Types of Massage Tables

One of the most important decisions a massage therapist needs to make is what type of table to use. Though there are four different types of tables, each one caters to a specific type of client and service. Does this Spark an idea?

Portable Tables

Portable tables are designed to be lightweight and strong, and easy to move from location to location. These are often made with a wood or steel frame which can fold in half.

Fixed Tables

Fixed tables are tables which do not fold and are at a fixed height. They often have built-in cabinets for sheets, bolsters, lubricants and other supplies.

Hydraulic Tables

Hydraulic tables are stationary tables with a hydraulic lift to raise or lower the table easily. These are valuable when dealing with clients with mobility issues such as a physical handicap or obesity, or when several different therapists will be using the same table.

Tables with Elevating Sections

Tables with raising sections which put the client in a more seated, reclining, or foot-elevated position are most often found in a spa setting. These tables are also recommended for pregnant clients, to put them in a more comfortable position.

Considerations

When choosing a table, the therapist should consider whether clients will be seen only in an office, or in their individual homes. The therapist's choice of table will also be determined based on if the therapist will be treating clients with special needs (pregnancy, obesity or handicap).

How to Rent Tables and Chairs

If you need tables and chairs for a one-time event you will have to rent them. With all the rental places out there it can get confusing when trying select the best one for your party or event. The following steps show you how to rent tables and chairs for events or business meetings. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Decide what kind of chairs you would like to rent, as they can vary by price. You can rent padded or unpadded folding chairs in metal, wood or plastic. You need to know how many chairs you need before starting your research.

2

Choose the type of table you would like to rent. There are a wide variety of tables to select from such as, round, half-round or square tables, banquet tables or conference tables. Figure out how many tables of each size you will need.

3

Do a search online for party supply rental service or look in the yellow pages. Some companies will have their own websites with a price list. Otherwise you will have to call each company in your area to get a price on renting the equipment.

4

Tell each company how many tables and chairs you are planning on renting and ask for a quote on the total. Sometimes you can get a discount if you are planning on renting a large quantity of items. Ask if setup is included so you can allot for time.

5

Visit the rental store and look at the tables and chairs once you've narrowed down your search. Make sure the quality of items you will be renting is up to par.

6

Place your order and set the date for delivery. Make sure you will have your items in time for your event. Schedule delivery far enough in advance in case the rental company runs late in delivery.

How to Decorate a Front Entrance Table

Do not overestimate the value of decorating the entry way. It is, after all, the first thing guests will see as they enter your home. By decorating a table or console in the entrance hallway or foyer, you can create a lasting first impression for the atmosphere of your abode. If it is a narrow hallway place the entry table against the wall; if you have a large foyer, you have the option of placing the table in the center of the entrance hall. As you decorate your front entrance table, consider the decor scheme of adjacent rooms so you can create continuous flow. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Hang a mirror, picture or painting above your entry table that reflects your taste and the decor of the entrance and adjacent rooms. A mirror can make a dark, cramped entryway seem more bright. Picture or mirror frames and paintings should match the entry table or some other trim in the hall. You can even place a gallery of pictures or prints above the table to mimic the table's geometry and style.

2

Place a key tree or bowl on the entry table if you envision storing your keys, mail and other daily items there. Alternatively, if the table has drawers, you can store these items out of sight. The important thing is to avoid cluttering the entrance table.

3

Place one or more embellishments on the table that reflect your taste and the color scheme of the entryway. For example, a vase of white faux flowers would compliment a white trimmed staircase in the foyer, rustic books may suit a hallway with natural brown walls or Zen figurines would look nice on top of a mahogany table. Do not overcrowd the table with embellishments.

4

Change embellishments on top of the entry table according to season. For example, fill a wooden platter with orange candles and gourds for autumn or a glass bowl with silver ball ornaments for Christmas.

5

Place a matching lamp on the table or place a standing lamp next to the table, if the entryway is lacking light. Alternatively hang a sconce above and to the right or left of the table.

How to Decorate a Console Table

Usually situated in the entryway, the console table often serves as a catch-all for keys, mail and anything else that regularly comes and goes. Console tables, however, can also make strong design focal points, whether in the foyer, the living room, a bedroom or an upstairs hallway. The standard console is long and narrow, but you can creatively repurpose other pieces, such as a low dresser, if you have an ample area. While a minimalist might keep the console as bare as possible, the table offers a way to showcase small collections and add visual interest to a space. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Think about how you use your console table. Because they're long and narrow, most consoles are used as a place to put one or two lamps to bring soft light into a space. In the hallway, it may sometimes hold keys and mail; in the dining room, it may function as a sideboard during dinner parties. Keep the function of the table in mind as you decorate.

2

Consider the design aesthetic of your space. Use the console as a way to both reflect and magnify--or turn up the volume--on your home's overall vibe. While this is an abstract idea open to interpretation, it could mean creating a concentrated collection or adding bold touches of color to an otherwise monochromatic scheme. For example, a collection of turquoise vases of varying sizes and materials, or a large collection of seashells artfully displayed, both deliver more visual power on one surface than when spread throughout the home.

3

Make the table the focal point--or anchor--of the room through artwork. Consider centering a large mirror or piece of art above the table and designing around it. Keep the large piece proportional to the table. For example, if the table has a glass top and thin, iron legs, don't place an oversized, thick mahogany frame over it. The resulting look is top heavy.

4

Choose to go symmetrical or asymmetrical in the arrangement of objects and artwork. A symmetrical design is evenly balanced on both sides--one lamp on either end of the table, a large vase of flowers in the center and an oversized mirror centered on the wall flanked by two small pictures, for example. Symmetrical placement of objects tends to easily lend itself to a more formal look. Asymmetrical design, on the other hand, often comes off as more casual. You can achieve it by placing one lamp on the table alongside some randomly placed objects such as a stack of coffee-table books and a small statue; center a single piece of artwork to visually organize the look, or hang many smaller frames in a random pattern on the wall.

How to Arrange a Table in a Banquet Hall

Arrange a beautiful banquet table with ease. Provide a comfortable and elegant atmosphere for your guests. Folding tables and folding chairs are convenient and will help you save money and stay within your budget. Consider the location of the tables in the room and the accessories that will decorate each table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Clean the banquet room and all of the floor surface before arranging the tables. A beautiful table will not shine in a room that has not been properly cleaned.

2

Place the tables where you want them. Do not put a table too close to the live entertainment, as it is rude to guests to have a loud sound system nearby.

3

Drape white table cloths over the tables. Place flowers in small vases at the center of the tables. Put candles next to the flowers, but be careful to place them far enough away so as not to burn the flower petals.

4

One idea is to arrange the seats on one side of the table only. Because there will be other tables in the banquet room, you must consider the view your guests will have. For example, all of the tables could form a square or rectangular shape. In this case, you would want all the guests viewing the inside of the shape.

5

Place plates in front of each seat and put a cloth napkin to the right of each plate. Neatly place the silverware on top of each cloth napkin. Be consistent and make each presentation look as identical as possible.

How to Clean a Wood Kitchen Table

A kitchen table made of wood is a popular, classic choice found in many homes. The wood creates a timeless appeal that works well with many decor styles. When incorrect cleaning products are used, you may be left with a dry, cracked and unappealing table. Improper cleaning products can pull the moisture out of the wood without replenishing it. You can make a cleaning solution from two household ingredients to not only disinfect the table but also restore moisture. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Pour 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of olive oil into a dish. Mix the ingredients with a spoon. The lemon juice will work as a mild cleaning and disinfecting agent, while the oil will moisturize and replenish the wood surface.

2

Dip a soft cloth into the solution. Wring out excess moisture.

3

Wipe the damp cloth over the table, rubbing in long, even strokes. Distribute the cleaner evenly.

4

Clean the entire table and let it air dry. Depending on the dryness of the wood, the oil may be absorbed into the wood immediately or it may take about an hour for full absorption.

How to Build a Gaming Coffee Table

One of the most popular projects in the eco-friendly design community is repurposing furniture. With a few alterations, a piece built to do one job can serve a different purpose. A coffee table, for example, can become a a game table. If this is a project you want to undertake, make it even more fun by scouring thrift shops for the game boards you want to use. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Go over the table with an electric sander. Sand all areas of the wood, moving the sandpaper with the grain of the wood.

2

Carefully clean away the sanding dust. Use a hand-held sweeper brush and a dustpan or a clean tack cloth. Vacuum the floor, and use the attachment hose and brush to suck up any dust on the table.

3

Use a paint roller to apply stain-blocking primer to the the newly sanded table. Use a brush to apply primer to any grooves, carvings or small details where the paint roller cannot reach. Always paint with the grain of the wood. Allow the primer to dry completely.

4

Use a clean paint roller to apply an oil-based, enamel paint to the table. Paint with the grain of the wood. Allow the first coat to dry fully before you apply a second coat. Use a brush to apply paint to any areas not easily covered with a paint roller.

5

Arrange game boards on top of the table. Choose boards that appeal to the family, games that you often play. Arrange the boards on the tabletop so that players can sit on the floor and easily reach them.

6

Lift the game boards from the surface and apply craft glue to the backs of the boards. Carefully press the boards down on the coffee table. Cover the boards and tabletop with a coat of clear-drying varnish. Allow the varnish to dry completely.

7

Apply another coat of varnish on top of the dry first coat. Allow the coat to dry. Continue to apply varnish coats, until the game boards are completely covered, appearing to be suspended inside the varnish. Keep in mind that varnish is slow to dry, so it is important to keep the work area clean and dust-free. Dust can stick to drying varnish.

How to Build a Round Picnic Table

A round picnic table, which can be a pleasant alternative from the standard quadrangle, presents unique challenges in construction. But you can use an X-leg construction, just like on other picnic tables, to provide a sturdy base and durable frame. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Arrange the five 2 x 12s next to each other to form a square 60 by 60 inches, and glue them together in position. To secure them, lay the 54-inch 2 x 4 across the center of the boards, and secure it firmly with screws. It should reach to within three inches at each edge.

2

Find the center of the square by drawing lines corner to corner and marking the intersection point. From this point, measure a 30-inch radius around the center by dragging a 30-inch length of string with a pencil marking the line.

3

Cut around the circumference line with the jigsaw to form the top of the table.

4

Measure 20 inches outward along the planks from the center 54-inch 2 x 4 and use screws to attach two of the 40-inch 2 x 4s across the planks, parallel with the center 2 x 4. These will brace the table-top and also provide a base for the legs.

5

Measure the center of four of the remaining five 2 x 4s, 20 inches from each end, and drill one hole through the center of each 2 x 4. Then cut off the ends of each of these four at a 45-degree angle, so that the ends are still parallel, and can rest flush on both the table top and the ground.

6

Line up the 2 x 4s in two X shapes, with their holes aligned, brace the final remaining 2 x 4 between them and use the 6-inch bolts to secure the leg-Xs to the 2 x 4, which will be a center brace.

7

Place the legs on the table, with one leg-X at each of the 40-inch 2 x 4s attached to the table top. Secure the legs to these braces with screws. When the legs are firmly attached, flip the entire table over to stand on its legs.

Durable Kitchen Table Materials

The table is an important aspect of kitchen design. Not only does it need to be highly functional, but aesthetically pleasing as well. Appropriate material selection is key to keeping a table looking nice for years to come, and durability is among the most important factors, since a table will need to resist scratching, staining, heat and a myriad of other conditions. Some materials are more durable than others when it comes to table tops. Does this Spark an idea?

Natural Stone

Stone of all kinds, including slate and granite, are among the most widely used products in modern decor. Not only are they extremely durable, but both come in a wide selection of styles and colors not found in other products. Countertops, backsplashes, flooring and table tops are all made from stone, either in its solid form or from tiles. The price for natural stone pieces will vary greatly depending on type and size; these are some of the costliest options. Stone tiles are significantly cheaper and are usually placed in a wooden table base, making it lighter weight than a stone slab. Either option will provide excellent scratch and stain resistance, won't scorch or burn and, as long as sealed properly, will resist water damage. A stone table top will last several decades, provided it is properly cared for.

Butcher Block

Butcher block is a wood product made from different wood sources. Maple, cherry, birch and walnut are the primary sources of butcher block and all are somewhat durable. The most durable are those made from hardwoods -- maple and oak -- which means more durability than a table made with a soft wood such as pine or cedar. These products are fairly pricey and high maintenance, meaning they are not for everyone. They are generally easy to clean and moderately resistant to heat, but if not sealed properly,they are susceptible to water damage, stains and scratching. On the plus side, a damaged surface is easily sanded to a new finish. Hygiene issues are often a problem with butcher block, since it is somewhat porous, though regular sealing and oiling will usually take care of this problem.

Wood

Wood is perhaps the most widely used table top material on the market. It is available in a wide selection of sizes, shapes, styles and colors and will withstand a great deal of abuse. On the downside, most wood products will require a lot of care, and the most durable varieties also tend to be the most expensive. As with butcher block, the most durable solid wood surfaces are those made from hardwoods. These materials will withstand scratching, staining and water damage for several years and are not made to be sanded and refinished. For the longest lasting wood table tops, seek a solid surface made from birch or oak. Pressed wood and particle board are commonly found in lower-priced furnishings, and are not normally as durable as solid wood pieces.

Other Options

Solid surfaces, including Corian and Zodiaq, are man-made products that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly durable. Corian, developed by DuPont in the late 1960s, is created by mixing minerals and acrylic polymer. This combination produces a highly durable, stain and crack-resistant material that is also among the most hygienic on the market. It is nonporous, meaning bacteria won't stick around, is fairly inexpensive and comes in approximately 80 colors. Another DuPont product, Zodiaq is manufactured from quartz and acrylic polymers, which gives it more of a natural stone look. It is also very hygienic and will resist heat, staining and scratching, as well as damage from dropped objects, unlike its natural stone counterpart. Stainless steel, a product widely used in commercial kitchens, has grown in popularity in modern decor. It is a very durable, heat, water and breakage resistant material, but may look too industrial for most designs. It is prone to scratching and provides little diversity in shape and color design.

How to Accessorize a Console Table

Accessorizing a console table can add so much drama to a room, and a nice mix of accessories is usually the best look. Below I am going to give you tips on how to properly accessorize a console table so it looks its best! Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

First pick a color palette. What room is you console table in? The entry? The dining room? What colors are in your room? You will probably want to continue in that style and color. If your room is green, cream and blue for instance, you'll want to stick mainly with those colors, but don't be shy to add another color for extra POP. Maybe a hot pink or deeper shades of blue or green. I love white and glass accessories, as those go with any colors in any room!

2

Pick the accessories. You may already have pieces at home, or you may need to buy them. I recommend starting with an orchid in the center for height. If you don't want to use an orchid, you can get a tall vase with some artificial flowering branches, such as Magnolia, for height. This can be in the center or to one side for a more asymmetrical look. You don't want everything at the same height; contrast in size and shape is what makes for an interesting arrangement.

3

Never underestimate the power of books as styling tools! Coffee table books or any hardcover books that have covers in similar colors work great. Make a stack of two or four books-always making sure to have the largest book on the bottom, working up to the smaller ones. You can leave these alone-or place a small object on top-such as a nice candle in a glass container-or a round object like a blown glass orb-or something more fun like a magnifying glass!

4

Layer items to the front and some to the back of the table as you move along, working outward from your highest point. This gives the table movement and keeps all the items from being on the same plane or in a perfect line. Smaller trays with votive candles or cute little dishes are nice, or even a blown glass octopus! Have fun with your mix of accessories-and remember to keep moving and mixing in new pieces until you get to a finished look that you love!

How to Make a Country Table

Country decorating adds warmth and charm to a home, and you don't have to live on a farm to create a country atmosphere. Country furniture is welcoming and inviting. Benches, stools, handcrafted end tables, and a fancy hutch all add to the country tone. Why not spruce up your home with a custom-made country table that takes almost no time at all? Follow a few simple steps, and soon you'll be adding a little country charm to your kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Purchase four pieces of 2-by-2 material for the table legs. Cut the legs each about 2 1/2 feet, or 32 inches, long. It is important that the legs are all the same length in order to avoid a wobbly table. Measure and cut carefully.

2

Purchase a large piece of plywood for the table top. The size of the plywood will depend on how large you want the country table to be. A nice-sized country table would run about 5 feet by 3 feet by 2 inches thick.

3

Lightly sand the table top and legs. Country tables look great left in their natural wood finish, but they look even better when sanded and stained. To add additional character to your table, round all four edges and corners of the table.

4

Attach two 4-inch L-shaped brackets to the tops of each leg using a wood screw; the brackets should be on opposite sides of each leg. Screw the bracket in with one side of the bracket extending down the leg and the other side of the bracket flush with the top of the leg, extending out. This piece will attach to the table top.

5

Turn your table top upside down on the ground. Using wood screws, screw the brackets to the underside of the table top.

Ceramic Tile Table Top Projects

Adding ceramic tiles to an existing wooden table can be a creative way to revive a tired decor. Kitchen tiled tables can be more durable and easier to clean than their traditional wooden counterparts whose porous surfaces trap moisture and food residue, and can trap germs as well. Tiles can be chosen to coordinate with existing decor or as a jumping-off point for a total room redo. Less expensive than many solid stone accents, tiles can nevertheless be used to the same purpose of dressing up an otherwise ordinary piece of furniture by creating a shiny, colorful and durable surface tailored to a homeowner's aesthetic tastes. Does this Spark an idea?

Kitchen Table

Many a basement in America has some form of table that would be suitable to this project. Old wooden pieces whose legs are still sturdy, but whose tops have seen better days can be transformed with a router, tiles, mortar, grout and a little patience. Simply rout out the tabletop to a depth that would accommodate the thickness of the tile, add a mastic or mortar to hold selected tiles in place, and grout around the inserted tiles. Try creating a pattern with custom-made tiles that represent each family member's place at the table.

Coffee Table

Taking about as much wear and tear as a typical kitchen table, is the wooden coffee table. However, adding tile following the method listed above, can once again make your table a safe place to put down a cup of coffee. Existing coffee tables can, of course, be rescued using this model, but unfinished wooden tables can also be purchased at any unfinished furniture store and put to this use. Coffee tables are also a stable of neighborhood garage and yard sales, and can usually be bought and tiled for a mere fraction of what it would cost to buy a tiled table in a retail setting.

Bed Stand

The bedside table is a common place to put glasses of water. Unfortunately, this also means that bedside tables get a fair amount of liquid spilled on them. In past generations, the solution for such an issue was to clad the horizontal surface of the piece in marble or another hard, decorative stone. Tile can as easily be applied to fulfill a similar purpose of adding durability and beauty at the same time.

How to Decorate a Sofa Table Behind a Couch

Long, rectangular tables that can be almost 7 feet in length and as little as 1 foot in depth have been decorating staples for decades. They were originally designed to hide or cover the back of a sofa when it was traditional to not finish the back side of an upholstered couch. These days, however, they add dimension to a room and give storage and shelving options. Decorating sofa tables can show your creativity. They lend themselves to displays of your objects d'art, small photographs or artwork. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place your couch so that it's "floating" in the room, and not against a wall, or a least the width of your sofa table from the wall.

2

Position your sofa table behind your couch, either flush against the wall or flush against the back of the couch.

3

Decorate with small, short ornaments that you can group or gather to make an interesting cluster of color or design. This is a good strategy if your couch is overstuffed and makes people sit back and relax, in which case you might not want very high, tall ornaments placed on the sofa table. People might lean back and knock them over. For this kind of sofa, shells mixed with small vases or glass ornaments look good as do miniature easels with miniature framed artwork.

4

Decorate a more formal sofa table with objects of various heights. Use different-sized candles and candle holders to bring the focus up and add height to the room. Display plates and artwork, again on easels. You can also vary sizes and shapes of vases and/or glassworks.

5

Use the sofa table as a coffee table assistant. Keep a set of coaster on it and when space is at a premium, guests can place their drinks on the sofa back table. Likewise, set magazines and books on the sofa table to make room for larger items you want to display on the coffee table.

Ideas for Painting Tables and Chairs

A painted table and chair set dresses up your dining room and kitchen as well as a play or craft area. It does so by turning these common items into pieces that are artful in addition to being useful. All that's required of you is a little paint plus an idea about how you'd like to use these pieces to enhance your decorating motif. Does this Spark an idea?

Crayons

Crayons give a child her first glimpse into the world of art and drawing. Bring this theme into fruition in her room by painting a table and chair set with a crayon motif. Choose a color for the table; a primary color such as red works well, because it makes the piece stand out. Paint the table that color. Allow to dry. Add a color of paint to each chair. Start with the primary colors. Then move on to orange, green and purple, depending upon how many chairs you have. Paint the stripes at the tops and the bottoms of the legs, mimicking the decorative patterns on crayons. Then paint a long oval on the side. Write your child's name in this area to personalize the crayon tables and chairs.

Stencils

Stenciling offers you a simple way to add a decorative pattern to your table and chairs. The many options include patterns such as the fleur de lis or calligraphy. Start with a couple of coats of paint on the tables and chairs so that you have an even surface to work on. After the paint dries, tape the stencil pattern onto the places on the table and chairs where you'd like the pattern to appear on these items. Lightly dab the paint into the stencil pattern, adding several layers of paint. Remove the stencil pattern once you're done. Use architect's tape to tape the stencils down; it'll hold the stencils in place without peeling the paint off the table.

Matching Sets

Finding items such as a table and chairs at a yard sale gives you a break on the price of these items. However, you may also end up with a mismatched set. If that's the case, use a coat of paint to visually unify the set. Coat the table and chairs with a color that matches the rest of the paint in the room. For example, if you have an old pie safe and a set of shelves that you've painted white, paint the table and chairs white as well. This solution works well with an eclectic or country decorating style in your kitchen or dining room.

Breakfast Nook

The breakfast nook provides you with a cozy space to drink coffee and read the morning paper. If you've found a table and chairs for this area, paint them a color that either matches the walls in your breakfast nook or contrasts with them. For example, if you've chosen tan as the primary color for your color palette and black and red as your accent colors, paint two connecting walls of the breakfast nook tan and then paint the table and chairs black and red for visual contrast.

Math Projects for Making Tables

Tables in math are a problem-solving skill. Students start to learn about tables in late elementary school lessons and continue to use tables throughout their education. Tables are primarily used with word problems to organize the information and determine what is important, what is not important and eventually what formula to use to find the answer. When teachers are giving lessons with math tables, projects can help students learn about the tables and the use of tables.

Table Worksheets

Worksheets can help the students get practice. The teacher can assign a few worksheets and require students to complete the worksheets by using only tables. The students then need to work out how to get the information from the worksheets into a table form to solve the problems.

Finding Tables Project

Teachers can assign students to find tables used outside of class. The students look for places where math tables are used, bring in examples and report to the class on the tables they've found. For example, board game score cards might use a table or sporting event statistics might have tables. The students can bring in examples such as a newspaper or the game scorecard and then tell the class why it is a math table.

Make Up a Song

Tables are sometimes hard to remember. Some tables, like the multiplication table, are used in classes around the country. Teachers can assign students to make up a song, poem or similar item to make memorization of the table much easier. Allow students to work together to make up a song as preferred or even work on the project as a class with the teacher writing ideas on the board.

Graph Project

Graphing often uses a math table to form the information on the graph. For example, if the student must graph the equation y = x + 2, the student would need to make a table, pick numbers of x, find the y and then make the graph. A teacher can assign graphing projects to help students learn simple algebraic equations by the use of tables.

How to Build a Kitchen Island Table

Most people could use a little more counter top space in their kitchen. Islands are a great way to go, but custom can be extremely expensive and kits don't always look so good. Here's an alternative that's equally functional and great looking. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

The Plan

1

Measure your kitchen. Translate the layout of your kitchen to graph paper, using the biggest scale possible that still fits on one page.

2

You must have enough room between your cabinets and the table to work. Thirty-six inches is nice, and anything less than 30 is too cramped. Also make sure you have enough room to open any appliances (e.g., refrigerator or dishwasher) and any doors.

3

Try it out on the graph paper. Think like the chef. If you're not the primary cook in your home, bring that person in on the process. It will save you grief later. Also remember, the kitchen island table should be at least 24 inches wide.

4

Now that you've agreed upon size and positioning, move on to section 2.

Building your Kitchen Island Table

5

Cut 5 3/4-inch lumber to length for top. For example: if your kitchen island table is 60 inches long and 35 1/2 inches wide, you would cut 6 planks to 60 inchs long.

6

Sand the long 1 3/4 edges of the planks you just cut.

7

Attach the planks together using either pocket screws or biscuits and clamp making sure all edges and both top and bottom are flush. If you are pocket screwing, clamp before screwing together. If you are using biscuits, clamp after. Set the top aside to dry/set.

8

Make cuts for the frame:
- cut (4) legs to 34 1/4 inches high
- cut (4) 2 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch planks to length (if your top is 60 inches x 35 1/2 inches and your legs are 3 inches x 3 inches make this cut 50 inches long).
- cut (4) 2 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch planks to length (using the above example these will be 25 1/2 inches).
- cut (1) 2 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch plank to length (using the same example this will be 30 inches).

9

Sand all surfaces. If the top is ready, remove the clamps and sand the top and all edges.

10

Turn the legs upside down and attach (2) longer and (2) shorter 2 3/4-inch x 3/4-inch planks flush with the top. Using the above example you will now have a 56 inch x 31 1/2 inch box with the legs at the corners. Make sure you are square.

11

Attach the 30 inch-long 2 3/4-inch x 3/4-inch plank across the center of the frame (3/4-inch side up and down) using pocket screws. Make sure it is flush with the top.

12

Attach the other (2) longer and (2) shorter planks to the legs with the top the planks 9 1/4 inches from the bottom of the legs. Make sure you are level and square.

13

Cut the 5 3/4-inch x 3/4-inch planks to length for the shelf. Use the jigsaw to cut in around the legs. Make the shelf equal to the dimension of the frame. Sand the shelf planks. Attach using pocket screws.

14

If you are painting or staining the Kitchen Island Table one color, skip to Step 11. If the top and the frame are to be separate colors, stain or paint now. Let dry.

15

Set the top face down on the floor. Use cardboard or a sheet to prevent scratching the surface. Set the frame upside down on the top. Make sure you are centered and square. The top will be 2 inches longer and wider on each side. Attach using pocket screws. If you haven't painted or stained the table, do it now.

16

Flip the kitchen island table over and set in place.

17

Invite some people over so you can show it off.

How to Decorate Your Kitchen Table With Place Settings

Creating a warm and inviting kitchen table is easy when you pre-set the table with decorative place settings. The simple addition of place mats, plates, glasses, silverware and a table centerpiece gives the kitchen that "can't wait" atmosphere that invites people to have a seat and stay awhile. Whether decorating for the holidays or every day, the table changes with the colors and arrangements you decide to display. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1




Placemats come in many colors and patterns that can influence your decor.

Lay out the tablecloth or place mats. While tablecloths may hide a beautiful table finish and are therefore optional, placemats are necessary to help protect the surface of your table. Carefully center each mat in front of a chair. Placemats are available in many shapes, sizes and colors and can be changed according to your decorating style. Make use of the colorful selection to tie the table into a holiday or season. For example, deep red, green, blue, gold or silver mats create a winter holiday feel while bright pastel colors can reflect springtime whimsy.

2




Use a charger that will enhance the look of your table decorations.

Lay the charger in the center of the placemat. Chargers are colorful, large platters used for decorative purposes only. Available in a number of materials, from plastic to wood, chargers enhance the look of the dinner plate. Choose a charger color that complements the overall design and feel of your table decorating. For example, for a winter setting with a blue placemat, consider a silver charger that will look like ice.

3

Set the table. Put the dining plate, glass and silverware in front of each chair. Napkins can be fluffed and placed inside glassware, folded and put between the charger and dining plate or folded in half and placed under silverware. Place all dinnerware on the mat.

4

Put the centerpiece in place. A centerpiece ties all elements of the table together. Create a simple centerpiece by placing a pillar candle in the center of a large glass votive. Carefully place colored glass stones around the bottom of the candle to keep it in place. The glass pieces should complement the design of your table. For example, pink glass can be used for spring while deep red could be used for Christmas. When lit, the candle flame will reflect off the glass adding sparkle to your table.

How to Find Used Coffee Tables

Prices for coffee tables, like most pieces of furniture, can easily run into the hundreds, even thousands of dollars. The size, quality and style of coffee table you choose will affect its price, however, you can save a significant amount of money by shopping for used coffee tables. There are a variety of different paths you can take to find used coffee tables. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Scout boutique thrift stores in your area. Many smaller thrift stores have furniture offerings, and you can often find great deals in these shops.

2

Visit large second-hand chain stores such as The Salvation Army and Goodwill. These thrift stores have large furniture inventories and you can sometimes find amazing hidden treasures at such locations. If you are looking for a particular type of coffee table, visit the stores often as their inventories vary greatly from week to week.

3

Go to garage, yard and estate sales in your town and nearby areas. Bring plenty of cash with you as most sellers prefer cash payments at these sales. You can also negotiate prices so if you feel the coffee table is overpriced, see if a drop in price is possible.

4

Search your local Craigslist listings for used coffee tables. You can narrow your search by looking for specific types of coffee tables. For example, type in "glass coffee tables" or "vintage coffee tables" rather than simply "coffee tables." You can also refine your search to only show results that feature photos of the coffee tables for sale. Contact the seller with any specific questions you have regarding merchandise advertised there.

5

Read the classifieds section of your local newspaper. People will often list furniture for sale in the classifieds. You can then drive to see the items in person to assess if you'd like to purchase them.

6

Look for used coffee tables on eBay and other similar auction sites. Before bidding on an item, factor in all charges. If the used coffee table is in a distant state, shipping costs can be quite expensive.

How to Build a Simple Sofa Table

A sofa table is a good place to display art objects and books. Since it sits behind a sofa, it functions somewhat as a room divider. Building a sofa table is relatively simple, since it looks fine without a lot of shelves or ornamentation. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the length of the sofa. Design the tabletop to be about 12 inches shorter than the length of the sofa. You can make the tabletop rectangular. Or, you can cut a top bowed out wider at its middle section. Make the tabletop spproximately 12 to 15 inches wide. Design the table to be about 6 inches shorter in height than the back of the sofa.

2

Purchase the type of wood you want. Buy wood and a stain color that will harmonize with other wood furniture in the room. If you want to use metal legs or metal scroll work, buy exact sizes. Design and build the table around the metal pieces.

3

Cut the top of the table first. On a rectangular table, use a wood router to give nice edges to the sides of the top. Use a drill attachment to create recessed holes in the table's wooden top that will accommodate pre-made wooden legs. Or, build your own table legs. Both screw and glue legs into the tabletop. If you attach metal legs, screw them to the top carefully so you will not split the wood.

4

Add strength to the table by cutting out a bottom shelf made of wood or installing a metal shelf. The shelf should be at least 6 inches from the floor. Glue and clamp the bottom shelf into place if it's wood and it attaches to wooden legs. Or, use metal fittings to attach a metal shelf to metal legs.

5

Sand and stain the wood parts of the sofa table. Use a waterproof sealer if you will use the sofa table for potted plants or fixing drinks or food. Allow the finished table to dry 24 hours before placing it behind the sofa.

How to Make a Pub Table

Pub tables are increasingly popular for furnishing home bars and eating areas, especially in smaller spaces. Pub tables don't take up a lot of space, but stand higher than typical tables, giving guests a place to gather naturally, where they can rest their drinks and snacks. Pub tables can be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes to add a casual eating area to any room that suits its dimensions and decor. Tables are also satisfying beginner-level projects for someone just getting involved in woodworking.

Instructions

1

Choose a shape and size for the top of your table. Pub tables may be square, oval or round, depending on your tastes. In terms of size, a 3-foot square is a good all-purpose size for a medium pub table, but adjustments can easily be made to suit other shapes. Trace your chosen shape onto the sheet of plywood.

2

Cut out the traced shape of the tabletop using the circular saw. Also using the circular saw, cut two lengths of 2-by-4 board that are 3 feet long and three pieces that are 2 feet, 9 inches long. Cut both of your 4-by-4 boards in half to form four 3-foot sections for the table legs. Sand the rough edges of the cut pieces.

3

Place the two 3-foot sections of 2-by-4 board on edge and parallel to each other, approximately 3 feet apart. Position a 2-foot, 9-inch section between the longer boards at either end to form a frame. Predrill two holes through each end of each of the 4-foot boards and into the shorter boards, and fasten the frame with 2 1/2-inch screws.

4

Insert the third 2 foot, 9 inch 2-by-4 board in the center of the frame, parallel with the other two shorter boards. Fasten the center board in place by screwing two 2.5-inch wood screws through the 4-foot sides of the frame into each end of the center board, predrilling the screw holes beforehand to prevent the boards from cracking. Center the tabletop over the frame. Every 6 inches around the edge of the tabletop, fasten the plywood to the frame with a 1.5-inch wood screw.

5

Flip the tabletop over so that the frame is exposed. Set a 4-by-4 section in each of the four corners of the frame and fasten it in place with four 2.5-inch screws. Predrill the holes through the frame and into the table legs before fastening the screws. Turn the table right side up. Predrill and screw four final 1.5- inch wood screws through the tabletop into the four legs for extra support.

How to Build a Wooden Bench for a Kitchen Table

Wooden benches go well in a country kitchen and provide seating for a large number of people at an affordable price. They are sturdy and appeal to children and adults alike. Perhaps best of all, they do not require any fancy construction techniques; even the most inexperienced woodworker is capable of building a strong, good-looking bench. This bench has a rustic design and requires only five pieces of standard-size lumber, available at most home supply centers. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Build the Basic Structure

1

Apply glue to the end of one of the short 2 x 12 bench legs, and butt it against the bottom of the long 2 x 12 bench seat so that there are 4 inches between the leg and the end of the bench. Drive three nails through the top of the bench seat and into the end of the bench leg.

2

Repeat Step 2 with the other bench leg on the other end of the bench seat.

3

Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. This completes the basic structure of the bench.

Prepare the Seat Reinforcements

4

Lay one 1 x 4 on a flat surface. Pick one corner, and measure 4 inches from that corner along the long edge of the board. Mark this point with the pencil.

5

Measure 2 inches from the same corner along the short edge of the board, and mark this point also.

6

Draw a line connecting the two points. Cut the triangular shape from the board.

7

Move to the other end of the 1 x 4. Use the corner on the same long edge of the board, and repeat the first three steps. When finished, your 1 x 4 will have one long straight edge and one edge with a triangular piece cut from each end.

8

Repeat all four steps with the other 1 x 4. This completes the two bench seat reinforcements.

Final Assembly

9

Lay the bench structure on one side. Spread a layer of glue along the full length of the edge of the seat and along the legs where they connect to the bench.

10

Position one of the 1 x 4s on the layer of glue. The long straight edge of the 1 x 4 should be level with the top of the bench seat, the ends of the 1 x 4 should be even with the ends of the seat, and the corners on the bottom edges of the 1 x 4 should align with the edge of the bench legs.

11

Attach the 1 x 4 to the bench using 27 nails. Drive one nail through it into the seat at each end, and one nail through it into each leg; these four nails will keep it in place. Drive the remaining 23 nails through the 1 x 4 and into the seat at roughly 4-inch intervals. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth.

12

Turn the bench over and repeat these steps with the other 1 x 4.

13

Set all the nailheads just below the surface of the wood, and fill the holes with wood putty.

14

After all the glue and putty is dry, sand the bench lightly. Finish as desired.

15

Add the four furniture glides to the bottoms of the legs, and your bench is complete.

How to Identify the Age of a Kitchen Table

Identifying antique furniture takes a keen eye and a nose for details. Certain features were only found during specific time periods and if you find other features you know that the piece is likely a replica or reproduction. When determining the age of your kitchen table, you must look at the construction, the hardware and even the shape of the piece, which helps you identify the type or style of the piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Examine the table from all sides, including turning the piece over and looking at the bottom and looking inside any drawers. Handmade pieces might have a mark from the maker that identifies when the piece was crafted. If it's a mass-produced piece and you find the maker's label on the furniture, then contact the maker and ask about its age.

2

Look closely at the patina of the piece. Wood furniture tends to lose its natural color over time, especially if the piece sat outside. Look for any signs that the piece has multiple coats of paint or stain as well, as this indicates that the piece passed through multiple owners and has some age to it.

3

Check the piece over and find any signs of glue or screws. If the piece has dowels or pegs holding the pieces together, then it is likely an older piece or an antique. Only modern pieces are made with glue and screws indicate that the piece dates from the 20th century.

4

Open any drawers on the table and examine the construction on the corners. If the drawers have side channels that slip into runners, then the piece may be from the 18th century or earlier. Drawers with runners placed underneath are from the Queen Anne period or later.

5

Use a magnifying glass to examine any screws used in the construction. Early screws were forged by hand and have a rough or crude exterior. Older pieces will have mismatched screws that were clearly made by hand. Newer pieces have screws of a uniform appearance.

Do It Yourself: Side Tables

A side table is almost a necessary piece of living room or bedroom furniture. It is the designated place for lamps, alarm clocks and charging cell phones. Instead of purchasing one that could easily cost over $100, make a side table that is perfect for you in just about two hours. Simple side tables are just a top with four legs, so there is no need to spend a large amount of money on something you can very easily do yourself. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Make a square with the four pieces of 1-by-4 inch boards. Place the 14-1/2-inch pieces on the inner edges of the longer pieces and hammer together with brads at each joint.

2

Place one 2-by-2 into a corner of the square and check that the top of the 2-by-2 is flush with the top of the square. Apply wood glue to the two sides of the 2-by-2 that will touch the inside of the square. Nail brads through the outside of the square into the 2-by-2 leg. Repeat for the other three legs.

3

Place a 1-by-1-by-11-1/2 in between two of the legs along the 14-1/2 inch side of the square. Apply wood glue and nail in brads through the cleat into the square. Repeat with the other 11-1/2 inch cleat.

4

Place the remaining cleats in between the legs on the 16-inch sides of the square. Apply wood glue and nail brads through the cleat into the square.

5

Place the top of the table right-side down and place the square with the legs attached on top of it with the legs pointing upward. Nail brads through the 1-by-1 inch cleats into the table top.

6

Fill the holes in with wood putty and allow to dry according to the package directions.

7

Sand the entire table with a hand sander and apply paint or stain as desired.

What Is a Demilune?

Demilune is a word borrowed from French literally meaning "half-moon." Though it has been used to describe many things crescent-shaped, from purses to microbes to the elements of fortification architecture, demilune also pertains to furniture with half-moon design elements. Does this Spark an idea?

The Demilune Table

Demilune furniture is essentially crescent-shaped and flat-backed. "A demilune" usually references the demilune table, in specific. These are a half-moon-shaped tables designed to stand against the wall. Because of their configurations, demilunes are considered a type of console table. Console tables are designed to be pushed against the wall, and in some cases, bracketed and/or bolted for extra support. The typical console table is small, versatile and commonly found near a door or hallway for easy access to convenient key/purse/small item drop-off. Of course, a demilune holding a few books and carefully selected art item can be just as pleasing.

Understanding the Demilune Design

These hemispherical tables are thus generally smaller, with half-round table tops, and a flat backside. It is common for the front apron to be likewise half-spherical, following the contour of the demilune design. Some designs incorporate a curved storage area of variable length. A demilune table usually has three to four legs; two are located on either side of the table, while the additional legs spaced equidistant from each other on the arc. A third leg would be found in the middle of the arc, for example.
The crescent shape of a demilune table may be a plain or stylized half-circle. Some demilune tables are designed with a flip top and pull out support, allowing the table to open into a full circle if pulled away from the wall. Stylized demilunes could have edges obscured by foliage, scrolls or other design elements.

Demilune Elements of Style

The elegant curvature of the demilune console makes it a slightly more formal choice for a hallway nook or classy seating area, though the design is suitable for any space. The demilune is also ideal for smaller spaces, since its configuration requires less physical space than a rectangular table top. Demilune tables are a popular choice for home decor because they come in a wide range of styles that can complement various home settings. In addition, they can represent a fun weekend project for a home woodworking shop.

Choosing a Demilune Table

When looking for a demilune table to accent your home, be sure to consider both style and construction. Does the specific demilune design complement existing decor? Is it too delicate, or too bold? Does it match your style? Will it need to be touched up, restained or repainted?
When considering construction, take a closer look at the joints of the table. Strong joints are reinforced with pegs and screws, while legs that have been only glued are less stable. Also, be sure to check the back of the demilune table to determine its quality. Is the backing particle board or veneer rather than wood, for example? Higher quality furniture will pay attention to all details of the piece, even those not seen when pushed against a wall. Of course, such attention to detail will also be reflected in pricing, and it is not essential. If exposed particle board is a concern on an otherwise respectable demilune table, it can be primed and painted.

Other Demilune Furniture

Chests, cabinets, dressers and even sinks can also bear a demilune design, following half-moon shapes. Again, it is very common for the entire front to curve with the crescent shape, in addition to a curved top. Technically, any piece of furniture can be "demilunic" if incorporating the half-moon, flat-back design.

About Kitchen Tables

The kitchen table is often the center of the home. It is where the family comes together to eat meals and do homework and craft projects. Many people's first lessons and family histories were told at the kitchen table. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The history of the kitchen table is not well-documented. It is said that the Egyptians created the first kitchen tables as platforms to keep food off the floor. Kitchen tables often pop up in the middle ages as a place where servants could take their meals.

The most common information about the history of the kitchen table revolves around not the history of the table itself, but around the history made at the table. Generations of families have made important decisions around the kitchen table.

Function

Kitchen tables are typically where families gather for meals. Kitchen tables are usually reserved for day-to-day, informal gatherings. Children may also use the kitchen table to complete homework and art projects.
These tables are usually a central gathering place within the home because of their location in the kitchen. Most families will have most of their meals at the kitchen table, rather than the dining room table, which is often reserved for formal meals.

Types

Kitchen tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From small dinettes, to large farmhouse tables, there is a kitchen table that fits every home. The typical shapes for kitchen tables include round, rectangular and oval.
A typical table can seat from four people to eight people, depending on its size. Wood is by far the most popular material for kitchen tables. However, glass-top tables and even stainless steel tables are popular. Tables with "drop leafs" or removable leafs are also popular because they allow you to add space to the table for large gatherings, while keeping the table small the rest of the time.

Features

Some tables have leafs that allow it to expand when you are expecting company. Drop leafs work through a mechanism that holds the section of the table up when you need extra space. When you no longer need that space, the section drops down.
Removable leafs are added to the table when you need more space. The table is typically pulled apart at the center to allow the leaf to fit inside. The leaf can then be removed when the extra space is no longer needed. Leafs are especially helpful in small kitchens where space is at a premium.

Size

Kitchen tables come in a variety of sizes. It is essential to measure the space in your kitchen before you purchase a table. When measuring, also account for chairs. Tables that include drop leafs allow the table to take up a minimum amount of space when they are not in use. The tables then expand for guests.

Kitchen tables are typically 30 inches high. They range in length from 40 to 92-plus inches. Widths are typically from 36 to 42 inches.

What Is the Height for Lights Above a Kitchen Table?

If you have a table set up in your kitchen, it's highly likely that you have a ceiling-mounted light directly over the table. No universal standard exists for the height of lights hung over a table, but when installing this style of light, it's important to follow a number of rules for safety and functionality. Does this Spark an idea?

Ceiling Height

The standard height for kitchen ceilings is 8 feet. As such, when lights are hung directly from the ceiling, they reduce the height of the area directly below them. When a light is hung 1 foot below the ceiling, for example, the space under the light is now just 7 feet in height.

Safety

Regardless of the style of light you hang, adjust the light's height so that it doesn't jeopardize the safety of the residents and guests in your home. A light hung extremely low can be a danger to a tall person. When this person stands up after sitting at the kitchen table, he may bang his head on the light, causing a minor head injury and even damage to the light. Because most people are less than 6 feet tall, keep the bottom of lights no more than 2 feet below the ceiling. If you have tall family members, raise the light accordingly.

Installation

Regardless of whether you are trying to install the kitchen lighting yourself or are having an electrician do the work for you, decide the height of your lights by trial and error. Have someone sit at the table while you hold the light, and then reverse the roles. Come up with a consensus on the ideal height of the light. If it's too high, it might not illuminate the table appropriately. If it's too low, it may affect tall people and generally be an obstruction.

Alternatives

Instead of hanging a light that can possibly come in contact with someone at the table, you can use alternatives such as track lighting and pot lighting. The former is easier to install; you mount a track across the ceiling and affix spotlight-style lights to it. Pot lights are actually inset in the ceiling, which requires a lengthier installation process.

Design a Pool Table Room

A pool room should be a comfortable place to play pool where one can move about freely. A pool room can be set up in a number of ways to capitalize on certain elements, including natural light, views, available space, as well as the pre-existing home's construction. Learning to design a pool room is a simple as having a pencil, some pieces of paper and a scale or ruler. Does this Spark an idea?

Draw a Plan

Draw a floor plan. Think of a plan as if it were cutting through the middle of the wall on the ground floor. The plan is a view from above of the layout of your walls, floor and movement patterns. Draw to scale. Include the measurements of the length and width of your walls using a scale or ruler. Next, draw the pool table in the plan, from above, using the correct dimensions of the table. The absolute minimum size for a pool table room would be 12 by 16 feet. A larger and more comfortable size would be around 20 by 30 feet. Draw the basic rectangular shape of the room and any of its corridors or closets into your existing house plan to scale. Use tracing paper to design the room.

If you are putting an addition onto the house, use the separately drawn floor plan of your house to relate the new room to your house in scale. This also helps to make sure the new room is added in the most appropriate place.

Draw Sections and Elevations

When a wall is drawn from the inside of a house it is called a section. A section should cut a room in half down the middle. It should show the wall standing upright in two dimensions.

If the room is new construction, decide where the closets and windows will go. Natural lighting can bring an added dimension to the room. Use a skylight to let in more light. Windows may take a variety of rectangular shapes and positions on your wall.

An elevation is what the room or house looks like from the outside. An elevation is also two-dimensional and shows the wall from the outside standing upright. On the elevation, match the outside wall treatment, or faade, to the home's existing faade in most cases. Draw with a ruler using lines to draw openings, doors and patterns which represent the style of wall treatment. These drawings will help you visualize the appearance of the pool room.

Design the Interior

Decide what the walls will look like. Use a unique approach such as hardwood walls, interesting wallpaper, a preferred paint color or a combination of these. Decide on the dcor of the room. Sometimes, themes help. Here are some types of themes that would work well in a pool room: Southwestern, bar-ish, contemporary using interesting wallpaper, minimalist, psychedelic, nature, Caribbean, African, Oriental or artistic. Use a combination of new items and things that you already have as decorations for the new room. Match colors. There are colors that naturally work well together. Find interesting furniture that suits the mood. An elevated table with bar stools assists in the fluidity of the act of playing pool. Draw the furniture to scale into the floor plan. Make notes on the section of certain wall treatment preferences. All that is needed for the interior decor planning is a floor plan and a section showing each wall.

How to Create Tables in SQL Management Studio

The Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is an application used to connect to SQL servers. The software replaced the old Enterprise Manager with a better interface and easier management of multiple database servers. The management console can be used to create a table within a database. It has a designer, so you add columns and data types using a graphical interface instead of entering SQL commands in the command line.

Instructions

1

Right-click the database in which you want the table to appear. A menu is shown. Select "New Table" from the list of menu items.

2

Type column names on the left side of the table viewer. The table view is the place where you add your column names and data types.

3

Select a data type for each column. The data type is a drop-down menu item. The data type should be carefully considered. For instance, if you set the data type as numeric but enter string values, the database engine returns an error.

4

Right-click one of the columns that is unique to the table and select "Primary Key." Every table should contain a primary key, or your performance will plummet. The primary key is a unique value within the table. Some people choose to create an ID field that increments each time a new record is entered, which ensures there is always a unique value in the table.

5

Click the "Save" button on the SQL Server Management Studio toolbar. A window pops up asking for a table name. Enter it into the text box and press the "Ok" button. The table is created and saved in your database.

How to Use Tax Rate Tables

Paying taxes is rarely a pleasant experience, but at least the Internal Revenue Service simplifies the calculation of income taxes by providing a useful tax table. Of course, determining your taxable income is another, more complicated matter entirely, but if you've made it that far, the IRS eases the final step. State taxes may use a similar format or one requiring additional calculations.

Instructions

Federal 2010 Tax Table

1

Determine your taxable income, according to instructions on your income tax packet. This will be the figure listed on line 43 of Form 1040, the "U.S. Individual Income Tax Return."

2

Look on the 2010 Tax Table for your taxable income range. You will need to find the figures between which your taxable income falls. As an example, if you have taxable income of $23,023, you would find the line listed as "23,000 23,050." The column headers notate those two figures as "At least" and "But less than." Because $23,023 falls between those two numbers, you know you are on the correct line.

3

Read across to the right until you find the column that applies to you. This will be your filing method, such as "Single," "Married filing jointly," "Married filing separately" or "Head of the household." The number in this column is the amount of taxes you must pay. In the example, if you were married and filing a joint return, your tax requirement would be $2,616.

Other Tax Rate Tables

4

Determine you taxable income, according to the instructions on your state, or other, tax instruction booklet. In many cases, your taxable state income will be your taxable federal income. Find the table that corresponds to your filing status, such as "Married taxpayers filing a joint return." Find the line between which your taxable income falls, similar to the federal tax tables.

5

Read over to find your tax rate. Depending on the type of listing, you might find a dollar figure, percentage or both. If you see just a dollar figure, this will be your tax, and you do not need further calculations. If you see a percentage, you will have to calculate a little further. As an example, you might see a tax listing of "$617.32 + 6.15%."

6

Subtract the amount listed in the column "of the amount over" from your taxable income. In the example, if the "of the amount over" figure was $13,420 and your income was $23,023, you would subtract $13,420 from $23,023, which gives you $9,603.

If you only found a percentage in the tax column, the "of the amount over" will be zero, and your calculation will just be your taxable income.

7

Multiply this new figure by the decimal form of the percentage. To convert a percentage to decimal format, you divide by 100. In the example, 6.15 percent is converted into the decimal 0.0615 and multiplied by $9,603. This gives you $590.58.

8

Add this new calculation to the dollar amount, if any, listed under the tax column. In the example, you would add $590.58 to $617.32 for a total tax liability of $1,207.90.

What Is a Nesting Table?

Nesting tables are versatile, small stacking tables. They come in sets of two or three and slide or stack on top of one another for space-saving storage when not in use. Resting on its own legs, the tabletops don't touch each other when stacked. A variety of styles, colors and designs make these multifunctional tables ideal for any room or decor. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The quartetto table was the forerunner of the modern nesting tables. Thomas Sheraton, an English furniture designer, created the quartetto table during the 18th century. It was comprised of four stacking tables that graduated in size. They stored compactly together in a room until needed for needlepoint or checkers. Today a set of nesting tables is composed of two or three stacking tables.

Design

Nesting tables commonly feature a square or rectangular design and are made of wood. Glass, slate and metal tabletops with wrought iron or brass legs have expanded the nesting table repertoire. One-piece clear acrylic stacking tables are ultra modern, lightweight and scratch-proof. Table tops crafted from recycled railroad ties depict one-of-a-kind nesting tables with no two sets being alike. Hidden drawers and bottom shelves are useful features added to some nesting tables.

Styles

Tabletops crafted from cherry, oak or walnut with turned legs and rounded corners blend seamlessly with traditional decor. Rustic distressed wood nesting tables in pine or oak complement the lodge or log cabin style. Tables with straight lines and angled corners in black, merlot or brunette enhance the contemporary ambiance in a room. A Southwestern decor would appreciate reddish brown mission style tables.

Uses

Nesting tables give you additional space for drinks and snacks when entertaining. They're convenient, mobile and don't take up much storage space. Pull one out for a game of chess. Place one or more beside your bed for extra books or bedtime snacks. They're just the right size for a child to color, draw or build blocks on. Weatherproof nesting tables tucked away outdoors can be placed beside patio chairs or poolside to accommodate guests.

How to Care for a Wooden Kitchen Table With a Cracked Finish

Cracks in the finish of your wood table are likely caused by exposure to dry, direct sunlight, sudden temperature changes or improper finishing, according to Michigan State University. This damage may appear as small lines or cracks in the surface of the table, known as checking. Minor damage is quickly repaired with a slightly abrasive mixture. Occasionally, the table's finish will have worn so thin that using an abrasive method won't work. In this case, clean the area and apply a thin layer of polyurethane or penetrating oil finish. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Abrasion Method

1

Mix 1/2 cup powdered rottenstone with 1/8 cup linseed oil, or enough oil to make a paste the consistency of peanut butter.

2

Rub the paste on the cracked surface with a clean cloth and gently rub it. The light abrasive action may remove enough of the top layer of shellac or varnish to repair the damage.

3

Wipe the paste off with a clean cloth and discard.

Overcoating

4

Apply paint thinner to a cloth and rub it across the damaged area to remove any oils, dirt or cracked finish.

5

Paint a thin layer of sealer on the surface. Use the same kind of sealer as found on the table. Most modern tables are sealed with polyurethane, although older pieces may have a penetrating oil, varnish or shellac finish. Wait at least 24 hours for the finish to dry completely.

6

Rub the area lightly with a piece of fine steel wool. Apply a dime-size amount of paste wax to the surface with a clean cloth and rub to buff it.