For my main project I am planning on building a folding table that I can attach to my car for camping, tailgating, or any possible event. I want to make it very functional, because I want to have something that I can be proud of and use for years to come. The plan so far is to make it so I can attach it to the back of my Toyota Forerunner’s trunk and lay it out to I have somewhere to cook wherever I want. I want a place to be able to attach my camping stove and to make part of the table out a cutting board type of material. I am going to mostly use this camping, and since grew up on the west coast and now go to school in Colorado, I want to make a Western aesthetic for my table. The Western half of the United States has a type of style and aesthetic that I love. The vast area is home to some of the most beautiful places I have ever been to and would love to have something that makes me think of the beauty I have seen while camping around there. The drive between goes through deserts and mountains that make me think of cowboys and western movies that I love and would love to emulate it. I picture maybe carving bull skulls and cacti so I can make this come out in my table. I also want to use different types of wood, both dark and light to bring out a more rustic appeal. I have a vision in my head but I just need to ideate on my ideas to make something truly cool.
Exactly what I’m going for. Scott’s Bluff, Nebraska
Bull skull that I am a fan o
One alternative to my current Western aesthetic is an all white aesthetic. Many modern kitchens have this aesthetic where they make everything white in an attempt to look “clean”. I thought it would be interesting to consider my project with this certain aesthetic as I actually really do not like this aesthetic. I have seen way too many videos where someone ruined a beautiful wooden table by painting it entirely white. If I were to make my table with this aesthetic it would look functionally the same and work the same, but would be completely white with nothing interesting on it. I am definitely not going to do this one, but I find it interesting to envision my project looking like this.
All white kitchen
Another potential aesthetic I could do is industrial. Making the table follow an industrial aesthetic would look really cool in my opinion. I would probably make a lot of the table out of steel and make sure to show off the materials. I think it would look very appealing but would be more difficult to make a table out of metal and probably make all the cuts and connections as perfect as possible. I probably won’t go for this aesthetic but find it very cool to consider.
Industrial table
Sources:
https://steelvintage.com/products/tables/the-brunel-table/
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/western-steer-skull—steve-mckinzie.html
4 Comments. Leave new
Hey Garrett!
I think your cowboy aesthetic is perfect for creating a functional camping table! This is such a good idea and I am sure that you will be able to use this table for the rest of your life, especially when outdoors. Was your featured image from Scotts Bluff? I have been there before! I look forward to hearing about the progress of the project heading into April. Good luck!
Thanks for the comment Alex! My featured image was from Scotts Bluff, its a very cool place!
Your folding table project, inspired by the vast beauty of the West, is a brilliant blend of functionality and Western charm. The envisioned bull skulls, cacti carving, and maybe even some subtle nods to horses, evoke the spirit of the open landscape and cowboy culture. Considering alternatives adds depth to your creative process.
Thanks for the comment Hassan! I think it would be a brilliant blend as well.