Category Archives: Architecture

Modern Console

Posted on by

The house that I live in had a lot of built-ins from the previous occupant. One of the built-ins was a double-sided wall bookshelf unit, with an oversized floor console.

One of the first things that I did was to remove the bookshelves, that made the room look much bigger. However, I never did anything about the oversized floor console other than paint it.

One day I was looking at a magazine and saw a modern console with legs. I was going to get rid of the old console, so I thought why not see if I could reconstruct this behemoth.

Before I could reconstruct, I needed to deconstruct – so out came the circular saw. I cut off 12″ from each end, and reduced the height by 5″ as well.

Once re-sectioned, I glued, nailed, and clamped it all back together.

I purchased the legs for $5.00 each at a local hardware store. They came with everything needed to easily attach them to the underside of the console.

I selected a charcole grey gloss paint for the new finish. I left the legs with the “1950’s blonde” look, but did put a light coat of varnish on them.

The smaller size and 1950’s style legs really gives the console a mid century modern look. Total cost for the transformation was $35.00.

So happy that I decided to recycle and reuse, rather than add to the local landfill!

Mid Century Modern Bird Seed Feeder

Posted on by

I’ve always enjoyed Mid Century modern designs – especially Joseph Eichler period homes.

A friend had shown me a cool mid century modern bird feeder that they saw in a magazine – I decided I’d have a go at it, of course making my own changes.

I designed my seed feeder to sit on top of a wire “squirrel maze” bird feeder I made a few years ago, which is not very attractive. Here is the completed seed feeder.

Materials:

  • Plywood
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Radiator cover grill
  • Orange paint
  • Round wooden dowel
  • Nails

Measurements:

  • Base – 18″ x 11.5″ (all measurements in inches (“)
  • Roof – 23″ x 12.5″
  • Left Side – 7.5″ x 9″
  • Right Side – 6.5″ x 9″
  • Door – 7,25″ x 5.5″

I tried to use mostly leftover scrap for this project. I began with the plywood frame of 4 pieces. You’ll need to decide the angle of the roof. I chose about 18 degrees (I only have a Skill saw) and cut the left and right side wall top edges accordingly. Then I glued and nailed the pieces together.

I made the door out of a piece of leftover pine and cut the top edge at about18 degrees. Then drilled a 1″ hole and added the dowel and paint.

This is the back view of the radiator grill cover cut and installed. I bent the edges of the grill cover material and stapled in place.

Here is the front view, I added some white trim pieces along each edge of the roof for looks.

Finally, I cut and glued on the roof asphalt shakes and also put them on the bottom of the feeder for waterproofing.

I added seed and waited for the birds to arrive. Believe me, it did not take very long!