Tree Stump Coffee Table

tree stump coffee table
I have a favorite magazine that I bought like 5 years ago....no kidding, still have it. I wish I could remember what its called....Something about ...actually I really don't know what its called. I won't even try. Anyway. In that magazine it featured a house and in the living room the guy used concrete for table tops on his coffee table and side tables. Not concrete that he molded and smoothed out himself. A piece of concrete from a sidewalk that was torn up by his house. I thought this was an excellent idea...something I remember every time I see broken piles of concrete. I've even tried to pass this by the hubs....but it was a total no go.

Its ideas like those that I thrive off of though. I drive by a tree lot every single day on my way to work and back home. A few months ago I started to notice piles of wood growing and growing. They had a lot of small limbs and branches, but that's not what intrigued me. It was the huge ol' stumps that took up more than half the pile that caught my eye. Then I remembered those concrete tables, and huge piles of concrete. I don't know why my mind works like that...concrete, wood...same thing, right?
Anyway.

I didn't even know if they sold the stuff. Its not like a place of normal business, there's no building, no office. Just every once in awhile I'll see a truck there planting a tree or delivering more wood. So, after months and months of trying to contact these people, I finally saw them one day out moving trees. I called the hubs in two seconds flat and told him to get the truck, we were going to pick up stumps. I don't know what he was thinking when I said this. He knew I wanted some stumps, but really didn't ask why. Which, I thought was amazing. Cuz really, what would a girl do with some old nasty tree stumps anyway? This is why I love my husband. He doesn't question my weird ideas...sometimes.

I didn't even know how much tree stumps went for. $5, $10, $40??? No idea. Well, apparently they go for $4 each. The guys at the tree place thought I was crazy. Had no idea what I was talking about turning these stumps into a table. Probably got the good deal cuz they felt bad for me since I was delusional. :) It pays to have crazy ideas.

Anyway. I got five of them for $20.  
Differing sizes of course. The vision in my head was a coffee table with five stumps, with five different heights.

First, I sanded the heck out of them. But, still left enough wood grain and detail to show they were once a tree.
Next, I primed each one one half at a time.
(this one I had to fill with mud cuz it had a very scary looking hole that went through the whole thing, and I didn't know what the heck would rear its little head out of it at any given time in my living room...so sealed up it got)
Then I painted them a slight off color of white. Next was to seal them up, mainly cuz I was fearful of little spidies and buggies coming out of the woodwork,  I used some Polycrylic on every single square inch. 
So, my vision was five tables. Obviously my vision had no idea of how gigantic these babies really are. So, once I got three into the house, I left it at that...there was definitely no hope for five.
Tree Coffee Table
Thankfully, the hubs likes them. He didn't at first, but then he realized that they don't move like the coffee table did when he puts his feet on them. Its the little things in life....I guess :)
Tree Stump Table
I love the odd characteristics that each piece has and the brightness it brings into the room.
Tree Stump Coffee Table
Here's my coffee table before: 

And after:
Tree Stump Coffee Table

Now that I have two more stumps, maybe I'll make some side tables....? Although, that may be just a bit overboard :)

For the most part, I was lucky that these pieces were cut straight, but the middle one totally was not.
Nothing that a piece of 2x4 underneath couldn't fix :) And you can't even tell, huh?

Just an FYI in case you want to get some of your own wood for some tables...make sure that its seasoned, and not wet at all or else you'll get nice little buggies everywhere. You'll know its seasoned when the bark on the outside either isn't on there anymore, or comes off easily....and obviously, if its not wet. It takes about a year or so to get it seasoned. That's why you need to find big random piles of wood that have been sitting there for awhile like I did :)
Happy Hunting!

89 comments

  1. haha - Love it!!! And I even have some stumps in my yard from trees we cut down to build our house. I'm pinning you so I'll remember to do this!!!

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  2. I really like this idea! I saved a round glass top that would sit six comfortably. I am just looking for the perfect leg. I think I may have found it!

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  3. What a great coffee table. I've seen these before but never grouped together. Love!

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  4. i love tree trunk tables! looks gorgeous in your casa :)

    Jackie
    http://jaclyndesigns.blogspot.com/

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  5. you are SO CREATIVE! what a great idea. i love it. thank you for sharing your brilliance on this blog.
    if you ever have a spare moment, i'd be tickeled for you to stop by my blog!
    -bridget
    www.delightfulbybridget.blogspot.com

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  6. I love the painted look! Not too long ago, a tree in our backyard gifted us with many pieces of wood. I promptly decided some of that was going to good use in my house. Unfortunately... I'm gonna have to wait awhile before it can actually come in my house. I love the coffee table look you went for!

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  7. I love it!! I want those in my living room!

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  8. I saw a tree trimming company with a load on the back of their truck at Taco Bell. Again, my husband gave me a look, and so did the two guys when I asked them what they were doing with the wood, and if I could have a piece of the stump. We popped it into my trunk, and it's in the garage now drying out. I propped it up about an inch, so the air could get to it on both sides. I think it will be ready to go by fall, your post got me all excited about it! I'm going to use it as a night stand on my husbands side of the bed.

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  9. Oh yeah, I'm totally loving this idea. They look fab in your living area. Well done.
    Anne xx

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  10. Coolest idea EVER! It looks absolutely A-mazing. Good job lady ;)

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  11. Coolest idea EVER! You did an A-mazing job! Love it ;)

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  12. I can't believe you got them for $4 each! Will have to find a tree place now, because my own sad attempt at this failed because my stump was just waaaay too small. Love the finish too!

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  13. So can I come and buy your old coffee table??

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  14. I Love this idea, your coffee tables look amazing. I even mentioned them on a blog post I have just written http://buffysworld-buff.blogspot.com

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  15. This is beautiful! I'm reeeeeally tempted to try it!

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  16. This is adorable. I am going to keep my eyes open for some wood stumps!!

    http://ashtonscraftycreations.blogspot.com/

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  17. GIRL!!!! This is amazing! I can't believe how much I like them. We have cut down quite a few trees and never have I thought they would look nice in our house (and we don't even have a nice house like yours)! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. You are so inspiring!

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  18. Very, very cool and creative! Stopping by from Someday Crafts!
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatulas

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  19. Again, very awesome! they really open the floor up and it's refreshing actually. beautiful job!

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  20. I completely love this idea! I have wanted to make stump tables for my outdoor space forever, but now I see the potential for how gorgeous they can be inside! Now, I gotta find a tree stump place!! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. :O Great Job! I saw something like this at the oriental restaurants. But your tables are more beautiful. (And cheap, I'm sure) Now your room looks more light and big than whit the dark table... Amazing!
    Congratulations. Pepa.

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  22. This. Is. Awesome! What a stellar idea. I want to go find some tree stumps! Thank you so much for sharing this great project.

    Feel free to swing by my blog to see how to make healthy ice cream...no ice cream maker required!

    -MJ @ MD School Mrs.

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  23. What a great idea and your room is gorgeous.

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  24. Oh my goodness, I love these!!!! Thank you, THANK YOU for posting this- I am showing this to my husband!!! I'm always admiring the silver tree stump tables that different decorating stores have, and I told my husband that I wanted to get a tree stump and paint it myself. He said it couldn't be done without getting a house full of bugs, but NOW I have the proof that it can. (plus the pictures to show how gorgeous it looks!) I am going to feature you today on my blog, and I'm your newest follower! :)

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  25. This is completely incredible! I love it. I also love the idea of the concrete table, so thanks for sharing! :) I'm linking up to this project in a week or 2 at decorhacks.com.

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  26. Here is the link to the feature today- I can't say enough how much I love this!! :)
    http://inside-outdesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/before-after-thursday_16.html

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  27. Shut your mouth! I have seen stumps stained and polyed, but NEVER would have thought to paint them! And I like it better then the wood ones! This is fantastic! I'm going to have to scout out some tree stumps now! Thanks for the brilliant idea!

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  28. That's a great idea. Also great tips for choosing good tree stumps. The tree stumps look fabulous in your home. Great work!


    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  29. That looks really cool. What a gret way to bring nature into your house.

    :) Michelle

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  30. nice!!! we use tree stumps as seats around our firepit, but i never would have thought about painting them!! hmmm.......might have to add this to the project list!

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  31. Love it! Why is it that I see posts like this right after I discard something. I had a tree cut down and had them cut five stumps as stools around the fire pit which we haven't used since. My husband took the stumps to the dump recently. I was so sad as I had thought of using one as a natural side table but was afraid of spidies and buggies too! The grouping painted white is really beautiful....I want my stumps back!!!

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  32. Looks great! I just got a tree stump out of the back of my son's truck! Not sure what I'm gonna do with it yet...it was firewood to him! ;)

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  33. Just brilliant! *Love* this idea.

    I once asked the gardener outside my old apartment complex for some of the branches he was cutting off a tree (I was going to make a gate out of them) and by the look in his face, he obviously thought I was whack-o or something. Some people just don't get it, do they? LOL!

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  34. What an absolutely wonderful idea! Love the color you chose!
    Blessings!!

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  35. I LOVE this! Very impressive!

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  36. memawbakesmemories.blogspot.com says:
    I love this idea. About 20 years ago, my dad planted oak trees across the front of the property I now own. They have grown nicely, but this spring the power company trimmed them away from the power lines, and ruined them.

    They will be cut down as we have time this summer. I think this would be a perfect way for me to have something of the trees to remember him by. If anyone comments about them, I can say they are the trees my dad planted.

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  37. New updated coffee table looks classy. Well done.

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  38. I LOVE THIS!! I love it so much I featured it this week at my Hookin' Up with HoH party!

    Stop by and grab a button if you'd like!

    Allison @ House of Hepworths

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  39. I love this idea, although I have though about a tree trunk table before, I had never thought to paint it! Gorgeous! So clever!

    Collette

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  40. Oh, I have been wanting to make a stump table for so long but there are NO trees in Texas!! Lucky you it looks great!

    I would love to have you come and do a guest post about this project at Remodelaholic if you are interested please let me know and I will get you all the details!

    Thanks,
    Cassity

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  41. i absolutly love this idea. while i have a coffee table i love, im thinking 'ottoman' maybe add a cushion. my husband and boys already think im a crazy 'picker' because i see beauty if stuff others are throwing away....cant wait to become a crazy 'stumper'
    thanks for sharing...i love the look.
    one question...how heavy were they?

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  42. How cool is THAT? I love it. I can't get over how much it freshens up the room from the picture with your other table. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. This is an awesome project! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/thrifty-and-chic-tree-stump-coffee-table/

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

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  44. They look AMAZING!! I am trying to get my guy on the tree stump bandwagon too!!

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  45. we stayed at a very upscale boutique hotel not long ago and they had stump endtables painted silver. They were beautiful. Been looking for the perfect stumps ever since to do the same thing.

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  46. i am in love with your tree stumps and the entire look of the room! gorgeous!!!

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  47. Gorgeous! I love how this looks in your beautiful room!

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  48. This is such a great idea! I featured it on my blog http://yourforever.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/diy-tree-stump-tables-from-thrifty-and-chic/ and added you to my blogroll. Such great DIY projects you do! Living in Seattle - I'm sure I could find a stump or two outside my door!

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  49. Love this idea! i would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to grab a featured button. Thanks!

    http://reuseandupcycle.blogspot.com

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  50. You just made my day!! Seriously I have been trying to figure out for ages where to snag some stumps for tables. I even called a lumber yard and the person thought I was a raving lunatic. I was so afraid by the time I found some, the concept wouldn't be chic anymore and I'd have to go hunting for the next great trend in upcycling. Great post!

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  51. Popping over from Better After... love it, love it love it! (Them :) I have a stump in the garage.... definitely seasoned. To get rid of it, we would have to cut it up some. Cut it up a lot, actually. I had so much fun reading your post -you have a great blog!

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  52. here from better after! love love love your stump tables! thanks for the play by play. i feel like going out and looking for a stump right now!

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  53. i did this back in the 70's, loved the look until i had to move. when we picked them up sap had run all through the carpet beneath and i had to pay to replace the carpet. i thought since they were "dead" stumps there would be no sap..hah! suprise, not a good one. course you probably already knew this

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  54. These are great! I once knew someone else who did this, but she did not seal them and had worms everywhere. Will this primer prevent this?--Beth

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  55. I love this!! Where did you get your rug? I really love it!

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  56. Fabulous.

    I must try this :)

    It really makes your room look larger and brighter, love them! So impressed how you found your inspiration and that you actually pulled off your vision so perfectly, well done!

    Katie@Little Things Bring Smiles

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  57. We love rustic design, and this would go perfectly in our house! I love it. Do you think it's possible to not paint and keep it natural? by the way your house is beautiful!

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  58. Wow! Amazing - I love it!!! I added one to my hom eoffice, but didn't paint it ... hmm, I am eyeing it now : ) Maybe I will paint it!

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  59. They look great!! I have plenty of wood in my yard, very seasoned. I had thought about doing this very thing, but the idea of all the bugs creeped me out. Maybe your Polycrilic idea will give me the confidence to go for it!

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  60. I absolutely love this idea. You living room looks all the more beautiful with those stump-table! Read about this on Apartment Therapy and I would in turn like to share it on my blog. I would be sharing the link to this post... so be prepared for more traffic and comments :)

    -Tanya
    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/

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  61. Hello, Alicia. I'm a freelance writer for a national syndication company and I'm doing a story on DIY tree stump tables. I'd like to interview for my piece. Would you mind contacting me at afiscruggs(at)yahoo(dot)com, and so we can arrange an interview?

    My deadline is August 12. My company is Content That Works. www.contentthatworks.com

    I look forward to hearing from you.

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  62. Wow, I'd love to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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  63. I have the same couch. Is that a couch protector on the couch in same photos? Or is there another reason you have that piece of fabric on the couch?

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  64. Thank you for the inspiration. My take on this project was an ottoman side table pair. One in natural, one painted amber orange; both with a thick layer of shellac for gloss... http://pinterest.com/pin/243423600/

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  65. Very nice! I was thinking of doing a stump side table so thanks for the info...Also where did you get that rug ? It's beautiful.

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  66. I am still in college (and can't wait to have my own house so I can decorate it myself), but I got the idea awhile back to make a tree stump coffee table. I'd been wondering whether it would actually work, so I was so excited to see yours! I was envisioning a glass top over two stumps, but this looks way more functional.

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  67. I absolutely love this. I will never look at tree stumps the same way again. I am your newest follower.

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  68. I actually wanted to do this a few years ago...we had a tree cut down and I insisted on saving a few stumps for just this purpose. The problem was that they were SO HEAVY I couldn't budge them.

    I thought that if I could get them hollowed out somehow that would make them lighter but I never did it. How heavy are yours?

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  69. You're awesome! Love it! Love your blog!

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  70. I was looking at mirrors on pinterest and found you through it. You now have yourself a new follower:) Btw, I love the mirror and your new coffee table.

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  71. Bonjour et merci , j'adore ! J'ai une passion de bois ("récupéré, aussi !" Félicitations

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  72. Hello, once again for ...translation ! So am I , same passion for Wood ! It's amazing. Thanks. Vitina

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  73. Ilove this, i have some outside, i will bring them indoors and paint them..thank you

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  74. Love this idea! It looks so good! I like how they are different sizes.

    -Vanessa
    www.AHouse-2-Home.com

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  75. What a fantastic project! I'll be linking to it on our Living Rooms pinboard. Check it out at pinterest.com/homedepot over the weekend!

    - Chante

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  76. Nice job. When I was in NYC earlier this year, I went to Macys and they had beautiful tree stumps as table bases. Some were topped with glass and some were topped with wood. All were very trendy looking. I guess you can say you're a trendy woman.

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  77. You did a lovely job. You have great style sense.
    Jennifer

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  78. Jan @ moverj.2013@yahoo.comMarch 9, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    Oh my ! We have a HUGE old tree that was cut down in the pasture. I'm on a mission to find a few stumps....love your imagination ! Thanks.

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  80. awesome ideea for a coffee table! nice project!
    lori @ best cappuccino maker

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  81. I was in Paris where I found a shop in the Marais that sold what you created except theirs were white on the outside - like a heavy thick poly paint, and the natural wood left for the tops. Get this they were selling for 395 Euros - that's over $500. I was inspired and the woman in the shop said that most of the her cost was to cover shipping and surely I could do it myself. Who said Parisian shopkeepers were rude? Now that I see you have done it, I am even more motivated.

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  82. Awesome idea. I remember visiting my grad pa long ago and he used to have those tree stump seats and tables. They looked classic then but I have never thought about them as coffee tables. I love this idea

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  83. That was a wonderful idea using those tree stumps. I love it when we use natural resources to colour our home so it looks much more appealing. And not buy all those tings in the storages. Thats so typical and standard. Everyone got those....

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  84. OH MY WORD I am so binging on your site ... yes you would FREAK OUT over the magazines I have grabbed for .10cents at thrift stores I continue to browse through...they are like LIVING mags for me. Books too, I have Vintage Cottage hardback books, Tons of Country Cottage Magazines, Vintage Cottage from 2003 on forward and you know what is weird, I mean OK a few tweaks here and there but for the most part, NOTHING is "out of trend or style" it is SO awesome to have on hand and it makes for GREAT end/coffee table décor all the time.... the pictures are so BRILLIANT in color, they actually have "instructables" (hey made that name up lol) unlike today I feel like magazines, not all but most are full of 90% unrealistic DIY's and if you don't own some of the latest supposedly "greatest" handy dandy tools then FORGET about it according to the supposedly "great secret to doing their amazing DIY tip or hack or new innovative vintage or decorative DIY" UGH UGH UGH UGH ...let's be real people, it is 2021, a piece lumber costs a month mortgage, our groceries are up over 20%, we have a NEW NORM REMEMBER? Can ANYONE PLEASE PROVIDE SOME DIY FOR US REAL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD that are DIYing in that unknown universe of 1%ers?? Just curious 🤦‍♀️😜❗😆

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happy DIYing! Alicia