My coffee table for less than $30.00

We have a very small living room so we decieded to replace our sofa with one loveseat.
I wanted to get a coffee table to go with it.
I wasn't crazy about the prices on the tables I saw. Some were so large too.
I decieded I would create my own.
I was in Ross and saw some great mirrors.
I though this might work for a table top. Found a small metal base and I was set to create my own small coffee table for less than $30.00.
The top of the base is sort of like a tray so I filled that with paper mache pulp which is cheap and easy to make. Let that dry and then glued the bottom of the framed mirror onto it. To make sure it stays I applied strips of paper criss crossing to make them secure. When dry I painted it black just like the back of the frame is.
It is very sturdy and I like that it is different than many of the other coffee tables I looked at. I keep a little $1.00 candy dish I bought at a yard sale in the mirrored part. How's than for bargains?
This small table could also be used next to a chair with a small lamp on it.

Anyone else have decorating ideas that don't cost an arm and a leg?
Bonnie

[poundwise]

Looks like you got a very good bargain. Congrats!

As for ideas: I have been surprised at some of the good stuff, furnishings in particular, that people FreeCycle.

http://www.freecycle.org

[Ima saver]

It is beautiful. I am not handy at all!!

Originally Posted by poundwise

Looks like you got a very good bargain. Congrats!

As for ideas: I have been surprised at some of the good stuff, furnishings in particular, that people FreeCycle.

http://www.freecycle.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks!
I have given things away on Freecycle, but was always too late when I wanted something. I think you need almost constant monitoring to be the first one to ask.
Craigs list is great too. Amazing what some people give away.
If I played a piano I could get one free. I see so many listed. I guess with the weight many people just want someone to haul it away.

[PrincessPerky]

beautiful table!

I am so not artistic, but I saw a cool idea on one of the home shows, framing childrens artwork for wall stuff. All matted to match and stuff.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Here's cheap and stunnning for ya: I grow giant alliums in my garden. They are huge, spherical clusters of flowers in the onion family. After they bloom, I let them dry out while standing in the garden. Then I bring them in and add the dried flowers to a big vase in the living room. I've been adding more flowers to the vase for years. Now I also have a full vase in the my bedroom and have given away a vasefull. They are tall, unusual, and high impact both in the garden and in the house. It is not cheap to buy the bulbs to begin with, but averaging the cost over the years, they are inexpensive. Plus, they reproduce so I just keep getting more and more. I've seen these at the florist for $12 a stem!

[Fern]

those giant alliums are quite striking; i want to grow them as deer will pass them up!