottom left). (Ah yes, that one must have been made from the stump of the fabled money tree!)

If you're a do-it-yourselfer and you want to "branch" out and make your own tree stump table like the ones in the lower right photo, Martha Stewart offers DIY instructions here.

Three Unconventional Floor Coverings

Sure, gleaming hardwood floors are gorgeous and tile is timeless, but I can't help but appreciate the creativity of these unconventional floor coverings:




















Wine Crates
A Domino Magazine reader sent this photo for inclusion in the "Cheap Tricks" section of the Domino website. What a clever way to repurpose wine crates! I'm a little puzzled by the fact that this is a bathroom floor though--this idea seems more appropriate for a kitchen or a casual dining space to me.















Brown Paper Bags
Kathy Wilson, whose official title is "The Budget Decorator" offers this tutorial on how to create a rustic faux leather floor using torn brown paper bags. She adds that repairing damage to the floor just involves ripping up a new bag!















Recycled Leather Belt Floor Tiles
At $75 /sq.foot, these modular floor tiles from Ting are pricey, but what a neat idea!

Great Money-Saving Tips From This Old House

Looking for ways to save a little moolah on home-related expenses? Check out "50 Nifty Tricks for Big DIY Savings" from This Old House. My favorite was tip #3: keep closet doors closed. Now that's my kind of easy DIY project! Not only will you save $50 per year on energy expenses, but you'll be improving your home's Feng Shui!

Photo Credit: Amy Bell