DIY Tree Stump Side Table

I fell in love with the stump side table from West Elm, just not with the big price tag. I figured it wouldn't be that difficult to make my own and I wanted to give it a try. Nick brought home a stump from his work and we waited for it to dry out, then the restoring/restyling began.

Supplies:

Stump 

Crowbar and hammer (muscles would help too!)

Gloves

Sandpaper: 60,120,220 grit

Clear gloss and paintbrush (I posted a picture of the brand/type I used)

Furniture glides *Optional-if you want the stump to have a little lift from the ground

Directions

Let the stump dry out for a few weeks, if not already dried out.

Using the crowbar and hammer pull all bark off the outside of the stump. I lined the crowbar on the top and hammered till the bark would slowly separate from the stump. I flipped the stump upside down so the top wouldn't get messed up if I happened to chip some wood off in the process.

 This stump should look like this after the bark is off.

After the bark is off you will want to sand the stump completely, till it is smooth. 

It would be faster if you had a electric sander, but I did it all by hand!

I started with the 60 grit then the 120. I sanded until the stump was smooth enough to rub my hand against.

 Here is the sanded stump after the 60grit

 Here is the sanded stump after the 120 grit

 Gloss used for the stump

 Wipe down any dust from sanding with a damp towel

 I started painting the gloss at a knot in the wood so I would remember where I left off.

 Let the gloss dry overnight

 The gloss instructions said to sand with 220 grit after the first coat. I sanded it completely, then added the second and final coat. I let it dry overnight.

 I used furniture glides to add some lift from the ground. 

 I lined them up and nailed them into the stump

Finished!

This was an easy and fun DIY that I'm excited to put in our house. 

Also, I like my stump more than the West Elm version! 

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