Make a demilune table

Browsing through home decor shops I came across several half-circular - or demilune - tables, all of which were a bit plain and more than a bit pricey. If this is a style that you like, here's how to make your own table for less than R100 (if you have some offcuts lying around)!

 

 

 

 

 

YOU WILL NEED:

Half-circle of 12mm
Supawood (MDF)
Length of polystyrene moulding
Contact adhesive
Wood for legs
Panel pins
Wood filler
Rust-Oleum Painters Touch - Kona Brown
Rust-Oleum Antique Gold
OR Guilders Paste - antique gold and black
Small tin acrylic PVA - white
Dark wood stain concentrate
Disposable gloves
Soft, clean cloth
Masking tape

 

 

TOOLS:

Hammer
Paint brush
Sander and 240-grit sanding pads (or
sandpaper)
2 Clamps

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

 

 

1. Paint the top of the table with a slightly diluted coat of white PVA to make it easier to spray later on.

 

 

 

 

2. Apply contact adhesive to the edge of the table top and the top edge of the polystyrene moulding. Leave for 15 - 20 minutes until the contact adhesive feels only slightly tacky.

 

 

3. Have someone help you. Starting at one side, position the moulding against the edge of the top and very slowly curve to the shape of the half-circle. You will need to hold the starting point firmly in position whilst you gently hammer in panel pins - through the moulding and into the edge of the table top. You can also use a clamp to keep in place, but be careful not to damage the moulding.

 

 

 

 

4. Continue to stick together and hammer in panel pins as you apply the full length of moulding to the curved top. At the end, again continue to hold whilst you firmly press along the applied curve to make sure that the moulding is firmly adhered to the top and clamp at the end. Leave this to cure completely overnight.

 

 

5. Use wood filler to fill in any gaps and nail holes and sand these to remove all excess wood filler once dry.

 

6. Lightly sand the table top and polystyrene moulding and wipe clean. This provides a better surface for painting. 7. Mix dark wood stain with the white acrylic PVA and apply one coat over the polystyrene moulding. Allow to dry.

 

 

 

 

7. In a well-ventilated area, start spraying the entire top with Rust-Oleum Painters Touch - Kona Brown. Allow to dry between coats. You will need about three coats on the top for a smooth, glossy finish.

 

 

8. Use the Rust-Oleum Antique Gold on the moulding to create an aged, antique effect. Alternatively, you can use Guilders paste in gold and black to create the same effect - buff the latter to a high shine.

 

 

 

 

Adding the legs:

Attach 3 legs to the underside of the table using small blocks to support the legs and add strength and stability. I also added an additional shelf lower down that was cut to fit between the legs. Sand the legs and spray with Rust-Oleum Painters Touch - Kona brown.