From Hurricane Candle Holder to DIY Bistro Dining Set
Several weeks ago I purchased two metal cafe chairs for a song at an online auction. Unfortunately, they didn't come with a table. Recently I joined the Power Tool Challenge team and the challenge this month is a jigsaw.
Having no clue what I would make for this challenge I came upon an old metal hurricane candle stand that we've had buried under our basement steps for years. I thought how fun would this be as a base to a small cafe table.
So with a jigsaw in hand, I got busy turning the chairs and hurricane candle holder into DIY Bistro Dining Set.
If you've never heard of the Power Tool Challenge Group it is a team of tool savvy female bloggers who come together each month to share a DIY project using a specific power tool. The goal of this group is to motivate, inspire, teach, and empower our female readers to pick up a power tool and create something.
First, let's take a look at my inspiration piece, the metal hurricane candle holder. Remember these?
Doesn't it make a terrific bistro table? If you don't have a metal hurricane holder for a table base, you could use a metal plant stand, an umbrella stand, or even a wine barrel.
Instead of a candle, I filled the hurricane holder with sand and seashells for a summer coastal vibe. But what I love about the top being portable is that the decor inside the glass hurricane can be changed for the seasons.
Here are the metal bistro chairs that I found at a local auction before.
The paint was a little chippy and the feet a little rusty so they needed to be refreshed with paint. The worn wooden seats were just waiting for a pop of color.
The laminate wood seats on the chairs would not do well exposed to the elements outdoors but this DIY bistro set could definitely be used on a covered porch or patio.
Wouldn't it be lovely in a sunroom or breakfast nook? I think it would be fun in a small retro kitchen too.
Don't let all the steps in this tutorial intimidate you, they are simple steps but I wanted to be thorough in outlining the step-by-step process.
Using a sharpie marker (unlike my pencil mark) trace the template onto the plywood.
I was almost too embarrassed to take a picture of my jigsaw. It's a relic from decades gone by, but it works.
Place the metal candle holder base upside down onto the underside of the top. Mark a pencil line on each side of the three metal scrolls. Using 1 x 1 lumber, wood glue, and 1 1/4" nails, attach the blocks on each of the marks (as pictured below). This will prevent the tabletop from moving around.
Put the Awl back into the top hole and simply pivot the seat onto the opposite side and repeat the process.
Use a drill bit the same size as the holes on the chair seats and drill where you created the design with the awl (as pictured below).
Unify the hurricane candle holder metal base and bistro chairs by spray painting them the same color. I sprayed several light coats of Rust-oleum Ultra Cover Paint Primer Semi-Gloss White.
I hope my DIY bistro dining set inspired and motivated you to not only pick up a jigsaw and create something but also to look at metal hurricane candle holders in a whole new way.
If you have any questions about this makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!
If you loved the aqua color I painted this bistro set, you may like how I used it to refresh this Wrought Iron Plant Stand and these Vintage Metal Nesting Tables.
Now let's take a look at what my talented friends made with their jigsaws. Press the link below to see their projects. Please pin directly from their blog posts rather than the thumbnail photos in the links. Thank you 😊
I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.
Having no clue what I would make for this challenge I came upon an old metal hurricane candle stand that we've had buried under our basement steps for years. I thought how fun would this be as a base to a small cafe table.
So with a jigsaw in hand, I got busy turning the chairs and hurricane candle holder into DIY Bistro Dining Set.
From Hurricane Candle Holder DIY Bistro Dining Set
If you've never heard of the Power Tool Challenge Group it is a team of tool savvy female bloggers who come together each month to share a DIY project using a specific power tool. The goal of this group is to motivate, inspire, teach, and empower our female readers to pick up a power tool and create something.
First, let's take a look at my inspiration piece, the metal hurricane candle holder. Remember these?
Doesn't it make a terrific bistro table? If you don't have a metal hurricane holder for a table base, you could use a metal plant stand, an umbrella stand, or even a wine barrel.
Instead of a candle, I filled the hurricane holder with sand and seashells for a summer coastal vibe. But what I love about the top being portable is that the decor inside the glass hurricane can be changed for the seasons.
Here are the metal bistro chairs that I found at a local auction before.
The paint was a little chippy and the feet a little rusty so they needed to be refreshed with paint. The worn wooden seats were just waiting for a pop of color.
The laminate wood seats on the chairs would not do well exposed to the elements outdoors but this DIY bistro set could definitely be used on a covered porch or patio.
Wouldn't it be lovely in a sunroom or breakfast nook? I think it would be fun in a small retro kitchen too.
How To Make A Table Top Using a Jigsaw
This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. At no cost to you, we receive a small commission if you make a purchase.Don't let all the steps in this tutorial intimidate you, they are simple steps but I wanted to be thorough in outlining the step-by-step process.
Step 1 - Create a tabletop template
In PicMonkey, create a template for the design using the spirograph overlay. With the erase tool, remove the detail inside the graphic.Step 2 - Enlarge the graphic
In Block Poster, set the size of the scalloped graphic to 24" x 24" and saved it on your computer. The poster will print onto 6 sheets of bond paper. Tape them together and cut out the template.Step 3 - Trace the table top pattern onto plywood
Next, tape the template onto the WRONG side of the plywood.Helpful Tip:
By working on the wrong side you avoid chipping out (rough cut splitting of the wood) and will get a nice clean cut on the good side of the top.Using a sharpie marker (unlike my pencil mark) trace the template onto the plywood.
Helpful Tip:
A jigsaw creates a lot of sawdust build-up which makes a pencil line difficult to see. By using a dark sharpie marker, it makes the line more visible.I was almost too embarrassed to take a picture of my jigsaw. It's a relic from decades gone by, but it works.
Step 4 - Helpful tips when using a jigsaw
- Wear safety glasses.
- ALWAYS unplug the jigsaw before changing or adjusting the blade.
- Ensure the blade is not touching the wood when starting a cut.
- Cut along the outside edge of your sharpie mark.
- Keep the metal plate level with the plywood while cutting.
- Wait until the blade stops before lifting it out of the wood. This helps avoid bending or breaking the blade.
- Don't worry if your cuts are not perfect, you can always go back and remove any excess wood and clean it up like I did (pictured below).
- To turn the jigsaw around corners and curves, pre-drill holes with a power drill in the corners and divots but make sure you stay outside of your sharpie mark. This allows you to pivot the blade while you are cutting.
- There are great tutorials available online and if you are still feeling a little nervous, I've included a YouTube video for you HERE.
Step 5 - Sand the rough edges
Using a mouse or palm sander smooth all the edges. You could sand by hand with a 150-grit sanding block followed by a 220-grit block for a smooth finish for the paint. But it'll be a lot quicker if you go the power sander route.Step 6 - Guides to hold the top onto the base
Secure the tabletop onto the candle holder so it is portable and can be removed to change what is displayed inside the glass hurricane.Place the metal candle holder base upside down onto the underside of the top. Mark a pencil line on each side of the three metal scrolls. Using 1 x 1 lumber, wood glue, and 1 1/4" nails, attach the blocks on each of the marks (as pictured below). This will prevent the tabletop from moving around.
Step 7 - Create a tabletop design to match the bistro chair seats
Unify the design on the bistro chair seats onto the tabletop. To do this, measure the top to locate the center and place a wooden seat onto the table. Poke an Awl through each hole and pressed firmly so the pattern transfers onto the plywood.Put the Awl back into the top hole and simply pivot the seat onto the opposite side and repeat the process.
Use a drill bit the same size as the holes on the chair seats and drill where you created the design with the awl (as pictured below).
Turn Hurricane Candle Holder And Chairs Into Bistro Set
Step 1 - Unify the metal base and bistro chairs
Unify the hurricane candle holder metal base and bistro chairs by spray painting them the same color. I sprayed several light coats of Rust-oleum Ultra Cover Paint Primer Semi-Gloss White.Step 2 - Add a pop of color to the bistro set
Spray the scalloped tabletop and bistro chair seats with several light coats of Aqua Rust-oleum Ultra Cover Paint & Primer Satin spray paint.Step 3 - Protect the finish
Protect the metal hurricane base, tabletop, and bistro chairs with three light coats of Rust-oleum Semi-Gloss clear sealer.Step 4 - Decorate the inside of the glass hurricane
I love how the glass hurricane can be changed for the seasons and the possibilities are endless. You could decorate the inside with patriotic decor for Canada Day, Memorial Day, or July 4th. What about a succulent garden? Or an adorable miniature fairy garden? For Christmas and/or winter fill it with faux snow and create a holiday diorama.What you'll need to make this...
Materials List
- 3/4" plywood (25" square) (Home Depot sells off cuts in smaller sizes)
- 1" x 1" lumber
- Jigsaw
- Jigsaw blade for wood
- Mouse Sander
- Power Drill
- Awl
- Hammer
- Wood glue
- 1 1/4" nails
- Blossom White Spray Paint
- Aqua Spray Paint
- Clear Coat Sealer
I hope my DIY bistro dining set inspired and motivated you to not only pick up a jigsaw and create something but also to look at metal hurricane candle holders in a whole new way.
If you have any questions about this makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!
If you loved the aqua color I painted this bistro set, you may like how I used it to refresh this Wrought Iron Plant Stand and these Vintage Metal Nesting Tables.
Now let's take a look at what my talented friends made with their jigsaws. Press the link below to see their projects. Please pin directly from their blog posts rather than the thumbnail photos in the links. Thank you 😊
I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

By: Marie | Interior Frugalista
Tag:
Dining Tables
This is too cool, Marie!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail, thank you so much! This was one of those projects that came together nicely AND hard to part with.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fabulous Marie. What a great idea and re make. Love it! Happy Friday sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thank you Kris, I'm glad you like it! I would've loved to put this bistro set in a sunroom or screened porch but there isn't a sunroom or a porch to be had in our little house so it went to a new forever home.😢 Happy Friday back to you my friend. xo
DeleteI love love love your creativity with the table and chairs. What a cool set you created. Love visiting your blog Marie.
ReplyDeleteYou just made my day! So glad you like what you see here in my little corner of the blogosphere 😊 I'm glad you like my little repurposed bistro set too. It was hard watching it go to a new forever home. Thanks for the sweet comments and visit. 🤗
DeleteVery cute! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much as well for the visit 😊
DeleteThe curve of the legs on the hurricane lamp base match the chairs so well, I honestly would have thought it was a set!
ReplyDeleteI know, right! I couldn't have found better chairs to go with the candle holder. They were meant to be married together.
DeleteHi Marie!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a neat idea! I love how you created a design for the tabletop that matches the chairs. I like the aqua color you used too! Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
Thank you Kim. Its like the chairs and candleholder were meant to be. Such a fun project too!
DeleteThank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the creativity and style of this makeover. Really good job. I am inspired for the day! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you've walked away inspired made my Sunday! Thanks for the visit and the sweet comments. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!
DeleteLove, love, love this idea. I have a metal plant stand that I've been wondering what I could do to it. Now I know! Thanks bunches!!!!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! So glad you found inspiration for your metal plant stand. Have fun!!!
Delete