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!

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

• 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.

Base Crate:
Click HERE to see a simple drawing of the base.

• 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!

• 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.

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!

Terra cotta pots look great as  the cutlery holders too!
Paint as you desire and let dry! 

 

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.

 Now...just wait I have another idea for this same tutorial..

come back next week...

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